Kim Gordon - Live at Koko, London, England

Kim Gordon

Live at Koko, London

23rd May 2022

By Robert Corich

What a girl! What racket! What a venue! What great live entertainment!

It was short, sweet and brilliant all round!

Obviously if you don’t like Noise Music or the records of Body/Head or Glitterbust or Sonic Youth then walk away now.

This ‘album gig’ really was the daughter of Glitterbust, Gordon’s 2016 duo album with Alex Knost… but Glitterbust on drugs.

A short, vibrant set comprising her late 2019 solo release ‘No Home Record’ was played in its entirety to a crowd that was eager to see the noise queen in action.

The first six tracks were played in album order then the following three run out in reverse order with ‘Hungry Baby’ becoming the starter for a three track encore. Effectively an extended live homage to her late 2019 studio release ‘No Home Record’ plus two corkers to send the ecstatic crowd on their way.

The live album playback was followed by rousing versions of DNA’s ‘Blond Red Head’ and her recent release thriller ‘Grass Jeans’ where Gordon and her band did their best to break strings and damage the furniture.

In the cosy (and now very shiny red) environment of the fully refurbished Koko (formerly Camden Palace) complete with exceptional lighting and large mirror ball effects this was the perfect gig to start a rocking week.

Gordon resplendent in black pants, white blouse and black tie, thrashing away on her six string and clearly dressed for business, Camilla Charlesworth plucking away on bass, Sarah Register bending her six strings and all held down by the thumping beater of the skins Madison Vogt this was a frenetic, brain fuzzing invasion of the ears. Not so much aural sculpture but a beat you round the head delivery that just worked surprisingly well.

With traces of Sonic Youth, Patti Smith at her noisiest and touches of The Stooges with a little MC5 thrown in what was there not to like.

A brilliant noise machine from start to finish.

Track listing:

1. Sketch Artist

2. Air BnB

3. Paprika Pony

4. Murdered Out

5. Don’t Play It

6. Cookie Butter

7. Get Yr Life Back

8. Earthquake

Encore

9. Hungry Baby

10. Blond Red Head

11. Grass Jeans