Blind Pilot, with Point Juncture, WA
The El Rey Theatre
The El Rey Theatre of Los Angeles provides the perfect setting for almost any show. With three low-lit sparkling chandeliers illuminating the intimate red-carpeted venue, it is almost guaranteed that concert-goers will have a great night.
Friday night, Blind Pilot, a band based in Portland, Oregon, managed not only to confirm the magic of the El Rey, but also to enhance it with its captivating sound. Blind Pilot filled the venue with their heartfelt, honest lyrics and soothing instrumentals.
The show was in support of “We Are the Tide”, the band’s sophomore album. In each song, the sextet combines a variety of instruments that come together to create a sound that is relaxing while also uplifting energy.
The show was opened by Point Juncture, WA, another Portland, Oregon band that released its fourth album this year. Despite this indication that Point Juncture, WA might have had more technical experience as a band, many of the group’s songs seemed to have an almost unchanging beat that did little to hold listeners’ interest.
Once Blind Pilot took over, the concert took on a whole new energy. One reason Blind Pilot stands out is because of its use of instruments not often seen on an L.A. stage. In addition to typical drums, guitar and keyboard, the band used a long list of other instruments. Scattered across the stage were instruments such as the banjo, a trumpet, a cello, a dulcimer, a mandolin, a vibraphone and a harmonium.
Blind Pilot set itself apart form the norm with more than just its instrumental choices. While an encore performance can be expected from almost every headlining band, Blind Pilot chose to do its encore in a surprising way.
As they returned to the stage after hearing the encore demands, all the band members picked up their instruments and stepped off the stage. But they were not leaving the venue for good. They were instead going down into the crowd to play their final song on the floor, eye to eye with their fans. There was just one condition: that everyone sit down, put away their phones and cameras and truly feel the music.