To quote the great singer Whitney Houston and actor/musician Jack Black quoting  Whitney, “I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way.”  The bands, artists, musicians, and singer/songwriters who performed at CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST on Sunday, August 30, 2026, are definitely leading the way to stardom and teaching us adults and young adults and teens greatness where they are pursuing their dreams. And I was there from the moment the gates were opened all the way to almost at the end of the festival and having the time of my life listening to the performances of new up and coming artists.

Written by Don Marcelo

But this never would have happened if it wasn’t for serendipity meeting me once again. To be more specific, it was all because I ran into YOYOKA SOMA, the amazing teen drummer who Dave Grohl and Robert Plant admire a lot because of her great talent when they first saw her play at the ripe age of 8 years old. I first met YOYOKA and her family 4 years ago when she first played at The World Famous Whisky A Go Go. Ever since that night, I have seen and photographed her playing the drums whenever I go to The Whisky A Go Go for ULTIMATE JAM NIGHT. But what truly impressed me about YOYOKA was when Chuck Wright and ULTIMATE JAM NIGHT asked her if she could play TOOL’s song “Forty Six and 2.” She said, “No Problem at all.” And she learned the drum parts of one of the hardest and most technical songs ever written in less than 2 hours. Now THAT’S TALENT! And she was only 13 back then. Ever since hearing her play and master that song in less than 2 hours of practice time, I became a big fan. 

I often run into YOYOKA and her family here and there in Los Angeles whenever I cover a show for SLR MAGAZINE. I have seen YOYOKA play with many different bands. This time, I ran into her and her dad Aki where we all stood in line to get some free ice cream for THE LINDA LINDA’S event 2 days prior to CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST. To make a long story shorter, her dad Aki told me that YOYOKA has a new band called LATE AUTUMN so they invited me to go to CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST. Good thing I had a free day and so I said yes. And all I can say is that I’m so glad I went to this music festival. The very first ever and to have been part of the very first CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST was truly an honor.

Promotional poster for the Next Gen Fest in Los Angeles on August 30, featuring various artists and bands such as Cold Spring Harbor, Kim Theory, and Maya Ixta. The design includes palm trees and a city skyline, emphasizing a vibrant festival atmosphere.

CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST – The Event

It was an event full of family, friends, media, and music fans and lovers of all ages. There was a food truck to satiate one’s appetite where proceeds of the sale went directly to benefit CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST. A DJ spinning some great tunes. Sponsors such as Liquid Death, MASA Chips, ISSEI Mochi Gummies, Sunset Soda, just to name a few, gave their support by providing snacks and drinks to everyone. But more importantly it was all about the bands and musicians who gave their heart and soul where each one performed an amazing set in front of all the people on this wonderful day and night at THE UNDERGROUND MUSEUM in Los Angeles, CA.

The bands that I was fortunate enough to have seen and cover on this day and night were the following groups (unfortunately, I wasn’t able to stay at the very end due to some prior life stuff where I had to leave at a specific time):

  • WHAT HAPPENED TO PETER
  • 110 WATER MAIN
  • MAYA IXTA
  • THE BOUGHS
  • LATE AUTUMN
  • LED
  • CLEANING SERVICE
  • COLD SPRING HARBOR
  • EDIE YVONNE
  • CAROLINA CHASE
  • OOZ
  • MAE MAE
  • DUBLINER
  • KIM THEORY BAND

Each and everyone performed so well as if they have been doing this band thing for decades. There were different types of genres from Hard Rock to Pop to Singer/Songwriters to Modern and Fusion Rock to Punk to Pop/Punk. They were all pros and were all having the time of their lives. The backyard ground floor was filled with many Media Photographers ranging in different ages and were all vying for position and trying to capture that one moment of greatness from each musician. There was absolutely nothing negative I can say about each band. Of course we all have our biases and for me and being a fan of YOYOKA’s drumming I was truly impressed with her new band, especially since I have never heard her play with LATE AUTUMN. I even said to her and her band on this night at the end of their set, YOYOKA! This is the band that you are meant to be in. It’s the best one I have seen you with so far.” But don’t just take my word for it. The whole crowd were mesmerized and impressed and even the Emcee/Host on this day was taken aback and was short of nothing but great things to say right after LATE AUTUMN’s performance. Of course everyone was also impressed with KIM THEORY’s stage presence and musicianship and performance. Just coming back from THE Music Fest of all music festivals, LOLLAPALOOZA, KIM THEORY was nothing short of impressive, full of teen angst and raw power and energy on stage. A MUST see for all music lovers especially for the fans of Punk Rock and POP/PUNK genre. One band that really caught my attention was LED especially their song “Goodbye Eric.” It is a very catchy song that has been on repeat for me for the past two weeks and has been one of my favorite songs this year. I hope I get to see them again soon. They will be playing at The Viper Room towards the end of September. I hope my schedule will work out. One more highlight for me was the artist named MAE MAE. Her enigmatic and mysterious stage presence and cool & raw sense of humor during her set were a big hit for me. Not only is she a great singer/songwriter but she’s also very sweet to watch and funny at the same time. Overall, great fun was had by everyone.

ABOUT CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST 

Afterwards, I contacted CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST to find out more about them and this is what the organizer said to me:

“I’m Edie Yvonne, a teen singer songwriter based in LA. I produced this event with my sync company Seoulfull media along with Elaine Sir. I grew up at the Underground Museum and always dreamed of performing there with my peers. We did it with the generosity of UM founder Karon Davis. There is this teen scene bubbling up in LA and we wanted to create a space where artists support other artists – an alternative to the battle of the bands – we want to build community over competition. The festival was a labor of love and a dream come true!”

What an honor to have been part of this event. Thank you very much CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST and Edie Yvonne and Seoulfull Media and Elaine Sir. I am looking forward to the next event. We are all looking forward to the the next event. Enjoy the captured moments in the photo gallery of CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST. Follow all the bands and musicians on all their socials for more. FOLLOW CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST and the founders Edie Yvonne and Seoulfull Media and Elaine Sir for more great up and coming artists and bands and singer/songwriters: 

https://www.instagram.com/seoulfullmedia/?hl=en*

https://www.instagram.com/campnextgenfest

https://www.instagram.com/edieyvonnerrose

https://elainesir.com

https://www.instagram.com/ladysir

Photo Gallery of the performance by © Don Marcelo Photography 2026

PHOTO GALLERY CAMP: NEXT GEN FEST 

  • 110 WATER MAIN

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