Sleater-Kinney and Liz Phair Kick Off ‘The Flannel and the Fury’ Tour at The Magnolia

Walking into The Magnolia in El Cajon on Sunday, September 6th, the vibe inside the theater hit immediately. The venue was overflowing with women of all generations—friends hugging, grabbing drinks, and packing the aisles early with huge smiles. Seeing a crowd dominated by women who grew up on these records, right alongside younger fans who found them later, set an incredible, celebratory tone before the show started. There was just an overwhelming sense of warmth, excitement, and community everywhere you looked.

With no traditional opener on the bill, the night launched straight into the heavy hitters, starting with Sleater-Kinney. Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker walked out and tore straight into “Hell” and “Needlessly Wild,” instantly setting the theater on fire. Seeing them live is always an absolute adrenaline rush. Carrie was in constant motion, delivering her signature high kicks and slashing chords, while Corin’s unmistakable, soaring belt filled every inch of the hall.

Their 17-song set spanned decades of essential catalog, hitting early favorites like “Bury Our Friends,” “The Fox,” and “A New Wave,” alongside driving cuts like “Price Tag” and “The End of You.” The emotional high point came when Carrie pulled out the harmonica for “Modern Girl,” sparking a full-room sing-along with the crowd singing every single line back to the stage. They closed out their set with a roaring sequence of “Untidy Creature” and “Entertain,” leaving the crowd completely energized and buzzing.

After a short stage turnover, Liz Phair took over to headline the second half of the night. Backed by a tight full band, she stepped out looking completely relaxed and happy to be there, kicking things off with “Lazy Dreamer” before launching into “6’1″” and “Johnny Feelgood.” What stood out right away was the production: Liz brought incredible, carefully curated visuals that accompanied every single song, framing the stage with vibrant backdrops and dynamic imagery that truly added depth to her performance. It gave each track its own distinct personality and emotional world.

Hearing Liz’s unmistakable cool, direct vocal delivery on classics like “Help Me Mary,” “Cinco de Mayo,” and “Extraordinary” brought instant nostalgia to the room. When she dropped “Supernova” and the raw grit of “Flower,” the whole floor was on their feet dancing and singing along against the shifting visuals. The back half of the set felt like one continuous celebration, with the crowd belting out “Never Said,” “Stratford-on-Guy,” and an unforgettable, cathartic rendition of “Fuck and Run.”

After closing the main set with “Mesmerizing,” Liz returned for a three-song encore, giving everyone “Crystal Ball,” an urgent performance of “Divorce Song,” and finishing the night on the massive hook of “Why Can’t I?”

Sharing a room with an audience so full of love, singing every lyric at the top of their lungs alongside two trailblazing acts, made the tour kickoff at The Magnolia feel truly special. It was an amazing evening from start to finish, and the kind of show that reminds you why live music is so essential.