Rock and roll has a vast spectrum of sounds. On one end, you have gnarly guitars, sculpted works of feedback and poetic lyrics that artistically explore cultural and personal malaise while, in another corner, the genre also celebrates theatrics, fun, friendship and the joy of a good sing-along. Just as the flavors of salty and sweet are a surprising revolution to the palate, the contrasting sounds of Pixies and Weezer provided a perfect sonic juxtaposition during a July 7 performance at the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park.
Pixies
After a tight, energetic set from The Wombats – featuring “Lemon to a Knife Fight,” “Let’s Dance to Joy Division” and more – Pixies took the stage bathed in a menacing olive hue. Patient feedback served as the group’s opening remarks as Joey Santiago and Black Francis layered their suspense-oozing guitars until a cathartic breaking point finally revealing the Doolittle closer “Gouge Away” to be the first track in what would become an epic 22-song setlist. “Bel Esprit” – featuring bassist Paz Lenchantin trading vocals with Francis – and “Caribou” soon followed, uncovering the Pixies’ intention to highlight their entire discography in the hour plus performance.
Francis was at his tormented best during the Come On Pilgrim brawler “Isla de Encanto” as drummer David Lovering centered the searing chaos with commanding precision. Later, Lenchantin stepped into the vocal spotlight on more than one occasion with a bewitching intro to “All the Saints” – which also featured her effortless harmonies – and on the crowd-pleaser “Gigantic” simultaneously highlighting her range of talents while giving a nod to the group’s founding bassist, Kim Deal.
Pixies
The one-two punch of the UK Surf version of “Wave of Mutilation” into “Where Is My Mind?” was a Lynchian dream come true as beautiful melodies were paired with disconcerting tales of the open water. Santiago stoically approached each song like a gunslinger ready for battle unleashing severe sounds whenever necessary – “Tame” and a gorgeously hostile take on Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On” – and dropping power riffs with unmatched swagger on tracks like “U-Mass.”
Francis uttered not a word of banter throughout the night, so his calls of “Hope everything is alright,” that bookended Pixies’ closing song “Mr. Grieves,” felt like the perfect way for him to say “goodnight.”
Where as the Pixies began their set with slow building excitement, Weezer gave fans immediate gratification with a curtain drop which revealed a set full of the Happy Days imagery from their iconic “Buddy Holly” video. Overhead, the speakers blasted the introduction, “Arnold’s is proud to present, Kenosha, Wisconsin’s own – Weezer.” As the group performed the massive 1994 hit, fans took in every throwback reference – big and small – including frontman Rivers Cuomo’s vintage cardigan sweater/striped tie combination. “Beverly Hills,” “Undone – The Sweater Song,” and “Pork and Beans” gave fans further opportunities to belt out lyrics at the top of their lungs.
Weezer
The set design soon changed to an “In the Garage” scene – complete with posters of Cuomo’s “favorite rock group Kiss” – complimenting the performances of “Perfect Situation,” “My Name Is Jonas” and “El Scorcho,” the latter of which featured a deliciously disjointed solo from guitarist Brian Bell. Mid-set Weezer paid tribute to The Turtles by covering “Happy Together” – with a welcome interlude of Green Day’s “Longview” – before Cuomo donned a captain’s hat and blazer, hopped on a scooter and traveled to the soundboard to perform acoustic renditions of “Island in the Sun” and Oasis’ “Wonderwall.”
Cuomo returned to an industrial, hair-band era stage design to rejoin the band for “The Good Life,” “Feels Like Summer” – complete with bursts of pyro – and their cover of Toto’s “Africa” which has quickly become the unbeatable song of the season.
Weezer
The Pixies’ brooding, noisy and earnest approach to performance paired with Weezer’s fun-loving, surprising and interactive set gave fans two different yet equally satisfying sides of the complex coin that is rock and roll. Weezer and Pixies will continue to tour across North America through mid-August. Click here for more information about what will go down as one of the best tours of the summer.
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
