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Warfield
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McMenamins Grand Lodge
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Mission Ballroom
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Riverside Theatre - WI
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Cathedral Theatre at the Masonic Temple - Detroit
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Add-Ons
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Franklin Music Hall
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Bikini Kill In Concert
When Bikini Kill first toured in the '90s, the ferocious punk band had a mantra: "Girls to the front!" Taken literally, it was a call for women in the audience to move closer to the stage, in front of men, so they could experience the show without fear of violence or harassment. Figuratively, the slogan summed up Bikini Kill's music: politically minded, feminist songs driven by frontwoman Kathleen Hanna's raging howl, provocative stage presence, and the lightning-quick, precise rhythms of bassist Kathi Wilcox and drummer Tobi Vail.
The end result is an environment both cathartic and comforting, a place where women felt safe to be themselves. Unsurprisingly, the band found a home on the road with fellow riot grrrl bands Bratmobile, Huggy Bear, and Excuse 17, as well as larger acts like Sonic Youth. After Bikini Kill broke up in 1997, each band member went on to other groups — Hanna finding success with electro-punk dance bands Le Tigre and the Julie Ruin, which also featured Wilcox — making the group's second, post-reunion act especially compelling.
Bikini Kill Background
Bikini Kill galvanized the riot grrrl movement. The band's three core members — vocalist Kathleen Hanna, bassist Kathi Wilcox, and drummer Tobi Vail — met at Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Hanna was particularly inspired by Vail's 'zine, and ended up wanting to form a band with her, while Vail in turn knew Wilcox from a sandwich shop job. The trio started playing together as Bikini Kill (the group took its name from Hanna's 'zine) in 1990, and they released the seminal, raw, and grungy 'Revolution Girl Style Now!' demo cassette the next year.
This release was followed by 1992's self-titled EP and 1993's 'P**sy Whipped,' which contains Bikini Kill's most recognizable tune, the rabble-rouser anthem "Rebel Girl." After years of touring, the group ended on a high note with 1996's 'Reject All American,' their full-length swan song. The band's reunion more than 20 years after their split finds Hanna, Wilcox, and Vail being joined by guitarist Erica Dawn Lyle — and honors the band's legacy without exploiting it.
Bikini Kill put on an amazing show full of righteous rage but also joy and fun. It was cathartic to scream-sing favorites like Carnival, Rebel Girl, and Double Dare Ya. The venue was terrific with helpful, kind, efficient staff.
This was an awesome show and sound/lights where on point. First time for indoor here and place was very clean as well as drink prices very reasonable. My one only complaint is you really need a big screen for GA. I’m 5ft3” and I found it extremely hard to see. Just having it on the stage would be cool. You wouldn’t even need to do any camera changes.
What an awesome show! So happy and thankful that they were able to keep the show this time. And that everyone was doing good. Seeing them live was so incredible and they sounded amazing! Hope that they come again soon!
saw kathleen with le tigre 20+ years ago and it was awesome to see this project... she bright so much energy and the band playing different instruments and switching up the singer was rad. had a great time!
Great show- nice to hear Bikini Kill after three reschedules due to covid. Kathryn was in fine form and inspiring with in between song patter. There was a sense of joy and lovely to see a young crowd flying their be who you are flag. Loved the shout out to GB Jones, Fifth Column and Toronto’s rich punk/queercore history that inspired the band. Impressed how they switched around instruments and singers as well and had a great flow to the set. Top notch all around. The openers from Chicago were also good energy and entertaining. The bass player’s moves and intensity was off the charts and captivating.
The show was absolutely phenomenal! These gals never fail to give their all. I would 100% recommend going to see them live (and bringing earplugs because it’s very loud, especially if you’re near the front).
Bikini Kill put on a great show. They played so many of their best songs. They sounded really good.
These women still rock as hard as ever. Great show, great crowd, great venue for seeing live music.
I wasn't able to see Bikini Kill back in the day, but I knew of their legendary shows when I went to see them at Irving Plaza, and they were GREAT. I didn't get the feeling that this was a diminished band or the shadow of something better because they flat out knocked me out, and every number seemed to speak to the moment, which probably says a lot about the state of the country too but it's still a testament to how well their music has held up. Definitely go see them, and the prices are more than reasonable.
The music sounded great and the band told stories.
