Pixies to Embark on 40th Anniversary World Tour, Including Royal Albert Hall Stop
Few bands have made as significant an impact on alternative music as Pixies. This year, the band will commemorate forty years of music with a global tour, Pixies 40, starting in the UK in May and spanning Europe throughout the summer. The tour includes a special show at the iconic Royal Albert Hall in London on 28th May, a pivotal moment in the band’s career.
Pixies, consisting of original members Black Francis, Joey Santiago, and David Lovering, along with bassist Emma Richardson, will revisit their groundbreaking songs that reshaped indie rock and influenced numerous musicians. Starting at the York Barbican, the tour will make stops in Manchester, Limerick, Dublin, Berlin, Milan, and Rotterdam before wrapping up in Heerlen on 19th July.
The UK holds a special place in Pixies’ history as their music resonated with British audiences and press long before gaining popularity in the US. With their debut mini-album, “Come On Pilgrim,” released in 1987, and the groundbreaking “Surfer Rosa” in 1988, Pixies challenged traditional rock music conventions. Their album “Doolittle” in 1989 solidified their status as icons by blending darkness and melody in a completely innovative way while dominating the UK charts.
During the early ’90s, Pixies toured extensively on both sides of the Atlantic, establishing themselves as one of the most sought-after live acts. Known for their raw energy and controlled chaos on stage, their concerts were legendary for their straight-to-the-point approach without any unnecessary chatter or theatrics. Even after their breakup in 1993, Pixies’ influence only continued to grow.
The band’s reunion in 2004 was a monumental cultural event, showcasing their lasting impact and rekindling the fervor surrounding their music. Since then, Pixies have embarked on a second chapter of their career, releasing five studio albums, including the recent “The Night The Zombies Came,” in 2022. They continue to innovate while staying true to the raw energy that defined them.
After four decades in the industry, Pixies’ influence is evident in contemporary music, with their dynamic, quiet-loud style shaping the sound of many bands across genres. Despite their significant impact, Pixies remain true to their unique style, constantly evolving and refusing to rely solely on nostalgia. With Pixies 40, fans can celebrate the band’s extensive catalog while experiencing a group that continues to push the boundaries while staying connected to their roots.