On a cool autumn night in Rochester, music fans were treated to a block of 90s era alt-rock as Modest Mouse along with special guest, Built to Spill, brought the heat to Kodak Center on October 12.
With a packed schedule in 2025, Modest Mouse has hit up numerous lucky towns as a co-headliners with The Flaming Lips, and currently with Idaho natives Built to Spill. No matter who they share a stage with, the fans are showing their support night in and night out.
Pushing the eight o’clock hour, fans were filing into the nostalgic theatre, anxious for what they were about to be a part of. As the opening act came to the stage to fine tune the techy stuff, you could hear the chatter switch to hoots and hollers. From the onset of “Made-up Dreams” all the way through “Conventional Wisdom” Doug Martsch was pitch perfect on vocals, with a blend of sounds that transport the listeners to a simpler time.
Melanie Radford on bass and Teresa Esguerra on drums more than held their own alongside Martsch. Radford looked like she was having the time of her life—tearing through bass lines, tossing her hair, and throwing high kicks with infectious energy. No matter the pace of the set, Esguerra kept things tight and precise, delivering a rock-solid performance behind the kit.
Built to Spill set list: Made-up Dreams, So, Reasons, Trimmed and Burning, Else, Gonna Lose, Virginia Reel Around the Fountain, Fire to Dust, I Would Hurt a Fly, Conventional Wisdom
As the short intermission wrapped up and the stage was reset, nearly every seat in the venue had filled. Late-arriving fans streamed in, ready to join what would become a 95-minute celebration of lights, sound, and energy—an immersive experience that kept the audience on their feet from start to finish.
For over three decades, Modest Mouse has carved out a unique place in the music world. Often labeled as alt-rock or indie rock, their sound is unmistakably their own—evolving with each album while retaining the essence that longtime fans love. While I’d heard “Float On” like most people (a track noticeably absent from this night’s setlist), this show was my first real dive into their world—and what an introduction it was.
Frontman Isaac Brock’s vocals were mesmerizing—smooth and precise, calling to mind the likes of David Byrne or Ween. Each song pulled the audience deeper into a trance, with Brock backed by a six-piece ensemble that elevated the performance at every turn. Psychedelic light displays pulsed in sync with the driving drumbeats and heavy bass lines. Strobe flashes hit in rhythm with the music, creating a sensory overload that only amplified the crowd’s energy. The audience fed the fire with chants and cheers, making the atmosphere electric from beginning to end.
After a 15-song main set, the stage dimmed, leaving just a few headlamps from crew members moving quietly in the dark. Suddenly, the unmistakable tension-building notes of Jaws rumbled through the speakers—a dramatic and playful transition into the band’s three-song encore, which was met with roaring approval.
For an hour and a half, the crowd bounced, danced, and sang like a piñata bursting with energy. Modest Mouse had the entire theater in the palm of their hands—commanding every movement like seasoned puppet masters. Among those caught in the spell were fellow journalists and photographers, some of whom had followed the band since the ’90s. For me, it was a first—an unforgettable introduction.
My only regret? Not discovering this band live decades ago. There’s something about experiencing music in the moment, and Modest Mouse delivers that experience with unmatched intensity. I’m confident the other 1,970 fans in attendance would say the same.
Modest Mouse set list: 3rd Planet, Gravity Rides Everything, Dark Center of the Universe, Perfect Disguise, Tiny Cities Made of Ashes, A Different City, The Cold Part, Alone Down There, The Stars are Projectors, Wild Packs of Family Dogs, Paper Thin Walls, I Came as A Rat, Lives, Life Like Weeds, What People Are Made Of
encore: Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset, Lampshades on Fire, Fuck Your Acid Trip
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