Kim Gordon & Syko Friend — The Belasco — 4.24.25

What is there to say when you watch a legend do their thing? Nothing really, because the experience cannot be translated into words, at least to give it justice. You just had to be there. Still, words can help give you a sort of Plato’s the Cave version of how Kim Gordon rocks hard as f*ck.

The show’s opener, Syko Friend, had a quiet energy emanating from her. It was the way she softly sang and strummed the guitar. She had presence; it was just too bad most of the crowd wasn’t there to see it.

Kim Gordon, though, was in a league of her own and made her The Collective songs into a different, powerful beast for her live show. The songs were heavier, guitar-crunchy, and less electronic than the album versions. But by god did it work so well. It felt like a collusion between the guitar noise of Sonic Youth and her more electronic solo work. The penumbra of the ‘90s style she pioneered and is known for was there, and it was well worth the time to see.