Pixies perform at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Aug. 30, 2023.
A Supermoon is a rare occurrence that exists only three or four times a year. Even more infrequent is a Blue Supermoon, but that’s exactly what appeared in the Chicago sky on Aug. 30.
Much like a Blue Moon – which is defined as the second full moon in one month – the Pixies and Modest Mouse, joined by Cat Power, were booked to perform not one, but two shows at The Salt Shed this August, the first of which took place on Wednesday night. Both bands are of a rare breed of uncompromising rockers who use each performance to share unique setlists with fans who prefer deep cuts to hits. The co-headliners each met the celestial moment with sets full of improvisational jams and solos that won’t soon be forgotten.
Cat Power opened the show with a subdued, haunting cover of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” “Sea of Love” also gave the singer-songwriter a chance to share her unique arranging style and “New York, New York / Manhattan” proved to be one of her biggest crowd-pleasers. The only disappointment of Cat Power’s set was that more fans weren’t on site for the 6 p.m. start time as Chicago rush-hour traffic is tough to beat.
Modest Mouse performs at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Aug. 30, 2023.
“Doin’ the Cockroach” sent fans into a frenzy at the top of Modest Mouse’s set and an explosive rendition of “Dramamine” pushed the excitement even higher. Elsewhere, radio-friendly hits like “We Are Between,” “Dashboard” and “Float On” inspired venue-wide sing-alongs. With strums that provoked a physical reaction, front man Isaac Brock led one of the best jams of the night on “The Whale Song” while his delicate banjo plucks adorned the thumpy “Satin in a Coffin.”
A once-in-a-lifetime experience was enjoyed as Salt Shed attendees lifted their eyes to the sky to behold the Blue Supermoon as Modest Mouse played “3rd Planet” at sundown.
Later, Pixies – Black Francis (vocals/guitar), David Lovering (drums), Joey Santiago (guitar) and Paz Lenchantin (bass/violin) – had their own lunar tribute moment midway through their night-closing set sharing the Doggerel standout, “There’s a Moon On.” The melodic “Who’s More Sorry Now,” featuring expressive licks from Santiago, and the perfectly layered “Haunted House” soon followed giving fans a nice interlude comprised of a trio of tracks from the 2022 release.
Pixies perform at The Salt Shed in Chicago on Aug. 30, 2023.
Classic Pixies tunes like “Gouge Away,” which opened their set, sounded as fresh and furious as ever, as did their intense, yet really fun, cover of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On.” “Wave of Mutilation,” “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” “Hey” – with a touch of funk – and the perennial fan favorite “Where Is My Mind?” further added to the enjoyment of the evening.
The Blue Supermoon may have been a one-night-only event, but Chicago music fans are in luck as Pixies, Modest Mouse and Cat Power will be back at The Salt Shed for a second sold-out show tonight, Aug. 31.
The co-headlining tour is set to continue through mid-September when it will wrap up in San Diego. Click here to pick-up tickets to see Pixies and Modest Mouse perform in a city near you and check out photos from night one in Chicago below. Head over to Pixiesmusic.com for more information
(Photos by Laurie Fanelli)
