Concert Review/Photos: Pixies @ The Electric Factory
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
On Friday night, the Electric Factory felt like Two Street on New Year's Day. Icy drinks sloshed around in plastic cups. Pixies fans wrapped their arms around each others' shoulders and hung on as if they hadn't seen each other in years.
[Fri., Jan. 24, 2014] On Friday night, the Electric Factory felt like Two Street on New Year’s Day. Icy drinks sloshed around in plastic cups. Pixies fans wrapped their arms around each others’ shoulders and hung on as if they hadn’t seen each other in years. But even if it felt like a reunion for the fans, the Pixies’ set was more a continuation of a career that (in spite of the years of inertia) seems to be building momentum. This was not just a tired trotting out of old material to score some some quick money. This was an energetic rock show from a tight, viable band.
Frontman Frank Black never spoke to the crowd, but he seemed to be absorbing the energy and throwing it back, like the diffused columns of light that alternately settled around the band and sprayed over the crowd. Although founding member Kim Deal was certainly missed, replacement bass player Paz Lenchantin filled her role admirably and looked like she was having the time of her life. In fact, the whole band appeared playful, focused on the present and the future. The set was full of Pixies hits like “Debaser,” “Where is my Mind,” and “Monkey Gone to Heaven” that felt as fresh as ever. Even the lack of an encore couldn’t dampen fans’ enthusiasm. It left us hoping for much more Pixies music, but satisfied and grateful for this night.
