The Pixies loved our country so much that they’ve announced they’re coming back real soon.
To Christchurch, that is. They wanted to see more of New Zealand, so figured they’d play the South. And play what? Well, not a set focused on Doolittle (great as it was to see performed in its entirety), but one dedicated to more even coverage of their albums.
Wellington is pretty nice too, guys. Stop on by.
But, sadly, it is not my pick.
No, the pick was bravely plucked from the post-concert crush of stamping feet and scrambling hands by a good friend of mine. He kindly let me fondle it at the pub afterwards. And the next day at breakfast, and lunch, and at afternoon-beer time, and a final time before we separated.
The concert itself was a once in a lifetime (for me) event, and it was brilliant. Black Francis didn’t say a word all night, which was a shame, though his vocals were top notch. That screaming, yelping, growling he does so well is even more surprising and assaulting live. Kim took care of the song introductions and asides, and situated as I was pretty near in front of her, I rather enjoyed watching the little games she and Lovering played with each other – faking each other out on count-ins and such.
Highlight would probably have to be, of all things, Into the White – which by the end was an epic wall of sound, with Joey’s geriatric guitar noises punctuating the blaze like fresh sparks of ignition.
Official, live CDs of the concert (either at the Powerstation or Vector – I was at the latter) were being sold afterwards (or you could pre-purchase). But if you didn’t make the Pixies gig, or did and didn’t buy a disc at the venue, they’re still available online.
Doolittle
Pixies, the Doolittle 20th Anniversary Tour, 12 March 2010, Vector Arena (sigh).
I know I’ll be there, where will you be?
(To add some greater personal substance to this post, I may as well confess something that horrifies most Pixies fans I’ve confessed it to. I prefer Bossanova to their other albums.
Rock music.
Down to the Well.
Hang Wire. (!)
It’s an idiosyncrasy that provokes horror. I don’t quite know why it provokes horror. Perhaps it’s just fans meeting the definition of fanatic, to the point of being puritanical?
Anyway. No matter what Pixies album you pick, you know it’ll be better than most anything else you’ve ever heard.)
Here’s a recent Pixies clip, of one of my favourite Doolittle tracks:
