The first three songs were all brand new, taken off the upcoming album due in August titled One Beat. And while they were in some ways quite a departure from their previous style (one new song, for example, features drummer Janet Weiss playing solely a cowbell), all were excellent and warmly received. The crowd really got going, however, when the band launched into the classic “Call the Doctor,” from the 1996 album of the same name. By then, it was nearly impossible to hear the band over the roar of its fans.
The band further connected with the crowd by reaching out between songs; singer/guitarist Carrie Brownstein frequently took breaks in between songs to thank everyone for coming, while Janet even went as far to tell jokes. In an age where popular bands come, play, and leave, it was refreshing to see a band that consistently acknowledges their fans.
The rest of the night was spent playing old and new material that spanned the majority of Sleater-Kinney’s seven-year career; and though the new material continued to be cheered on by fans, it was the older material that truly sparked the crowd’s enthusiasm. There was such energy, in fact, that the level of pushing became almost overwhelming at times, especially during songs like the poppy “You’re No Rock and Roll Fun.” A stunning encore, including fan-favorite “Little Babies” and the rarely-played classic “Little Mouth,” climaxed with an unexpected and epic seven-minute jam on “Dig Me Out” -- a memorable way to end an unforgettable evening.
Warsaw
(Brooklyn, NY)
reviewed by Danny Kelly
