Portland folk outfit Blind Pilot played their final UK date of the current tour in Hammersmith earlier this month, in support of the magnificent Decembersists.
This was certainly one support band with a story worth telling. Whether it’s tales of cycling from gig to gig around the West Coast, or winning Itunes awards and gaining critical praise for the debut record ‘3 Rounds and a Sound’; Blind Pilots share themselves with an impressive intimacy, fuelled by gorgeous melodies and contemplative lyrics.
Fans of the Decemberists awaiting (what would turn out to be a 2 hour long and wholeheartedly engrossing set) were not disappointed by what came first. Blind Pilot certainly shared similarities with their successors however didn’t quite offer as much crowd involvement/showmanship that was to come later in the evening. Having said this, the set flew by and could easily have lasted longer. You could sense that everyone inside the Apollo warmed to the band immediately and Israel Nebeker seemed taken aback by the support (with many a crowd member singing along).
Founding members Israel and Ryan have expanded into a full band and were joined on stage by Sara Watkins towards the end (who later played the full set with The Decemberists). All members fed off each other’s sound and created warm, rich tones, which were complemented by Israel’s distinctively luscious voice. Here was a frontman who you feel had all the talent to be brilliant and just needed a little added confidence when it came to interaction.
Whether Israel and co will hit the ground running once they release their second album or not will be seen in due course, but the signs are definitely there for the band to take a stand and embrace their roots in search of becoming the new indie-folk band of the moment. Their home town has certainly been known to produce a few decent ones in the past.
As the gig finished few would have left Hammersmith thinking about Blind Pilot, but this is only testament to the performance from the main act. The band offered a great opening to what would become a brilliant gig. The cards are in Blind Pilot’s hands now as all the signs are looking positive. With headliners The Decemberists’ chart success acting as obvious inspiration, there is every possibility that Blind Pilot’s next album could be their ‘big’ one.
The band are set to record their second studio album throughout May back home in Oregon.
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