Heavens to Betsy, the influential riot grrrl duo consisting of Corin Tucker and Tracy Sawyer, has announced a series of live dates for late 2024. This marks the band’s first tour since their 1994 breakup, which preceded Tucker’s formation of Sleater-Kinney. The reunion follows a surprise performance at Portland’s Mississippi Studios in late 2024, signaling a return to the stage for the seminal Pacific Northwest act.
The Origins and Legacy of Heavens to Betsy
Formed in Olympia, Washington, during the early 1990s, Heavens to Betsy emerged from the friendship of Corin Tucker and Tracy Sawyer, who grew up together in Eugene, Oregon. The duo became a foundational element of the Pacific Northwest indie rock scene, releasing three singles and their only studio album, Calculated, via the label Kill Rock Stars in 1994.
In a 2018 interview with Bandcamp’s Mariana Timony, Tucker reflected on the band’s impact on the feminist punk movement. "I’m so proud of us for doing it, looking back," Tucker said. "I think that I’m really proud to be a part of women who do speak out and do try to change things."
2024 Tour Itinerary
The duo’s upcoming tour spans several major cities across the United States. While the band is headlining most dates, they are scheduled to support Team Dresch at their November 22 show in Durham, North Carolina.
- October 17: San Francisco, CA – Bottom of the Hill
- October 28: Portland, OR – Revolution Hall
- October 30: Washington, DC – Black Cat
- October 31: New York, NY – Bowery Ballroom
- November 1: Philadelphia, PA – First Unitarian Church
- November 5: Seattle, WA – Neumos
- November 8: Pasadena, CA – Sid the Cat Auditorium
- November 14: Chicago, IL – The Empty Bottle
- November 21: Athens, GA – 40 Watt
- November 22: Durham, NC – Motorco (supporting Team Dresch)
Historical Context in the Pacific Northwest
The reunion of Heavens to Betsy provides a bookend to the era documented in Pitchfork’s retrospective on the 50 best indie rock albums of the Pacific Northwest. Heavens to Betsy’s minimalist, high-intensity sound helped define the riot grrrl aesthetic that challenged the male-dominated rock landscape of the early 90s.
By reuniting three decades after their initial split, Tucker and Sawyer are revisiting a catalog that remains a touchstone for contemporary feminist punk. For fans, this tour offers a rare opportunity to hear songs from Calculated performed live by the original members, bridging the gap between the 90s Olympia scene and the current generation of indie rock listeners.