Saigon in the past year seems to have really started building a DIY punk scene. As some of you know, back in the States, I was predominantly a music photographer, and when I moved to Saigon 5 years ago, there wasn’t much of a scene, or at least I didn’t see or hear about it. Needless to say, I’m stoked to have the ‘core and punk shows to go now.
Last night, locals District 105 and 7 Uppercuts welcomed Indonesia’s Koteka is the Reason to Saigon. 7 Uppercuts started everything off with their mix of pop punk with District 105’s beatdown hardcore following up. Mosh friendly with Pantera harmonics. Shred. And rounding out was Koteka is the Reason and they destroyed. Street punk - fast, loud and full of circle pits. Make sure you head over to their sites. Give them a listen and go mosh in your living room.
![Shirtless 7UPPERCUTS member plays the drum at a punk show in Ho Chi Minh City. Photographed by Lee Starnes, Saigon-based photographer.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834810860-87PQAQH924ONP8WXQ1Z1/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-2.jpg)
![7UPPERCUTS member wearing yellow T-shirt plays the guitar and sings into the microphone at a Saigon venue. Taken by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834835829-9FNWP8T83E2ENQCFAP7J/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-3.jpg)
![Local punk act 7UPPERCUTS performs in Ho Chi Minh City. Man plays the bass on stage. Punk show documented by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834844911-ZVDMHTB9BOVSBDSGLH28/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-4.jpg)
![7UPPERCUTS performs on stage. Ho Chi Minh City punk show. Shot by Lee Starnes, Vietnam photographer.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834858222-XEEKAY8QM99SG2BW1TJ8/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-5.jpg)
![Punk show in Ho Chi Minh City features local bands 7UPPERCUTS and District 105. Guitarist and vocalist perform on stage. Photographed by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834871134-RRJ1JUU3JY4TRF1WU14P/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-6.jpg)
![hardcore.blog.leestarnes-8.jpg](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834892197-AZXNASZ648PBV1UN8U81/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-8.jpg)
![Drummer plays at a punk show in Ho Chi Minh City. Taken by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834895945-X9L78QSC5AJKXGNJO9KM/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-9.jpg)
![Guitarist jumps at a Saigon punk show. Shot by Lee Starnes, Vietnam photographer.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834909221-F01IJ4GJI6AI62CWJ2GT/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-10.jpg)
![Drummer of Koteka is the Reason performs on stage. Photographed at a punk show in Ho Chi Minh City by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834923656-LW4QJMC7NG81TP3GQ4X0/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-11.jpg)
![Koteka is the Reason vocalist on his back sings into the microphone at a punk show. Shot by Lee Starnes, Saigon-based photographer.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834943015-7LGN44SOIDT4KLH1I6HN/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-12.jpg)
![Indonesian punk band Koteka is the Reason plays in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, surrounded by the audience. Photographed by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834947693-5TO2YLM6DJQJ6LG5W5K2/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-13.jpg)
![Indonesia‘s Koteka is the Reason plays on stage. Vocalist bends backward holding a microphone. Punk concert in Saigon shot by Lee Starnes, Vietnam photographer.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834972733-59FJ8XGS0QFA29A0SBK3/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-14.jpg)
![Hardcore punk act Koteka is the Reason performs in Vietnam. Photographed by Lee Starnes.](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c25cb4d710699ff93e96f06/1546834974930-72P0PH0SEJC65BIBSJMM/hardcore.blog.leestarnes-15.jpg)