[ATTENDED: October 8, 2016] Built to Spill
Fifteen years ago I saw Sigur Rós. A few days before that show I was supposed to see Built to Spill, but 9/11 happened and I skipped BtS. So here it is fifteen years later and I get to see Sigur Rós and BtS a few days apart once again. I also happened to see Built to Spill almost exactly one year ago today, so it was fun to do it all over again,.
This was my first time in the legendary Stone Pony. I was shocked by how small it was and how strangely laid out it is (quite wide and not very deep). I could have been within a few feet of the stage but when I varied I saw that even though the ticket said 7, BtS wasn’t going on until 10, so I scoured the venue and a saw a small riser to the back right. I went up there and stood in the front of it, effectively three feet above everyone. And I had a perfect view of the stage, so I stood there the whole time.
And boy am I glad. The floor scene was a madhouse. I was right above what was essentially the only way in and our once the club had gotten really packed. People were squeezing past this small opening all night long. And during the third song, a fight broke out–punches actually thrown!–because someone got in someone (both men of course) else’s way. I even beer or something thrown in my face. Stay classy, Asbury Park.
Unlike the previous show, BtS was only a three-piece. Last show I marveled at Doug Martsch including two other guitarists to share lead duties, but I loved the fullness of the sound. I wasn’t sure what I would think of the band as a three-piece (my friend Jay informed me of the trio set up a few hours before they went on, so at least I was prepared–although I was bummed that Jay couldn’t make the show).
I was a little unconvinced about the sound of the three-piece when the band started. But that turned out to be a mixing issue. The drums were too loud, the bassist was inaudible and then Doug was himself. But by the second song it was perfectly balanced and sounded amazing.
And once the sound was perfected, it came down to setlist. And that was amazing–this setlist was almost entirely different from my previous show. (more…)
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