Watch Toyah and Robert Fripp Take On Bikini Kill’s Riot Grrrl Anthem

Toyah and Robert Fripp wearing colorful feathered headdresses play guitar together during a lively at-home performance.

via Toyah / YouTube

Internet favorites Toyah Willcox and Robert Fripp have returned with a fresh installment in their quirky Sunday Lunch series, much to the delight of fans who have followed their spirited performances through the years. Known for their playful chemistry and vibrant renditions of classic rock staples, the duo’s kitchen sessions have become a cheerful blend of music, humor, and unexpected theatrical flair.

In their latest video, the pair take an unexpected detour from their usual rock canon, diving headfirst into the riot grrrl movement with Bikini Kill’s 1993 anthem “Rebel Girl.” The performance, renamed “Sunday Lunch Riot Girl,” features both musicians dressed in striking headpieces reminiscent of Toyah’s bold 1980s style. The combination of Fripp’s guitar precision and Toyah’s exuberant delivery injects the feminist anthem with a burst of rebellious charm.

As the performance closes, Fripp exclaims, “Yes! It’s Rebel Girl at Toyah and Robert’s revolutionary Sunday lunch!” while Toyah teasingly adds, “And I want to try your clothes on!” It’s another moment of lighthearted chaos that perfectly encapsulates the couple’s offbeat musical chemistry and their ability to reimagine iconic songs through a lens of humor and love.

YouTube video

Revisiting the Spirit of Riot Grrrl

The choice to cover “Rebel Girl” marks a meaningful expansion in Toyah and Fripp’s musical palette. Originally performed by Bikini Kill, the track became a rallying cry for the riot grrrl movement—an underground feminist punk wave that exploded in the early 1990s. The movement was as much about empowerment and identity as it was about sound, giving women a fierce, unapologetic voice in a male-dominated rock scene.

Toyah’s theatrical confidence and Fripp’s disciplined musicianship bring a unique reinterpretation of that same energy. Their rendition preserves the song’s fiery essence while layering it with their signature mix of camp and sincerity. It’s less about mimicry and more about homage—a celebration of raw female power through two artists who have never been afraid to defy conventions.

For long-time followers, this version is a refreshing reminder that Toyah and Fripp’s Sunday Lunch isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about transformation—finding new ways to connect generations of music lovers, from punk purists to classic rock fans, through performance that’s as self-aware as it is joyous.

The Couple’s Creative Rhythm

Toyah and Robert’s Sunday Lunch series began as a fun lockdown project but has since evolved into an online phenomenon. What started as light-hearted entertainment quickly turned into an expressive outlet for both artists, blending their decades of musical experience with a shared sense of humor. Each performance feels like a small, joyful rebellion against monotony—both a performance and a relationship ritual.

Their chemistry lies in contrast: Toyah’s fearless expressiveness meets Fripp’s stoic demeanor, creating a visual and emotional rhythm that feels completely their own. Together, they balance playfulness with precision, turning even the most unexpected song choices into performances worth celebrating.

By venturing into Bikini Kill’s punk territory, the duo shows that their series still has surprises left. It’s a reminder that artistry doesn’t age—it simply finds new ways to reinvent itself, even in a kitchen with a camera and a bit of glitter.

Toyah’s Reissues and Enduring Legacy

While the new video is making waves online, Toyah also has exciting news for longtime fans. Edsel Records is set to reissue two of her acclaimed albums—Ophelia’s Shadow (1991) and Take The Leap! (1994)—on November 21. Each will be released as picture discs and expanded CD editions, featuring previously unreleased live and studio material.

These reissues highlight a pivotal period in Toyah’s career when her sound evolved from new wave to a more introspective, experimental direction. Tracks like “Ghost Light” and “Now I’m Running” showcase her poetic lyricism and boundary-pushing artistry, reaffirming her influence as one of Britain’s most versatile performers.

For fans of both her solo work and her dynamic collaborations with Fripp, this dual release bridges her past and present. Whether she’s fronting a punk anthem in her kitchen or revisiting her 1990s catalog, Toyah Willcox remains an artist committed to evolution—unafraid to experiment, provoke, and entertain.