The emerging San Diego-based band miniaturized captured an intergenerational crowd and primed the stage for headliners Built to Spill on Monday night at Brooklyn Bowl.
Audience members buzzed and gathered near the barricade before the band took to the stage.
Frontman Timothy Joseph kickstarted “miniaturized,” the title track of the band’s debut album.
Drums mirroring a heartbeat filled the space as Joseph’s raspy vocals were propelled by searing electric guitar strums and tasteful vocal synthesizers.
In between songs, Joseph expressed his gratitude for getting to open for his “favorite band Built to Spill.”
His appreciation for Built to Spill’s influential musicianship carried his entire performance.
The band’s 30-minute command of the stage ebbed and flowed with sonic variety.
The set list included a mix of laidback 90s-inspired grooves, upbeat hard rock jams and suspenseful ballads.
“Cave In” featured dissonant, mysterious chord progressions and an effective guitar build.
People in the crowd slowly grooved and nodded their heads to the beat as Joseph’s somber vocals progressed into a growl.
Warbly synth padding and soaring guitar riffs starred in the band’s performance of “Life Underground.”
Punchy guitar strums and a toe-tapping drumbeat during “The Suitor” effectively changed up the pace.
Through the night, the band’s onstage comfortability became increasingly evident. Joseph would frequently make eye contact with bassist Dan McNay and have playful riff-offs.
Each band member appeared to love the music they’re playing.
Joseph touched on how much he loves watching and playing with Built to Spill every night during the band’s There’s Nothing Wrong With Love 30th Anniversary Tour.
He admitted to the crowd that the night prior, he’d screamed so much during Built to Spill’s set that his singing voice was more hoarse than normal.
Regardless, he encouraged the crowd to scream as loud as possible for Built to Spill once they took the stage.
The audience certainly did.
After miniaturized closed their set with “Blue Glass” – which stars a crashing climax and Joseph’s high vocal scream – the energy in the room felt palpable.
The crowd roared once Built to Spill finally entered the stage.
With fiery guitar strums and excited howls from the crowd, the torch was passed to Built to Spill, who sustained the crowd’s energy throughout the night.
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This Story was Written by Madeleine Bradford.
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