The Zoo opened in 1992, the same year Doug Martsch started the first iteration of Built to Spill. It feels only right that these two pieces of indie rock history meet tonight. And what a privilege to be here to witness it! But first:

Ben Salter doesn't quite get the hometown hero treatment he deserves, even when he sings about, “Taking the 199 to the Valley,” in a gloriously glacial rendition of 'West End Girls'. 'Boat Dreams' is another highlight, its thunderous percussion underscoring Salter's formidable pipes. Songs from his largely acoustic debut album sit comfortably alongside last year's more synth-based The Stars My Destination, the title track of which makes for a beautifully subdued closer. 

Five balding white guys wearing graphic t-shirts and comfortable jeans appear unceremoniously onstage and start tinkering with instruments. You could be fooled for thinking these grizzled, bearded men are roadies, but they are in fact tonight's main attraction. After about ten minutes of setting up and tuning, Doug Martsch starts playing the opening riff from 'Revolution' and, suddenly, we're at a Built to Spill show.

The band deftly navigates the abrupt shifts in tempo, volume and tone which make Built to Spill's music so thrilling. The three guitarists onstage (including, and especially, Doug Martsch) perfectly recreate his incredibly versatile playing. Guitars are made to sound like harmonicas, synths, voices, water, zippers and cats. Over the course of their seventeen song set the band draws from each of their eight studio albums. It's difficult to complain about any of their selections because they have such a rich and extensive catalogue. At the same time, it's hard not to be disappointed by the many more great songs omitted from the setlist for the same reason. Martsch performs most of the set with his eyes shut tight and his brow furrowed. There is no rock star posturing or hamming it up for the audience. I imagine this is very much like what a Built to Spill rehearsal would look like and good lord it is glorious.

Coming surprisingly early in the set, 'Carry The Zero' is almost unbearably great – there's definitely a few fans chocking back the tears in the song's transcendent second half. The simpler songs from last year's underrated Untethered Moon sound great, but it's hard to compete with classics like 'Dystopian Dream Girl' and 'I Would Hurt A Fly'. 'Big Dipper' is predictably awesome and signals the end of the main set. Upon their return, the band treats us to a sublime version of 'Else', followed by a great cover of '(Don't Fear) The Reaper,' with cowbell and all. Finally, Built to Spill's cover of The Smiths' 'How Soon Is Now?' is even better than one would dare hope. Stretched to three times the length of the original, with three times the guitar; it is simply awesome and Martsch's high-pitched yelp suits it perfectly. Having blown everyone's minds with one final guitar freakout, the set ends with as little ceremony as it began. The band starts packing up their own gear while Martsch graciously shakes about fifty sweaty fanboy hands. I try to fight the urge to be one of those clamouring for a bit of skin, but, my god, who wouldn't want to touch one of the hands that wrote and played the incredible music our ears are ringing from? 

- Joel Lohman