Bikini Kill at the Roundhouse: A Riot Grrrl Resurrection

The Roundhouse pulses with anticipation tonight as Bikini Kill returns to the stage, igniting a long-awaited reunion that reaffirms their legacy as the vanguards of the riot grrrl movement. The crowd, predominantly young and female, buzzes with excitement, many experiencing the feminist punk icons live for the first time.

Opening act Snoozers sets the stage with infectious energy. The three-piece lineup quickly gets the audience bouncing along to their spirited performance. As the clock edges past 9:15 PM, the fervour reaches a crescendo. Bikini Kill bursts onto the stage with Kathleen Hanna leading the charge. Wearing a striking dress with a green sequined top and a voluminous blue skirt, her presence is as electrifying as ever.

The set kicks off with the blistering “New Radio,” a 90-second surge of raw punk energy that instantly hooks the crowd. Hanna’s powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence set a feverish pace, echoed by Tobi Vail’s relentless drumming, Kathi Wilcox’s driving basslines, and Sara Landeau’s sharp guitar riffs.

They deliver a tightly packed 15-song set that showcases the best of their influential catalogue. Classics like “This is Not a Test,” “Don’t Need You,” “Jigsaw Youth,” and “Reject All American” keep the energy high, with the audience singing along fervently. In a memorable switch, pink-haired Tobi Vail steps up for vocals on “I Hate Danger” while Hanna takes over the bass and Wilcox on drums, displaying the band’s versatility.

“Double Dare Ya,” a seminal track from their 1992 EP, becomes a euphoric sing-along, the crowd’s voices merging with Hanna’s in a mighty chorus of defiance. The main set concludes with the ferocious “Suck My Left One,” leaving the audience clamouring for more.

The band briefly exits, only to return for a raucous encore. The iconic “Rebel Girl” sends the crowd into a frenzy, its feminist anthem resonating as powerfully today as it did decades ago. The night closes on this triumphant note, the band proving that their message and music remain vital and potent.

As the final chords fade and the lights dim, it’s clear that Bikini Kill’s return is not just a nostalgic revival but a necessary force in today’s musical and cultural landscape. Their performance at the Roundhouse reaffirms their status as trailblazers and torchbearers of punk rock feminism, leaving an indelible mark on everyone lucky enough to witness it.

Setlist:

New Radio

This Is Not a Test

Don’t Need You

Jigsaw Youth

I Hate Danger

Feels Blind

Alien She

Hamster Baby

Double Dare Ya

Carnival

Reject All American

I Like Fucking

Star Bellied Boy

Suck My Left One

Rebel Girl