Indonesia’s All-Girl Muslim Metal Band Sets Course for Glastonbury
The girl metal band from Indonesia, Muslim Voice of Baceprot or VoB, is all prepared to set a benchmark by performing at one of the world’s biggest music stages the famous Glastonbury Festival. It’s going to be the first performance ever made by the group and will definitely rewrite the history of how diverse and all-inclusive the global music scenario has been.
Crushing Stereotype-bound Thinking
Voice of Baceprot, which literally means “Noisy Voice” in Sundanese, has beaten up stereotypes since its inception. The trio, with vocalist and guitarist Firda Kurnia, bassist Widi Rahmawati, and drummer Euis Siti Aisyah, formed the band when each was still attending school. These young women from a small town called Garut, in West Java, Indonesia, challenged norms and expectations with their passion for heavy metal music.
Despite all this criticism and prejudice based on their genre and choice of clothes, VoB has moved on, never giving up on music. The heavy metal band donning the traditional hijab posed a very strong statement against stereotypes and did inspire many young women around the globe.
The Road to Glastonbury
What began for VoB in Glastonbury has been just phenomenal. World attention was heaped upon the band for their powerful performance, together with their metallic music and social agenda. Their songs reverberate globally on issues like gender equality, education, and religious tolerance.
VoB’s journey started back in 2014 when they used to play covers of some metal bands. Among those were Metallica and Slipknot within no time, their talent and energy got recognized, and eventually, their music reached music enthusiasts and music critics at large. With the support of their schoolteacher, who identified the potential and encouraged them to keep going, VoB started to compose original music.
2017 turned out to be the breakthrough year when one of their performance videos went viral on social media, receiving millions of viewers and attracting fans worldwide. Off the back of this exposure, they began to receive a lot of offers for international festivals and events, which built their name in the global music scene.
The Meaning of Glastonbury
For VoB, playing Glastonbury is a dream. Somerset’s Glastonbury Festival is probably one of the most legendary music festivals globally. With its diverse genre blend, ranging from eclectic lineups, Glastonbury has also booked some of the most legendary acts ever: David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Radiohead.
Well, VoB joining the lineup epitomizes the talent and universal appeal of their music. It’s likewise a rather small but very grand feat vis-à-vis representation and diversity in the entertainment industry. Having been among the biggest names in music, VoB aspires to inspire young musicians women and those from underrepresented communities—to live their dreams.
Challenges and Triumphs
But it hasn’t been an easy road to Glastonbury for VoB. That challenge took the form of critique and anologies against VoB from political and societal elements who claimed that heavy metal stood outside the religion. However, the band turned resilient with their music, using it to challenge misconceptions and advocate a united message of tolerance.
What has kept VoB stepping forward into the unknown is their dedication and the support from family and community. Much encouragement came from global fans who respect their courage and realness. This support has been instrumental in helping them navigate the challenges and continue to grow as artists.
Looking Ahead
As VoB prepares itself for Glastonbury, it feels that this is the time they are going to share their music with the people who have not heard it yet. It is their wish that their act will be able to inspire and energize those who are slaves in the society, out of their bondage, and go out there fulfilling their passions.
“We want to show the world that you can be true to yourself, chase your dreams, notwithstanding your person or origin,” said Firda Kurnia. “Music is what joins the world. It’s a universal language and connecting with people, so we are proud to represent Indonesia on the global stage.”
From the small town in Indonesia onto international music festival lineups, the VoB story speaks to the immense and transformative energy contained within music. It is a story of persistence, courage, and art as glue—what holds people together as humans. In achieving a slot at Glastonbury, VoB goes beyond just making music; it is writing history.
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