8 Sep 2010

Reviews

Review | More Crackers Please!

If you read the girls are or follow Ladyfest Ten, there is no possible way on God’s green earth you have not come across at least one giddy mention of inspired Le Tigre themed Ladyfest Ten benefit, More Crackers Please! Hosted by the inimitable and unbelievably generous ladies behind club night extraordinaire Unskinny Bop, the snow-balling hype promised karaoke, stalls and a preview screening of the upcoming Le Tigre tour documentary. Not a bad way to spend an Autumnal Sunday…

Kicking off in the early afternoon, the second story of the peeling, antiquated Bethnal Green Library has been transformed into a makeshift cinema: rows of plastic chairs face a projector screen, candy-striped mini tubs of popcorn are dispensed for a mere 50p and a selection of stalls vend Le Tigre themed cupcakes, badges and zines aplenty. As the 100-strong crowd settles to watch the documentary, an air of heady excitement palpably ripples through the room, and doesn’t seem to settle until the last cheer, clap and whoop rings out an hour later. Charting the final tour of the electro-punk three-piece, the film is resoundingly satisfying and inspiring in equal measure. Tongue in cheek tour footage peppers full-length live performances, as interviews with each band member remind each viewer just how important and awesome Le Tigre really were. At one point, a vaguely sad Kathleen Hanna speaks of her fears that what the band achieved will somehow be forgotten or lost: “I want other artists to build on what we did – I don’t want it to go in the trash”. (Inspired? Do something about it here!)

Cue a (somewhat tipsy) frenzy to partake in the Keep On Livin’ karaoke playing out in the next room. Standing in front of a genuinely beautiful backdrop detailing flyers, pics and artefacts from the last eight years of Bop love, we sing (ahem) and dance our hearts out and leave feeling slightly hysterical. Not content with hosting ridiculously fun afternoon japeries, the Bops and their band of merry mischief-makers beckon us to The Victoria, where the evening descends into beer-drinking, exuberant-dancing bliss. Unskinny Bop, Creep Club and Ladyfest 2002 Allstars take to the decks, and the evening finishes in perfect sync with the unbridled delight which has pervaded the day: as last orders chime, we are told ‘no more music’, and before you can mutter a disgruntled sigh, the room erupts into an acapella rendition of Bad Romance. Swoon.

Another huge shout out to everyone who made this happen: Ruth and Tamsin for orchestrating such an incredible Ladyfest Ten fundraiser, to everyone who chipped in, slogged, and busted a gut to make it happen, to Le Tigre and Kathleen Hanna for letting us watch the unfinished product, and a massive thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and supported Ladyfest Ten. Lastly thanks to the lovely Eva and co. for the absolute triumph that is the Keep on Livin’ karaoke spectacular. To see the full gig gallery, click here.

Missed out? Sucks to be you… At least you can see a little bit of what went down on the day: witness the fitness.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0yumFIbq7U]

Annette Barlow
Photography by Diana Thompson