DCist was excited to see Supergrass when the show was originally announced a few months ago. But the late start time (headlining a Sunday night show in which doors opened at 10 p.m.) coupled with the hazardous travel conditions, to say nothing of the parking nightmare I encountered when I finally got home, did more than dampen my enthusiasm by the time the show rolled around. But the prospect of seeing a great band in a potentially empty venue was too much to resist, so away I went.

To my surprise there was a decent sized crowd at the 9:30, which the band seemed to appreciate when they took the stage. I hadn’t seen Supergrass since they toured behind their second record in the late 90s (Morrissey played DAR on the same night they came through town in 2004) and had forgotten how much fun they are in concert. The new material from Road to Rouen sounded superb, as did all the old classics like “Caught By The Fuzz” and “Mary.”

If anything, the show proved to me that Supergrass are at their best when they ease off the gas a bit and don’t try win you over with their overtly sunny pop. The slower numbers stood out more than anything else. I left a little over halfway through their set (if this setlist from New York is any indication) so I could beat the ice and get some sleep, something I regretted but had to be done. Opening band Pilotdrift earned an enthusiastic response from the crowd. Their brand of Spiritualized-influenced poppy, progish jam-rock kept everyone entertained while they waited for the main event. They may be a band worth keeping your eye on.

More pictures after the jump.