It all started with an Instagram reel. On November 21, 2024, Emo Nite posted about a band called Winona Fighter, and I dropped a casual comment: “very good band name.” Some internet asshole clapped back with “very stupid band name,” but Winona Fighter themselves stepped in, shutting them down with the perfect mix of wit and confidence. That alone told me everything I needed to know about this band: they don’t take shit, and they know exactly who they are. So, when Us For Once was able to catch them at not one, but two SoCal dates of their "Yes, Chef!" tour, we knew we were in for something unique. The powerhouse trio brought their tour to the Voodoo Room in San Diego last month. The small venue and dreary weather outside did nothing to dampen the crowd’s energy and anticipation.
With local favorites StrateJacket and Sunburnt opening the show, Winona Fighter stepped on the stage to a packed venue filled with screaming fans of all ages. The energy was electric, with lead vocalist Coco jumping and dancing with a red guitar across the stage. Audience participation was at an all-time high, with fans screaming along to every word, to the point that it was hard to hear Coco above the noise.
Winona Fighter is heading towards stardom if their dutiful fanbase has anything to say. If you can’t catch them on this current US tour, they are part of the packed lineup of this year’s Warped Tour in Orlando.
Fast-forward to February 25th, 2025. A warm, breezy Tuesday night in LA that makes you forget it’s still winter. The Echo, a small yet iconic venue, was the perfect setting for an electric night of music. I arrived early to catch the openers, StrateJacket and Grave Secrets, who both delivered solid sets that primed the crowd for the chaos to come. As the night went on, the room filled, buzzing with anticipation for the headline act.
Winona Fighter, a high-energy, no-nonsense band named after Winona Ryder (who, fun fact, once dreamed of being a professional skateboarder before becoming an Oscar-nominated actress), was about to take the stage. By the time they did, the place was packed wall-to-wall with fans spanning all ages and backgrounds.
From the moment Winona Fighter hit the stage, the energy went up to 11. Their fans are dedicated, the type to not just sing along, but absolutely lose their minds. It’s always special to see a crowd this engaged, especially for a band still on the rise, but Winona Fighter just inspires that kind of loyalty.
Their stage presence is undeniable. Every member moves with purpose, completely in sync, and not really in a rehearsed way, but in a way that feels like they’re just a group of best friends making music and having the time of their lives. There’s a rawness and camaraderie in their performance. It’s real, and you can feel it.
Coco, the band’s powerhouse vocalist, owns the stage effortlessly. She doesn’t put any emphasis on Winona Fighter being a “female-fronted” band (a tired label at this point)—she just is, and she’s a force. Audience participation was next level. There was crowd surfing, relentless clapping, and at one point, Coco went right up to a very loyal fan who was screaming every word and handed her the mic. The room erupted. Moments like that are what make live shows unforgettable.
Towards the end of the show, when Coco introduced the band, it wasn’t just a quick name drop; it was genuine, like a group of friends hyping each other up. That camaraderie translates directly into their performance, which remained high-energy from start to finish. As a photographer at a no-barricade show, navigating the packed venue was a challenge, but that’s the best kind of problem to have: it means the show is a real one.
Winona Fighter isn’t just a band to watch, they’re a band to experience. They took a small room and made it feel like an arena. Their connection with their fans, their infectious energy, and their undeniable chemistry on stage prove that they’re the real deal. If you get the chance to see them live, don’t hesitate. Because if this show was any indication, they won’t be playing small venues like The Echo for much longer.
A few days after the shows that rocked our socks off, we chatted with Coco. We dove into a lively conversation with a cinematic theme, highlighting the band and some tracks off their debut LP, showcasing them through the lenses/meanings of five iconic Winona Ryder movies. Check it out here!