Sleater-Kinney at Showbox Market
We were thrilled to head down to the Showbox Market to catch one of her favorite bands perform live. Sleater-Kinney released their 11th album, Little Rope, earlier this year and it has been our favorite since 2015’s, No Cities to Love. The unfortunate events of a deadly car crash involving Carrie Brownstein‘s mother and stepfather, pushed the duo into facing emotions of grief, how people navigate it, and how it changes us, all strong themes of this record. This tragedy created some of the most beautiful words and music that we’ve heard in a while.
The band was in Seattle for their two sold-out shows at the historic venue, which helped to create an intimate setting for all their fans which many have been around since their Riot Girrrl movement days. Tucker and Brownstein are so in tune with each other during their live performances it’s almost as if they’re dancing, creating this wave of perfect harmony with each other through sound.
It had been a minute since we caught them live at their own show, so we were looking forward to the moment we got to catch them play again. The band kicked off the set with new song, “Hell,” which is our favorites tune from the new record. Then they continued to another new song “Needlessly Wild,” before they moved to catch track, “Bury Our Friends,” and “The Center Won’t Hold.” The fans were moving side to side as the duo made themselves comfortable on the stage along with their touring members.
It’s so incredible to watch these artists go at it with such might, and fierceness, sometimes creating the feeling that this was their first live. They grace the floor not taking anything for granted making sure to make every second count and giving it their all, something that jumps right at you as an observer. Brownstein‘s hair is swinging around as she effortlessly moves across the stage as Tucker hits the notes with passion and complaint, full of emotion no one can replicate.
The highlight for me, was their song, “Jumpers,” that is a masterpiece when it comes to perfectly highlighting emotions of suicide and creating the perfect storytelling that everyone can relate to. Brownstein‘s lower verses paired with Tucker‘s explosive chorus takes you where they want you to be understanding their words. The fans kept getting into it as the night progressed, and their main set came to an end with the unmatchable energy of “Modern Girl,” and new song “Untidy Creature.”
The legendary band returned for their encore with “Good Things,” “Say It Like You Mean It,” “Dig Me Out,” and “Entertain,” that just kept us wanting more and more. This is a band who is constantly evolving, finding ways to rejuvenate and create new chapters as the years pass. It’s incredible to witness all the love and dedication that the crowd shows the band and vice versa. It shows that so many have grown up together and they’re still trusting them with their words to navigate and narrate their own lives in this beautiful and messy world. Brownstein stopped to thank the fans for being there and to emphasize how important and how cool it was to be alive at the same exact time and to occupy the space altogether and how they never take it for granted and you can definitely tell by their energy throughout the night. The band is going out on tour over the summer again and if you have a chance to see them, make sure you don’t miss the opportunity.
