Imagine a band that didn’t just play music but actually sparked a full-blown feminist revolution in the early '90s? Oh wait, that exists, and they are called Bikini Kill! Based out of Olympia, Washington, they are the pioneers of the Riot Grrrl movement. They used abrasive and high-energy punk to scream about things like sexism and sexual assault that most people were ignoring back then (and are still relevant to scream about today!). Their lead singer, Kathleen Hanna, is legendary for her 'girls to the front' policy, where she'd literally make the guys move so women could have a safe space to mosh without being harassed. They broke up in the late '90s after being pretty much vilified by the mainstream media, but they reunited recently because their message of 'Revolution Girl Style Now' is just as relevant today as it was 30 years ago. Bikini Kill have announced a 2026 North American fall tour hitting several major cities across the country.
Tickets for the shows are available here while they last!
Kathleen Hanna’s New York Times bestselling memoir Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk is worth a read/audiobook listen if you have not already had a chance to. It is an entry point into the story of the band through the eyes of the lead singer, and truly goes deep into her origins. Start planning your tour stop visit and let your friends know that Kathleen hosts the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s acclaimed Music Makes Us podcast, and there are plenty of impactful and interesting music/artist conversations happening on there. Keep up with the band news, see below for all of their major social/website links.
"Hanna is one of the great frontpeople of all time, but she is best with this band behind her. The pounding of Vail’s toms doubled by Kathi Wilcox’s bass pushes Hanna’s voice into a roar that is primal and undeniable; she makes you listen." - The New York Times
“Bikini Kill’s insurrectionism feels more vital than ever. Their cool protest songs predicted and shaped our current cultural moment, in which recognizing the politics in art is non-negotiable.” - Pitchfork
“‘Rebel Girl’ is perhaps the greatest feminist punk anthem of all time.” - Rolling Stone
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X
Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music | TIDAL
