Rock Monsters Romania

On June 21st in Iași, something is happening that many of us never thought we’d see again: a true emo reunion.

Before taking the Rocanotherworld stage, we sat down with the members of EMO REUNION to talk about what it means to bring back not just a genre, but a feeling. We talked about nostalgia, teenage years spent on MYSpace on repeat, and how emo still resonates today for a generation that’s grown up but never really let go.

How did Emo Reunion come to life?

Emo Reunion was born in December 2023 with our first party at Club Fabrica in Bucharest. Carina, who grew up in the MySpace era in the US, was deeply influenced by the local music scene there. She always loved this music but felt it wasn’t widely appreciated around her. Wanting to create a space for fellow fans, she reached out to her close friend Alin (Pandutzu), who had experience with DJing and organizing events. Together, they shaped the concept of Emo Reunion, hoping to bring together what they thought was a small, niche community, only to be surprised when their first event sold out. As word spread, the event quickly grew, gaining national attention. By spring 2024, they launched the first tour, bringing Emo Reunion to six cities across Romania.

What has the audience’s reaction been to the events so far? Have you received any feedback?

The audience’s reaction was incredible, we were both thrilled and surprised when the first three events at Club Fabrica in Bucharest sold out. We’ve managed to attract fans from all over the country and create a nostalgic atmosphere at our events. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, and we plan to continue hosting events several times a year to keep the community connected and promote local bands in this niche scene.

Besides parties, you’ve supported the local scene by bringing surprise guests in front of the audience. Will you continue the tradition of concerts and tours, or are you focusing more on the core idea behind Emo Reunion?

Yes, we plan to keep promoting the local scene by bringing more local bands to our events. We also have a special surprise planned for our 2-year anniversary on December 6th at Club Quantic.

This year, you’ve had two tours across the country, organized a brunch and a charity silent party, and you’re continuing Emo Reunion on the stages of Untold, Rocanotherworld, and Odyssea. Where do you hope to take the project next? 

We are honoured that we’ve been invited to festivals and we plan to play at even more this year and next year. It’s a different vibe and we love the challenge to bring people to our sets. We want to keep growing the project and share this music with as many people as possible. It’s a fun, nostalgic vibe that resonates with many millennials who grew up listening to it on MTV. Our dream is to one day host an afterparty or opening set for an international band from our playlist. And why not, our very own emo festival.

Out of all the events you’ve organized so far, what is the most beautiful memory you have?

It’s hard to pick just one memory because each party has its own special moments. But one thing we always love is playing “Welcome to the Black Parade” by My Chemical Romance our “emo anthem” and singing it with the entire crowd. It gives us goosebumps every time, especially knowing how much the song meant to us back then, and now sharing that feeling with hundreds of people is truly incredible.

Looking ahead to this month, you’ll be performing at Rocanotherworld. How does that feel? What should the crowd expect from you?

It’s our first time at Rockanotherworld and we’re really excited and humbled to share the stage with so many local bands we admire. The crowd in Iași is always fantastic and knowing many local fans will be there makes it even more special. Since we have a 2-hour set, we’ve packed it with the best bangers that everyone will enjoy.

What is your message for the people who are coming to your set at Rocanotherworld and are reading this interview?

We’re always excited to meet new people and reconnect with familiar faces at our shows. We love building a real connection with everyone through our online community and live events. We’re bringing a set full of special tracks and can’t wait to share an unforgettable night with you!

This is also the 10th anniversary edition of the festival. Do you have a special message for the organizers?

We’d like to thank them for including us in this amazing event and giving us the chance to share our project with a wider audience. It’s an honor to be part of such an important festival in Romania’s music scene.

EMO REUNION isn’t just a comeback it’s a bridge between who we were and what we still feel. And don’t forget: it was never just a phase.

Tickets and multi-day passes are still available on the official website (www.rocanotherworld.com), so don’t miss the opportunity to see your favourite acts live!

Interview by Ioana Florescu and Radu Mihai
Text by Ionela Pleșan