Though I couldn’t help the mixed feelings that came with the change of line-up, Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker delivered an intense, blistering set on a Sunday night.
I have to hand it to them: after nearly three decades together, Sleater-Kinney stubbornly refuse to rest on their laurels and turn into a nostalgic show touring the classics, like so many veteran bands of their vintage. Their bold musical leap on The Center Won’t Hold had unfortunately cost them their long-term drummer Janet Weiss, whose absence ended up affecting this concert more than I had anticipated. That and the unfortunately muddy sound mix marred what otherwise was a typically impassioned, energised performance I’d come to expect.
This time of the year, with darkness falling earlier and earlier, is when I normally get a tiny nagging voice inside my head, insisting that maybe it would be nicer to have a warm and cozy evening at home. I confess I had listened to it a couple of times in the past, but there was no way I was going to pass on seeing my favourite ladies. I left early enough to catch Body Type, an all-female quartet who were in fact a perfect opener, building up an atmosphere of excitement with their blend of vocal harmonies and post-punk energy. They were also pleasingly colour coordinated, with all members dressed in black.
I didn’t realise that it’s been eight long years since I last saw Sleater-Kinney live, and it warmed my heart to see Carrie Brownstein and Corin finally come onstage, Corin in a stunning red puff sleeve dress and Carrie in her trademark pants and blouse. The now-duo, always the creative heart of the band, still have the same powerful musical and physical chemistry onstage, at times seeming to possess a telepathic link. Carrie’s wild goofball energy and acerbic vocals are still a joy, and Corin’s piercing shriek is as magnificent as ever.
It was hard not to miss the old lean and mean trio energy, however, and the show was not the same without Janet Weiss and her raw, ferocious drumming. Live, the band is now a five-piece, with a younger-looking rhythm section providing what was certainly a capable support. I just couldn’t escape the feeling that this was less like a proper band, and more like Carrie and Corin with supporting players; Carrie, Corin & The Zoomers if you like.
I also realised that if I wanted to actually hear the vocals, I’d have to move further away from my prized spot near the front. I love the Forum, but when it comes to rock gigs the further end of the general admission is your friend, if you don’t want the instruments and singing to disappear in a sludge.
Surprisingly, the highlight was the new material from Little Rope, which I initially judged as solid but not spectacular. Somehow, these songs truly clicked and came to a thrilling life in concert, prompting me to go back to the latest album with a whole new appreciation. They were intercut with classics like The Fox, One More Hour, Jumpers, Modern Girl and Dig Me Out; I was stoked to get All Hands on the Bad One which I’ve never heard live before!
The band ripped through the set with unrelenting drive and minimal stage banter, and before we knew it, the night was over with the final blast of pure, uncompromising energy of Entertain. By the end, two conflicting emotions were fighting inside my brain: man things just aren’t the same as before and man I wish I could relive this concert all over again. Whether I like it or not, Sleater-Kinney are in a different phase of their musical journey, and though I might miss the old days it’s still a thrill to see Carrie and Corin weave their magic onstage.
P.S. I expected a predominantly middle-aged crowd of 90s kids, but the floor audience was surprisingly mixed! It was great to see Sleater-Kinney and their music resonate with the younger generation. Many were no doubt seeing them for the first time ever, and their minds were surely blown.
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