It is a very reasonable consideration that Pixies are part of the ‘90s alternative rock scene that in the opinion of many spawned the most iconic bands of all eras. These legends are currently on their 2022-2023 world tour and they have their sights on SoCal.
Ask any of their fans and they will say they are a must-see concert if you’ve never been, and if you have, then you know you should go again. I mean Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, David Bowie, and U2 all sought inspiration from the Pixies, so you know they are definitely a do not miss event.
How influential were they exactly? Well, Kurt Cobain said, “When I heard the Pixies for the first time, I connected with that band so heavily I should have been in that band – or at least in a Pixies cover band.” That is as legit as it gets.
The tour – supporting their latest album, “Doggerel” – has a little bit of everything for everyone. It’s the openers that will bring some flavor to each leg of the tour. We’ll get Franz Ferdinand and Bully through June 2023, then Modest Mouse and Cat Power jump onto the bill in August.
What has always fascinated me was a conversation we had with Joey Santiago a while back. For concertgoers it’s not noticeable, but fans will never get the same show, setlist-wise that is. Santiago told us that Francis is like a quarterback calling audibles on the fly. He said they don’t have a predetermined setlist; they choose from a large, rehearsed list of songs as they go through their set. Then, they play as many hits as they can squeeze into the night.
No matter where you catch them, you can expect to find a plethora of their various rock styles, whether it’s surf, punk, indie, or alternative that make them so sought after and their fan base so diverse. You are likely to hear “Wave of Mutilation,” “Dig For Fire,” “Gigantic,” “Gouge Away,” “Cactus,” “Mr. Grieves,” “Debaser,” “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “Human Crime,” and “Where is My Mind?”
I still remember being blown away by “Where is My Mind” at the end of “Fight Club,” just like Santiago was – it was a surreal moment for both of us and fans worldwide.
Today’s Pixies still feature core members. Formed in Boston in 1986, their unique rock-based sound features Joey Santiago on lead guitar; Paz Lenchantin, bass and violin… yes you read that right, violin – and David Lovering on drums. Then there is their charismatic lead singer Black Francis. Get them all together and they put out a sound that you have to see live to truly appreciate.
All things being equal, “Surfer Rosa” and “Doolittle” have been my favorites, but I am really liking “Doggerel.” I would say this is a good chance for you to see a truly iconic and talented band. Pixies legacy of some of the greatest musicians and their continued impact on alternative rock is one that has to be experienced.
The current tour will land in Raleigh, so we will report on that soon. Locally, they will be landing at The Hollywood Bowl September 17th as they perform their last stop on the current tour. Other stops leading up to the LA concert include headline dates and festivals, so check for one near you because you do not want to miss out on seeing Pixies live!
