Riot grrrl was in full effect in Chicago on April 22nd. Brash, fierce, feminist punk rang through the brand new venue, The Salt Shed, thanks to the legendary punk group Bikini Kill. Making their return to Chicago after their 2019 Riot Fest headlining performance, the group showcased their unapologetic music and reminded people how riot grrrl is a powerful force that unfortunately needs to exist in today’s world. This is Bikini Kill at The Salt Shed: Bringing riot grrrl to Chicago!
Thankfully, Bikini Kill returned to the scene in 2019 after their 1997 breakup. After successfully touring in 2022 and most of this year, their second to last stop on their 2023 tour brought them back to Chicago. Opening for them was the up-and-coming Chicago post-punk band Ganser. Listening to them, it is easy to see how much a band like Bikini Kill influenced punk. Their drumming was tight and the music was bass-driven, with every note almost coursing through your veins. Not too crazy, not too dull, Ganser appropriately set the tone for the rest of the night.
With almost little to no fanfare, Bikini Kill took the stage just around 9:15 pm.
It was quite the experience to see someone as legendary as Kathleen Hanna simply walk on stage and just start thanking the crowd for showing up with no epic entrance or dramatic prelude. After a moment to get situated, the band ripped through their opening song “New Radio.” While Hanna cannot hit the intense screeching of their 1990s recordings, there is still a lot of power in her voice and in her stage presence. Most importantly, the band did an incredible job of sounding as punk as ever. Fans were jumping and screaming along. Mega fans parked at the barricade sang to nearly every word.
Throughout the night, the band made an effort to reinforce ideas of feminism, from women’s rights to embracing sexuality.
Driving the point home with songs like “Feels Blind, “I Like Fucking” and “Jigsaw Youth.” Songs were sung by both Kathleen Hanna and drummer Tobi Vail. Between most songs, Hanna would often deliver monologues that would seem to go nowhere, taking tons of detours, until arriving at the point. As she said, she could talk the entire night. She embraced her self-described cringiness, claiming to have “invented cringe.” Above all, everyone on stage looked to be having a great time. Needless to say, that energy certainly transferred to the crowd. Mosh pits were forming and people were jumping. As the show closed with their anthem “Rebel Girl,” the crowd was at 100%, having the time of their lives witnessing these legends continue to showcase the power of riot grrrl. This was a hell of a reminder that Bikini Kill still wants revolution!
All photos by Oscar De Leon.