In April of 2023 riot grrrl co-founders and feminist legends Bikini Kill played their first show in the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection in 29 years when they headlined Franklin Music Hall (which they once again played in September of 2024), having last played the 215 at legendary West Philly DIY venue Fake House in fall of 1994. However, on September 18th, Kathleen Hanna, Tobi Vail, and Kathi Wilcox will play their most intimate local show since that 1994 date when they headline the 1,300-capacity Union Transfer, which neighbors Franklin Music Hall, but boasts less than half the capacity.
Bikini Kill’s upcoming tour kicks off August 29th at the Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival in Irvine, California. However, just last month they played the 2026 edition of Mosswood Meltdown (also pheaturing PHILTHY phavorites Wednesday, Iggy Pop, Mannequin Pussy, and Sleater-Kinney, who weren’t on the bill, but made a surprise appearance during Bikini Kill’s “Rebel Girl”), which featured “Tony Randall” and “Finale,” two tracks – both off of 1996’s second and final studio album, Reject All American (perhaps best known for “Capri Pants” and the title track), which turned 30 this March – that the band have never played in Philadelphia… So, if you’re that kind of person, that’s something worth getting excited about… But don’t worry, “Carnival,” “Don’t Need You,” “Sugar,” and “New Radio,” are all still in the set.
Opening the night at Union Transfer (in addition to the Silver Spring and New Haven shows) is New Jersey/Philadelphia’s own Kilynn Lunsford, whose 2025 Promiscuous Genes LP was said by Maximum Rocknroll to sound, “like a mix of DIAMANDA GALAS, KATE BUSH, and The Munsters in the best way,” so make sure to get there early! Also, listen for Bikini Kill’s definitive “summertime jam” on the next edition of Philthy Radio, August 21st from 9-11pm on Y-Not Radio. And finally, read my definitive ranking of Bikini Kill releases from 2022, prior to one of the many COVID-related rescheduled dates at Franklin Music Hall, and check out Morgan Kelley’s pics from the 2023 show once the band finally made it to the venue.
*Get your tickets here.
