Home / News / Pushing Back and Creating Space: Asian American Unity Fest Returns For A Second Year

Pushing Back and Creating Space: Asian American Unity Fest Returns For A Second Year

By on April 28, 2026

Pushing Back and Creating Space: Asian American Unity Fest Returns For A Second Year
by Jeremy Duke

ASIAN AMERICAN UNITY is more than a DIY hardcore and punk fest. Returning to New York City for the second year on May 1–2, the event brings together 15 Asian American and Asian-fronted bands across two nights at The Meadows and Gold Sounds in Brooklyn, highlighting a scene that continues to grow louder and more visible.

“I’m always looking forward to new faces as more and more people find out about AAU. I love seeing new Asian kids tapping into this and getting pumped on the subculture,” said Mitchell, drummer of CHERUB CHAINS, who play on the first day.

No Model, AAU 2025 (Photo credit: Ray Mock)

“I also get hyped when older Asian people come by and appreciate this platform we’re putting together for our people in hardcore. The music is awesome, but it’s only ever possible with people showing up to make it happen.”

“I feel like Asian hardcore, in general, is the future. I really do,” said Jeff, vocalist of SOUR. “I think things like Whispers getting so much attention is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many good, young bands popping right now.”

AAU 2025 (Photo Credit: HeeJin Kim)

This second iteration of the fest was organized by Karin of FERMENT, NO VALUES, and THE TARRYS, and returns with help from friends in the community, many of whom will also perform.

“When I wrote W.A.A.D., I did not expect someone to want to name a fest after those lyrics,” said Sehun of NO MODEL and KILL YELLOW FEVER RECORDS. “Most of the people I’m organizing the fest with I’ve met because of No Model, or I’ve known for a long time.”

“To be in a room full of Asian people at a hardcore show felt like a dream when I first started going to shows over a decade ago,” said Molly, vocalist of Cherub Chains. “Whether it was a lifelong friend or a stranger, everyone felt like family to me. People don’t realize how monumental it is for someone like me, or for the Asian community, to have that within hardcore.”

The fest will also feature fourteen community organizations and vendors representing activist groups, mutual aid efforts, small businesses, and artists.

Cherub Chains, AAU 2025 (Photo Credit: HeeJin Kim)

“AAU is a fest that platforms our angriest and most passionate voices that need to be heard,” Mitchell said. “There is so much intentionality in this fest. I always hope that when someone attends, they leave inspired to start their own thing, whether it’s a band, a zine, or a collective.”

Organizers and performers agree that the impact of the event goes beyond the performances. It creates space for a growing subculture and community to express itself.

“We were all drawn to hardcore and punk as a way of finding belonging and community,” Molly said. “At the same time, marginalized people, including myself, can face challenges when trying to build that sense of belonging.”

“Asians are often boxed into stereotypes that paint us as docile, submissive, quiet, and timid. A fest like Asian American Unity is important because it pushes back against that and creates space for us to show who we are and where we come from.”

AAU 2025 (Photo credit: Ray Mock)

“Finding like-minded people in this world is hard. Finding other Asian people in subcultures like punk and hardcore is even harder,” Jeff said. “There are so many layers to that. Bringing people together with shared intentions of building community and a better world, even in a small way, really matters. It always has. Right now, it stands out even more.”

“It’s not just about the gathering or the music,” he added. “It’s about what happens in between. People build relationships. They get inspired to create art and bring something back to their own communities.”

Tickets and information available here.

UniteAsia.org is an underground Asian music news website created for the sole purpose of supporting our own world. We support all bands and genres HOWEVER we do not support nor have any sympathy for homophobic, racist, sexist rhetoric in lyrical content or band material. UNITE ASIA!
Related Items