The 02 Apollo Manchester yet again drew in a sold out crowd and this evening it was all about The Pixies. Returning to Manchester, the band are always well received in the city, and frontman. Black Francis is seemingly fond of all things Manchester. The fans were still queuing to get in just ten minutes before the band were due on stage with some desperate fans at the box office hoping to get lucky with last minute tickets,
Inside the venue, fans had crammed their way in, many making the brave journey to the barriers, most adorned with a variety of Pixies T shirts and eagerly anticipating the 9pm start. The stage looked very atmospheric, with a cup of tea gently steaming away, awaiting Black Francis’s arrival. Bang on 9pm and the band made their way on stage to a massive reception, Black Francis took a sip of tea and it was showtime!
The first track was, with made for a lively start (thank you to the over zealous fan who threw what I really fucking hope was lager into the photo pit in the first verse of track one). The band made my night when they played their outstanding cover of Jesus and Mary Chain’s ‘Head On’. Sometimes a cover can be just a good as the original and this really works, taking on a different vibe to JAMC, a little more punk but no better or worse, just different.
A giant cheer reverberated through the venue when the opening bars of ‘Here Comes Your Man’ played out. Incredibly catchy with that awesome baseline played beautifully by the effortlessly cool Emma Richardson. The band alter the order of the setlist each evening which keeps fans on their toes. The newer tracks are well received but it is of course the likes of ‘Where is my Mind’ that has the majority of the crowd singing and swaying in unison.
This evening is the last night of the UK tour before the band head across the pond in June to start the American leg. The tour coincides with the bands latest album ‘The Night the Zombies Came’ which sees the band mix it up a little with both acoustic and heavier guitar riffs.
This is new bassist Richardson’s first Pixies album, and although a fresher sound was expected, the haunting melodies are still ever present, and Joey Santiago still plays those distorted guitar riffs that compliment Black Francis’s unique vocals. You can find out more about the band’s latest work below, and if you missed this tour, then be sure to get a ticket to the next as it is a truly magical experience.
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