When I told people I was going to see PWR BTTM in concert this week I was greeted with mild enthusiasm and confused smiles as people tried to figure out what "power bottom" could possibly entail.
PWR BTTM consists of duo Ben Hopkins and Liv Bruce and falls under the genre of "queer punk." Glam and theatrical, while somehow also managing to be intimately personal and relatable, the group is full of personality. Wearing clothes that defy gender norms, and covered in glitter (in the case of Hopkins), the two singers alternate between drums and guitar. The music goes from thrashing power chords to subdued melancholy and is punctuated by intricate guitar riffs, a blend that reflects the stories they tell.
PWR BTTM's mix of clever, if irreverent, and deeply emotional lyrics convey the complexities of life as a member the LGBT+ community. Simultaneously introspective and observant, the commentary comes from the heart and is accessible to everyone. At once, the musicians celebrate who they are (and open doors for others to relate) and reflect on the struggles of acceptance both from oneself and the nation.
The concert was on November 9, and many were still reeling from the outcome of the presidential election, especially as a majority of the attendees were members of the LGBT+ community. The undercurrents of disappointment, worry, and solidarity were tangible throughout the night. The support every person in the building gave one another by being present and being united was powerful and exactly what I suspect many needed: solace in the knowledge that no one is alone and that there is hope if we fight for what we believe in.
The first opening act, Lisa Prank, performed a handful of songs, each fast-paced and playfully petulant.
The second opener, Bellows, alternated between breathy verses and blistering guitar, the lyrics both thoughtful and emotional.
After a costume change, PWR BTTM took to the stage, Hopkins on guitar and Bruce on drums. Supporting was Nicholas Cummins on bass.
"Looking at this room full of people who are so different, I don't think there is room for fear." - Ben Hopkins
"Solidarity's really important when some people think you're not real." - Ben Hopkins
Halfway through the set, Bruce and Hopkins switched instruments, with Bruce now holding the guitar and taking over lead vocals.
It felt like a mix between a concert and a comedy show. The small venue facilitated a constant dialogue between the audience and those on stage, and the breaks between songs were full of personal anecdotes and droll commentary.
"The most radical thing a queer person can do is occupy public space." - Ben Hopkins
