The four orbs hanging over Citi Wang Theatre stage were lighted red. On the huge backing screen, blood appeared to drip. “I bleed, as loud as hell,” sang Black Francis. “A ringing bell/Behind my smile, it shakes my teeth/And all the while, as vampires feed, I bleed.”

The music was vicious, loud, pulsing. And the sold-out crowd wouldn’t have had it any other way. They’d chosen to spend Black Friday with Francis and his three Pixies mates.