Discovering The X Factor: The Breeders On Tour

The X Factor: What is it and how do you know? Of course, there is a whole TV series that attempts to answer this question, but in my experience, having seen hundreds of bands, you know it when you see it, even though it's difficult to describe. PJ Harvey has it; Nick Cave has it; however, if there is one person who exudes it, it’s Kim Deal, frontwoman of The Breeders, who, along with her sister Kelley, has been shaping the indie rock scene for a generation. The sisters seem to have an unwavering, shambling coolness that you just can’t put on—you have it or you don't, and they have it in spades.

I’ve seen The Breeders many times, and they never disappoint. In some ways, they are like your favourite jumper—warm, cosy, and familiar. There is no new material tonight (apart from one song), so they play a fantastic set from their back catalogue, songs that seem to have accompanied me for much of my adult life, and yet despite the familiarity, they still seem fresh. Some bands that have been around for a long time can seem as if they are going through the motions when you see them, but not The Breeders. They seem to genuinely enjoy each other's company; there are laughs, jokes, nods, and winks between them. Kim often breaks out into a fantastic smile, happy with her surroundings. Jim steps up from behind the drums to introduce the band, mentioning Kim's comment that he needs to improve his people skills. All of this contributes to the band's warmth.

The songs still sparkle and spit, with Kelley in particular wrestling some fearsome noise from her guitars. Mid-set, they confidently introduce Cannonball, a track that has likely graced every indie night over the years, without the need for an encore. However, the highlights for me tonight were actually the slower tracks Driving on 9, No Aloha, and Off You, with Kim's vocals and the band arrangements really shining. A nod to the backdrop tonight as well; gorgeous images from the 4AD label really add to the aesthetic.

The surprises came at the end of the set; a cover of The Beatles' Happiness is a Warm Gun really crackled and then they topped it off with a rousing rendition of Gigantic, one of Kim’s best contributions to The Pixies. It was a cracking show all around, proving that The Breeders are after all the real deal(s).

Ian Street was at The Breeders 02 Academy, Leeds, gig. Tomorrow they appear at Manchester's Albert Hall