Supported by experimental London septet The Moonlandingz and Brooklyn solo instrumental artist (and birthday girl) Noveller, Iggy Pop officially kicked off his USA tour tonight as part of the SXSW conference in Austin, Texas.
The show technically marked the second of two nights for legendary American artist at ACL Live’s Moody Theater, having taped in the venue the night prior for the iconic Austin City Limits TV program. Though tonight’s show was the first open to the general public, and officially launched his 14 date North American tour with a five piece that includes Queens of the Stone Age’s Josh Homme – who produced Pop’s latest LP – Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders on drums and frequent QOTSA collaborators Dean Fertita & Troy Van Leeuwen rounding out the tight ensemble.
The set gave fans all but one song from the latest record (due out Friday) – Post Pop Depression – while the majority of the remaining set focused on much of his classic 1977 records Lust of Life – the album’s namesake opening the night – and The Idiot. The focus of these albums takes us back to the start of Pop’s solo career, while some of the tracks included had never found their way onto his sets in the past. “Baby”, for instance, has no recorded setlist inclusion. “China Girl”, with the exception of the warm up show in LA last week, hadn’t been played since 1994 and “Success”, we haven’t heard since the 1970’s.
Pop also showed no signs of slowing down, crowd surfing (as pictured) and giving just as much energy into his set as we’ve ever seen from him in the past. He was also typically hilarious, introducing new track “American Valhalla” with the statement, “This is a song that asks: is there a heaven? Do we deserve it? Would I like it?”. And though there was no encouraged stage rush from the crowd, he did ask fans to “Come up here and fuck me!”
With these setlists expected across the month long tour, fans are sure to see the inclusions as a coup – and with the acclaimed new record also being hinted as his final release, it may be their only chance to see these tracks performed live. Especially with his new – likely temporary – backing band. The full setlist from the night is included below.
SETLIST
Lust for Life
Sister Midnight
American Valhalla
Sixteen
In the Lobby
Some Weird Sin
Funtime
Tonight
Sunday
German Days
Mass Production
Nightclubbing
The Passenger
China Girl
Encore:
Break Into Your Heart
Fall in Love With Me
Repo Man
Gardenia
Baby
Chocolate Drops
Paraguay
Success
Post Pop Depression is released on Friday. Iggy Pop will continue touring the US over the next month, with 13 more shows scheduled through 28th April before he heads to Europe. For dates and more details head to: iggypop.com.
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