Live at the Barbican

Kim Deal — 2026

“Live at the Barbican captures Kim Deal at her most comfortable and expressive, proving that even with an orchestra behind her, her personality remains the main attraction.”

I was lucky enough to catch the first version of Kim Deal’s orchestral show in her hometown of Dayton, Ohio, back in February 2025. Sure, the home crowd gave her an advantage, but what struck me most was how relaxed and genuinely happy she seemed performing songs from her excellent solo debut, Nobody Loves You More (2024). There was something refreshing about watching Deal embrace this material without feeling obligated to deliver a Breeders greatest hits set. No “Cannonball” needed. Now, Live at the Barbican captures that same excitement in London, backed by a 25-piece ensemble featuring a nine-piece string section, four horns, and the Shards vocal quintet. The opening title track sets the tone immediately, building patiently until the orchestra swells during its final third. “Are You Mine?,” written about Deal’s mother and her struggle with Alzheimer’s, carries even more emotional weight in this setting, with the added voices giving it a tenderness that hits even harder. Teenage Fanclub’s Raymond McGinley also joins her for “Come Running” and “A Good Time Pushed,” a nice touch for longtime fans. What I love most is how the arrangements expand the music without sanding down Deal’s unmistakable personality. And Breeders fans still get great versions of “Safari” and “Do You Love Me Now?” Nearly two years after her solo debut, Deal has delivered a record that feels like that night in Dayton all over again, only bigger.