Vivian Girls, Brighton Freebutt

As we step out into the bastard cold of B-Town, we can’t help but overhear a fellow smoker say “Nothing great, to be honest. I mean, what, it’s just a bunch of girls playing instruments.” After a gig which had just reaffirmed the awesomeness of the lady, we come over all feminist and feel a strong desire to castrate the knob.

Sistuuuuhs are most definitely doing it for themselves tonight: Brooklyn’s Vivian Girls put their all-male supporting acts to shame by showing the audience how to make real noise and be fuck-off cool at the same time. Opening band, The Light Sleepers know just as well as we do that they’re cocking up. A constant stream of sound problems renders them pitiful. The frontman even says it himself, “Thanks for having stood around, even if you think we’re just a bunch of primadonnas.” More concentration on the music and less on the hair is needed, guys. The Lyrebrids follow. They’ve clearly worked a lot on their sound: clean, clear and identical to that of The Killers. They know what they’re doing, but for an audience who’ve come to hear some garage sounds, it can’t really be enjoyed/appreciated. No, the stars of the night are, quite rightly, the three girls we’ve all come to see.

As they take the stage, they seem small. Unbrushed hair, grubby tshirts, jeans; they really don’t give a shit. They know they’re not here to be looked at. And they sound great. ‘Never See Me Again’ is an apt opener: short and sweet, it’s an introduction – we’re here and this is what you’re gonna get. Wicked. The entire set is dotted with friendly banter, and the heart instantly warms to these three ladies who just want their boyfriends to email them back. They’re funny and they know what they’re doing. When lead singer, Cassie Ramone’s guitar string breaks, they resolve the situation with total cool. A conversation between bassist, Kickball Katy, drummer, Ali Koehler, and us, the crowd, ensues. It’s like being in your living room. Comfortable, they eventually break back into song. Favourites, ‘Wild Eyes’ and ‘Tell The World’, are played, as well as a new song, ‘Lakehouse’. Surprising, to hear new material, as it feels like only yesterday that their first 7” was available at Rough Trade.

The real surprise comes in the form of the encore. Half way through song, the three girls switch instruments. Guitarist to bass, Bass to drums and Drums to guitar. And they sound just as kick-ass. ‘Damaged’, b-side to aforementioned 7”, tastes that much sweeter with the knowledge that Vivian Girls are cooler than any other boyband, ever. Girl power is definitely back. Fuck yes.