Live music review: Indie rock legends Pixies and Spoon played Moody Amphitheater

Indie rock legends come in many forms. Whether you’re discussing the likes of Modest Mouse, Built To Spill, or Guided By Voices, someone in the room is going to eventually bring up The Pixies. Hailing from Boston and now entering their 40th year, the prolific songwriting of singer and guitarist Black Francis remains influential. For their 2025 North American tour, the Northeastern outfit enlisted the help of hometown heroes Spoon, making a sensible pairing of two leading musical entities in their respective birthplaces. For the Austin stop on the run, the double-headline bill made its way to Moody Amphitheater on Friday, September 5, a sweaty occasion that made it all about the music. 

Spoon took the stage at 7:30 p.m. sharp, a start time that demonstrated the band’s homecoming as the sun started to set, bringing some cloud coverage to simmer down the triple-digit Summer heat. The Britt Daniel and Jim Eno-led company wasted no time; it was time to take your places and let the amps roar.

Spoon has taken a variety of different directions throughout their 10 full-length studio albums, and made a Herculean effort to address their tenured rock history across a 60-minute statement. Daniel also took time during the performance to acknowledge that, despite having played adjacent to Waterloo Park for events like Fun Fun Fun Fest and SXSW, the Moody Amp gig was their first on the big stage. Spoon also released a double single, “Chateau Blues” and “Guess I’m Falling In Love,” both of which were omitted from a setlist that turned out to be all about the hits.

At an evening of music that saw local fans packing out the venue early for their set, Daniel expressed gratitude to the city where he first cut his musical teeth. Set opener “Jonathan Fisk” served as a prophetic introductory number, with the line “It’s such a long way home,” paving the way for an always-celebrated homecoming for the enthusiastic devotees. 

Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga super-hit “The Underdog” made the gig’s diehard Spoon fans go full throttle with in-unison sing-alongs. Gimme Fiction’s “I Turn My Camera On” injected an element of soul, further demonstrating all the influences that make Spoon have the kind of cutting edge career they’ve enjoyed.

Another important aspect is that Daniel doesn’t let the obligations of being in a touring vehicle prevent him from being part of the city’s music scene, leading to him being frequently spotted at venues like Hotel Vegas and Mohawk. Known for being a key supporter of Austin powerhouse, A Giant Dog‘s national following, Daniel has ears that recognize the good stuff. With a plethora of guitar switches and a willingness to surrender the strings altogether, Daniel’s electricity as a bandleader shines through with fiery ability in every set list selection, whether it’s a fan favorite or a deep cut.

The onstage passion of Spoon makes for an explosive stage presence, allowing each entry to be laced with noisy instrumental jams and a synced-up dynamic range that makes every note pack its own, unique punch. They Want My Soul offering “Inside Out” saw another highlight with its psychedelic overlays and powerful performance from Daniel and the group. Bass-heavy set closer “Got Nuffin” showcased its impeccable grooves as the composed section broke down into a cathartic finale, leaving the audience’s uninitiated wanting even more from Austin’s best-known indie rockers.

The Pixies emerged onstage with a fitting introduction of “We’re gonna play some music.” With a career going on four decades, the possibilities for a gig from the Massachusetts quartet make the best use of their time with performances that span their career. Landmark release Doolittle showed itself in the bulk of the 90-minute set, with appearances from “Hey,” “Debaser,” and “Here Comes From Your Man.” While frontman Francis’ delivery isn’t as interactive as his tour counterpart, the classics speak for themselves, as his repertoire of songs has grown throughout a multitude of creative outlets. At 60 years old, he’s still going for it with youthful energy.  Ex-Band of Skulls member Emma Richardson took the helm as the Pixies bassist in 2024, retaining the vibe of the likes of predecessors, Kim Deal and Paz Lenchantin. The vocal harmonies proved intact, with Francis and Richardson exchanging looks of praise throughout the 29-song spectacle.

The Jesus and Mary Chain cover “Head On” came as an unexpected bonus, a nod to the Scottish fraternal duo that has remained an influence since breaking into the music scene. The post-punk infused “Velouria” made for a blissful set list addition, taking time to drift between the abrasive tendencies of the catalog and the sweet melodies of their diverse array of work from over the years. “Where Is My Mind?” and “Into The White” made for a delightful finale pairing, with Richardson taking over lead vocals for the closing moments of the show. The set-closer featured a flickering of the house lights, which appeared to confuse a departing audience as the Richardson-led tune reached a satisfying finale to send the crowd home after a show all about the songs and the unifying force of rock and roll.

Pixies and Spoon continue down the road through the end of the month before the Pixies head overseas for another run of shows.

All Spoon photos by Angela Betancourt. Pixies videos courtesy of Kutt Live from the Pixies performance at Brooklyn Paramount 

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