Pixies return

After an almost seven-year absence, The Pixies are spreading their wings and heading back to New Zealand. The American alternative rockers have announced three New Zealand shows for 2017, their first trip back since performing to sold-out crowds in Auckland and Christchurch in 2010. The fourpiece will play Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena on March 9, Wellington’s TSB Arena on March 10 and Auckland’s Vector Arena on March 11. The gigs are part of their Head Carrier world tour, based on their latest album of the same name, which prompted Fairfax writer Grant Smithies to enthuse, ‘‘Oh, Yes! Welcome back, Pixies’’. Pre-sale tickets go on sale today at 2pm, at Livenation.co.nz