The Pixies – Palace Theater – St. Paul MN – August 1st 2025

First Avenue presents The Pixies live at The Palace Theater in St. Paul Minnesota with special guests Kurt Vile and The Violators

Review and photos by Kate Klaus

Pixies performed a two-night music extravaganza at the Palace Theatre in St. Paul, supported by Kurt Vile and the Violators. Night two was a loaded 30-song set full of classic Pixies hits, newer releases, and deep-cuts from their immense catalog of music.

To open the night, Kurt Vile and the Violators gave a deeply thoughtful and intimate performance, fronted by one of indie rock’s most consistent and quietly captivating voices. His sound blends psych-folk, lo-fi rock, and classic Americana, and he performs with a captivating mix of quiet humility and musical intricacy.  Oscillating between strumming an acoustic guitar and drifting through layers of hazy electric tones, his set felt unhurried and deeply personal. With beautifully layered music from the Violators, he took the crowd on a journey through immersive soundscapes and set a mellow and beautiful vibe for the evening.

Pixies are currently touring a two-night musical adventure through their catalogue, and while night 1 is a treat of a full play through of Bossanova and Trompe Le Monde, this second night was an even more special journey through old and new music, like a full on alt-rock tidal wave, with something for everyone in the packed Palace Theatre. Their production set-up was minimal, but from the moment they stepped on stage, it was all about the music: fast transitions, deep cuts, fan favorites, and a machine-like execution that reflected decades of performing.  Black Francis’ vocals were still perfection, capable of jumping from whispery weirdness to rock power. Joey Santiago’s guitar work was sharp and angular, cutting through with that unmistakable Pixies snarl. David Lovering held down the rhythm with precision, and newcomer bassist Emma Richardson (Band of Skulls) added her own charisma and energy on bass while honoring Kim Deal’s legacy.  Their massive 30-song set included songs from their newly released album, The Night the Zombies Came, blending tracks like “Shambolic Twilight” and “Monster Feast” with seminal classics such as “Debaser” and “Wave of Mutilation.”  And the Palace Theatre provided a perfect setting, with nicely balanced acoustics for the depth of music. This show reaffirmed that more than three decades into their career, the Pixies still define what groundbreaking live alt‑rock sounds like.