Idobi Radio brought its 2026 edition of their Summer School Tour to the House of Blues on Saturday night. Showcasing five up and coming pop-punk bands (four of the five bands were fronted by women, a point that the publicist pointed out), the gig lasted almost five hours; starting with local openers Truss, each band played about a half hour each with a short stage reset between acts.
Long Beach natives Chase Petra took the stage first, playing a mix of emo and power pop. The duo was fronted by Brooke Dickson, with drummer Evan Schaid taking duties behind the kit.
Next up was Los Angeles-based Games We Play. The trio, fronted by vocalist Emmyn Calleiro, offered more pop punk ditties.
Interestingly-monikered Nashville trio Winona Fighter was up next. Kinetic frontwoman Coco Kinnon led her bandmates through a half hour of energetic punk.
British quartet South Arcade, formed in Oxford in 2021, played a very lively set. Lead vocalist Harmony Covelle exclaimed early in the set that they were the “foreign exchange students” in this summer school. Their alternative rock stylings kept the energy going into the third hour of the evening.
Lastly, headliners Honey Revenge played a forty-five minute set. The duo were joined by a bassist and drummer for the gig. Frontwoman Devin Papadol was joined by guitarist Donny Lloyd for a spirited, upbeat set.
