Gig review: The Breeders

Published on Wednesday 20 May 2009 19:01

THE BREEDERS **** KING TUT'S, GLASGOW

SOME gigs are memorable because they feature legendary performances; others stick in the mind simply because of the history the people onstage bring with them. For connoisseurs of the early 90s golden era of American alternative music, this chance to see the Breeders (and mainly twin sisters Kim and Kelley Deal, the former a sometime Pixie to boot) at such an intimate venue was unmissable.

In the UK for their combined roles as curators/headliners of the All Tomorrow's Parties music festival in Somerset this past weekend, the two shows they added at King Tut's were extras for their Scots fans. Although a small-scale affair by the Breeders' standards, the venue was still about as packed as it ever has been. The Deals are clearly artists who inspire devotion – a restrained, polite kind of appreciation in these close-knit quarters, but devotion nonetheless.

There was the air of a school reunion about proceedings, and the feeling that all the old hipsters had come out of retirement for the show. Yet the Deals, now 47, are in that particular niche which allows them kudos and creative relevance pretty much forever, and many young fans had turned out too.

The set was around 20 songs long – including two tracks from the new EP Fate to Fatal and enduring period pieces like Cannonball, Saints, No Aloha and Drivin' On 9 – and was played at a measured pace which suggested warmth and precision rather than youthful fire.

It wasn't quite legendary, but it was still a rewarding night for all involved.