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Pixies: Aviva Studios the set was kicked off with River Euphrates, a song perhaps even more relevant today than 1988 when it was written. The uncomfortable vocal harmonies set the tone for the rest of the set as Francis sings with newcomer Emma Richardson who fills the position of Kim Deal, firmly cementing her place whilst making it entirely her own.
The set moves smoothly and quickly- the first four songs blending together as if they were one, all of which reflecting the earlier years of this 40 year anniversary and the impressive, vast catalog this band carries. Unfortunately, throughout these opening songs problems with sound remained as Francis was washed out by This counterparts, receiving many shouts from the audience requesting to "turn the vocals up". Luckily, these issues were dealt with just before
P the audience were flung into euphoria as Lovering bashed out the iconic grungy drum intro of "Bone Machine", accumulating a small mosh pit (of all ages) towards the front barrier. Black then declared "this is Debaser"- Richardson greeting the declaration with the bouncy bass riff which further fueled the moshpit- full of all generations from the four decades of the band's anniversary.
Classics were then rattled off such as monkey gone to heaven which was well received by the Manchester crowd triggering a sing along that was arguably louder than the performance itself, the poor acoustics of the venue once again evident. Richardson then took centre stage, demanding attention, as she performed the infamous, downtempo cover of David Lynch's "In Heaven" which rapidly transitioned into the surf rock esc "Here Comes Your Man", once again igniting the moshpit which had now grown to a considerable size.
The unavoidable "where is my mind" then cast a reflective mood of the set, infact the last 40 years of pixies legacy, as Santiago's screechy guitar rung out through the venue for the penultimate song of the Pixies' short visit to Manchester. They then closed in style with "Into The White" which I interpreted as "Into The Heat" as I prepared myself for the long walk back to the car through the remnants of the heatwave.
The band united center stage applauding and bowing to the crowd before departing into the foggy backdrop behind. It could be the last time this band tour, although whatever the future, Manchester received two nights of iconic, like no other, forever relevant sound.