Musical innovation is a balancing act. It takes a truly pioneering artist to guide listeners into uncharted sonic territory, without eschewing familiar sounds. The ability to cultivate a style solid at its core, but malleable enough around the edges to facilitate evolution is the common factor seen in all generational talents.

 For nearly four decades, Kim Deal has delivered exquisite songcraft, evocative lyrics with vocals to match, and impassioned live performances underscored by her authentic approach to creativity. From her wonderfully melodic bass lines on the Pixies classic albums, to the eclectic electricity of The Breeders and her growing solo catalogue, Deal’s approach has been a beacon of inspiration for musicians and listeners alike.

Last Monday, Deal brought her relatable artistry to Boston’s historic Wilbur Theatre on her first tour as a solo artist. Her highly anticipated tour comes off the heels of her first full-length solo album, Nobody Loves You More, released last November to great acclaim. The album’s extensive musical palette includes the raw, alt-rock energy of the early Breeders LPs, lush string and horn arrangements, trippy electronic beats and Deal’s sincere vocals. She composed and demoed many of the new songs while visiting Florida after her parent’s death, just as the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a standstill.  

Deal and her touring band of familiar faces and new collaborators performed the new album in its entirety to begin the set. This eleven-piece band brought the recording’s diverse textures to life with impressive dynamics accentuated by a crystal-clear mix. Fittingly, the show began with the title track and opening number from Nobody Loves You More, the perfect showcase for the ensemble. “I don’t know where I am, and I don’t care/I just stop at the sight of you standing there” Deal croons in her famously genuine vocal style. Her ability to convey her emotive lyrics with intuitive melody and warm vocal stylings enraptured the receptive audience. The sweeping strings and horns at the bridge replicated the retro sound of the record while maintaining the energetic pulse of the concert experience.

The swaying, summery feel of “Coast” showcased the tight rhythm section of drummer Lindsay Glover and former Breeders bassist Mando Lopez. Deal’s lyrics on “Coast” reflect her desire for escapism in chaotic times. Her inspiration came from watching young people playing on the beach during a vacation on Nantucket, marveling at their carefree attitude. Mournfulness “I’ve had a hard, hard landing” and hope “Where forgotten roads take lost lives, to beautiful kids on the coast” balance each other out in perfect harmony. With Deal’s melodic vocal, Lopez’ driving bass, and the mood-building horn section, listeners could almost feel an ocean breeze passing through the seats at the Wilbur. “A very Massachusetts song!” Deal exclaimed with a great understanding of the hometown crowd. After all, she famously lived here during the Pixies late eighties heyday before relocating to LA, New York, then back to her hometown of Dayton, Ohio to be closer to family.

Her poignant tribute to her mother and her struggle with Alzheimer’s titled “Are You Mine?” was originally release as a single in 2013 and subsequently re-recorded for the new album. Deal’s rendition in Boston exemplified her ability to explore sadness without being maudlin. Her parents’ recent passing along with the sudden loss of her longtime producer and friend Steve Albini have added emotional gravitas to her already reflective compositions and delivery.

The beauty of Kim’s show comes from the heartfelt expression of a wide array of emotions, in conjunction with a myriad of sonic delights harkening back to the past and pointing toward the future. The futuristic keyboards and synths provided by Nick White on the danceable “Crystal Breath” add innovative new textures to a characteristically infectious Kim Deal melody. These tastefully modern touches prove that Deal’s approach is not that of a nostalgia act. She is a vital artist, leading listeners to unknown lands but still humming well-loved tunes along the way to prepare for the next stop. “Disobedience” and “Big Ben Beat” brought exhilarating guitar workouts by Deal herself and Rob Bochnik. These tracks recalled the classic alt-rock sounds of The Breeder’s 1993 magnum opus Last Splash. The local crowd reveled in the varying moods and sounds, unified by Deal’s DIY songcraft and down-to-earth stage presence.

For the instrumental/ vocal chant interlude “Bats in the Afternoon Sky”, Deal introduced her twin sister and Breeders bandmate Kelley Deal and vocalist Kate Wakefield who provided backing vocals throughout the evening. “Not  The Bats, just Bats!” she referred to the vocalists, with laughter emanating from the stage and the seats. Good natured dry humor was an integral part of the uplifting feel of the performance.

The laid back “Summerland” had Deal immersed in song, strumming her gold-top Gibson Les Paul, leading the band through the flowing chord changes. “Wind kicks up possibilities/I hear music blowin’ in the breeze/ it’s dazzling”, her lyrics captured the moment with organic charisma. When the Nobody Loves You More portion of the show wrapped up with the hook laden “A Good Time Pushed” rapturous applause followed the band in gratitude for the new material and masterful live interpretation of the instant classics.

Deal returned to the stage accompanied by cellist Alison Chesley for a pure rendition of “Beautiful Moon” originally released as a standalone single in 2014. While listening to this folksy, acoustic tune, concertgoers could imagine a teenage Kim singing country & western songs in Dayton bars, honing her skills and developing her songcraft. A trio of Breeders classics followed much to the crowds’ delight. “Night of Joy” from 2008’s Mountain Battles, 1992’s “Safari” from the EP of the same name and “Walking with a Killer”, first recorded by Deal on a standalone single, later re-recorded by the Breeders on their most recent LP All Nerve. Before the latter song, she described walking along “long, scary roads along the cornfields in Ohio”. She noted that “you guys probably have those up near Burlington”, eliciting cheers and laughter from fans, some of whom certainly bought Breeders and Pixies albums from the old Tower Records in Burlington.

The theme of Breeders classics continues through the encore set with full hearted readings of “Off You”, tastefully augmented with cello, and “Do You Love Me Now?” These two songs from two separate eras of The Breeders’ catalogue foreshadow the contemplative feel of Nobody Loves You More and serve as the perfect reminder of Kim Deal’s consistent artistic evolution.

As I filed out of the Wilbur with a thousand other inspired fans, I saw a refreshing sight. A family with a young daughter, holding her own vinyl copy of Nobody Loves You More. School nights be damned, maybe there is hope for the future after all! One can criticize a lot about the state of the world today, but at least we get to share it with artists like Kim Deal. May her artistry and outlook influence listeners young and old for years to come.

Chicago rockers Ratboys opened the show with a stellar set of intelligent, fiery indie rock synonymous with the Windy City. The rising stars delighted the crowd with selections from their growing catalog including new songs from their upcoming album, still in progress, Ratboys are Julia Steiner (guitar/ vocals), David Sagan (guitar), Sean Neumann (bass/vocals) and Marcus Nuccio (drums).