Voice of Baceprot, an all-female hijabi heavy metal band from Indonesia, is poised to make history as the first Indonesian act to perform at the UK’s renowned Glastonbury Festival. Scheduled to play on the Woodsies stage on June 28, the trio’strio’s performance marks a significant milestone in their groundbreaking career.
Emerging over a decade ago, Voice of Baceprot recently earned a spot on Forbes Asia’s 30-Under-30 list. The band has toured extensively in Europe and the US and released their debut album last year. Their music addresses critical issues such as gender inequality and climate change, reflecting their commitment to making the world better for future generations.
“We care deeply about our surroundings, so our personal experiences and observations inspire our songs. Our goal is to create a better world for the next generations,” said Firda, “Marsya” Kurnia, the lead singer and guitarist.
The group, hailing from Garut, West Java, expressed their excitement and pride at being the first Indonesian musicians to perform at Glastonbury. This performance will also mark their debut in the UK.
Voice of Baceprot aims to showcase Indonesian culture through their music, incorporating elements of Sundanese music, reflective of their ethnic roots. The band sings in a mix of English, Indonesian, and Sundanese, with “”baceprot”” meaning “”annoyingly noisy”” in Sundanese.
Marsya, drummer Euis Siti Aisyah, and bassist Widi Rahmawati formed the band in 2014 while attending an Islamic boarding school. Now in their early 20s, they have defied prejudices and stereotypes about Muslims and Islam.
“We strive to present a more truthful side of our identity,” Marsya said. The band has received accolades from notable musicians like Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine and garnered significant interest during their European tours in 2021 and 2022.
“Each international tour comes with the fear that no one will attend because we’re we’re still growing. But the audience’s enthusiasm has been overwhelming, with some even waiting eagerly for our performance,” Siti shared.
Recognizing their achievements, the Indonesian government supports the band’s trip to the UK. Indonesia’s ambassador to the UK, Desra Percaya, emphasized the importance of their participation, calling it a form of soft diplomacy. “Voice of Baceprot serves as ambassadors for Indonesia, carrying the mission to make our country proud,” he stated.
