Kim Gordon is set to grace the Art Gallery of NSW tonight for the Volume Festival, and the anticipation in the audience is palpable. The show is sold out, and we’re gathered in the Tank, a former oil tank that once fueled navy warships during World War II, now repurposed into a breathtaking art space. Gordon’s set will span her illustrious career, featuring tracks from her back catalogue alongside her latest solo effort, ‘The Collective.’
Gordon, co-founded the legendary band Sonic Youth in 1981. Over the course of three decades, Gordon’s raw, experimental edge and innovative bass lines helped shape the band’s distinctive sound, blending noise rock with avant-garde influences. Her cool, commanding stage presence and vocal delivery on tracks like ‘Kool Thing’ and ‘Bull in the Heather’ became emblematic of Sonic Youth’s defiant spirit. Beyond her musical prowess, Gordon’s influence has extended into the realms of visual art, fashion, and feminist discourse, cementing her place as a cultural powerhouse.
As I await Gordon’s arrival, I can’t help but marvel at this iconic space. There is no stage; instead, the audience huddles around ancient pillars, creating an eerie, ethereal atmosphere. The industrial backdrop is a fitting complement to Gordon’s recent work, with tracks like ‘Bye, Bye‘ and ‘I’m a Man‘ exuding a gritty, mechanical edge. It’s a perfect synergy—an icon performing within an icon, the venue’s storied past harmonising with the raw power of Gordon’s music.
When Gordon takes the stage, her slight frame is a stark contrast to the sonic force unleashed by her band. Dressed sharply in a black shorts and top, she prowls the stage with a feline grace. It’s a sight to behold. Sydney is truly fortunate to witness this rock trailblazer, with her formidable legacy, perform in such a stunning venue tonight.
