As I walked through security fifteen minutes (or in Pixies time ten songs) late, not owning a single Pixies’ album, poster or tour shirt, I wondered if I were the best person to be writing a review for this indie icon?But on the upside, you can take comfort in the fact that this won’t end up another piece of drooling groupie garbage. Regardless, I was here and the Pixies’ second gig at the Hordern Pavilion was three quarters full (even with the side seating curtained off) and well underway.

The crowd, made up of a few young hipsters and a majority of foot tapping, hip shaking old school fans tried hard not to show their excitement and blow their FTW attitudes. But after all they had come to see the Pixies and since reforming in 2004 I was interested to see their energy levels some six years later touring on the back of their re-released classic Doolittle.

After a few songs it became evident that the playful visuals projected onto the huge backlit screen behind the band were perfectly crafted and timed to the clinical performance by the band on stage. It seems that some 20 years plus of touring results in an ESP-like understanding between band members as well as a finely distilled set list blending classics: Monkey Gone To Heaven, Gigantic, There Goes Your Man and others, with lesser known tracks to keep the crowd as animated as any indie crowd can be. The band even embraced the theatre of a second encore under full house lights.

Hey, Mr Grieves, Debaser and of course the anthemic Where Is My Mind, which was left until near the end of their second encore were standouts. Loud, tight drumming, solid bass, shrill guitar riffs and the familiar vocal ping-pong of Frank Black/Black Francis and Kim Deal made for a worthwhile, albeit predictable live show for fans and relative newbies alike.

3½ Stars