Show Review: Riot Grrrl Day with Bikini Kill.
written + photographed by hunter astrid
Bikini Kill. An iconic name and iconic band. They're one of the most influential bands in the punk scene and trailblazers specifically in the feminist scene. They helped developed the riot grrrl movement with their strong feminist lyrics and extremely passionate performances. Even thirty years after their conception they still perform like they are in their 20s. Still being some of the most recognizable feminists, Bikini Kill continues to inspire many young women to stand up for what they believe in.
Originally from Olympia, Washington that formed in 1990, Bikini Kill is a punk rock band with many abrasive and hardcore influences. Although they have only released two studio albums, they have released several EPS over the years. They were only a band for seven short years, not including reunion tours in 2019 and 2022 as well as 2023, yet they’re still pioneers in their own right. The band was formed by Kathleen Hanna (vocals), Billy Karren (guitar), Kathi Wilcox (bass), and Tobi Vail (drums). On this most recent tour Erica Dawn Lyle took over for Billy Karren on the guitar.
I had the honor of seeing these women perform on April 9th, an important date for the band and especially in Boston, MA. April 9th has been declared Riot Grrrl Day in honor of Kathleen Hanna. It was set to commemorate, celebrate, and actively promote the cultural significance of riot grrrl culture, and to inspire grrrls everywhere to shake up the status quo and create.
So, what is Riot Grrrl? It’s an underground feminist punk movement that started in the early 1990s within Olympia. It’s a subculture movement that combines feminism, punk music, and politics and is often associated with third-wave feminism. Here, women can express anger, rage, and frustration which are typically emotions that are considered “socially acceptable” for men but not for women. It became a subculture involving DIY ethic, zines, art, political action, and activism, and holds a very important place in my heart.
Seeing them perform live was honestly a very surreal experience. I grew up being taught about Bikini Kill, getting shown their music and being told what they stand for. Needless to say, I had pretty high expectations for this concert. The anticipation radiating from the crowd before the women stepped on the stage was so high, I could feel it. Kathleen (and Tobi) still had extremely strong vocals that sounded just as fresh as the recordings from the 90s. Everything was tied in perfectly by the clean use of the guitar, bass and drums. This was the first concert that I've attended where the presence and energy between both groups (band a audience) as symbiotic as this show and it was beautiful to experience. To be able to see them perform 30 years after they formed with the same conviction as when they started was definitely a sight to see.
MY FAVORITE SONG: Jigsaw Youth (1992)
