The concert hall of the Sydney Opera House could not contain the Pixies. The austerity of the venue and its cramped seating arrangements were no match for the rockers in a powerful performance that was a strident reminder that they can still bring the house down.

It was always going to be strange seeing the Pixies play at a seated venue, but the band made the space their own. Shouted variations of “I would love to start a moshpit, but I can’t!” were heard at moments of peak Pixies ecstasy as the band made their way through a set of classics and new songs from their 2014 album Indie Cindy.

The set list was heavier on the back catalogue though, and there were no complaints on that front from the crowd. La La Love You and Debaser saw the crowd rise as one, and Black Francis’ vocals resonated spectacularly. Perhaps the only problem was that the heavy bass riffs were lost in the venue while they ordinarily would have struck out in an outdoor space or a larger concert hall.

Ultimately, the Pixies' raw sounds are still potent, proven by the young couple sitting next to your reviewer. As Black Francis belted through Gouge Away and Tame they could barely contain themselves, moshing like it was the last gig on Earth.

Then halfway through the set, the guy swung himself onto his knees in the middle of the aisle to face his girlfriend, swept his blue hoodie back, and asked her to marry him. She said yes.

It was an extraordinary moment that spoke volumes about the kind of power the Pixies retain and why their songs have resonated with so many for so long.

And congratulations to Macca and Amy.