Portland, OR’s Blind Pilot rolled through Fort Collins, CO’s Aggie Theatre on Tuesday night, with support from Chicago-based folk artist Ryley Walker. Playing to a packed house, the group opened up their set with “Like Lions” from their latest album And Then Like Lions, followed by “Go On, Say It” from their debut album 3 Rounds And A Sound.
The songs lead singer/guitarist Israel Nebeker and company create come across as simple, singer-songwriter pieces, but are in reality intricately textured compositions. With lush sounds filling the space of each song, whether it be from the stand-up bass, organ, banjo, or xylophone, Blind Pilot is a collective of superbly talented musicians.
“Joik #3” has an interesting story behind it, as Nebeker explained his Norwegian heritage, in particular that of the Sami indigenous tribes or Norther Scandinavia and their own line of musical storytelling or expression, better known as “joik.” “Moon At Dawn” is a beautiful song that creates a dreamscape of sorts with serene harmonies.
For the last three songs of their set, Blind Pilot invited pedal steel player Jesse Bates from Quiet Life to bring his own unique sound to the set. As the rest of the band left the stage, Nebeker and Bates delivered a Western mountain vibe on “Just One,” with haunting echoes coming from the sacred steel.
The full band came back on stage to finish the set with a rocking “One Red Thread,” that had the crowd hootin’ and hollerin’ something fierce. After a set-closing “Watt,” Nebeker came out for a solo rendition, sans microphone sing-along on “Bitter End.” Getting a room full of people to be completely quiet, let alone harmonize (and pretty successfully, at that) is a feat unto itself, but was accomplished on this evening. “New York” and “3 Rounds And A Sound” closed out a successful evening at The Aggie for Blind Pilot.
The group continues their run through Colorado with Ryley Walker through this weekend, followed by tour-closer in Missoula, MT. Check out some video from the show below:
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