Riothorse Royale, Kera and the Lesbians help wrap up inaugural GirlSchool at Bootleg Theater

V.A.J.J

Anna Bulbrook needed only a few months to pull together an epic three-day fest celebrating women in rock. The lead singer of The Bulls brought the inaugural GirlSchool’s Field Day Weekend to the Bootleg Theater and Bar, featuring names like Dead Sara, Veruca Salt and Riothorse Royale on the bill.

We were there on the fest’s final night, first taking in an entertaining set from electro-pop artist Alina Bea. I recognized her as a touring member of the band Night Terrors of 1927 where she provides backing vocals and keyboards, but she really shines on her own. Though she had one of the earlier sets, it was well attended and received.

The sparkly Phoebe Bridgers was up next at the bar stage (we last caught her open up for the iconic Television at Teragram Ballroom). I had read Ryan Adams refer to her as a “musical unicorn” after producing some of her tunes at his Pax-Am Studios last year. One standout track was the slow-burning “Wilt” from her LA-based band Sloppy Jane.

Allison Weiss followed in the theater with a solo set. She played mostly songs from her 2015 release New Love, captivating the crowd for the duration of her set.

Kera and The Lesbians

Kera & the Lesbians had The Wild Reeds serve as backup singers behind them during a portion of their set at the bar. It was a total dance party as Kera and Co. rocked out.

Rising performers Riothorse Royale closed out the theater stage on Sunday night, playing numerous songs from an upcoming EP. Bassist Emily Greene was some fur as she and guitarist Madi Diaz provided some killer jams and mesmerizing vocals. They proved why they are one of our L.A. bands we are keeping an eye on.

Closing out the evening at the bar stage was local favorites Gothic Tropic. They also shared some new tunes that has us hopeful for an upcoming release. Their performance wrapped up a weekend of nearly 20 female-fronted bands all on two stages.

All of the proceeds of the event went to benefit the Rock N Roll Camp for Girls, which Bulbrook had checked out over the summer. “It’s just the happiest place on earth, where all these beautiful life lessons are taught to girls,” Bulbrook said to Takepart.com.

For a first-time event, it was wildly impressive. Should it return next year, it’ll only benefit from having a full 365 days to prepare instead of just a few months.

Words: Mark E. Ortega

Photography: Danielle Gornbein