There’s a certain electricity that hums through the air when a band like the Pixies step onstage, not nostalgia but something sharper, stranger, more alive. It’s a testament to the enduring and universal appeal of this band that their fan base cuts across all ages drawing a crowd of original devotees and their kids.
Tonight they’re not just touring but gently guiding us through the off-kilter brilliance of their third album Bossanova (1990) and Trompe Le Monde (1991) in full. Stepping out on stage with a cup of tea in his hand to a backdrop adorned with giant planets and eyeballs, they kick off with the static surge of “Cecilia Ann” and its clear this isn’t a museum piece. Black Francis’s scream still sounds like it could bend metal, Joey Santiago’s guitar work remains unpredictable and dangerous and David Lovering’s drums crack like thunder across the decades. Emma Richardson (formerly of Band Of Skulls) channels Kim Deal’s ghost without imitation, anchoring “Velouria” and “Is She Weird” with her beautiful vocals and steady, spectral calmness.
Recorded in Cherokee Studies in LA, Francis reminisced the crowd with stories about that magical time and the inspiration behind the album. By the time we roll into their fourth album, Trompe Le Monde hits and the set goes up a notch, reminding us yet again of the incredible range and depth to this band. Recorded in California and released in 1991, Black shares with us that they started when the sun came up and by the end of the album, the sun will have set on tonight. Beautiful. Whilst this isn’t my favourite album (that would be Surfer Rosa obviously), they hit the audience with “Planet of Sound” which detonates the feel of the night and “Alec Eiffel” which always radiates the defiant cool that is this band and the divine “Letter to Memphis”. To our delight they finished the night with perennial hits with "Wave of Mutilation", ‘Where is my mind’ and a cover of Neil Young’s ‘Winterlong’.(playing tribute to Neil's 80th birthday).
The band sounded revitalised, less like veterans revisiting history and more like explorers re-entering our orbit. For all the bands that claimed Pixies as their genesis, none have ever quite captured their special mix of chaos, melody, poetic lyrics and tension. Hearing these albums played in full tonight wasn’t just a celebration, it’s a reminder: no one sounds like the Pixies. No one ever will.
Supported by the very impressive Elliot and Vincent a Aotearoa rock and roll duo from Auckland. Featuring Tim Finn's daughter Elliot Finn on drums/vocals and Vincent Cherry on guitar. Wow! keep an eye out for this talented duo.
Don't miss out on this tour! Tickets here
Friday 14th November - Hordern Pavilion.
Sunday 16th, Monday 17th November - The Fortitude Valley Music Hall, Brisbane.
Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th November - Festival Hall, Melbourne
Words Cathi Margherita.
Images Peter Dovgan.
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