Bad Copy

Last week in Manhattan at Terminal 5, I was lucky enough to see a band live that I thought I never would, Bikini Kill.

Starting off the night was Sammus, a self-described “cyborg rapper” and just all around delight. Also, she just finished up her PhD so congrats to the good doctor! Her lyrics are both cutting and welcoming, and the people in the crowd seemed entranced.

After Sammus’ set, while the roadies set up the stage for Bikini Kill, the energy of the crowd was palpable. There were smiles everywhere you looked, many conversations were along the lines of “I can’t fucking believe I’m here!” and your photographer may have peed herself a little as soon as Kathleen Hanna walked out on stage.

They kicked off their set with “This is Not a Test” and the fans just lost it, screaming the lyrics along with the band. Ms. Hanna has such a presence that you can’t help but watch every move she makes. After “Don’t Need You” and “New Radio” were over, we left the pit. At this point in a show, I’ll head to the back of the venue to grab a drink and enjoy the rest of the set. Not tonight, though. We were told we had to coat-check our cameras if we wanted to stay for the rest of the show. I took my time in packing up my gear, so I was able to enjoy “Jigsaw Youth” and some of “Feels Blind” before I left. Friends who caught the New York shows on the other nights in this tour told me they had a phenomenal time.

Though I did leave early, I have no regrets. Seeing Bikini Kill live, even for a handful of songs, was worth me never seeing them at all.