Sleater-Kinney

Seattle’s Bumbershoot 2023 did a lot of things for me. It increased my step count exponentially, gave me a true appreciation for $12 beers and let me see several of my favourite bands perform for the first time. I’ve loved Sleater-Kinney since I was a nascent Riot Grrrl in 10th grade. While they’ve weathered the test of time, I expected a nostalgic set from a band that hit their stride 20 years ago. What I got was most certainly not that. The only way I can describe their headlining set at Bumbershoot is seething with energy. It was raw, spontaneous and playful. They were backed by the roar of their hometown crowd and performed under a starry sky as the night’s closing act. Carrie ran the length of the stage several times and seemed to take great joy in teasingly picking at Corin. She didn’t leave the comedy set at home, joking the entire way through. The set was energetic and jovial in a way only the best performers can pull off. A Riot Grrrl band that expanded past the genre, with longevity to boot, Sleater-Kinney pelted the city like a Seattle storm. Track after track assaulted the senses in the most pleasant way possible. Their signature guitar tone cut through the crowd and brought even the stragglers to their feet.

 

Photo: Travis Trautt

Skating Polly

Chaos County Line — El Camino Media, 2023

I’ve seen Skating Polly twice and been a fan since they were a duo. I feel a bit bad, but I try and stay honest in these reviews. The first time I saw them live, they weren’t fantastic. Not bad by any means, but not the raucous punk show I was expecting. They were opening for THICK at my least favourite Vancouver venue. I won’t name names but it draws an obnoxious crowd and the stage itself is raised too far above the audience to encourage much moshing or stage diving. My sour experience comes mainly from the audience who, at one point, moved a table and chairs into the burgeoning mosh pit. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to see Skating Polly again this year at a different Vancouver venue on their own tour. They were loud, gritty and high energy; this time the crowd was too. Kelli’s recent vocal cord surgery didn’t slow down the group; in fact the training she did post surgery only enhanced her harmonies and screams. While they reeled off several hits from their new album, Chaos County Line, they played the old favourites as well. As the first notes of 'Camelot' rang out, the woman in front of me genuinely started to cry. Suffice to say it was a great time. 

Le Tigre

I won’t make you read through 500 words of painful preamble. I will make you read through about 100 words of it though. I purchased tickets to see Bikini Kill in 2021 in Victoria, Canada with friends. I live in Vancouver and figured the two hour commute was well worth it to see my favourite living band. Due to Covid the date got pushed back six months. Understandable- it’s a global pandemic after all. I cancelled my ferry tickets and accommodation. Six months later and it was pushed back another year due to concerns about, Bikini Kill front woman, Kathleen Hanna’s autoimmune disease. Again- very understandable. I cancelled my ferry tickets and accommodation. One year later and I’m on the ferry to see my favourite living band with my two best friends; one of them pulls me aside and says she has horrible news. The venue in Victoria where Bikini Kill was supposed to be playing was shut down as the building didn’t reach code. I resisted the urge to throw myself from the ferry and into the sea. The show was not rescheduled. In 2023 Le Tigre, another Kathleen Hanna fronted band, toured North America. I got tickets to see them in Vancouver. Despite my skepticism it was not cancelled. In fact, it ended up being one of my favourite shows of the year. Performing with an injury that left her entire left eye bloody, Hanna danced around on stage in technicolour costumes while doling out searing guitar riffs. The three members swapped out instruments and even slid in a costume change half way through the show. I myself wouldn’t have minded a change in clothes as I was drenched with sweat from an hour of nonstop dancing. Thankfully my friends, the same ones who had been with me on the ferry, didn’t mind. Hanna spoke on community and the importance of supporting local musicians and venues. Flashing graphics interspersed with the songs’ lyrics towered behind the band and turned the evening into an all out karaoke session as even casual fans were able to participate in the scream-singalong taking place. On the bus ride home I felt vindicated after finally seeing Kathleen Hanna live, sure, but mostly I felt thankful for the friends I got to spend the evening dancing with.

The Black Tones

Zimbabwean rock met Seattle grunge at The Black Tones midday set at Bumbershoot 2023. After hearing their sound check blare over another band’s performance I knew they were a band I didn’t want to miss. Loud and unapologetic, the group, lead by twins Eva and Cedric Walker, took stage presence to another level. Dancing, wailing guitars and even a cameo by the twins’ mother kept the stage, and audience, electrified. Crunchy bass drops and righteous head banging studded their set. Before laying into their hit single, ‘Ghetto Spaceship’, the group played a few lesser known cuts and a Zimbabwean hard rock cover that got the crowd moving. The Black Tones brought an infectious energy to the festival that made everyone forget they paid $14.99 for parking. 

Pixies

I debated putting this one on here. After all, what’s fire without gasoline, Coke without Mentos, Pixies without Kim Deal. Due to, let’s say Personal Issues, Deal did not join Pixies on their 2023 tour. Being a massive Breeders fan I was highly disappointed, but not surprised, by her absence. More than 20 years down the road I can’t really complain when band line ups don’t stay the same. Playing at the Thunderbird Arena at UBC, the concert was fraught with 50 year old dads and collage students in vintage band shirts that cost more than my rent. After playing a few new songs the band reached back in time and dug out the hits. The crowd rose to their feet as the vocals on 'River Euphrates' threatened to deafen us all in one jubilant burst. Several classic songs were reworked, packed into medleys or slowed down. While Pixies were touring on their past work more than current name recognition, they crafted a thoughtful experience for old and new fans alike. I still wish Kim Deal was there though.