Pixies relentless in their return to Edinburgh after 14 years.
Pixies stroll onto the stage of Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, their first visit to the city since 2005. No greetings or pleasantries are offered as they blast into ‘Cecilia Ann’, but then again, do they really need to spout some sycophantic nonsense like “Edinburgh, you’re the best audience ever” when they can instead whip through a set of 35 plus songs at Crackity Jones speed?
Black Francis is relentless in his fury as he belts out ‘U-Mass’ followed by the short but never sweet ‘Something Against You’ and ‘Vamos’, an unhinged epic, dripping with distortion and feedback. Joey’s extended solo on this number has become a bit of a regular during the live shows, but tonight this is cut back, with only a spot of flatcap guitar trickery before moving on to the next track.
Five songs in and the tempo drops a pace as we’re given the first taste of new album, ‘Beneath the Eyrie’, with bassist Paz taking the lead on ‘Los Surfers Muertos’. Gloriously gloomy, her vocals drift dreamlike through the song she co-wrote about the death of a surfer friend. From the Spanish title and moody bass line to Joey’s brooding guitar, this is pure Pixies and a sound that wouldn’t be out of place on one of the early albums.
With ‘Surfer Rosa’s’ average song length coming in at 2.30 seconds, and that being largely propped up by ‘Vamos’, it’s no surprise that they batter through the old favourites. ‘Caribou’, one of the earliest Pixies creations, is a song Black Francis loves to play so much, he’ll sneak it in even if it’s not on the setlist. This is Pixies at their finest, encompassing a mellow build to the demonic wails of “Repent”, which pervade every nook of the Usher Hall. The deliciously macabre ‘Gouge Away’ delights the crowd, and from the sinister opening strum of ‘No. 13 Baby’, through to the most sublime of outros, yep, I’m in a state. ‘Break my Body’, ‘Isla de Encanta’, ‘Ed is Dead’ and the divine harmonies of Neil Young’s ‘Winterlong’ complete the evening’s highlights for me.
But although the set is largely made up of old crowd pleasers, this tour is, let’s face it, all about showcasing ‘Beneath the Eyrie’. Tonight they play the whole album interspersed between the classics, which should keep those who refuse to budge from the comfort of their nostalgia tunnel, happy in the knowledge that an oldie is just lurking in the wings. A few of the new numbers are accompanied by a bit of a sideways shuffle to the bar and toilets, but that’s always going to be the case. Singles ‘On Graveyard Hill’ and ‘Catfish Kate’ get a great reception and album opener, ‘In the Arms of Mrs Mark of Cain’, with its spookily psychedelic intro and galloping guitars, hits the spot nicely. ‘Bird of Prey’ is a nonchalant little number which echos Nick Cave and highlights the rapport between Francis and Paz, who look like they’re having a ball. The ever-smiling David Lovering shines on the quirky ‘This is my Fate’ and Francis howls “I’m all done talking to you” on ‘St Nazaire’, proving their raw, crushing edge is still skulking around. But ‘Beneath the Eyrie’ highlight is ‘Long Rider’, another surf track co-written by Paz and embracing everything Pixies in its sound, from the clashing harmonies and pulsating bass line to Joey’s frenzied guitar.
‘Beneath the Eyrie’ is a compelling listen, and just another version of Pixies’ unorthodox sound. And live, Black Francis has lost none of his youthful angst. He gets so caught up in his rage, the pained expression which grips his face makes me briefly wonder if the poor chap’s getting enough fibre in his diet. But he’s a sight to behold, with no emotion spared…an open book down to the last minute, when during the encore of Debaser he looks a little jaded, balanced off by Paz’s enthusiastic bass-stomping.
As the four take centre-stage for an end of show bow, their faces speak a thousand words of gratitude and delight to the jubilant audience. What a blast! There’s more to come from these guys…they’re just building up again.
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography