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SLEATER-KINNEY
+ Body Type
@ The Forum, Melbourne
19th May 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Bri Steele

Photos by Lucas Packett (@lucas.packett.photography)

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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After nearly 3 decades of existence, “Sleater Kinney” are still intrinsically intertwined and devoted to their craft. Both Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein have refreshed their signature sound through 11 albums over the span of their career, the jagged guitars and raw vocals have remained a distinct and timeless factor in their music.

With the release of their record “Little Rope” earlier this year, the duo decided to bring their tour back to Australia to celebrate. The country is deeply rooted in the band’s history, and upon the tour being announced, Corin explained “for all intents and purposes, Sleater-Kinney got its start in Australia. We recorded our first album and played our first ever shows there. Because of that, Australia feels like one of the band’s spiritual homes, and returning there always feels like a homecoming, a reunion.”

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BODY TYPE / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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The opening act, Sydney’s own and known “Body Type”, brought a vibrant and playful start to the night. The four person act consists of Sophie and Annabel on vocals and guitar, Cecil on drums and Georgia on vocals on bass, bringing together a dreamscape of beautiful harmonies with playful instrumentals. They had the audience’s full attention, and you could see the stars aligning on stage with the band as they shared smiles while singing and dancing together as they played. People around me bopped their heads and danced along with the band, and the room was practically humming with excitement and joy.

As Sleater-Kinney began their set, slowly walking on one by one, the stage lights dimmed to a deep red whilst the start of their song “Hell” began playing. Joining Corin and Carrie on stage was Toko Yasuda on the keys, synth and melodica, Angie Boylan on drums and percussion and Teeny Lieberson on piano and percussion. The band was set up behind the duo, with a plethora of synths and keyboards surrounded by light bars that framed the stage.

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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The majority of their setlist revolved around the recent album “Little Rope”, and getting to see each layer that is hidden within each other played out in front of me made me appreciate the record on a whole new level. Seeing “The Fox” performed live filled a hole deep inside my heart I never knew was there, Corin’s fantastically fervent vocals belting “Land ho!” was an experience I wouldn’t trade for the world.

“The Centre Won’t Hold” was a particularly momentous point in the concert, as the bars of light set up around the back of the stage steadily flashed a bright white with each hit of Corin’s percussion pad causing the room to shake. The attention to the stage was undivided, as the lyrics repeated again and again, the guttural singing sent a shiver down my spine.

Everyone in the audience was too moved by the band’s presence on stage to dance, the duo provided an emotionally captivating performance that made time slide by so quickly. Despite performing 21 songs, every move Carrie made while singing so wistfully enamoured me so much that when she announced it was time for their final song, I had to pull myself together.

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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To end their set, they performed their most nostalgic classics, such as “Dig Me Out” and “I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone”, and the warm grins shared between the two women sparked something sweet in the air that made this concert so touching and intimate. In the final moments of the set, Carrie rested her head on Corin’s shoulder, a touching moment that shows how much love the pair have for one another.

After so many years of working in this industry, through different bands and organisations, to see Corin and Carrie still shining on stage was nothing short of an honour. It was a performance like no other for me, I was so lost in the world they weaved around us that listening back to their music now creates a much deeper, enriching experience. Sleater-Kinney have proven that they are timeless, passionate and their discography and talents will forever hold a cherished place in many fans’ hearts.

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Check out Lucas Packett’s (@lucas.packett.photography) full gallery of this event HERE

Check out Alec Smart’s (@alecsmart_fotos) full gallery of the Metro Theatre Sydney event on the 21st May HERE

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Follow SLEATER-KINNEY
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Tik Tok
Spotify – Apple Music – YouTube

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SLEATER-KINNEY / Photo – @lucas.packett.photography

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Press Release 20th February 2024 (below) HERE

SLEATER-KINNEY
bring
‘LITTLE ROPE’
to Australia for
raucous National Theatre shows

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AMNPLIFY – DB