"Pre-core" @ The Social

Police force last minute venue change for Black Francis

13 Feb 08 - The former Pixies frontman was planning on busking at Waxy O'Connors Bar in Rupert Street, Soho, ahead of his final tour date this evening (13 Feb), as part of the NME Awards tour at London's Koko.

Francis came to talk to Nemone this afternoon and broke the news to listeners that the Soho busk would not be taking place.

He then received the note, on air, that it had been moved to The Social on Great Portland Street:

"The Social, that's 5 Little Portland Street WC1 near Oxford Circus... It was supposed to be over on Leicester Square, the police didn't want me to go there because it's a public space and I don't have a license"

"Pixies were a big deal for us" -  Felix from The Maccabees

Westminster City Council step in

A huge crowd turned up to a street corner in Dublin on Saturday (16 Feb), where Francis played a mixture of solo material and Pixies classics, before Gardai appeared and took him away - to help disperse the crowd.

Off the back of this news, Westminster City Council felt that the "pre-core" would pose a health and safety threat.

As Francis did not have an official permit allowing him to perform a street gig anywhere within the Council's jurisdiction, he also ran the risk of being arrested and missing his show this evening.

The Maccabees rock out to the former Pixies Frontman

Around a hundred people turned out for the gig in the small, dark, rather crammed space in The Social. Francis played a few Pixies tracks including Where Is My Mind.

We caught up with Felix from the Maccabees who was queueing for the special gig:

"Absolutely amazing turn up for the books, to be on Oxford St and to go to see Frank Black is probably the best day you could ever imagine innit... Pixies were a big deal for us"

These fans were blown away:

"I managed to squeeze my way to the front and you could tell he really appreciated everyone turning out, because he thought he would only get a few people.

"Being that close to someone you have listened to your whole life..."

Black Francis is currently promoting his new album Svn Fngrs.


Ruth Barnes