Pitchfork

Photos and show review by Maria Tessa Sciarrino

Just in case someone tries to tell you otherwise, Saturday night's sold out Built to Spill show at Philadelphia's Trocadero did not change anyone's life. There was some mild rocking with a dose of heavy jamming, there were constantly hand-holding couples in the audience covering every inch of floorspace.

Openers Camper Van Beethoven forgot to change the "Hello New York!" in their video projections. That was almost offensive as Terrell Owens going to the Dallas Cowboys. Well, at least David Lowery didn't crack any "sixth borough" jokes.

The Troc's expert staff whisked away all traces of CVB in what felt like record time, giving Built to Spill ample room to kick out the jams. The short change-over may have also been the root of the sound problems that marred the first four or five songs of their set with a loud buzzing sound, rendering Doug Martsch's vocals totally inaudible. (But really, who goes to a Built to Spill show for the lyrics?)

Only slightly less irritating was the frat dude next to me, screaming for "The Plan" at every free moment. (He got his request.) Overall, it was a lukewarm set with not too much to engage the audience or the band, save for a version of the Halo Benders' "Will Work for Food" and one new tune.

That splitting headache I encountered halfway through it all wasn't from the sheer awesomeness that is Built to Spill. No, that was my brain fighting to stay awake.

Tonight, you can enjoy that wonderful feeling from the privacy of your own home by listening to NPR.org's live stream of Built to Spill's show at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. It starts at 9:00 pm EST.

More photos and tour dates below.

Built to Spill dates:

10-10 Washington, DC - 9:30 Club
10-11 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
10-12 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle
10-13 Atlanta, GA - Variety Playhouse
10-14 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club
10-15 Birmingham, AL - Zydeco
10-17 New Orleans, LA - House of Blues
10-18 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live
10-19 Dallas, TX - Gypsy Tea Room
10-20 Austin, TX - Stubb's
10-25 Lubbock, TX - Jake's Backroom
10-28 Las Vegas, NV - Sam Boyd Stadium (Vegoose Festival)