Bikini Kill

It’s been 23 years since Bikini Kill last played a gig on these shores, but this week they were back, back, back at the Brixton Academy - following recent, rapturously received, sold-out shows in LA and NYC.

Original members Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox were all there, alongside newbie Erica Dawn Lyle, and they were all on sizzling form. I took hundreds of pictures and it’s been really hard to select today’s Blip and Extras - but I hope they provide a flavour of the energy and excitement of it all!

The times certainly seem right for a renewed injection of Bikini Kill’s Riot Grrrl philosophy and approach to feminist DIY punk creativity - and they delivered in spades.

The songs speak for themselves but the between-song chat from Kathleen and Tobi underlined how angry they still feel about the state of the world on both macro and micro scales, with calls to resist “the right-wing horror show” that’s overtaking the world, to “stop policing each other’s feminism and be better allies” and to be creative by learning on the job. As Tobi said, “You don’t need to play an instrument well in order to write a great song. It’s never too late to form a band.”

I was also touched by Kathleen’s heartfelt tribute to Poly Styrene and to the work being done to honour her legacy by Celeste Bell and Zoe Howe, who featured in my Blip of 30th May www.blipfoto.com/entry/2581165056880283128

Also on the bill were the utterly fabulous Big Joanie and Child’s Pose, making the night something of a punky, feminist, Riot Grrrl Fest - and the 5,000 strong, overwhelmingly female, multi-generational audience was certainly in the mood to party!

It’s a show that will live long in my memory.

Here are Bikini Kill, live in New York just a few days ago, playing ‘Rebel Girl’ with the single’s original producer, Joan Jett https://youtube.com/watch?v=a7m-b9ToaYg

And here’s tonight’s setlist:

New Radio
Jigsaw Youth
This Is Not a Test
Don't Need You
Feels Blind
I Hate Danger
In Accordance to Natural Law
Demi Rep
Reject All American
Alien She
No Backrub
Sugar
Hamster Baby
Tell Me So
Carnival
Capri Pants
Resist Psychic Death
Outta Me
For Only
Distinct Complicity
Magnet
Lil' Red
Rebel Girl
Double Dare Ya
Suck My Left One
For Tammy Rae


(Not only was it a great gig but it was lovely to be able to spend some time with Goatee and family this weekend. Always good to see them!)