Pussy Riot Holds First Chicago Show

CHICAGO — Pussy Riot kicked off their first U.S. tour Tuesday night at the Subterranean in Chicago. Delivering what it described as an "extremely politicized marriage of performance art and a concert," the Russian feminist art protest group urged Americans to challenge corporate power. They warned of dire political conditions under President Vladimir Putin and offered an implicit endorsement of a candidate for Illinois governor.

The group became internationally famous after three members were jailed in 2012 over an unauthorized musical performance inside a Moscow cathedral in protest of the church's endorsement of Russian President Vladimir Putin. In addition to the notoriety, the 35-second protest earned the group's members two-year prison sentences for "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred."

Nadya Tolokonnikova, who was among the jailed trio, bounced around the stage in a backpack and a balaclava to the band's electronic beats.

She told the crowd the situation in Russia has become a "nightmare" and urged attendees to protect their freedoms by being politically active and voting.

With its shifting lineup of members, Pussy Riot has had an evolving sound. Its more recent tracks, some of which feature English lyrics, have moved in the direction of more saccharine pop tunes.

The tone couches the group's anti-authoritarian political messages squarely in the artistic language of capitalism.

"No problems in paradise," they group sings on the track "Police State", which features shots of the band members restrained as they watch video of Putin and President Donald Trump having a chat.

"Oh my god, I'm so happy, I could cry," goes the refrain. "Drink the Kool-aid, it's a new day, do what I say."

Sen. Daniel Biss (D-Evanston) took the stage briefly before the group, along with activists from Reclaim Chicago, a group that launched in 2014 and receives backing from the People's Lobby and National Nurses United.

The unlikely appearance of the former math professor from a family of classical musicians had been arranged by the local activist group, which has endorsed Biss. Ahead of the tour, Pussy Riot contacted the progressive organization, according to Reclaim's Kristi Sanford. The group recommended inviting Biss, who it said was also fighting oligarchy and plutocracy.

Biss told the crowd that Illinois and the Democratic Party stands at a crossroads with national attention focused on what is on track to be the most expensive gubernatorial election in U.S. history. He said voters had a choice between democracy or plutocracy.

"We are operating in a broken moment in this country and in this state, in a time when Donald Trump has become our president, when Bruce Rauner has become our governor, a time where Democrats get to decide, are we going to say, 'Oh, yes, I suppose inexperienced billionaires is the only way forward'?" the Evanston Democrat asked. "Or will we instead going to build a people's movement to transform our society? ... If we bring this energy in this room out onto the streets tomorrow and for the next two weeks, there is nothing we cannot do."

Biss said the choice in the March 20 primary was between himself – a "middle class progressive" – and an "inexperienced billionaire." (J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire heir to the Hyatt fortune, had a 10 point lead over Biss in a recent poll.)

"We have to decide whether we want to just beat Rauner and go back to what we had before or actually aim higher, set a higher standard and change what's possible," Biss told Patch from beside tables where volunteers collected signatures during Pussy Riot's hour-long set. "I'm running to change what's possible."

Since their release from prison, members of Pussy Riot launched the independent news website Mediazona, which focuses on the Russian justice, law enforcement and prison systems.

In addition to their tour dates as headliners, Pussy Riot announced they will perform at Boston Calling and Hangout Festivals.

Read more and check out links to recent music videos from the group's announcement of the tour:

Pussy Riot’s worked on new music and video art, such as: “I Can’t Breathe”, their first English language song made in honor of Eric Garner, “Chaika” about Russia’s corrupt prosecutor general, “Make America Great Again” which was eerily created and shot before #45 was elected president, and “Police State” with a video starring Chloe Sevigny and released at the end of last year. Alongside the performances, there will be new art revealed to spread the continued calls for action and protest to a wider audience.

Art is just a part of Pussy Riot’s mission. In 2014, since the release of two members from prison, they launched Mediazona, a free-of-censorship independent Russian media agency focusing on law enforcement issues like conditions in prisons and prosecutions of political activists. Activists of Pussy Riot are advocating for the prison reform in Russia and providing help and lawyers to prisoners.

Members of Pussy Riot’s community chose to keep fighting for their fellow citizens’ human rights, though since 2012 Putin’s regime started harsh oppression of outspoken activists, thus any member of Pussy Riot may be arrested again at any point. Two of Pussy Riot’s members Lusine Djanyan and Aleksej Knedljakovskji filed for political asylum in Sweden, since they’ve been persecuted and are facing death threats in Russia.

» Read more: Pussy Riot Rallies With Daniel Biss In Chicago Show