Forty years into their career, Pixies remain one of the most influential and uncompromising bands in alternative rock, and their P40 – Celebrating 40 Years tour proved exactly why. Playing to a sold-out crowd, the legendary Boston outfit delivered a monumental 26 song set that served as both a celebration of their remarkable catalogue and a reminder of their enduring power as a live act.
Before the main event, Birmingham/Black Country band Gans took to the stage and immediately made their mark. Armed with a ferocious blend of post-punk intensity and indie dance rhythms, they delivered a set packed with energy and confidence. It has been a long time since a support act grabbed my attention quite the way Gans did. Their songs hit hard, their stage presence was infectious, and they left the audience buzzing. If they are not already on your radar, they should be, check them out.
Pixies opened their set in surprising fashion with two covers, Neil Young’s “Winterlong” and “In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)” by Peter Ivers and David Lynch. Both choices showcased the band’s eclectic influences and set the tone for a night that would span four decades of music. A third cover, The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On,” appeared later in the set and was greeted enthusiastically by the crowd.
The remaining 23 songs formed a carefully curated journey through the band’s storied career. Classics sat comfortably alongside deeper cuts, each one delivered with the raw energy and precision that has made Pixies such a formidable live band. Black Francis was in commanding form throughout, while Joey Santiago’s distinctive guitar work remained as inventive and thrilling as ever.
One of the evening’s standout moments came during “All Over the World,” when the audience nearly took over the chorus, singing it back louder than the band themselves. It was a powerful reminder of the connection Pixies have forged with generations of fans. In truth, moments like that were not isolated. Throughout the night, countless songs were accompanied by a sea of voices, with large sections of the crowd passionately singing every word.
As anniversary tours go, this was everything fans could have hoped for. Rather than simply trading on nostalgia, Pixies delivered a performance that celebrated their past while demonstrating that they remain a vital and compelling live force. Forty years on, their music continues to resonate, and judging by the reaction of this sold out crowd, it will do so for many years to come.
Gans photos:
Pixies photos & set-list:
Set-list:
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
In Heaven – Lady in the Radiator Song) (Peter Ivers & David Lynch cover)
Motorway to Roswell
Here Comes Your Man
All Over the World
Bone Machine
Chicken
Head On (The Jesus and Mary Chain cover)
No. 13 Baby
Hey
Mr. Grieves
Debaser
Mercy Me
Subbacultcha
Gouge away
Wave of mutilation
Cactus
Isla de Encanta
I’m Amazed
Tame
The Happening
Snakes
Velouria
Vamos
Where is my mind?
Into the White
Photos & words – Ian Mc Donnell @mcgigmusic