Sleater-Kinney | The Forum

Live Review

19 May

After nearly three decades, Sleater-Kinney remain as committed and intertwined with their craft as ever. Over 11 albums, Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein have continuously refined their signature style, with jagged guitars and raw vocals becoming a timeless hallmark of their sound.

With the release of Little Rope earlier this year, the duo decided to bring their tour back to Australia—a place that holds a special significance for the band. As Corin shared, "for all intents and purposes, Sleater-Kinney got its start in Australia. We recorded our first album and played our first shows there. Australia feels like one of our spiritual homes, and returning always feels like a homecoming."

The stage was set for an electrifying performance as Sleater-Kinney began their set, stepping out one by one as the deep red stage lights dimmed and the opening notes of Hell filled the room. Alongside Corin and Carrie were Toko Yasuda (keys, synth, melodica), Angie Boylan (drums, percussion), and Teeny Lieberson (piano, percussion), all positioned behind a display of synths and light bars that framed the stage beautifully.

Much of the setlist focused on Little Rope, and witnessing each intricate layer of the album come to life on stage gave me a new appreciation for the record. When “The Fox” was performed, it filled a part of me I hadn’t realized was missing. Hearing Corin belt out "Land ho!" with such fervor was an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything.

One of the most powerful moments was during The Centre Won’t Hold, where each strike of Corin’s percussion pad was synchronized with bright white flashes from the light bars, shaking the room and sending chills down my spine. The audience was entirely captivated, hanging on every word and note as the intensity built.

Despite a 21-song set, time seemed to fly by, with Carrie's every move and wistful singing drawing me deeper into the performance. When they announced their final song, I had to remind myself to breathe. They ended the night with nostalgic classics like Dig Me Out and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone, with the two musicians sharing warm smiles that filled the room with a sense of intimacy. In a heart-warming moment, Carrie rested her head on Corin’s shoulder, embodying the deep connection between the two.

After decades in the industry, seeing Corin and Carrie still radiate on stage was an absolute honour. Their performance was so immersive that listening to their music now feels even more profound. Sleater-Kinney have proven once again that they are timeless, passionate, and will forever hold a cherished place in their fans' hearts.

The evening began with Body Type, a vibrant local act from Sydney. With Sophie and Annabel on vocals and guitar, Cecil on drums, and Georgia on bass and vocals, they crafted a dreamscape of harmonies and playful instrumentals. The crowd was fully engaged, bopping their heads and dancing along as the band exchanged smiles and filled the room with joy.