Liz Phair and Sleater-Kinney emerged from different corners of the '90s underground, making very different kinds of indie rock, with wildly different lyrical perspectives and priorities. Though they were mutual admirers and dealt with some of the same obstacles in a male-dominated music industry, their music didn't have that much in common beyond getting slotted into the same "women in rock" editorial packages. But decades later, they somehow make perfect sense together. Both acts have amassed legendary catalogs. Both faced some backlash at one point over their attempts to go pop. Both weathered those storms and continue to be revered as towering icons in their field. So it's only right that they're going on tour together.
They're calling this exciting arrangement the Flannel And The Fury, which makes me wince. The routing will take Phair and S-K from West Coast to East this September. One Minnesota show in the middle will not feature Sleater-Kinney, and Phair has a few more shows without Corin Tucker and Carrie Brownstein at the end of the run. To go along with the tour announcement, Phair and Sleater-Kinney conducted an interview together for Vulture.
A word from Phair:
The Flannel and The Fury is a nod to 1990’s alt-rock culture and the female-fronted bands who staked their claim to center stage in a male-dominated music industry. Sleater-Kinney and I both cut our teeth in the early Riot Girl scene. It’s been a dream of mine ever since to bring our music and our fans together for one night of reckless hope and musical splendor. We’ll see you there!
And here's Brownstein and Tucker:
For those of us who listened to Exile in Guyville on repeat in 1993, Liz Phair has always been a leader and a truth-sayer for the female experience. She's a legend and a stone cold classic; what a thrill to share the stage with one of our biggest inspirations - we can’t wait to tear it up with her. See you soon!
Artist presale begins this Wednesday, April 29 at 10 a.m. local time, with general onsale to follow this Friday, May 1 at 10 a.m. local time. More info is available at lizphairmusic.com and sleater-kinney.com. Check out the dates below.
TOUR DATES:
09/06 - El Cajon, CA @ The Magnolia
09/08 - Los Angeles, CA @ The Greek Theatre
09/09 - Berkeley, CA @ The Greek Theatre
09/11 - Troutdale, OR @ Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn
09/12 - Bonner, MT @ KettleHouse Amphitheater
09/14 - Denver, CO @ Fillmore Auditorium
09/16 - St. Paul, MN @ Palace Theatre (no Sleater-Kinney)
09/17 - Chicago, IL @ The Salt Shed Outdoors
09/19 - Brooklyn, NY @ BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn!
09/20 - Philadelphia, PA @ Franklin Music Hall
09/21 - Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall at Fenway
09/23 - Portland, ME @ State Theater (no Sleater-Kinney)
09/24 - Albany, NY @ Hart Theatre at The Egg (no Sleater-Kinney)
09/25 - Ocean City, MD @ Oceans Calling Festival (no Sleater-Kinney)
