The sun had decided to shine as the trio stubled on stage setting up pedals and testing mics. Apprehension was pitted in my stomach as the main stage seemed to tower above the ground with Corin's head barely visible even to myself who was pressed up against the fornt of the barrier. To add to the problem the stage seemed to dwarf the three and the barriers were much further away from the stage than I had anticipated. This was not a good sign. But initial problems with mic volume etc. were quickly forgotten as they burst out to a pleasantly surprised crowd, "Start Together". Janet was singing , which delighted many of the fans and Corin's unsurpassed voice resounded out into the expanding crowd. This was quickly followed up with "I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone" with Carrie's new lyrics which were, unfortunately, distorted by the poor amplification system. Swept away by the power of Sleater-Kinney the crowd had split into three different factions; the fans who were still gawping at the improvement (yes again!) in Corin's vocal talents, a crowd who didn't quite "get" the band and depressed Atari Teenage Riot fans who hadn't known about all the bands performing half an hour earlier than shcheduled.
Another crowd pleaser was the new "All Hands On The Bad One" which seemed to help to unite the disparate groups. "The End Of You" soon held me in disbelief at the worry "Is Corin about to explode?" as the chorus seemed to pop her face into a great big popping thing! Carrie reapeatedly thanked the audience for the massive cheers after each song and several fans screamed out "We love you!". As the British are known for their properness no girls decided to take their tops off (common place for many SK US gigs) which let the security rest a little easier. However, the synergy of the three rolled right off the stage and swallowed up the audience as "Little Babies" pumped on the stereo. Four more new songs followed which showed resemblance to upbeat "Burn Don't Freeze" and the band ended with the finale of "Dig Me Out" leaving the crowd as pleased as puch but the fans slightly annoyed at the splitsecond set. Nevertheless, Sleater-Kinney did not fail to create a connection although the person who put them on that massive stage is a complete idiot. The performance was by no means a dissapointment but a smaller stage, no barricades, longer set and "Surf Song" would have helped. I'm writing this right now depressed since Sleater-Kinney are about to play another gig in Glasgow in about half an hour and I can't go because it's 18+ club. Unfortunately I am a true SKid, at fifteen, I look it.
Maybe I should rest in peace knowing that Sleater-Kinney were phenomenal at Leeds and I had the great fortune to bump into Corin and Carrie half way through my lunch (a disgusting cheese sandwhich). They were supernice, especially since I stuttered all the way through what was supposed to be conversation but was more like "uh, um, er, you were good. I took up the guitar because of you". The Leeds performance has by no means satiated my desire to see Sleater-Kinney perform live but has only made me more adamant that I want to see them play again.
Here's the set list, very incomplete as you may notice. I wrote this on my arm with a massive permanant marker and I've still got the stains so I hope you appreciate it! Any help in adding to this would be greatly appreciated. It is slightly different from the Reading '99 set and the words "this is a new one" were mentioned many times.
1. Start Together
2. All Hands On The Bad One
3. The End Of You
4. ?
5. Pompeii ?
6. ?
7. Get Up
8. Banned From The End Of The World
9. ?
10. Little Babies
11. Dig Me Out