‘Bikini Kill’ by Miss Bill 04/04/24
‘The original riot grrrl scene called out toxic and abusive male behaviour. We however refuse harm by the hand of a man and therefore fight each other to process & rid ourselves of the rage that polite society insists we hide’
Fight number 2, photo by Mabel
Despite the numerous things that could have gone wrong following the words ‘Girls Amateur Mud Wrestling’ in a subterranean space named ‘Horse Hospital’, Thursday night was a resounding success. As is becoming a theme, Far From pushed the boundaries of showcasing creative talent in a night that blended music with spectacle like I’ve never seen before.
The night began with Domina, who drew on the Gary Numan/Depeche Mode-esque new wave sound all the while adding their own grunge twist to their electronic soundscape. Their set infused instrumentals reminiscent of Kraftwerk’s ‘Das Model’ with the singer’s oneiric lyricism, ultimately encapsulating the band’s character and perfectly paving the way for a night of innovative sound and performance.
Bruno of ‘Bruno and the Outrageoud Methods of Presentation’ by Mabel
Next up were Bruno and the Outrageous Methods of Presentation whose name aptly pays homage to their weird and fantastical live performance. It was during their set that the mud wrestling took place and there couldn’t have been a more perfect band to set the tone. The singer’s idiosyncratic spoken-word performance with Ian Dury inflected execution was mesmerising, and his pacing back and forth - huddled over a crumpled piece of paper - gave the effect of a nervous philosopher trying to work out his next big piece. Indeed, the whole band had their quirks with their guitarist in a fishnet green vest occasionally swapping out his guitar for the clarinet and the other sporting a pair of sunglasses and a flannel shirt.
If this wasn’t enough, the mud wrestling made for some prime time entertainment. What seemed to be an empty ball pit was centred in the middle of the room - cordoned off with some yellow and black tape - and was the source of three riveting mud fights. With an audience huddled round the tape, six “mud-fighters” entered the ring over the course of the night, ultimately emerging with mud-matted hair - yet all the more defiant and grinning. Scarcely have I seen an audience more invested and involved and it’s difficult for me to place a night which evoked such interaction, inclusion and unity between audience and event.
All in all, the night was one of zeal and energy and certainly a Far From I won’t be forgetting in a hurry.
