Bikini Kill, Auckland NZ, 2023

Bikini Kill

15th March 2023
Powerstation, Auckland, New Zealand.

Review by Charlotte Lightbody, photography by Doug Peters.

1-2-3-4! Get ready for revolution girl style, as reunited riot grrrl icons Bikini Kill rocked Auckland at the Powerstation for the very first time along with local punk queens, Fake Purr.

These women defined a generation – and influenced countless others. Anticipation was high for the crowd to bask in their spirit and defiant energy at this sold-out, all-ages show in Auckland.

If you somehow haven’t heard of Bikini Kill, then let me quickly give you some context: Bikini Kill are legendary feminist punk rockers led by riot grrrl icon Kathleen Hanna, alongside original members Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox. They exploded onto an early ’90s indie rock scene dominated by dudes, and they quickly harnessed their confrontational, visceral energy of punk with the radical politics of feminism. Bikini Kill members helped to start a movement that came to be known as “riot grrrl” – an ethos that continues to develop across music, art, politics and other cultural forms to this day.

Last night’s show at the Powerstation was as powerful as expected, featuring one of the most well-dressed crowds I’ve had the pleasure of joining. The audience was so pumped, their energy palpable. The show opened with legendary local punk girls, Fake Purr, reunited especially for this gig. Their blunt rock riffs, coupled with boisterously on-the-nose lyrics like “Bear Wolf!!…, are you a bear, or are you a wolf!?” got the floor and upper level of the Powerstation to appropriate levels of punk thirst for the main act.

Bikini Kill teased out their entrance, but once onstage, the Washington trio opened with “New Radio”, and I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I found myself mesmerised not only by Kathleen’s dance moves but by the fact that they sound the same all these years later. It’s some kind of feminist, punk rock sorcery and I’m here for it.

Kathleen’s chitchat in between tracks was one of the highlights of the night for me. She’s never been afraid to call things as she sees it. I found myself listening carefully to every word she said through the crowd noise. Speaking of personal reasons why songs came to fruition, sexual abuse, political nightmares in Florida, her sister and ex-boyfriends.

Another big highlight was seeing the band members swapping instruments so effortlessly between tracks, with Kathi jumping from bass to drums – Kathleen switching to bass and pink-haired drummer Tobi jumping on vocals for a few tracks. Their talent is never-ending and kept things spicy onstage. They were also joined on this short tour by epic guitarist Sara Landeau of The Julie Ruin.

Coming in hot from performing in Sydney the night before, they blasted furious guitar lines, and shrieky venomous lyrics, to generations of Kiwi fans. Did I mention this show was for all ages? The band wanted all their younger fans to attend. Community is key to them. The organisers split the venue between the under-18s (top level) and everyone else on the ground floor – keeping the venue a safe space for everyone with an alcohol-free zone upstairs.

With the limited time we had, I still hoped they would sing/play “I Busted in Your Chevy Window” but alas, with the help of Spotify, I had to sing that one on the car ride home.

The crowd united for one last big chant during “Suck My Left One” before the encore began, this aggressive, invigoratingly confrontational response to the epidemic of sexual abuse and assault. There’s nothing quite like being among a large group of people singing ‘Suck my left one’ at the top of your lungs.

The show was over quicker than I wanted. The encore consisted of “Double Dare Ya” and “Rebel Girl”, further cementing the fact that yes, I do want to try on her clothes and be her best friend. These tunes and their lyrics continue to make heads spin even now. Since reuniting, their music and the overall message are as relevant as ever in an era where women’s reproductive rights are again being imposed on, sexual abuse rates are higher than ever (1 in 3 women globally) and the hatred towards queer communities is rampant.

We still need their loud, unapologetic feminist punk rock in all its righteous glory.

Bikini Kill:

Fake Purr:

Were you there at the Powerstation for this empowering riot grrrl gig  Or have you seen Bikini Kill perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Bikini Kill Setlist:

1. New Radio
2. This Is Not A Test
3. Don’t Need You
4. Alien She
5. Feels Blind
6. I Hate Danger
7. Carnival
8. Resist Psychic Death
9. I Like Fucking
10. Capri Pants
11. Outta Me
12. For Only
13. DemiRep
14. Reject
15. Jigsaw Youth
16. Sugar
17. Replica
18. Tell Me So
19. Magnet
20. Lil’ Red
21. Suck My Left One
22. Double Dare Ya / Rebel Girl [encore]

Fake Purr Setlist:

1. Bad Horsey
2. Gig Girl
3. Boyfriend
4. Suicide Top 20
5. Bear Song
6. Secret Crisis
7. Bear Wolf
8. Real Rock
9. David
10. Pony
11. Random
12. Nazi

_{Note: Ambient Light was provided passes to review and photograph this concert. As always, this has not influenced the review in any way and the opinions expressed are those of Ambient Light’s only. This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase a product using an affiliate link, Ambient Light will automatically receive a small commission at no cost to you.}

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