Review and Photography: Stephen Brophy for MPM
Forty years of any band is something to celebrate and the Pixies are currently out doing just that. When you have the influence they have over their career and a catalog with the depth of theirs it’s always interesting on what’s going to make it to the set. Was also going to be interesting on how well this show would do with the band having just played two nights in Limerick’s St Johns Castle, never a need to wonder that with a band of their stature, the 3Olympia was packed of all age groups eager to get this ball rolling again.
Opening the show tonight were a very interesting two piece from Birmingham called GANS and they are very refreshing, different and pack a rocket load of energy into their short set.
My first time seeing the guys and already look forward to seeing them again. Their music mixes many styles and instruments with Thomas (guitars/keys) and Euan (drums/vocals) joined by Tommy (sax and flute) pushing the aggression of punk, alternative music, electronic alongside the classic instruments it just works so well.
There’s something a bit special about these guys and in a very short space of time they manage to get the crowd moving and involved in their set. Euan wading out into the venue definitely helped with this, but it’s their music that packs a punch and gets your head moving, keep an eye out for GANS and I have no doubt we will all be hearing more about them soon. From the soulful “Nightwalking” to the heavily electronic “In Time” they transverse the styles at ease.
Certain they gained a lot of new fans on their Irish trip.
There is one thing that doesn’t change with the Pixies, when they arrive on stage there is no fuss or fanfare, they thank the fans for showing up and they just power through their set, never going to be a lot of between song chatting or filler, they pack as many songs into the set as they can. Never show up late to one of their shows as you will more than likely miss one of the bands biggest songs. It is always too hard to please everyone with a setlist, but they do their very best, with 26 songs tonight, including a couple of covers to break everything up a little.
Standing back closing your eyes and just listening to each of the elements of the band one thing that’s very obvious is just how professional everything is, each instrument is clear and still doesn’t lose any power, have always thought that the bass lines are very important in their music and the bass is powerful all the way through. Frank’s voice is sounding great and as always both guitars and drums are spot on, it does make a big difference when the mix sounds good.
All the way through we get lots of opportunities to sing along and get involved, it’s still very noticeable how important the ‘Doolittle’ album has been in their career as so many tracks are on show each night, no surprise with some of their biggest songs coming from it, but “Here Comes Your Man”, “Debaser”, “Gouge Away” “Wave Of Mutilation” being among my stand outs tonight, and you can feel a rise in audience noise when certain songs start.
Have always been interested in how well the band mix acoustic and electric music seamlessly, or flip tempos all over the place, like from “Cactus” straight into the pacy “Isla de Encanta”. But whether it’s soft spoken or screaming are just so recognisable.
The very healthy thing about a gig like this is seeing so many younger concertgoers checking out bands that were in their peak before they were even born. Music always needs fresh blood be it bands or fans. The Pixies seem to have the ability to keep regenerating their crowd which is awesome to see. You can pick so many highlights from a show like this, but just being a small part of it is good enough. Seeing people in the Gods up dancing is always a good sign.
As the set comes to a close everything seems to have gone by in a blur, not in a bad way, often the best gigs fly by. With the brilliant ‘Where Is My Mind’ and “Into The White” ending a terrific show, alt rock at it’s best and a band still sounding great and relevant in 2026 as the band recognises the crowd a standing ovation comes right back at them from a full venue with the cheers, applause and smiles on everyone’s faces saying everything.
Of course it’s great celebrating a top band like the Pixies hitting a milestone like 40 years, but at the same time remember, nothing lasts forever so make sure you get out there and see these bands while you can.
Pixies Setlist –
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Song) (Peter Ives & David Lynch cover)
Here Comes Your Man
Motorway To Roswell
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 Enchanta
I’m Amazed
Tame
Snakes
Velouria
The Happening
Vamos
Where Is My Mind ?
Into The White
