The Breeders make a grand return to Adelaide after the release of 2008s Mountain Battles. It’s been five years since their last tour so there was a feeling of anticipation and expectation amongst the sold out crowd – Fowlers was literally packed to the rafters and I can’t recall ever seeing a crowd this big squeezing in to the venue. The cold weather and constant rain wasn’t going to deter this dedicated crowd from savouring this moment proving to be highlight on the gig calendar for 2008.
There was nothing elaborate or special about the stage production for The Breeders but the magic was hearing Kim Deal with sister Kelley sing, play and squabble amongst themselves on stage. It definitely looked like Kim and Kelley kept their cash for beers after the gig instead of loading up on designer threads but the daggy t-shirts, jeans and sneakers showed a more genuine and humble side to the band letting the music do the talking.
I still find it hard to fathom the thought that The Breeders is still considered a side project even after twenty years and with The Pixies on an extended break. The crowd broke in to rapturous applause as they hit the stage and the band looked happy to be here despite Kim’s comment about getting off her couch in Ohio to be here, sounds like a standard gag used all tour.
Tipp City was the opening number and the crowd really showed their appreciation. It could have quite easily turned out to be a Mountain Battles tour but rather a good spread of old and new was there to enjoy. The last from Title TK by way of Huffer was up next followed by Bang On and Shocker. The Deal sisters sung with passion and the way they played their guitars I’m surprised their fingers didn’t bleed.
Mountain Battles got a good going over with the captivating Night Of Joy, We’re Gonna Rise, Walk It Off and It’s The Love all getting a guernsey. I was almost screaming like a schoolgirl when the Lennon/McCartney cover Happiness Is A Warm Gun and Iris from the 1990 Pod album made the set. Similarly, The Breeders 1993 album Last Splash wasn’t forgotten either with the big hit Cannonball unleashed along with I Just Wanna Get Along, New Year and Saints, which closed the set.
I was expecting more but the band left the stage before returning for an encore. I think at this point they could have easily played for another half an hour but not to be. The encore was one highlight of many with Overglazed, Here No More (dedicated to their mother), Empty Glasses and Drivin’ on 9 to finish their set.
What a night! It was worth waiting five years to see them….
