The Breeders – The Wiltern – Los Angeles (A PopEntertainment.com Concert Review)

The Breeders – The Wiltern – Los Angeles, CA – October 19, 2023

Alternative rock band The Breeders exemplified their timeless appeal as they took the stage in front of a roaring sold out crowd at The Wiltern.

It’s a special privilege to experience the band on tour, currently for the 30th anniversary of their hit album Last Splash and witness the show’s love letter to fans as the band played the album in its entirety — and in sequential order.

The tour also stays true to Last Splash with its lineup of band members who recorded the album, including lead vocalist and guitarist Kim Deal, lead guitarist Kelley Deal, drummer Jim Macpherson, and bassist Josephine Wiggs.

The Breeders were initially formed in 1989 by Kim Deal and Tanya Donelly as a side project, branching out from their bands Pixies and Throwing Muses, respectively. Over the next few years, Josephine Wiggs was recruited as a bassist and Kim’s twin sister Kelley Deal joined on lead guitar. It was when Pixies broke up in 1993 that The Breeders turned into a full-time pursuit with drummer Jim Macpherson on board to cement the well-known lineup as it stands today.

The commercially and critically acclaimed album Last Splash was released in 1993 and the single “Cannonball” rose to prominence on numerous Billboard charts, including peaking at #2 for US Alternative Airplay and appearing on the Billboard Hot 100 list.

As the renowned distortion blasted through the venue to commence their biggest hit, “Cannonball,” the energetic crowd’s cheers increasingly grew as they heard the iconic bass line and sang along to the catchy “oohs.”

Each song continued to be met with buzzing excitement as the band performed with the same grungy passion and musicianship that made everyone fall in love with them 30 years ago, including the famous slide guitar in “No Aloha,” the pristine guitar beat in “Do You Love Me Now?” and the beautiful harmonies from the Deal sisters during “Saint.”

The Breeders have released the 30th Anniversary Edition album of Last Splash with a newly unearthed B-Side called “Go Man Go.” They can be seen delivering exhilarating performances next year in Australia as well as supporting the Foo Fighters and Olivia Rodrigo on tour.

Larisa Jiao