Rock Monsters Romania

The first day was amazing, with acts like Alex Purje, Prima Dragoste, Delta Pe Obraz, Ana Coman, and Taking Back August making it a day to remember. However, another day awaited with more bands and lots of surprises.

We started the second day of the showcase with Toma DJing until 8 PM, and Irina Marinescu took the stage to share the evening’s lineup, remind us of the BandBook website, and explain the lack of a fixed schedule with, ‘We want you to discover as much good music and as many artists as possible.’ Irina finished her speech by introducing Cristina Lupu, the first artist of the night.

Cristina Lupu

We did not know a lot about Cristina Lupu before the show, but we knew that it could be a special set.

IONELA: Cristina Lupu was an artist I had heard only good things about and was curious to hear live. Cristina is described in my mind as “Un om cu o chitară” (“A person with a guitar”), just like the song from Vita de Vie. She arrives, sings, captivates you, and then bids goodbye. She appears to be an artist with a lot of promise. I admired her sensitivity and gentleness. Everything felt incredibly intimate, as if she were singing to us in her living room, aiming to make us feel good while also sharing her stories. Although not as energetic as Purje‘s opening act the previous day, I truly enjoyed the more relaxed vibe, especially when delving into emotions. In my opinion, Cristina leans more towards indie, even though the BandBook website mentions she is also pop. You can sense her jazz background, which I found quite appealing. Cristina is perfect after a busy day or one spent at home, when you want to spontaneously dance to something not too loud but meaningful.

RADU: I admit I knew Cristina Lupu from social media and through people who had seen her perform live, but I had never witnessed her live myself. All of them had warned me to be prepared for an emotional performance. I didn’t know what to expect, but it turned out to be a magical experience. Her intimate performance captivated everyone’s attention, centered around her and her guitar, with songs that resonated with all of us. She is the kind of talent that seems poised to gain widespread recognition in just a few years.

Heartbreak Cinema

After Cristina Lupu’s 30 minutes, it was time for Heartbreak Cinema, a group that  blends electronic with alternative and metal, and even a bit of punk. The lineup includes Maria Teodora on vocals, Radu Bădilaș on bass & synths, George Moței on guitar, and Vlad Casian on drums.

RADU: When I first heard that Maria was sick, I was worried about how she would perform, but those concerns disappeared within just a few seconds. Despite not feeling well, she exuded energy, portraying a true rock star giving her all for the performance, and it was amazing. The same could be said for Radu, George, and Vlad. Radu, full of energy, danced across the stage, evoking laughter from the audience. 

The highlight was undoubtedly the live release of “Fuckaholic,” with Iris Danciu joining the stage after many years to play alongside the band. The duo of Iris and Maria created pure magic, reminiscent of a combination of Paramore’s Hayley Williams and a touch of Infected Rain’s Lena Scissorhands. It was evident that Iris relished every moment, a sentiment I felt when I congratulated her and exchanged fist bumps after the performance. The entire crowd was impressed and amazed by the band’s performance. Favourites like “I KILL EVERYTHING I TOUCH” and “Plot Twist” were inevitably part of the set, and I loved how people in the crowd, likely friends and colleagues of Radu and Maria, sang along. For a small band like Heartbreak Cinema, I know that such moments mean the world to them.

IONELA: I must admit I had reservations about Heartbreak Cinema. I saw them live for the first time at The Pub, where I could hardly hear them because the sound was not so good. I left with the impression that the only one doing something in this band was the bassist, but I was so wrong.

Maria was actually sick, but you couldn’t tell. The sound was great, and she handled the entire concert brilliantly. The one thing I don’t understand about this band is how Radu can move so much and not have his cap fall off. Is it glued on? Anyway, I really liked them, and it reminded me once again of how important a good sound engineer and a venue that allows you to sound the way you want are.

Heartbreak Cinema recently released a song with a powerful message, addressing the rarely discussed issue of catcalling and harassment on the streets. The song “Fuckaholic” is a manifesto featuring Iris Danciu, and her voice adds even more power to the song. It’s not just one “crazy scared woman”; there are two, and there are more of us in the crowd. So the conclusion is, “You wanna fuck me? I’m fucking sorry, but I don’t.” The audience reacted very positively; everyone seemed to like what they heard, and the band finished with a photo of the crowd taken by Andrea Stanciu, a photo that surely turned out wild.

EYEDROPS

After Heartbreak Cinema, EYEDROPS took the stage. Eyedrops are a feeling complemented by a sonic background that incorporates indie, alternative, and sometimes punk, especially with the new album. The current lineup consists of Paul Paicu Manolescu on vocals, Radu Burcea on guitar, Silviu Ruta on bass, and Răzvan Anton on drums. Silviu couldn’t be present because he was on vacation, so somebody had to take his place…

IONELA: People who know me are aware that I’m crazy about Eyedrops. I spent my university years with them through their lyrics. I even appeared in the music video for ‘Curaj,’ where, spoiler alert, you get 10 points if you recognize me. So, there was no way I wouldn’t like them. I was sad that they were only going to play for about 30 minutes, but I prepared my voice for singing and screaming lyrics.

