Built To Spill | 2022-09-24 | The Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO [AUD]

The plan is to keep coming with a recording of Built To Spill headlining The Bluebird Theater!

Coming fresh off the release of their ninth studio record, When The Wind Forgets Your Name,Built To Spill played one of the final shows of their Summer/Fall 2022 tour at the historic Bluebird Theater in Denver. Fans eager to see the band after a hiatus caused by the global pandemic were equally excited to see the band’s new iteration, now featuring Melanie Radford on bass and Teresa Esguerra on drums, taking us into the new chapter of the band’s legacy.

Front man and sole original member Doug Martsch sounded as strong as ever, with his crooning melodic falsetto and signature psychedelic garage guitar licks falling into the embrace of his new rhythm section with a comforting ease. The band gelled well together, feeding off each other’s energy from the opening song, “The Plan,” which is the first track off the band’s critically acclaimed 1999 album, “Keep It Like A Secret”. The setlist consisted of a solid distribution of songs from the band’s multi-decade career, including their new album’s well-received second single, “Gonna Lose”. Although, you would be hard-pressed to find any song that was not well-received this show, as Built To Spill’s die-hard fanbase sang along with each song, captivated by every note and the simple gyrations and rocking head bobs of the members as they delivered inspired takes on many of the band’s staples.

Revisiting the new line-up, both Melanie and Teresa assimilate to the band’s sound impeccably, giving breadth to the more exploratory moments while adding a fierce and determinative heart beat for Doug’s leads. The band found several moments for some psychedelic peregrination, from the manic whirlwind jam in “Strange”, to the head-bangingly patient build in “Stop The Show”, the band indulged the crowd in several re-examinations of their tunes that felt fresh and reverent. Even during technical difficulties, the band pressed on with grace; during “I Would Hurt A Fly”, off the band’s 1997 record “Perfect From Now On”, Doug’s guitar experienced a mechanical issue that led to a mid-song guitar change. The crowd huddled with a somewhat-hushed excitement before a tech brought out a new guitar, which Doug strapped on before belting out the iconic riff to the pure jubilance of the crowd. If anyone was inconvenienced in the slightest, they didn’t show it.

Built To Spill gave fans in Denver what they have continued to deliver for the past three decades: compelling melodies driven by piercing guitar riffs and a unique show accented with sonically vibrant jams and songwriting in a class by itself. When it comes to three decades worth of material for a band with as consistent songwriting as Built To Spill, it’s an embarrassment of riches. Or, to put it another way, our cup spillith over, in the best way.

Built To Spill | 2022-09-24 | The Bluebird Theater, Denver, CO

-= One Set =-

01. The Plan

02. Bloody Rainbow (Daniel Johnston cover)

03. Distopian Dream Girl

04. Strange

05. Hindisght

06. So

07. Stop The Show

08. Gonna Lose[1]

09. Are You With Me Now? (Cate Le Bon cover)

10. I Would Hurt A Fly

11. Virginia Reel Around The Fountain (The Halo Benders cover)

12. Else

13. Life’s A Dream

14. Big Dipper

15. Carry The Zero

-= Encore =-

16. (Encore Break)

17. Goin’ Against Your Mind

Show Notes: This show was a part of the Summer/Fall 2022 Tour. Orua and The French Tips opened the show. Doug has a technical issue with his guitar during “I Would Hurt A Fly” which led to a music break while a new guitar was brought out.

Taper Notes: FOB DFC Mics raised around 10′ DIN configuration.

Thanks to Built To Spill for being cool with taping/sharing shows. Go see live music, and tip your bartenders! #spacetapes

ARCHIVE LINK: https://archive.org/details/BTS2022-09-24.CA14.cards.AUD