Kim Deal at The Barbican: live review and photo galleries

Kim Deal’s performance at the Barbican last night was, without question, gig of the year so far. As the first stop of her much-anticipated tour in support of Nobody Loves You More (4AD, 2024), this sold-out show was a stunning reminder of the singular artistry that has made Kim a musical icon. Supported by a 25-piece ensemble, including strings, brass, and the vocal group Shards, she brought her debut solo album to life in an atmosphere that felt grand, yet still intimate.

Kim Deal may have spent years as part of the band — first with Pixies and later with The Breeders — but her solo debut proves she can stand just as powerfully on her own. If last night’s show was any indication, this is only the beginning of a new, thrilling chapter for Kim Deal.

From the moment she stepped on stage, Kim Deal owned it; her understated charm, wry humour, and cool confidence radiating. “This is a classy place,” she said, acknowledging the magnificent venue with a wink.

“We’ve been working very hard.”

It was clear she wanted to do justice to Nobody Loves You More, an album that is both a personal reflection and a creative rebirth for the artist.

Nobody Loves You More is a record filled with lush, full-bodied songs that cast Deal in an unexpectedly vulnerable light. Tracks like ‘Coast’ and ‘Summerland’ were absolutely breathtaking live, enhanced by the powerful strings and backing vocals. Deal’s earthy, soulful voice effortlessly cut through the layers of orchestral grandeur, while the songs’ lyrical beauty came through even more in the live renditions. You could feel the depth of emotion in each note, especially in the wistful ‘Wish I Was,’ which reflects her struggles with addiction, and in the album’s title track, which was hauntingly beautiful in this live setting.

But it wasn’t all lush ballads and orchestral swelling. When Deal turned up the volume, as she did with tracks like ‘Crystal Breath’ and ‘Big Ben Beat’, the sound became a bruising, crunchy powerhouse. And Raymond McGinley (Teenage Fanclub) joined Kim on stage for ‘Come Running’ and ‘A Good Time Pushed’. We all felt the raw power that they brought to the stage.

Kudos to Kim’s guitar tech who was getting their steps in – every single song played needed a switcheroo between (if I remember right) a red Strat, a Les Paul Goldtop, and a well-loved acoustic. (I’m gonna just sit here and wait for a guitar buff to correct me on those!) As someone who learned to play the bass with eyes and ears firmly fixed on Deal’s no-fucking-about style, I am drinking up her approach to the guitar: power chords all day, with the heavy lifting done by an army of pedals and a kiss of amp feedback.

Of course, Deal’s extensive back catalog made its mark too. She took us through Breeders classics like ‘Safari’, ‘Night of Joy’, and ‘We’re Gonna Rise’. These had the audience singing along, their power amplified by the lush new arrangements. With Mando Lopez on bass and Rob Bochnik on guitar, the chemistry was palpable – she joked about having known everyone on stage for “decades and decades”. This is why she’s such a beloved figure — her ability to effortlessly blend the raw, rebellious spirit of her past with the grace of her present.

The most intimate moments of the evening came when Deal played a few of her earlier solo tracks from her lo-fi 7-inch series. ‘Biker Gone’ and ‘Walking With a Killer’ were simple, heart-on-sleeve ballads that were stripped down to just acoustic guitar and cello. ‘Beautiful Moon’, which followed, was nothing short of breathtaking — just Kim, the cello, a spotlight, and the beauty of the song in its purest form.

The encore was a fitting conclusion to an unforgettable evening: ‘Do You Love Me Now?’ from Last Splash had everyone on their feet (and many in tears – who amongst us hasn’t had this song on repeat as the soundtrack to every break-up since the 90s?). The audience left the Barbican buzzing, knowing that we had just witnessed something unforgettable.

Some LOUD WOMEN friends in the crowd too. I found myself seated next to Jen Macro from Hurtling, and later bumped into Helen from Sassyhiya. It was a night of music lovers united by the power of Kim Deal’s artistry.

If last night’s performance was any indication, Nobody Loves You More is not just a solo debut — it’s the beginning of a bold new chapter in Kim Deal’s remarkable career. If you missed the Barbican show, fear not; Kim’s tour continues, with dates across North America and Europe. Don’t miss the chance to experience this musical legend live.

Tour dates:

• 3/06 – Norwalk, CT @ District Music Hall

• 3/07 – Woodstock, NY @ Bearsville Theater

• 3/08 – Asbury Park, NJ @ The Stone Pony

• 3/10 – Boston, MA @ The Wilbur

• 3/13 – New York, NY @ Brooklyn Paramount

• 3/14 – Philadelphia, PA @ Keswick Theatre

• 3/15 – Washington, DC @ Capitol Turnaround

• 3/21 – Santa Cruz, CA @ Rio Theatre

• 3/23 – Portland, OR @ Revolution Hall – SOLD OUT

• 3/24 – Seattle, WA @ Neptune Theatre

• 3/26 – San Francisco, CA @ The Fillmore

• 3/27 – Los Angeles, CA @ The Belasco

• 3/29 – Joshua Tree, CA @ Pappy and Harriet’s

• 3/30 – San Diego, CA @ Observatory North Park

• 6/07 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound Barcelona

• 6/08 – Barcelona, ES @ Paral·lel 62 (Primavera a la Ciutat)

• 6/10 – Antwerp, BE @ De Roma

• 6/11 – Paris, FR @ Le Trianon

• 6/12 – Bordeaux, FR @ La Rocher de Palmer

• 6/14 – Porto, PT @ Primavera Sound Porto

• 6/16 – Dublin, IR @ Vicar St

• 6/17 – Manchester, UK @ New Century

• 6/18 – Wolverhampton, UK @ The Wulfrun Hall

• 6/20 – London, UK @ Roundhouse

• 6/21 – Rotterdam, NL @ Theater Rotterdam

• 6/22 – Berlin, DE @ Metropol

• 6/24 – Zagreb, HR @ INmusic Festival