Photos and words by Keira Anee

Genn, Pussy Riot, EartH (Evolutionary Arts Hackney) 6/11/22

We know and love ĠENN well, so when I saw that they are supporting Pussy Riot – a powerful name since I first heard it in 2011 – I knew this was going to be something incredible. I will try and talk you through a little of what a massive experience this gig was!

From LOUD WOMEN Fest 2021 we know ĠENN can dominate and fill a large stage, no problem. And that’s exactly what happened last night at EartH, a seated venue. I was just knelt down at the front with my camera, grinning like a maniac (which I’ve no problem with).

ĠENN’s set starts without singer Leona: an instrumental with drummer Sofia, bassist Leanne and guitarist Janelle, who have everyone hooked. After Leona jumps out and dances across the stage, things turn up again. It’s so easy to take a lot of pictures – the band is constantly moving and the lights in this venue are notoriously nuts. (Can you make a human being glow saturated blue? Yes. Yes you can.)

I’ve been playing new single Rohmeresse a lot at home this week – “I wanna stay in all day, wanna stay in bed all day all day!” –so seeing it live is really exciting. I even manage to steam my camera viewfinder up singing along, as I am a true professional! The band interacts with each other frequently, in a way that shows closeness and enjoyment. This with their wonderful music is so brilliant to watch, especially on such a big stage, I really feel it. There’s not much more I can say (well, ‘WOW’ a few hundred times) but make sure you see this band while you can. They have a gig at Paper Dress Vintage on November 23rd, see you there?

A long interval goes by, then a man comes to the stage. He explains that technical difficulties mean that three of an essential lead has been blown, and that this means that an important part of the Pussy Riot show – the subtitles – cannot be shown. Pussy Riot are still going to play, but promise to come back to London and play with subtitles, as of course the set is sung in Russian.

You’d think this would make a big difference to how the show is perceived. No context, right? No. It was guerilla style, furious and perfect.

I’m told the only frequent member is on the drums and keys, and is on crutches after breaking her ankle. It doesn’t affect her energy at all. Pussy Riot are today four members, but “anyone can join”. The well known face masks are out for part of the show and flute player (I think it’s a flute? Don’t trust me) wears one – just one – over the knee, high heeled boot. With what looks like a bullet proof vest with rainbow stickers. All stare into the crowd looking so determined; this is real, not a gimmick. I felt motivated and even tingly just being part of the crowd, who were at this point stood up, at the front with me, and dancing. 

Context was certainly achieved by having a sneaky fag on stage, and pissing on Putin. Yes! Pissing on Putin. How out-of-the park powerful, and to-the-point, is that? I had to learn to pee in front of my cat’s x-ray gaze. Pissing (it wasn’t urinating – it was pissing) in front of an audience is something else. Putin is quite the inspiration, though.

What Pussy Riot have gone through to be here today is a big deal. I won’t attempt to tell it what with it now being eleven years long, but I recommend looking it up. Tonight, the band is raising money, I believe, for a children’s hospital in Ukraine, and books written being sold in merchandise are going to profit this cause. They hold the Ukraine flag dominantly, throw water over themselves and the crowd. I can only end this by saying I feel angry, empowered, and in complete awe.