Femme Rock Fright Fest Takes Over Asbury Lanes
Shot and Written by Michael Campanile
October 15, 2026
Shot and Written by Michael Campanile
October 15, 2026
Four local bands took over Asbury Lanes last Friday for the very first Femme Rock Fright Fest. While each had a unique sound of their own, they did have one thing in common—extremely talented female lead singers.
The Fest was the brainchild of indie rockers Red Head Redemption. They were inspired by the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival to put together a showcase for female-fronted local bands and show there is an appetite for the musical art that women can provide.
The lineup was strong and all four acts were at the top of their game. The Azures were a great choice to open with their grungy-psychedelic rock sound. Gia Rose is mesmerizing on stage, blending her poetry with rock and roll. The band itself feels like a throwback to when The Doors were playing the Sunset Strip.
Not Yer Baby was up next, an indie dance-punk band fronted by the dynamic Carrot Volz. This was my first time seeing them live, and I now understand why they were picked to play Sea Hear Now last year. The band embraced the spooky season theme and performed in costume, and I doubt there was a louder group of mimes to ever rock Asbury Park.
Red Head Redemption followed with a stellar set of their own. When I interviewed their lead singer, Kim Modica, a few weeks back, I could hear the passion that she has for both the band and this project. That passion was also visible on stage as she commanded the room and had the crowd right where she wanted them. This definitely feels like a band on the rise.
The night concluded with another strong performance from “your favorite ex-girlfriend”, Liv Bec. The Cuban-American songwriter was joined by two other talented local singers, Kat Quintana and Janai Freer, and the set showcased her explosive, cathartic style. Just when Bec thought she was done for the night, the crowd convinced the band to play two more songs, and they were more than happy to oblige.
It was great to see the local community turn out and support this new project. The crowd was enthusiastic for each artist, and also included a number of their musical peers. There was even a most pit during the Red Head Redemption set! Modica said the hope was to make the Fest an annual event, and if this night was any indication, that will be a welcome idea.
Go check out all these talented musicians wherever you stream your music, and be sure to follow them to see when and where they are playing next. You won’t want to miss out!
Coverage from October 9, 2026 at Asbury Lanes in Asbury Park, NJ. All photos are © Michael Campanile Photography and cannot be used without permission.