Verdict: Five stars

Veteran rockers Pixies played through their catalogue of hits in Glasgow last night. 

The Boston outfit brought their European tour to the city's 02 Academy as part of one of only four UK dates. 

The band wasted no time getting down to business as they launched straight into Doolittle classics Gouge Away then Wave of Mutilation.

(Image: Pixies)

The crowd were instantly impressed with fans singing in unison alongside frontman Black Francis. 

With unrelenting speed, Pixies continued their punchy and punky start with a cover of Head On by East Kilbride’s own Jesus and the Mary Chain. 

By this point the band had asserted their cool and calm stage presence, characteristically failing to engage with the crowd and allowing the music to do the talking. 

Age does not appear to be a barrier to Francis' vocal delivery either. The 59-year-old's vocals shined through on tracks Caribou and Hey allowing these songs to reach their full potential in the live setting. As a frontman, he alternates with ease between meandering notes in choruses and guttural punk screams when required. 

(Image: Newsquest)

The middle of the gig was set aside for newer material including the latest single Chicken and unreleased track Vegas Suite, both of which feature on upcoming album The Night the Zombies Came.

Chicken was beautifully done with the live sound being a step up from the studio version. The band's sound was tremendously tight, with simple but effective drumming, delightful vocal harmonies and a fantastic guitar solo.

Normal service was resumed with tracks Velouria and The Happening from 1990 album Bossanova, these highlighted the brilliance of the band and its sound engineers, with crunching guitars and light vocals being balanced for a fruitful sound. 

Here Comes Your Man was next and the obligatory mass singalong did not disappoint. There was a joyful feel in the room as the band delivered it exactly how everyone would have requested.

The crowd were appreciative to hear such a classic with the bass driving the song musically whilst the vocals were being cried out in unison with the crowd.

The fan favourites continued in the closing section of the set with Monkey Gone to Heaven and Debaser being particular highlights. 

The stone cold classic Where Is My Mind? was the high point of the evening for myself and unsurprisingly, most of the crowd. 

The chorus was screamed back at the band during instrumental breaks and fantastic guitar sounds and vocals made it the moment it was meant to be. 

The band did not even pause to accept the rapturous applause before signing off with final song and Neil Young cover, Winterlong. 

It was the perfect end to a night that encapsulated the discography of the band well and allowed fans the chance to take in their favourite songs in all their intended glory. 

After decades of playing live the band are confident in their music being enough to satisfy crowds, and justifiably so. 

They refuse to play the usual games of localised banter and don’t even indulge themselves with an encore.

This relentless hour and a half of music was refreshing in its all-encompassing sound, calm delivery and abundance of talent.