Coachella 2014: Pixies, living up to their legacy

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Pixies2@_Coachella_by_Scott_Dudelson

Who: Pixies at the Mojave Tent
In 3 or Fewer Words: Wave of mutilation
Memorable Because: Many music geeks first heard of the Coachella Valley Arts and Music Festival 10 years ago when the 2004 poster thrilled indie fans by featuring a reunited Pixies on the second line. A decade later, the art-rock legends were a quiet (almost unreported) last-minute addition to the bill, albeit without their founding bass player. No big deal, journeywoman Paz Lenchantin was more than serviceable during the senses-shattering spectacle of sound. Black Francis and friends touched on the entire Pixies discog save “Bossanova” (sorry, “Velouria” fans) and leaned heavily on “Come on Pilgrim,” the Pixies debut record. It was the rare set by a legacy act at this year’s Coachella that was packed to the gills. And it was unparalleled mastery, neurological subjugation so complete and total that even prickly Francis seemed overwhelmed and overjoyed by what he’d done as he left the stage. Feet on the air, heads on the ground.
What I’d Tell My Friend Who Passed on Pixies for Sleigh Bells: Friend? More like “Bitter Rivals.” (*Unfollows on Facebook*)
– Ben “Mouse” McShane (Concert photography by Scott Dudelson)