Review by Mary Lynn Ritch, Photos by Danielle Boise
When a band has been around for decades, there is always concern that new and live material will be dated and disappointing. That has not been the case for the indie-punk three piece Sleater-Kinney who for the first time in 10 years, embarked on a tour promoting their new album No Cities to Love, and made a stop in Atlanta at the Tabernacle April 21.
After Seattle-based openers THEESatisfaction ended their set, the crowd piled in making it hard to believe the show sold out minutes before the band hit the stage. With a quick introduction, they got down to business opening their 23 song set with “Price Tag.”
Sleater-Kinney sounded extremely tight and well put together for coming out of hiatus after such a long break. Carrie Brownstein’s often fuzzy and beastly guitar work along with her solid vocals accompanied Corin Tucker’s roars fit quite nicely. While Janet Weiss one of the best living drummers around really stood out throughout the night but especially during live renditions of “A New Wave” and “The Fox” as well as playing harmonica for “Modern Girl.”
A highlight of the show (in addition to listening to many of their old hits) was watching Brownstein climb on Weiss’s drum kit, look out into the audience and strum her guitar to a roaring and excited applause.
Sleater-Kinney’s entire discography definitely always translated as visceral, emotional and raw through headphones and speakers—those feelings are only amplified live. While the band continues to experience the success of their 2015 tour and album release – fans remain hopeful that their favorite indie-punk rockers will continue with this creative streak and last for the long haul. This is all due to the fact that sold out shows like this one really renewed their faith in the band although it probably never left in the first place.
Sleater-Kinney Tour Dates
THU, Apr 23 Marathon Music Works @ Nashville (w/THEESatisfaction)
FRI, Apr 24 Pageant @ St Louis (w/THEESatisfaction)
SAT, Apr 25 Blue Note @ Columbia, MO (w/THEESatisfaction)
SUN, Apr 26 Uptown Theater (MO) @ Kansas City, MO (w/THEESatisfaction)
TUE, Apr 28 Sunshine Theater @ Albuquerque (w/THEESatisfaction)
WED, Apr 29 Marquee (Tempe) @ Tempe (w/THEESatisfaction)
THU, Apr 30 Hollywood Palladium @ Los Angeles
Full Photo Gallery of Sleater-Kinney
Full Photo Gallery of THEESatisfaction
