Pixies understand the assignment.
After almost four decades of being a band, singer/guitarist Black Francis, lead guitarist Joey Santiago, and drummer David Lovering took the stage at the Hollywood Palladium last Friday, June 20. Throughout their 33-song set, they demonstrated that after all those years, they know every beat to their tracks inside and out.
They're all in their 60s at this point, so they've lessened the jumping around and other such raucous antics they flaunted when they first came together, but their sound is tight as can be. With this dynamic in check, it was easy for a mega-talented bassist like Emma Richardson, formerly of Band of Skulls, to step in and pick up right where Paz Lenchantin left off, who picked up where Kim Deal left off before her.
This show was the first of two sold-out nights. Every inch of the main room was filled with people of all ages and hair colors. People who had been fans since day one, and new fans who were similarly entranced by Pixies' notable ability to span the complete sonic and emotional range with rock and roll. All were ready to hear the band play their classic albums Bossanova (1990) and Trompe le Monde (1991) in full.
Given the palpable enthusiasm of the crowd, it was clear that thousands of them had listened to these albums from front to back hundreds of times. Yet, being there allowed for the opportunity to hear them again as if they were brand new releases (although some of them may have been in Europe last year when the band also played both albums live).
In presenting these records, Pixies kept the songs faithful to the recording in terms of structure. There were no extended jams or new breakdowns implemented. Many of these songs run two minutes or less, and that was the exact time they ran during the show. The four-piece was not out to surprise. Rather, they were out to celebrate, to honor the songs as their legions have been hearing them since the 90s, but of course, imbuing them with the energy that only exists in the live space.
Beginning with Bossanova, the instrumentalism was effortless on the indie banger, "Velouria," with Francis demonstrating that his unique, ghostly vocal tone hasn't faded at all since they first recorded the album here in LA. "Is She Weird" was jittery and full of mystique, with Richardson and Lovering in perfect lockstep for Santiago and Francis to float around with the lyrics and guitar. Then Francis nailed the singing/rapping hybrid on the burning dance punk tune, "Dig for Fire."
Trompe le Monde saw the crowd really get involved, opening up a circle pit for "The Sad Punk," which was really the only option given that the band's chops for musical combat were just as on point as any of the slower, more expressive styles they moved through previously. During "Space (I Believe In)," the audience had to follow the hard left turns between hype and chill energy that oscillated with the same precision as the record.
Overall, the word I'd use to describe it is "professional," in the most laudatory way possible. They are professional musicians, out to deliver an exact, memorable experience for their paying customers, and they came through in fine style.
Of course, the encore was peppered with their biggest hits like "Where Is My Mind?" which is an essential part of that experience as well.
Pixies tour continues on tonight in Seattle, and headlining dates run through August 1. They have supporting dates August to September, then they hop over to Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Full list of dates, details and festival appearances here.
