Pixies at Manchester Apollo, 24.05.25

I don’t get hugely awestruck for bands, in general. I’ve been around shooting gigs for long enough that I’m good at focusing on the task at hand and being professional about it.

But I couldn’t prevent the nerves and excitement for this one.

When I was ~14, my friend lent me 2 CDs. One was The Clash by The Clash, and the other was Pixies – Doolittle. Both throughly changed my life, setting me on a path to punk and alternative music that I’ve never left. (I even have a Doolittle tattoo!)

I’ve seen Pixies 3 times live, since, as an adult. But I’ve never got a photo pass for them. Until…

It’s only the second time I’ve shot at the Apollo, but fittingly it was where I first saw the band live in about 2013. I was a lot more nervous this time, though, waiting in the photo pit. We had 4 songs, which was generous, and then cameras away, i.e. no shooting from the crowd. And then the band came on…

This was a mad moment, the closest I’ve been to genuine musical heroes of mine. Frank Black in the lead, David Lovering on sticks, new member Emma Richardson on bass, and the coolest guitar play around, Joey Santiago. In the flesh!

It was brilliant. The venue has lovely dramatic lighting if you know how to use it, and I could lean into the red light. Thirty songs(!) later, Pixies had given an immense evening to thousands of dedicated and sweaty fans. They play Manchester a lot – I might be lucky enough to shoot them again in coming years. But this was special. and I managed to ignore the nerves, be professional, and get some boss photos as well. Great night all round. Ace.

Pixies at Manchester Apollo, 24.05.25