By Macy Zenier

The Pixies, an influential alternative rock band that formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1986, stopped in Pittsburgh for their first tour since 2018. The original lineup consisted of Black Francis (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Joey Santiago (lead guitar), Kim Deal (bass, backing vocals), and David Lovering (drums). They achieved moderate commercial success during their initial run in the late 1980s and early 1990s but gained significant recognition and became highly influential in the alternative rock and indie music scenes. The band’s sound was characterized by a unique blend of punk, surf rock, pop, and noise elements, with a dynamic mix of loud and soft dynamics. Their music often featured unconventional song structures, cryptic lyrics, and a distinctive interplay between Black Francis’ manic vocals and Kim Deal’s melodic backing vocals.

Their latest album, Doggerel, was created when Black Francis came to the studio with 40 prepared songs, along with guitar player, Joey Santiago, getting in on the songwriting. Although the tour was prompted by the new album, the 31 song set list boasted songs from older albums as well, such as “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Here Comes Your Man,” “Hey,” “Bone Machine,” “Wave of Mutilation,” and “Where Is My Mind,” which was featured in Fight Club

Before the band played their electric set, openers Franz Ferdinand and Bully performed, and even though there was a torrential downpour, the crowd was still charismatic. 

Franz Ferdinand is a Scottish indie rock band formed in Glasgow in 2002. The band consists of Alex Kapranos (lead vocals, guitar), Bob Hardy (bass guitar), Paul Thomson (drums, backing vocals), and Dino Bardot (guitar, backing vocals). They named their band after the Austro-Hungarian Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination in 1914 triggered the start of World War I. The band quickly gained attention in the early 2000s with their energetic and catchy blend of post-punk, dance-rock, and art-pop influences. They released their self-titled debut album, “Franz Ferdinand,” in 2004, which was met with critical acclaim and commercial success. The album spawned hit singles such as “Take Me Out,” “The Dark of the Matinée,” and “This Fire,” showcasing their infectious hooks, sharp guitar riffs, and clever lyrics.

Bully is the musical project led by singer-songwriter Alicia Bognanno. The band originated in Nashville, Tennessee, and emerged onto the indie rock scene in 2013. Alicia Bognanno serves as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the group. Bognanno began her music career in sound engineering, working as an intern at Steve Albini’s Electrical Audio studio in Chicago. It was during this time that she honed her skills in recording and production, which would later play a significant role in shaping Bully’s sound. In 2014, Bully released their self-titled debut EP, which garnered critical acclaim for its gritty and melodic rock sound. The EP introduced listeners to Bognanno’s powerful vocals, introspective lyrics, and a sound that blended elements of grunge, punk, and indie rock.

All three bands had an incredible performance, and the crowd had an amazing time, despite the rainy weather. The crowd was nearly sold out and had some of the most charismatic energy I’ve seen. The mixture of new and nostalgic songs struck emotions for many, making for a great show for the three bands that we were lucky to have had in our own city of Pittsburgh. 

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