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Imagine having the chance to see one of your favorite artists play a solo acoustic show walking distance from your apartment. Now, realize that day is Super Bowl Sunday.

This was my predicament as I walked toward the Blue Lamp, 1400 Alhambra Blvd., to see Black Francis of the Pixies. Licking the buffalo wing sauce from my fingers after putting on a jacket over my "I Love New Orleans" shirt I walked inside.

Inside Blue Lamp, the excitement was contagious. An estimated 60 people were anxiously waiting for the show to begin. Most were passing their time smoking cigarettes out front or drinking by the bar. Since I don't smoke, I went to the bar. With a beer in hand, I felt the show could begin.

Taking the stage first, opener and Orangevale-native Noah Nelson set the tone for the rest of the evening with his smooth, husky voice and strong guitar skills. Singing about life in Orangevale and drinking, Nelson accomplished what few opening acts achieve:capturing the audience's attention.

Nelson made good music, but there was no question who people were there to see.

"I came here to see Black Francis," Sacramento resident Chad Seely said. "I've been listening since the early '90s, so I'm pretty excited right now. I've never seen him before."

The young and old crowd mixed more than most shows. Older and younger people talked about the Pixies, life and beer, waiting for Francis to take the stage. The Pixies formed in 1986and have since created a large fan base.

"I like to say I came late to the party," Sacramento resident Richie Collins said. "I started listening to the Pixies only within the past 10 to 12 years. Since then I have seen (Francis) many times, even at Freeborn Hall in Davis."

Standing on the stage, sweating under the lights, Francis stood looming over his microphone. An electric guitar with frayed edges (I like to imagine the scars are from wild and crazy nights after gigs) was the only equipment he needed to entertain the crowd.

He played material from the Pixies' and Frank Black and the Catholics' catalogues, singing for over an hour. Hits such as "Where Is My Mind?" and "Monkey Gone To Heaven" drew crowd sing-alongs as Francis' voice cut through the verses like a man on a mission. His raw vocal talent is enough to be the envy of most people, but when combined with the hard strumming, the outcome creates a rare sound.

"His voice is as strong as ever," local resident Armando Rivera said. "I've seen the Pixies before and his voice sounds just as good as it did many years ago. Tonight was a great show."

Rivera took the words from me. Rocking on stage most of the night, Francis capped off a great day. As I walked home, I though about how full of chicken wings, guacamole and great music I was.