I’m dating myself, but Trompe Le Monde was the first Pixies CD I owned (released the same day as Nevermind!). In many ways, it is my favorite Pixies album. Sure Doolittle is better, but Trompe Le Monde opened up a whole new world for me after listening to it — and it made me want to find other records just like it. And that wasn’t hard, because The Pixies are the bedrock that ’90s college radio and Alternative Nation were built on.
On the first of two nights at The Anthem in DC on July 25, Pixies played Trompe Le Monde in its entirety. As I’ve noted ad nauseum, there are right ways and wrong ways to do album playback shows, but this was the first time that I had seen a band play two albums in one set. More on that in a second, but I really loved this format! I think The Pixies are uniquely positioned to avoid the usual setlist pacing problems that plague album playback shows, as their records are very similarly tempo’ed, so there are no ill-timed lulls in the set for slower songs.
Black Francis and Co. started the night by running through Bossanova, a fine record that for reasons I can’t explain, never clicked with me. It’s probably my least favorite Pixies album. Yes, “Velouria,” “Is She Weird,” and “Dig For Fire” are all certified classics, but the rest of the album never grabbed me and it didn’t on this night either. Oh well.
Watch the official music video for “Velouria” by Pixies on YouTube:
Trompe Le Monde, however, was incredible. Getting to hear “Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons” — for the first time ever — was everything I made it up to be in my head. “Alec Eiffel,” “Distance Equal Rate Times Time,” and “UMass” all sounded superb. Newish bassist Emma Richardson (formerly of Band of Skulls) was perfectly cromulent, even if her backing vocals were no Kim Deal (nobody is).
Stream “Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons” by Pixies on YouTube:
I give The Pixies and lot of credit for doing this two night, two different sets tour — and it’s something I wish more bands would do. Yes, playing somewhat similar sets with a few changes is easier, but by giving the fans a choice: do you want to hear a particular album or do you want to hear us play the hits? This format gives the fans a chance to self select the set they want to hear.
I’ve seen The Pixies five times now, and I’ve heard them play pretty much every song I wanted to hear them perform, except for certain tracks on Trompe Le Monde, so this was literally the perfect show for me. Other bands take note! You should play more shows formatted specifically for me! (Please note the sarcasm here). It’s also worth noting they played 34(!!) songs on the night.
Kurt Vile & the Violators opened the show with an absolutely incredible set of chill, vibey stoner rock that probably ranked in the top three shows I’ve ever seen Vile do. I am still thinking of his performance of “Girl Named Alex,” which was mind-blowing. His set was so good I was trying to find a way to come back the next night but I couldn’t make it happen. My loss. KV4EVA.
Pixies Setlist:
Cecilia Ann
Rock Music
Velouria
Allison
Is She Weird
Ana
All Over the World
Dig for Fire
Down to the Well
The Happening
Blown Away
Hang Wire
Stormy Weather
Havalina
Trompe le Monde
Planet of Sound
Alec Eiffel
The Sad Punk
Head On
U-Mass
Palace of the Brine
Letter to Memphis
Bird Dream of the Olympus Mons
Space (I Believe In)
Subbacultcha
Distance Equals Rate Times Time
Lovely Day
Motorway to Roswell
The Navajo Know
In Heaven (Lady in the Radiator Song)
Here Comes Your Man
Where Is My Mind?
Into the White
Encore:
Debaser
Here are some photos of Pixies and Kurt Vile & the Violators performing at The Anthem on July 25, 2025. All pictures copyright and courtesy of Kyle Gustafson.
Kurt Vile & the Violators setlist:
Back to Moon Beach
Bassackwards
Mount Airy Hill (Way Gone)
Girl Called Alex
Like Exploding Stones
KV Crimes
Pretty Pimpin
Wakin on a Pretty Day
