It wasn’t that long ago that Pixies passed through the San Francisco Bay Area with Weezer. But if the lack of intimacy of an arena show coupled with a setlist confined to a supporting slot left you wanting, look no further than the band’s brief North American winter run.
Those lucky enough to secure a ticket to the show at San Francisco’s August Hall, which maybe holds 1,000 people, were treated to Pixies in epic proportions. From the opening notes of “In the Arms of Mrs. Mark of Cain” as smoke filled the tiny stage to the set closer “Bone Machine,” Charles/Frank, Joey, Paz, and David did not once take the foot off of the gas.
For their part, the enthusiastic crowd settled in for the long haul and soaked it all in, not knowing whether such an opportunity would ever present itself again as the Pixies plowed through their catalog including a heavy dose of their September release, Beneath the Eyrie.
This was no doubt one for the record books.
KRISTIN HERSH
PIXIES SETLIST
In the Arms of Mrs. Mark of Cain
Nimrod’s Son
The Holiday Song
All the Saints
Death Horizon
Brick Is Red
Break My Body
Bird of Prey
Vamos
Ready for Love
Here Comes Your Man
Blown Away
Cactus
Wave of Mutilation
Ana
Mr. Grieves
Where Is My Mind?
Daniel Boone
Ed Is Dead
This Is My Fate
Catfish Kate
Gouge Away
On Graveyard Hill
Crackity Jones
Isla de Encanta
Cecilia Ann (The Surftones cover)
St. Nazaire
Rock Music
Tame
Caribou
Los Surfers Muertos
Hey
River Euphrates
Debaser
Something Against You (started to play it, gave up after a few)
Monkey Gone to Heaven
I’ve Been Tired
Bone Machine
