Liz Phair brought her potent songs about autonomy, desire, uncertainty, and self-discovery to Albany’s Egg on September 24. The Albany show was part of Phair’s Flannel and the Fury Tour, a collaboration with Sleater-Kinney, two artists who helped define and expand the possibilities for women in early ’90s alternative rock.
Frankie Cosmos opened the evening. The New York indie-pop band set the stage for Phair with their understated, progressive sound and stream-of-consciousness narratives. A highlight of the night came during Phair’s set when Frankie Cosmos members Greta Kline and Gabbi Smith joined her for performances of “Flower” and “Glory.”
Phair’s set drew heavily from Exile in Guyville. Released in 1993, the album serves as a song-by-song response to The Rolling Stones’ Exile on Main St. Through her distinctive voice and conversational songwriting style, Phair delivers intimate, grounded, and unwavering observations on sexism, power dynamics, relationships, and personal frustration…