Moscow Based, Feminist Protest-Punk Group Pussy Riot, Made Their Debut U.S. Performance In Chicago At Subterranean

Mar 07, 2018 James Currie Features, Music News, Reviews 0

By Cesar Glanville

Pussy Riot 3/6/2018 @ Subterranean – Make America Great Again Tour

The Moscow based, feminist protest-punk group Pussy Riot, made their debut American performance right here in Chicago last night at Subterranean. One of only nine shows outlined for this first ever U.S. tour, group leader Nadezhda (Nadya) Tolokonnikova and her DJ pumped up the sold out Wicker Park venue filled with fans, political venturists and lookyloo’s. They played several songs, spoke about hot topics in politics and injustice in the system as well as, well… pussy power. By the end of the performance, they filled the stage with their opening acts, special guests and a couple lucky fans as they waved the flag with the inscription, “Pussy Is The New Dick”. Masked or not, these are the faces of the new activists of the world.

News last week that 2 key members of Pussy Riot, Sasha and Olya, went missing in Crimea, luckily, they were found safe and sound just days ago. This seemed to have put this entire experience in peril, but as the life of political bomb throwers, Putin antagonists and leftist needle pushers always putting that needle in the red, it wouldn’t be surprising if they are one day just disappear.

Walking in the door I’m not sure anyone knew what to expect. An appearance by a candidate who is running 2^nd in the democratic primary for Governor is going to appear at a show where Molotov cocktails could burn the whole place down? Daniel Biss did show up and speak and stayed for the entire show! He spoke on his views, support for the LBGT community and his fight against billionaire politicians in the democratic system. Reps for 7^th District U.S. House seat, Anthony Clark, was also on hand to show solidarity.

The night opened with two Chicago artists Dorian Electra and Nikki Lynette. Both praised the night for what it was and showed their support for Pussy Riot! Before Pussy Riot went on, several local Chicago activists and support groups that included Reclaim Chicago, a left-wing grass-roots organization backed by the National Nurses Union and the People’s Lobby, also took the stage and gave their stories of injustice and offered their support services letting fans know they were located right there in the back of the venue and welcomed everyone to see what it’s all about.

So the show itself. Having seen some footage and the documentary where P.R. is constantly pushing the boundaries (guerrilla like performances in front of Government buildings and inside churches), performances that landed them in jail in their native Russia, how can you emulate that in a traditional club setting? Well, you cant.

Except for an occasional political rant and appearances by the local Socialist party leader the show itself was slightly above average electro punk with a decent amount of fist waving energy. No Molotov cocktails – just vodka and whiskey cocktails and an audience there more to appreciate the effort of these courageous ladies vs the music.

It did end with a fury – a rocking Digital Hardcore type anthem (Straight Outta Vagina) that fires up the crowd but where and what do we do with that energy? Go sign up to volunteer for Daniel Biss and Anthony Clark? OK, at least its something!

For more on Pussy Riot! and their first US Tour, click here

For photos from the show at Subterranean in Chicago, click here

For a video sample from the show at Subterranean in Chicago, click here