Ten years after forming a metal band to champion gender equality and peace through guitars and drums, three Indonesian teen girls have earned global acclaim and are set to rock the stage at Glastonbury.
Voice of Baceprot, consisting of Firda Kurnia (guitar and vocals), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisah (drums), is about to make history at Glastonbury as the first Indonesian band to share the stage with music sensations like Coldplay and Dua Lipa!
“Honestly, Glastonbury is not on our wishlist because we feel like it is too high a dream,” said Aisah. “I am half in disbelief. That is why we keep checking whether it is the official Glastonbury or if someone pranked us.”
Voice of Baceprot originated from a village near the West Javan city of Garut. They gained a following by performing lively covers of Rage Against the Machine — 'baceprot' means 'noisy' in Sundanese, a traditional Indonesian language — and further endeared themselves to fans with their original music.
Muslim conservatives in Indonesia consistently criticize the band for their music, lyrics, and the attire of its members, labeling them as 'inappropriate'.
However, Voice of Baceprot has remained steadfast in its beliefs, using its music as a platform to challenge and defy these criticisms.
Their most popular song, 'God, Allow Me [Please] to Play Music', has amassed millions of views on YouTube and plays on Spotify. It directly challenges conservative critics who oppose women playing such music.
The band has also composed songs addressing topics such as climate change and women's rights.