Live Review: Bikini Kill at Music Hall of Williamsburg
Words and Photos by Madeline Breeze
This past Thursday, 9/24, Bikini Kill kicked off their weekend in NYC with a radiant, sold-out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg.
The night started off with The Downtown Boys, an electrifying punk act that recently released their third studio album, Public Luxury. Lead singer Victoria Marie’s presence on stage commands your attention from their opening song “A Wall.” Between songs, Marie speaks with the gravitas of a seasoned performer, leaving you hanging on every word as she calls for people to band together as a community in the face of various oppressors. Their songs are as catchy as they are poignant, characterized by buzzing bass lines from Mary Jane Regalado and the intense drumming of Joey Doubek. Alternating between English and Spanish lyrics, the band’s passion is clear through every song. Marie shared how their latest album cover features her late grandmother’s bedroom window, a point of pride for a woman who fought hard to keep her apartment for her family. This effort of love and community is at the heart of the band’s ethos and music.
Throughout the set, it is evident how much fun the band has, running across stage to each other to play in unison. As he shreds on guitar, Joey La Neve DeFrancesco leaps into the air, emphasizing his electrifying riffs. This excitement ripples through the crowd, who dance along to the set and shout as the band’s iconic Joe DeGeorge slides onto his knees for a sick saxophone solo. Though they only played 12 songs, the Downtown Boys set was unforgettable.
The Downtown Boys’ next show is 10/31 at Quemalo Punk Fest in Yonkers. For more information on the band and upcoming shows, you can check out their bandcamp https://downtownboys.bandcamp.com/ and their Instagram @thedowntownboys.
After waiting in anticipation, the audience roared in applause as Bikini Kill walked on stage. As soon as they grab hold of their instruments, they break into a rowdy rendition of “New Radio.” Kathleen Hanna floats along the stage in a bright yellow dress with a flash of pink sequins. Her abstract and joyous dancing contrasts bassist Kathi Wilcox’s calm and cool presence. As Hanna repeats the titular lyrics to “This Is Not A Test,” Tobi Vail’s skull-pounding drums can be felt through the baseboards of the music hall.
As enjoyable as the show was for the crowd, it seemed to be even more special for the band. Hanna compared their current tour to Bikini Kill’s early years. Despite how things have worsened politically, Hanna said that touring now felt completely different from their first tours, and that she no longer plays in fear that guys will throw glass bottles at her. It’s a bittersweet reminder of what the band has endured and how local scenes have changed. Instead, this night was filled with nothing but fun.
Each song was well-known and well-loved by the crowd, as exemplified by the explosive shriek that took over the venue as the band started ‘Carnival.’ Hearing Hanna’s iconic high-pitched vocals in person is extraordinary. Throughout the set, the band switches instruments with drummer Vail singing on various tracks. Vail delivers an insane ear-splitting scream on “Tell Me So” while Wilcox took over guitar and Hanna played bass. The band was joined by touring guitarist, Sara Landeau, who delivered biting guitar riffs on each track.
As the band rocked on, the mosh pit became irresistible. Running up to the pit, I found a sweet sense of community as fans crashed into each other and slam-danced. It was a refreshing scene as people of all ages, primarily girls, took care to pick each other up, complement each other’s outfits, and even help others find their sunglasses (for which I am incredibly thankful.) Nothing can compare to the thrill that ran through the crowd as “Double Dare Ya” started with a collective scream of “revolution girl style now!!!”
For “Rebel Girl,” Bikini Kill brought on The Downtown Boys’ Victoria Marie and Mary Jane Regalado to sing along. Victoria Marie gushed over the members of Bikini Kill, saying it is ‘an honor’ to share the stage with them. Hanna revealed that the feeling is mutual, telling the crowd how she’s been following The Downtown Boys for years and was excited to play on the same bill as them. Hanna smiled at Victoria of Downtown Boys as they sang “when she talks, I hear the revolution,” celebrating a new generation of young people upset with the state of their world.
While the two Downtown Boys left the stage, Hanna passed microphones to the crowd for their riotous closer “Suck My Left One,” which featured the entire venue singing in unison.
Bikini Kill’s motivating Riot Grrl music soundtracked my teenage years, just as it did for many of the people I met in the audience at Music Hall. From artists and designers to a young English girl having the birthday of a lifetime, everyone I spoke to in that room has drawn inspiration from Bikini Kill in their daily life. It felt like a true community as everyone from the mosh pit gathered for a group photo following the show. Bikini Kill shows that it’s possible to be angry and punk while still showing care and compassion for those around you, a message their audience embodies.
Bikini Kill has just concluded their summer tour this weekend. For more information on the band, you can check out www.bikinikill.com and @bikinikill on Instagram.