Opening the show that night was Made Violent, a band which matched Hinds’ tempo to a T. Hailing from Buffalo, NY, M ade Violent was a band known and already loved by the crowd as proven by family members howling with support after each song and friends in the audience tossing around inside jokes with the band. Made Violent has taken significant strides this year, touring with bands like Hunny, recording with Audiotree, and releasing their latest EP, Squeeze. In creating surf rock (but heavier on the rock), Made Violent is reminiscent of bands like The Strokes and White Reaper. 

Yet unlike other groups, they deliver their tunes in a refreshing way that doesn’t feel tiresome or overdone. Perhaps it’s because of their rough-around-the-edges delivery, or because of the carefree bond that comes with turning a friendship into a band. Whatever it is that makes Made Violent stand out is surely something special.

Boston crowds can always be hit or miss, so when Hinds took the stage, I wasn’t quite sure how the crowd would react. I was hoping for the teenagers to spur some rowdiness that would hopefully get the adults dancing too, and my hopes were eventually exceeded as the night went on. Carlotta Cosials (vocals, guitar), Ana Perrote (vocals, guitar), Ade Martin (bass, backing vocals), and Amber Grimbergen (drums) stepped out on stage to the immediate squeals of the crowd, looking like a modern day Spice Girls, each in her own unique outfit from a babydoll dress to a shaggy jumpsuit. 

Just in appearance alone, Hinds carries so much personality, a trait that other bands rarely achieve so easily. Positivity just radiated from the stage. The highlight of the night was by far when the girls performed “Tester,” a song about “just having fun” that opened up a mosh pit within the intimate crowd. It was hard not to smile when Carlotta kneeled to sing in fans’ faces, or when grown men were crowd surfing, held up by the skinny arms of teenage girls. Even Ana joined in on the action, jumping into the crowd—and while she did land on my head, which left quite a bruise, I couldn’t stop smiling. After flying through songs from I Don’t Run and Leave Me Alone, Hinds left the crowd aching for one song in particular: “Davey Crockett,” a cover of the Thee Headcoats’ original song. One man specifically yelled out to hear that during any break Carlotta took to speak to the crowd. Eventually his pleas were fulfilled in the form of a more frenzied and high-energy live version, leaving the crowd a sweaty mess. 

There’s no doubt that Hinds will soon have its members’ names plastered everywhere, and be known by everyone. They are truly a band that speaks for good old rock and roll, busting out carefree music that anyone can enjoy—especially because it’s fueled by girl power.