Winona Fighter Take Over Crystal Ballroom in a Triumphant Boston Homecoming

There is no other way to say it: Winona Fighter are on fire—and Boston knew it long before the rest of the world caught on. On July 11, the Nashville-based punk trio (with local roots) sold out the Crystal Ballroom in Somerville, marking their biggest Boston venue to date. Just last year, they lit up the much smaller Rockwell, and now they are commanding sold-out crowds with the same raw, unfiltered punk energy—but on a much bigger scale.

It was more than just another stop on their Yes, Chef Tour—it was a homecoming for frontwoman and multi-instrumentalist Coco Kinnon, who is from Boston. From the second she hit the stage, it was clear this night meant something. The crowd, packed shoulder to shoulder, returned every scream, every lyric, every guitar crunch with equal force.

Opening with "You Look Like a Drunk Phoebe Bridgers" and blasting through tracks from their debut full-length, My Apologies to the Chef, Winona Fighter delivered the kind of show that leaves you sweaty, hoarse, and grinning. Coco’s stage presence was as explosive as ever—punctuated by high kicks, fearless banter, and a vocal range that straddles rage and melody like few in modern punk can. Guitarist Dan Fuson and bassist/producer Austin Luther kept the tempo driving and tight, their chemistry unmistakable.

The band recently wrapped the first leg of the Yes, Chef Tour—with sold-out shows in Nashville, LA, Denver, and more—and immediately launched into a second leg with over 30 new cities. Jokingly, Austin once claimed they would play “500 shows in 365 days,” and at this rate, no one is betting against them.

Their debut album—raw, chaotic, and deeply personal—has resonated with a growing fanbase. Songs like “I’M IN THE MARKET TO PLEASE NO ONE,” inspired by a letter Coco wrote during therapy, and “Johnny’s Dead,” a gut-wrenching take on addiction, are proof that Winona Fighter isn’t just here to entertain. They are here to confront, to connect, and to give people permission to feel angry, messy, and loud.