I went to the powerstation one, now that was a good gig. Same format but no booing, just loads and loads of cheering, clapping and foot stamping.

The Powerstation show was much better. I think they played almost as well at Vector, but it was being able to see them close up showed that they were actually funneling this intense energy into those songs, with or without stage moves and banter.

I think the crowd booing was fine, they thought they weren't getting an encore, they deserved one. And it was pretty weird that the lights came up. Some technical glitch in the mega venues brain.

I loved the first b-side 'Manta Ray', I know and love all the b-sides. But the crowd at Powerstation seemed to no those songs better, so they kind of went done easier. But I love that they do this populist play the whole album gig, but throw it off with freaky tunes like Bailey's Walk (with all its out of tune whining) right at the start of the show. Debassers indeed.

Into The White was maybe the highlight for me. They actually jammed out a tiny bit.

I think you've captured it perfectly. We also came up from Wellington, and the group of us were so, so excited to be going to see the Pixies. Then we got in and those B sides happened. It turned a bit sour, I felt toyed with. Then of course all the hits started flowing, but that bum first note lingered a bit. The crowd was amazingly up. I was crammed up the front and it was so fun all swaying to 'Wave of Mutilation'. Everyone was into it. But I know what you mean about the nostalgia machine, it can make you feel a bit unclean.

I travelled up from Wellington too. I have similar feelings about the whole gig to you Simon, but I disagree with your take on the booing aspect. After 10 or more minutes with the lights out, and continuous rounds of applause and expectation that we would get a second encore, the lights came on. So people booed for having being lulled into what they expected would be a second encore, they booed the lighting guys and the event management. Nobody was booing the band, I think you read the crowd wrong. The second encore made the whole show worth it for me, I enjoyed the Doolittle stuff, but the Surfer Rosa songs, and the increased energy and enjoyment from both the crowd and the band turned it into a much more enjoyable time for me.

Simon - you're dead right to mention how much of the "occasion" was provided by the good vibes the crowd brought to the event.

However it would have been good to read your thoughts on the proficiency of the actual performance. The sound wasn't optimal, but I was struck by how well the Pixies projected those songs. Excellent vocals and a crisp performance - but many of the songs went in subtle new directions, which elevated the performance beyond just a runthrough of the album.

And kicking off with b-sides showed good nerve I thought.

Not being the ultimate fanboy I went with a bunch of friends. I enjoyed myself, but my 'favourite' gigs tend to have more sonic energy than the pixies (and the songs tent to run longer). Be that as it may, I thought it was a good show - not groundbreaking, but a totally cool way to spend a Friday night.

However, some of the total fanboy dancing was epic. My goodness, do people have no shame?

I went to both gigs. The PowerStation was more intimate. I loved them both. Pixies are awesome. I came away fulfilled and beyond happy

I was at Vector to see the Pixies on friday and Simons pretty much nailed the vibe. They would have been much better at the Powerstation. As a band they were professional and played well, but its like their hearts weren't really in it. Vector as venue stinks - soulless and terrible acoustics.

Well, as people have already pointed out, you got it wrong with the booing. After all, if there hadn't been that second encore, I would have felt a bit ripped off because it would have been a very short show. And when the lights came on, it seemed like there wasn't going to be one.

But you're right about it being a good (but not great) show and worth seeing.

Im surprised by the amount of attention the booing is getting. Personally I didnt hear any. Also dont know what is bad about playing the b-sides first - a pretty gutsy move i reckon.