On September 17 2023 the Hollywood Bowl welcomed Cat Power, Pixies and Modest Mouse. Review by Harriet Kaplan. Photos by Timothy Norris on behalf of the Los Angeles Philharmonic
Autumn has descended upon Los Angeles, CA. The weather is considerably cooler as Angelenos ease into fall. It is definitely more tolerable to be outside seeing live music without having to be subjected to the unrelenting, soaring temperatures coupled with suffocating humidity that has accompanied it. The only real heat that mattered and was satisfying came musically from the iconic Hollywood Bowl on September 17th that hosted a powerhouse package of indie rock music with the Pixies and Modest Mouse.
Cat Power opened the show with low-key, chill brief set of music with a memorable eight-song performance supported by her backing band that gave the numbers more muscle and grit. Featured live included original material: “Hate,” “Good Woman” and “Manhattan.” Also Covers was lightly touched upon. It’s Cat Powers eleventh studio album. Highlights included Rolling Stones’ “I Can’t Get No). Satisfaction,” J.D. Miller’s “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” and Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man.”
Cat Power (Chan Marshall) is renowned for writing songs that are truly emotional raw and unflinching in their depth and honesty. She performed with the numbers with true internal strength and fortitude yet they underscore a stark, deep vulnerability. Cat Power will also be performing at a sold-out show at The Troubadour on November 6th billed as Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Hall Concert.
SETLIST:
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones cover)
Good Woman
Hate
Manhattan
The Greatest
The Moon
It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels (J.D. Miller cover)
Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan cover)
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night here.
Modest Mouse was the perfect band to see right before Pixies exploded on to the stage. Their influence and style clearly owes a huge nod to the titan of indie rock that has influenced generations of bands and artists. Modest Mouse’s 13-song set was performed in all its edgy rocking splendor including numbers such “Float On,” “Ocean Breathes Salty” and “Dramamine.” The Portland, Oregon band now only features one original member. That is Isaac Brock who is the lead singer and guitarist. He was a sensational focal point. Cheerful, upbeat, and passionate, he keep the energy high throughout the kinetic set interacting constantly with the sold-out audience and remarkably played guitar with his teeth gave the fans true entertainment value pulling out all the stops.
SETLIST:
Doin’ the Cockroach
Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
Dashboard
Gravity Rides Everything
Back to the Middle
King Rat
Bukowski
3rd Planet
Dramamine
Ocean Breathes Salty
Float On
Teeth Like God’s Shoeshine
Shit Luck
It was thrilling to see the Pixies again. LiveMusicNewsandReview was on hand to cover the legendary rockers unforgettable show at The Troubadour when played three-night stint back in 2019. Their headlining show this time around was also a straightforward, no-nonsense show on the face of it. This performance included 20 dazzling, career-spanning original songs. Attending a Pixies show is really no-filler affair. The band, including frontman Black Francis, Joey Santiago on lead guitar, Paz Lenchantin on bass and Dave Lovering on drums, came out to play start to finish with no stories to share or fan interaction. Though Lenchantin seemed to quietly smile and just beam behind the mic as she sang backing vocals accompanying Francis whose lead singing is as potent and powerful as ever. Santiago has an angular and tasteful approach to playing guitar. He is known as architect and innovator when it comes to the creation of soundscapes using the guitar. The electrifying show was rich, compelling and simply brilliant because of the spellbinding performances coupled with incredible always relevant and timeless songs: The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Head On,” “Wave of Mutilation” “Gouge Away,” “Hey,” “Monkey Gone to Heaven,” Nimrod’s Son,” Debaser, and “Here Comes Your Man.” The show closed with a cover of Neil Young’s “Winterlong”. It was followed by a goodnight bow of all band members joining hands. This warm gesture was greeted by thunderous applause and cheers of the audience witnessing a legendary night of alternative rock music by one its it great creators- firmly holding on to their crown and mantle.
PIXIES setlist:
Gouge Away
Wave of Mutilation
Head On (The Jesus and Mary Chain cover)
Isla de Encanta
Planet of Sound
Who’s More Sorry Now?
The Lord Has Come Back Today
Haunted House
Hey
Caribou
Debaser
Doggerel
Monkey Gone to Heaven
Here Comes Your Man
Death Horizon
Mr. Grieves
Nimrod’s Son
Motorway to Roswell
Wave of Mutilation (UK Surf)
Where Is My Mind?
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
Check out the full gallery of photos from this night here.
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