Despite not keeping up appearances, some bands just seem to grow in stature over time. This is especially true of Portland’s Sleater-Kinney, who, although not having played in Brisbane (2002) or South East Qld (2006 Big Day Out) in over a decade, can still garner the sort of anticipation witnessed upon arrival at The Triffid. T-Shirt sales were already doing swift business before even a single musical note played. And well, the air was thick with a certain electricity, reserved for the most special of acts.

Kicking off the night, Sydney band Bloods give a great account of themselves. During the set they treat everyone to cuts from the excellent 2014 album ‘Work It Out’. Things really lift off however, with the playing of earlier single ‘Into My Arms’. The dual vocal attack of MC and Sweetie is in fine form in this song and throughout. Something about the band’s sound and aesthetic may have reminded some of the older gig-goers in the room of classic Sydney bands (some still going) like Ratcat, the Hummingbirds, Smudge and The Hard-Ons. Along with the bubbly demeanour and cheese–joke banter, there’s undeniable fun to be had witnessing a Bloods set, and it’s on fine display yet again tonight.

The Triffid is at capacity by the time Sleater-Kinney (Corin Tucker, Janet Weiss, Carrie Brownstein and touring member Katie Harkin) stride on stage to rapturous applause. They launch into the set with ‘Price Tag’ off last year’s terrific ‘No Cities To Love’ album, following that up with ‘Fangless’. It’s quite clear they mean business. It’s the result of years playing live: the knowing glances toward each other, the confident movement, the propulsion into the set proper. Carrie in particular struts, dances and hurls her herself around, banging her head for effect, all the while reeling off riffs. Her and Corin especially are in fine voice, jumping from ‘Oh’ to ‘Surface Envy’ to ‘One Beat’ to ‘New Wave’, the set really takes on a life with seemingly hit after hit. Behind it all is Janet Weiss on drums. Brisbane audiences may have seen her in various guises over the years from not only playing in Sleater-Kinney, but also playing in Quasi, Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks, and Wild Flag, not to mention backing Elliott Smith. It’s in Sleater-Kinney though where you really get to see her power and creativity combined to full effect. This is especially true tonight when she plays the pattern to ‘One Beat’. As the set progresses it’s impossible not to gravitate one’s eyes towards the greatness of Janet’s playing which only seems to increase exponentially. Likewise, the whole band feeds off this and the set progresses with minimal fuss and little banter between songs. It’s all business and raw power. When Carrie introduces ‘No Cities To Love’ as being about a city but not Brisbane, you feel the crowd is thrilled to lap up any talk their way. 

As a testament to the band though, things turn on the last two songs of the set. It’s like the band changes it up a gear, closing out with dynamic performances of ‘Entertain’ and ‘Jumpers’, songs from the 2005 album ‘The Woods’. The group’s touring experience really shines through in this instance, of knowing how to win their audience. In response there is a veritable picketing of the band, enough to draw them out for a two song encore, which features the songs ‘Gimme Love’ and ‘Modern Girl’. Whilst both songs satiate the audience’s appetite, it feels like the band could go on playing forever. In fact, despite having heard more than 20 songs, there is almost utter disbelief once the house music and lights come on.

At the end of the night a solid reputation is intact. In Sleater-Kinney we have a band that seemingly gets better with age. The real power in their story is the undeniable chemistry coming together, continuing to produce work, and undoubtedly getting better at it. There is no question that the many leaving The Triffid following the show are already looking forward to the next time the band plays Brisbane.

- Ian Powne