Pixies still weaving musical magic after three decades

A quick glance around the Marquee in Cork revealed that the Pixies are a band whose fan-base spans generations. Middle-aged indie fans rubbed shoulders with 20-somethings – there was even a kid who couldn’t have been older than nine.

The house lights went down and Black Francis and the group took to the stage. Initially, their opening was a little baffling. With their backs to the crowd, his fellow band members faced drummer David Lovering and tore through the B-side Velvety. But what seemed like an exercise in studied-cool turned out to be a masterclass in stagecraft. They then burst into Something Against You from their 1988 debut album, and a 30-song set that spanned a glorious career began.

The first thing to note is that voice. Sounding as visceral and primal as it did almost 30 years ago, Black Francis sang like only he can.

But the Pixies are a band, and a hell of a one at that. Joey Santiago’s distinctive guitar-playing soared around the Marquee – this is the sound that had a seismic effect on bands like Nirvana, The Frames, Radiohead and many more. Lovering, the engine of the band, was on fine form. But perhaps the toughest task came to bassist Paz Lenchantin. Taking the place of founding member Kim Deal, Lenchantin was a revelation and the new single, Um Chagga Lagga, was a highlight of the set.

But it was just one star amongst a constellation. Debaser, Gouge Away, Monkey Gone To Heaven and Caribou were all sublime.

Let’s hope the Pixies keep on rolling. Is it still nostalgia when it sounds this good, right here, right now?