Disappointing Adelaide!!!!
I can understand why promoters and concert bookers no longer are prepared to get burnt by taking huge risks to bring international acts to Adelaide not knowing if anyone will actually turn up. The turn out was embarrassing with only a couple hundred people venturing out to see the legendary Pixies front man Black Francis do his thing. What are your excuses people of Adelaide? Surely, staying home to watch 90210 doesn’t cut it.
This tour was quite the contrast to the triumphant Pixies reunion tour in 2007 when they played a packed Thebarton Theatre playing all the hits that made them such a great band. For those in attendance they had a premium vantage point wherever they stood and the venue was so sparse you could see your own shadow. It would be interesting to know whether the fact that The Breeders sold out their Adelaide show would be sticking point.
Francis hit the stage to very little fan fare opening in solo mode for half an hour taking us back twenty years to where it all began for The Pixies and the debut Surfer Rosa and the cult classic Cactus. This was a huge surprise as from all reports Francis has been quoted as saying no Pixies songs would be played on tour but Wave Of Mutilation, The Holiday Song, Horrible Day and The Water were played to a rosuing reception. It did seem at this point that Francis was just going through the motions as this solo set seemed tired and no pause between songs didn’t give punters the opportunity to show their appreciation. Still, it was a workman like performance grinding it out until the rest of his band joined him.
The show did pick up a gear when bass and drums were thrown into the mix and it continued to get frustrating as the tendency was to belt through each song just to get through the set to be able to sink some piss after. Recognisable songs include Tight Black Rubber and Threshold Apprehension as well as Captain Pasty and Lolita, plus a selection of tunes from this year’s mini-album Svn Fngrs.
It was a solid show and a chance to see one of the greats play under his moniker and not relying on Pixies fame to get him over the line. I’m glad I had the opportunity to go as I wouldn’t be surprised if he would ever bother coming back to Adelaide after this poor showing.
AuSqueezer
said last month on the 1st