Photographing Boygenius, Ethel Cain and MUNA superfans

According to MUNA’s merch, the LA band make “sad soft pop songs for sissies, angry girls, emo queers, and crybabies”. There’s crossover, it’s safe to assume, with the followers of their Saddest Factory Records boss Phoebe Bridgers’ supergroup boygenius (with pals Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker) and Ethel Cain. When this unholy trinity were thrown together on one ultimate line-up recently — taking over London’s Gunnersbury Park on a gloriously sunny August evening — their fans converged in a welcoming mass of shirts and ties, tattoos and Dr. Martens. It was the first ever UK performance by both boygenius and Ethel Cain, and perhaps the most utopian, respectful 25,000 capacity crowd to have gathered in a long time.

After an opening set by UK artist SOAK, Preacher’s Daughter Ethel Cain subverted the American Dream with her dark, coming-of-age stories of religious trauma. Seriously pro performers MUNA then delivered, joined by Phoebe and the boys for “Silk Chiffon”, before later returning the favour during boygenius’ set on “Salt In The Wound”, closing out a night of queer euphoria. It was seven hours of of vulnerability, community and screaming along to expertly-penned songs about complicated feelings.

We sent photographer and Ethel stan Jody Evans along to document some of the fans in attendance (including a self-portrait!) and to quiz them on their favourite lyrics, as well as what they’d name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup… something we’re all manifesting.

Eve, 19, Redhill

What do you do? I’m a student. Why did you come today? To see my favourite artists. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? God loves you, but not enough to save you. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Sexbombs.

@evebeddow

Jules & Lucy, 26, Italy/Rwanda and Brighton

What do you do? Work at a charity and record label. Why did you come here? We are gay and these are our people! What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? I don’t know why I am the way I am. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? MUNA-TICS. Tell us about your outfit? Chopped up merch and goth cowgirl.

@lucysometimesines @jules_falala

Rosa, 20, London

What do you do? Textile design. Why did you come here today? boygenius and Ethel! What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? I wouldn’t – I’d get one of the teeth that boygenius have <3 Tell us about your outfit. I made my gloves, dress and ribcage myself. I was going for a Phoebe skeleton vibe.

Sylver, 18, Birmingham / Berlin

What do you do? Model. Why did you come here today? To see Ethel. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Methel Bain. Tell us about your outfit. It’s channeling nun-coded kicked out the monastery cunt.

Gian, 22, East London

What do you do? I’m a dancer. Why did you come? To see Mother Cain. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? He looks like he works with his hands and smells like Marlboro Reds. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Ethel Cain and the preacher’s daughters.

@gian_sw

Jemia, 23, New Zealand

What do you do? Fuck around mostly (I’m travelling). Why did you come today? To see Ethel Cain, duhhh. I came to England just to see her and Arca. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? God loves you. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? LESBIANS. Tell us about your outfit. Well I’m backpacking and they’re my cleanest clothes. It’s like hyperdad if he slayed a little.

Lauren, 27, Chicago

What do you do? PhD student. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? I lied, I can, I’m just lowering your expectations. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Gay with religious trauma. Tell us about your outfit. Vaguely goth.

@grumpybirdie

Liv & Lily, 19, Derbyshire

What do you do? University. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? Not strong enough to be your man. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? The Super Gays. Tell us about your outfits. We decided to paint matching waistcoats.

@lilyruston @liv_caine

Jody, 25, Devon + Cornwall

What do you do? Photographer. Why did you come today? ♡ Ethel Cain ♡ and to photograph fans for i-D! What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? God loves you, but not enough to save you. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? The Mothership. Tell us about your outfit. Sweaty leather goth dyke at work.

@jdyevns

Phoebe, 21, Kent

What do you do? Student. Why did you come today? Love, love, love boygenius. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? I want to hear your story and be a part of it. Thank your father before you, his mother before him. Who would I be without you, without them?

@phoebe_frewer

Lauren & Duru, 17, Turkey

What do you do? Students. Lauren is a musician too! Why did you come today? Because we ♥ boygenius and Ethel Cain. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? She knows she lived through it to get to this moment. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? girl dunce.

@crampervan @dur1y

Len, 20, Coventry

What do you do? Illustration student. Why did you come today? Mother Ethel. What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? God loves you, but not enough to save you. What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Ethel and the lesbians. Tell us about your outfit. Southern American boy but make it dyke.

@2002.lenn

Ruby, 21, Kent

What do you do? Student. Why did you come today? For boygenius! What lyric by an artist performing today would you get as a tattoo? Will you be a satanist with me? What would you name a boygenius, MUNA and Ethel Cain supergroup? Cuntquake level 9000. Tell us about your outfit. It was inspired by the iconic boygenius suit and tie look.

@rubysavill

Credits

Photography Jody Evans