Live music review: Bikini Kill sold-out Far Out Lounge which introduced a super stage Saturday
When Far Out Lounge and Stage first opened in the pre-pandemic era, it was called Nicolaza’s. Not many folks in Austin were aware of the venue. Plus, it was situated in deep, South Austin. It seemed like taking over the former biker bar, Red Shed Barn would be an uphill battle to get patrons to the new bar. Then, talent booker, Lawrence Boone, who lives nearby, noticed the alcohol sales application in the window and called the owners, launching a booking operation with the soon to be rebranded Far Out. Relatively not long after that, the venue has graduated from shows hosting a few hundred fans to boasting a super-stage on par with any major festival on the sizeable property (about 3.5 acres) that hosted Bikini Kill Saturday night in front of 2500 fans.
It was the largest event the nascent venue has hosted to date. It was also wildly successful due in part to Far Out Lounge’s expert staff, promoters, Resound Presents and experienced staff from The Mohawk who originally booked the show then moved it to Far Out due to demand for tickets.
Oh, and Bikini Kill presented a fantastic performance punctuated by declarations of feminist angst along with real-world pleas for folks to get behind each other in the wake of bombshell political news such as the Supreme Court foreshadowing over-turning Roe v Wade. A confluence of the first large scale show at Far Out, a politically charged atmosphere and a damn good show gave the venue an added patina of expectation Saturday. Those high expectations pleased fans as far as we could tell.
The show opened with Hunx and his Punx, who put on an entertaining if albeit racy set that saw bandleader, Seth Bogart strip down to a g-string and don classic black leather jacket to match his dark colored undies. “It was too hot to wear anything but leather and a thong,” said Bogart who delivered an entertaining if slightly humorous take on punk rock, properly warming up the crowd who came early at 7 p.m. for doors, not wanting to risk missing a second of Bikini Kill’s reunion set.
OG Bikini Kill bandleader Kathleen Hanna with original members Tobi Vail and Kathi Wilcox along with guitarists Erica Dawn Lyle simply shredded their performance like no time passed between their mid-90’s hey day and now. Hanna even came dressed like she’d stepped out of a 90’s time machine in a simple bright yellow, knit dress over pink leggings with her color-streaked hair pulled back into a pony tail that bobbed incessantly throughout the evening.
Hanna kept up the political banter bringing up Governor Greg Abbott’s absurd claim he’d eradicate rape while enacting anti-abortion legislation then launched into a song about body autonomy before going to on better-known tracks like “Magnet” and hit song, “Rebel Girl” as they approached the end of the performance.
Besides epic lines at doors and bars (which happens at every big show), the production ran like clockwork, which was a feat considering the host venue had never hosted a show this size prior to bringing in Bikini Kill via Mohawk and Resound Presents. The sound quality was top notch, as was the stage and lighting. This is a testament to the expertise of all parties involved. if noting else, Bikini Kill’s transformative show can be held up as an example of how well Austin can stage an anticipated live music performance.
It also showed the transformation of Far Out Lounge from modest local venue into a South Austin live music powerhouse. In one fell swoop, the humble venue run by folks who really love music (and the musicians who play it) has leveled up their space to endless possibilities. Folks lamented the demise of South Park Meadows in 1999. It’s now time to celebrate the growth of Far Out. May the South (Austin) rise again.
All photos: Michael Maly
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