Concert Review: The Pixies and Modest Mouse
On Thursday, August 24th, 2023, the Pixies and Modest Mouse brought their summer co-headlining tour to Hartford Healthcare Amphitheater. With support from opener Catpower both bands put on nostalgia-worthy performances that rocked Bridgeport, CT.
Modest Mouse photographed for Melodía Magazine by Natalie Colon
Modest Mouse was the first headliner up for the night. The band consists of Isaac Brock, Davey Brozowski on drums, Jim Fairchild and Tom Peloso on guitar, and Russell Higbee on bass. They opened their set with the uptempo existential crisis hit “The World at Large” off their 2003 album Good News For People Who Love Bad News. The band gave a low-key yet high-energy performance that drew in more audience members as the set went on. Brock delivered solid vocals that were filled with passion and enthusiasm. As their set came to a close, the audience vibed to hit “Float on”. A woman near me had her head tilted back and her eyes closed as she sang along to the tune. I couldn’t help but mimic her movement and let my ears be my eyes for the duration of the song, and let me say, this is a surefire way to feel like the main character for a minute.
Modest Mouse photographed for Melodía Magazine by Natalie Colon
The Pixies closed out the night performing 26 songs from their decades-long career. The band consisting of frontman Black Francis, David Lovering on drums, Joey Santiago on Guitar, and Paz Lenchantin on bass and providing backing vocals opened their set with the uptempo punk-infused “Wave of Mutilation”. It’s to be noted the amphitheater was packed for their set, as I looked around I could see a sea of people on their feet singing along. As the show continued, the audience swayed to the beat of hits like “Here Comes the Man'' and “Where is My Mind”. I spent some time taking a look into the crowd and noticed there was such a large range of ages surrounding me. Couples in their 20s and 50s, young children with their millennial parents, and groups of men pouring their hearts out into the songs that the band played.
The Pixies photographed for Melodía Magazine by Natalie Colon
The crowd really opened my eyes to the fact that the Pixies isn’t just a band for a specific group of people but it’s for families, and friends of all ages. I think one thing that brought out the surprisingly young Gen Z audience members was the success of the Pixies music in early 2000’s entertainment. Many of the band’s songs were featured in movies such as 2006’s Accepted and the popular early 2000s show How I Met Your Mother, and most recently an episode of the hit show The Bear. Overall, the Pixies delivered a fun and heartwarming performance that kept the audience in great spirits and left a memorable impression.
The Pixies photographed for Melodía Magazine by Natalie Colon
You can catch the Pixies, Modest Mouse, and Catpower on tour here.
