Blind Pilot lands at Casbah

Portland lo-fi folk act Blind Pilot stopped into the Casbah for their third and final San Diego tour date in support of debut full-length 3 Rounds and a Sound. The show was their first in San Diego to feature a full band behind co-founders Israel Nebeker and Ryan Dobrowski. The four additional players provided everything from the soaring trumpet melodies to xylophone, adding a dynamic to the show that sounded closer to their recorded output than the band’s previous stops here.

Drummer Dobrowski's steady beats locked the crowd into a rhythm, while Nebeker's catchy strumming and inviting songs had many in the crowd singing along. The band covered all 11 tracks off the album, including a two-song encore ending with “One Red Thread.”

Opener the Low Anthem's gospel-style blues was hit-and-miss, depending on the tempo of the tunes. The Providence, Rhode Island, trio relied on bassist Jeff Prystowsky’s passionate riffs to engage the crowd. While their faster, more energetic material got the audience moving, the slower songs seemed out of place.

Ultimately, headliners Blind Pilot warranted the ticket price. Their layered folk-pop had the crowd bobbing through the set, transforming the Casbah into a dancehall environment.

Blind Pilot and the Low Anthem
Venue: the Casbah
Show date: Saturday, October 24
Seats: GA