Photos: Lambrini Girls Bring Pure Punk Power to The Vic in Chicago
Has fascism, capitalism, and the patriarchy got you down? Are you looking for an outlet for all the rage building up within you as billionaires and their buddies destroy the world for financial gain? If you were in need of a place to go scream, crowd-surf, mosh, and party – an oasis from the racists and warmongers, if you will – The Vic Theatre was the place to be on Sept. 29 as Lambrini Girls brought their relentless energy and impassioned lyrics to the City of Chicago.
The show – which is part of the group’s No Refunds Tour – gave fans everything they’ve come to expect from Phoebe Lunny and Selin Macieira and much more as the setlist included several tracks from their forthcoming album, No Refunds. “Cult of Celebrity,” “Truth to Power,” and the You’re Welcome EP standout “Help Me I’m Gay,” which found Lunny hopping into the crowd to mingle with fans, all provoked the kind of ecstatic mosh pits for which the band is known.
Before sharing “God’s Country,” Lunny had a few questions for the packed crowd.
“Chicago, please enlighten me. Are you happy that your president is a pedophile? And please tell me, are you happy that the United States of America is one of the biggest direct contributors to the genocide occurring in Palestine? And tell me, are you happy that I.C.E. are gunning down and ripping innocent people out of their homes,” Lunny asked with ever-increasing anger.
Resounding “Nos” echoed across The Vic before a chant of “fuck fascism” served as the perfect intro to the sarcastic ode to Great Britain.
Other highlights of the setlist included “Bad Apple,” “Lads, Lads, Lads,” and “Big Dick Energy.”
Before Lambrini Girls took the stage, a pair of politically-charged artists opened up the show. First, Big Girl also treated fans to some compelling new material like “Side Effects” and got some shoplifting advice from folks in the crowd.
Soon after, Big Special – the duo comprised of vocalist Joe Hicklin and drummer Callum Moloney – shared a haunting set of songs like “Trees” and “Shithouse.”
“We’re not capitalist dickheads, but we are hypocrites because we’re selling merch so please buy our shit,” said Moloney midway through their set.
It turns out No Refunds is the perfect name for this tour, as not a single soul in attendance would have dreamt of asking for money back after a beautifully cathartic night of pure punk rock anger and joy.
Check out photos of Lambrini Girls, Big Special, and Big Girl at The Vic below and click here to pick-up tickets to future tour dates. More information can be found at Lambrinigirlsband.co.uk.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
