Pixies - 20 years on from 'Doolittle'

The Zénith Nantes Métropole seems an unlikely venue for a late-80s American garage-rock act to sell-out a gig.

Despite the fact that the Pixies have never been hugely successful commercially, they have a huge cult following the world over, and you get the feeling they could fill a medium-sized venue anywhere.

The success of 2009’s Doolittle 20th anniversary world-tour is at least partially due to fact that the Pixies’ resurgent popularity comes from a diverse range of fans, and those in the crowd at the Zénith on June 2 were no exception. There were fans in their late-40s who probably bought t-shirts during the original Doolittle tour, alongside fans who weren’t even born when the album was released in 1989.

The gig opened with a passionate warm-up set from the Bombay Bicycle Club, unfortunately ignored by most of the punters who were more interested in battling lengthy queues at the bar. The London up-and-comers were anything but lack-lustre, and gave a taste of what led to their Best New Band award at the NME awards in February.

The Pixies took the stage in typical understated form and warmed up with two tracks from 1990’s Bossanova, before diving headlong into Surfer Rosa’s Bone Machine followed by Doolittle crowd-pleasers Monkey Gone to Heaven, Gouge Away and Hey. Talismanic bass player Kim Deal worked the audience, telling them Nantes is a “great city”, where “everyone dresses really cool and looks rock’n’roll” - not necessarily a good thing judging by the Pixies’ distinctly non-rockstar image and on-stage attire more typical of Bon Jovi roadies than the world’s most-loved alternative rock band.

Still, the crowd loved it, and remained vibrant and enthusiastic throughout the one and a half hour set. The Pixies were in fine form; with a tightness and coherence deserving of their quarter-century of live experience, yet still sounding fresh with an energy that didn’t belie the fact that the band-members are all well into their 40s. Frontman Black Francis’ vocals were spot-on - he hit every note with strength and punched out his trademark chainsaw yowls like he hasn’t aged a day since the early-90s (his rotund figure and lack of hair suggest otherwise).

Deal’s melodic backing was pitch perfect and pretty as ever. Deal and drummer David Lovering were clearly having a great time - making jokes and laughing throughout the set - while Francis and guitarist Joey Santiago played the more aloof persona of the professional musician, but the overall impression was of a band playing songs they love and enjoying it. Particular highlights from the setlist were the crowd-favourites Caribou, Isla de Encanta, Wave of Mutilation, and of course the Pixies magnum opus, Debaser.

The main set closed in a style befitting the convivial atmosphere of the gig, with the crowd singing along to Surfer Rosa’s Gigantic, and Deal bursting into laughter at Lovering’s blatant rejection of her multiple yelled requests for an impromptu break-down. The obligatory encore was made up of the two obvious omissions from the main setlist; Where Is My Mind? and Here Comes Your Man.

If there were any negatives to be taken from the show; it could be noted that Francis and Santiago were perhaps less-than-interactive with Deal’s crowd-pleasing attempts to speak French and off-mic laughter with Lovering. Could this be an early indication that the personal tensions that lead to the band’s acrimonious 1993 break-up are resurfacing? Only time will tell, but alternative music lovers and gig-goers everywhere should hope not. On June 2 the Pixies showed they’ve still got what it takes, and if they continue to keep it together, they are truly a must-see act.

Want to hear the Pixies live? For a limited time you can download, for free, a live EP from www.pixiesmusic.com - hurry though!

Full setlist (taken from setlist.fm):

AND WHAT YOU MISSED? PIXIES' DEBASER @ ISLE OF WIGHT 2009...