Pixies are one of alternative rock’s most influential bands. Their triumphant return to these shores only reaffirmed this. Fans of all ages gathered in the RDS to celebrate the band’s legacy. The Boston quartet repaid in sweat and unparalleled energy.

Dublin’s own Sprints were the perfect opening act for the night. Their blend of punk attitude and acerbic, witty lyrics bear more than a little influence from Black Francis and company. Lead singer Karla Chubb, rocking Jarvis Cocker shades and a waistcoat was as electric as ever from the word “go”, the band tearing through tracks like “Literary Mind” and “Little Fix”, even treating their hometown crowd to a new song. Despite its brevity, their set proved why they’re one of Ireland’s most thrilling live bands.

Pixies kicked off their set with the stomping “U-Mass”, instantly getting the crowd onside. In a set that perfectly balanced fan favourites, deep cuts and new stuff, there were ample sing-along moments. Black Francis was all but drowned out by the sound of the crowd’s falsetto on “Where Is My Mind?” and refrain on “Here Comes Your Man”, while the whole arena shook during “Debaser”. But bands got a preview of what’s to come from the upcoming The Night The Zombies Came.

The band were in flying form, Francis’ vocals shifting effortlessly from snarls to haunting whispers. Joey Santiago proved himself once again as one of rocks most singular and innovative guitarists, toying with an unplugged cable on “Vamos” in between bends that tested the malleability of his strings. David Lovering kept the band’s often unpredictable tempo in check.

Emma Richardson, the newest addition to the band on bass, had a chance to shine, too. With big shoes to fill in the absence of original member and Breeders frontwoman Kim Deal, her vocal chops were front and centre on the Peter Ivers & David Lynch cover “In Heaven (Lady In The Radiator Sing)”, while her harmonies elevated the likes of “Monkey Gone To Heaven” and set closer “Winterlong”.

The band’s influence was reflected in the demographics of their audience. Hipsters, slackers, would-be punks and parents and kids alike were all present. While there was absolutely no stage banter, the band and crowd made up for it with gusto, ripping through songs, stopping only to change instruments while bodies flew all over the place. It was intense, but joyful. There was something there for everyone, whether it was experiencing their exuberant noise for everyone or reliving the glory years. Regardless of why you were there, what remains constant is the Pixies’ ability to let their music speak for itself.