There’s back and then there’s back. Sleater-Kinney are back. And they aren’t just back like Pixies-back, with no new material and a hungry bank account to feed. No, they returned from a decade away from being together, crafting a cohesive album that sits proudly among their six other full length releases, and with all the fire and enthusiasm of yesteryear. In some ways, one could argue that this influential trio was the XX chromosome equivalent of Minor Threat/Fugazi, proudly displaying a DIY attitude and take no prisoners approach. And without even being dicks about it.
Lizzo opened the evening with a perpetual smile, a drummer, a DJ, a photographer and a couple of baskets of cookies as treats for the early arrivals. The sound was a bit too bass heavy from where I was standing, occasionally drowning out the drummer and even her vocals at times. Despite her use of well-worn hype techniques like the frequent name-dropping of Sleater-Kinney and call outs to Boston, the set didn’t quite generate the amount of excitement she was aiming for. Maybe next time, bring more cookies.
The sold out crowd varied in age, gender, and sexual preference, as well as race, and ate up the 23 song banquet laid before them which was heavy on the new record but playing at least one song from staple releases. I’m sure that “Dig Me Out” became the unofficial anthem for February for Boston after the band included it in their encore. It’s not entirely clear if this is just a one-off and Carrie Brownstein will return to focusing on Portlandia, or if along with Janet, they’ll get Wild Flag back together. But who cares? Better to enjoy it while it lasts.
Primarily based in Boston, Massachusetts, Tim Bugbee is no stranger to traveling throughout the country or overseas to capture the best live music photos.
