Bikini Kill at Brixton Academy

Bikini Kill

Brixton Academy

11.6.2019

I just happened to be working in London when Bikini Kill were on in Brixton. Their unexpected return to action after more than 20 years away brought a large slice of feminist punk to the city. They had been in Brixton for a sold-out show on the previous evening too.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from there evening when I queued in the rain between a man in a dress and two girls with bright green hair. I have been to the Brixton Academy many times over the years to see many different gigs, but this one had a palpable crackle of energy like no other.

Also on the bill were The Tux...

...and Big Joanie.

Both support acts shared the same genre as Bikini Kill. The music was loud, brash and immediate. There were axes to grind, causes to fight; a very different kind of Girl Power to that seen the previous week. Indeed, Bikini Kill are - and always were - prime players in the riot grrrl movement.

I could feel the growing sense of anticipation in the hall when the time ticked down towards Bikini Kill's entrance. Two people behind me were repeatedly shouting 'Oh my God! Oh my God!' out of sheer excitement.

The quartet - Kathleen Hanna (vocals) Tobi Vail (drums), Kathi Wilcox (bass) and Erica Dawn Lyle (guitar) - virtually exploded onto the stage to tear through a belting set at a fabulous pace.

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Bikini Kill switched vocalists and instruments several times throughout the evening. I have never seen such frequent switching during a gig which went far beyond a change of vocalist to give the main one a rest, or a swap of lead guitar for bass for one or two songs. No, this was large-scale, on-stage evolution.

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It was definitely a lively evening, showcasing anger, defiance and energy in equal measure, topped off with a slice of revolution.

Set List

Carnival
Jigsaw Youth
New Radio
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
This Is Not a Test
Capri Pants
Resist Psychic Death
Outta Me
For Only
Distinct Complicity
Magnet
Lil' Red
Rebel Girl

Encore

Double Dare Ya
Suck My Left One

Second encore

For Tammy Rae

That's a lot of songs but they were all relatively short.

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It was an explosive and highly potent return to the stage for Bikini Kill; an evening like no other. Are they back for good? Will there be new material? They certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves and they still have plenty to say, so watch this space...

Meanwhile, there will be more punk gigs for me later in the year.