Who remembers Le Tigre? Early noughties band, sound like a 90s band and who definitely feel relevant in 2023. Maybe even more so. You see I don’t remember them being that popular first time round, but a packed out Albert Hall tells me otherwise. Dirty DIY punk fused with pop positivity and razor sharp lyrics with a politically social feminist slant has brought out what has to be said is a much more diverse crowd than the last gig a couple of nights ago. They’ve been away a long time and this crowd are excited. I’ve not seen Le Tigre live before, but I can instantly see the reason for the excitement. They’re fast, fun and fabulous. It’s three songs in before I comprehend what’s hit me, as ‘TKO’ blasts out. Everyone singing along, helped by the lyrics kareoke style on the screen behind them, which is a fantastic idea that more bands should employ. The vitriolic call to arms that is ‘F.Y.R.’ is a monster as Kathleen takes the guitar from Johanna and the vocal swap. It’s a sparse set up with one guitar, a drum machine and keyboard, but works brilliantly. Let’s face it, it’s not often you get questions like ‘What’s Yr Take On Cassavetes’ thrown down at gigs, but this slice of art rock is bloody brilliant. Hanna talks a lot, she’s not shy and makes a lot of sense. Inclusion. Equal rights. All of which is met by cheers of adulation from the crowd. “Anyway this is our punk song” she says as ‘Seconds’ explodes. It feels like a tidal wave finale and fittingly it marks an interlude for a costume change while ‘Get Off the Internet’ plays. I don’t think I’ve seen that before, but hey why not. They now match and have a dance routine for ‘Yr Critique’ that seamlessly slips into ‘On Guard’. It’s simple and slick but never polished. It’s a performance with authentic stamped all over it. I’d forgotten how many great songs they have and ‘On the Verge’ sounds particularly amazing with encouraged audience participation… as if we need to be encouraged. ‘Vix’ feels like a moment as JD takes the mic and orchestrates the crowd with aplomb and I’d pay the ticket for ‘Hot Topic’ alone. I’d been a bit unsure what to expect to be honest and was half expecting to be underwhelmed. How wrong was I! They finish with ‘Eau d’Bedroom Dancing’, before returning with an encore of ‘Phanta’ and inevitably ‘Deceptacon’ which might be the best end to a gig I’ve seen in a while. Le Tigre in 2023 are stunning. Thanks for coming back. “This is your time, this is your life. Keep on living”.