In Silviu’s place, a girl with a sparkly pink bass appeared, and although I appreciated her a lot, I shamefully didn’t remember her name. Eyedrops played seven songs, and I have this information because, once again, I went home with the setlist. If you want it back, text me. Songs like “Ceva Proaspăt,” “Ultima Noapte,” the famous “Bicicletă,” and “Departe Deja” were among the winning songs. I waited for the Bandbook event just to scream: “Uite – ceva proaspăt, Uite – ceva ce n-am mai văzut, Uite – o lumină aprinsă fix, Când n-am mai fi putut.”

The worst place at this concert was next to me because I didn’t stop screaming lyrics. I apologize to the people around me if I bothered them. Everyone seemed to be fascinated by Paul‘s energy, moving around the stage and posing for photos, and I wasn’t ashamed of Radu either. You could see the chemistry between them and how they enjoyed the result. During the song “Nimeni,” Paul jumped into the crowd, sang, and admired his colleagues singing. The concert ended in a cascade of applause, leaving me voiceless.

RADU: Like many other bands I saw at the showcase, Eyedrops were a first for me. I was surprised not to see Silviu on bass; instead, it was Beatrice (I hope I remember the name correctly), who rocked it on her debut appearance with a flashy pink bass that sparked my desire to see more diversity in colours. The instrument blended perfectly into the scenery as the lights also displayed various colours. I also appreciated the thematic alignment of their clothes with their musical style.

Returning to the musical performance, it sounded fantastic. Even though I initially thought I didn’t know the lyrics, I caught myself singing along with the band on one song. As I write this paragraph, I still don’t know which song it was, as I’m sometimes terrible with song names, but I enjoyed it immensely. I can’t wait to see them again, hopefully in a longer set!

Dora Gaitanovici

Next was Dora Gaitanovici, the new sensation since her participation in Eurovision Romania in 2022. She embraces a melodic progressive combined with alternative and performs alongside Dani Bușoi on guitar and vocals, Dante on guitar, Denis Costache on the violin, Andrei Zamfir on bass, and Codruț Bulfan on drums. All these people form a whole that on stage seems to be a very well-oiled machine.

IONELA: I did my homework and listened to her album on Spotify, something you can do too. The conclusion after my first listen was that it’s something different, not my type, meaning it has some nice rhythmic pieces, but the rest I can’t say moved me after listening to them online. There’s a world of difference between listening on Spotify and the live performance. Certainly, Dora is a live artist who sounds perfect and puts on a show; the streaming version does not do justice. Denis‘s violin sounds sublime, Dante and his guitar are wild, especially when Dante starts screaming randomly. Dani, besides the guitar, is also seen doing vocals, giving it his all, and as for Codruț and Andrei, I’m speechless. They are what’s needed, and that was the vibe of the crowd. It was a full house for Dora Gaitanovici. I walked from the front to the back, left and right of the stage, and I couldn’t find a spot where it sounded bad. They are a musical project that needs to be followed and supported. So go ahead and give them a follow on social media. 

Dora is a force of nature. An essence in a small bottle, and we all know what they say about strong essences in small bottles.

RADU: It was my second time seeing Dora Gaitanovici live, following her performance at the MMB Showcase back in September. This time, I secured a spot in the front rows and enthusiastically sang along with her on nearly every song while taking photos. I could tell she noticed me and shared a laugh, but I couldn’t resist continuing to immerse myself in the performance.

Once again, the musical delivery was exceptional, showcasing the remarkable skill level she’s achieved at such a young age. What impressed me even more was that her performance surpassed the one from September. Witnessing her continuous improvement month by month is truly amazing, and her humility in the process is admirable.

One of the standout aspects of the band is their chemistry. It’s evident that they not only work together but genuinely enjoy themselves on stage. While I understand that behind-the-scenes work, like carrying instruments, is challenging and perhaps less enjoyable, their on-stage dynamic feels like a unique and special experience every time. They’re more than just bandmates, they’re friends, and this aspect shines through in their performances.

SHE

After Dora Gaitanovici finished her performance, SHE took the stage. SHE is Corina Sucarov’s musical project, where she explores dark electro combined with synth-pop, and on stage with her are Andrei Stănescu on bass and Milan Bogdan on guitar.

RADU: After catching SHE‘s act at Summer Well, I couldn’t help but feel that the whole vibe was elevated when the show took place at night. Her style really struck a chord with me, putting me in this intriguing gothic mood that I surprisingly enjoyed. The sound she brings is something special, and I genuinely believe it holds great promise for the future of the Romanian music scene. It’s not just music; it’s an experience, and I’m excited about what SHE brings to the table.

IONELA: Not my cup of tea again. It appeared to be a blend of Morticia Addams, TikTok’s Eastern Europe trends, and Molchat Doma, whom I had the chance to see live in 2022 at Paredes de Coura. The audience seemed to enjoy it, and Corina has a very good stage presence. Her entire vibe exudes a lot, from the way she speaks to how she dresses.

SHE finished performing, and Toma continued to maintain the atmosphere until late in the night with fresh songs and good vibes for the ones who remained.

OUR TOP 3 OF SECOND DAY: Dora Gaitanovici, Eyedrops, Heartbreak Cinema

CONCLUSIONS

The launch of BandBook proved to be a positive experience. This event not only introduced us to new faces but also unveiled a diverse musical landscape. The team appears dynamic, showcasing considerable potential and promising opportunities on the horizon. We look forward to attending their future concerts. 

In the meantime, consider connecting with them on social media, and if you’re interested in booking an artist from their extensive portfolio, explore their website.

Text and photos by Ionela Plesan and Radu Mihai