A career-spanning couple of shows happened in Manchester over the bank holiday weekend, as the legendary Pixies took to the stage for their 40th anniversary tour. 40 years since their formation – and 20+ since their reformation at Coachella – their music is more revered than ever in 2026.
Where Is My Mind is becoming Gen Z’s go-to in over 900k TikTok uploads, and Here Comes Your Man just soundtracked the Stranger Things finale, and for a band that found their feet back in 1996 Boston, Pixies are seemingly more relevant than ever.
Packing out two scorching hot nights at Manchester’s Aviva Studios, their dream-rock sound is as recognisable to an audience of all ages as it is to those who were there back in the day, and taking a scan around the stunning Andrew Law Hall, Pixies are a band for everyone.
Thundering guitar riffs, stunning harmonies – for which the band are well-known – and a general whimsy all work together to create the perfect environment, and a fantastic gig. Around halfway through it becomes apparent just how many iconic tunes the band can revisit, whilst also giving air to the so-called “children and grandchildren” of their original sound – think marquee tunes from the 2016 ‘Head Carrier‘ album, and 2024’s ‘The Night the Zombies Came‘.
For a band from Boston, Pixies evoke a surprisingly Californian sound, especially live, with lead singer Black Francis exhibiting his Spanish-speaking prowess amongst a stacked setlist of gorgeously arranged (often spontaneously) hits old and new. Before performing Kings of the Prairie, Black reminisced on touring the California highways, passing Mexican bands as they went, dedicating the song to those rogues – another distinct nod to the flower power, Dazed and Confused-type haze Pixies have become so synonymous with.
Not ones to be boxed in, though, Pixies bring a surprising edge in their live shows. The masterful guitar by Joey Santiago (with a solo in Manchester being played with both a drumstick and a flat cap…) and jaw-dropping beats by drummer David Lovering prove Pixies as one of the great alternative rock bands. And that’s without taking into cosideration the importance of Emma Richardson‘s stunning bass performance, and characteristic voice giving a backbone to some of the most iconic songs of all time.
Although Pixies have now left Manchester, if you get the chance, go and see one of the best rock bands in history, still rocking like it’s 1986.
Remaining Pixies 40th anniversary tour dates
- 28th May – Royal Albert Hall, London
- 29th May – Royal Albert Hall, London
- 31st May – Live at the Castle, Limerick
- 2nd June – Olympia, Dublin
- 26th June – Eden Sessions, Eden Project
- 30th June – Zitadelle Spandau, Berlin
- 1st July – Parkbühne Clara-Zetkin-Park
- 2nd July – myticket Jahrhunderthalle, Frankfurt
- 14th July – Parco Della Musica, Milan
- 17th July – Maassilo, Rotterdam
- 18th July – Muziekcentrum, Enschede
- 19th July – PLT, Heerlen
You can find tickets to the Pixies tour here.