
When Blind Pilot played The Atlantis last summer, it had been far too long since the band had been to DC — years, in fact.
This time around, the Portland, Ore.-based group didn’t wait as long to return to the nation’s capital. Led by Israel Nebeker, a perceptive and gentle singer-songwriter, Blind Pilot returned on tour for a show at 9:30 Club, promoting its fourth album, In The Shadow Of The Holy Mountain.
It’s a recording with an amazing origin story and it was released more than eight years following the group’s previous album, And Then Like Lions. Listeners have been enjoying the latest release since it dropped last summer.
New and old fans alike have also been seizing any chance to see Blind Pilot on stage, where Nebeker is joined by his longtime friend and drummer, Ryan Dobrowski — the two originally founded the band as a duo — bassist Luke Ydstie and Kati Claborn, who plays about a half dozen instruments during any given show. Trumpeter and keyboardist Dave Jorgensen, a longtime contributor, is currently on the road with Blind Pilot as well.
While some were feeling the pain of a Washington Commanders playoff loss, others made their way to 9:30 Club on Jan. 26 for an endearing performance that reminded why this band is cherished by many.
Listen to Blind Pilot’s 2024 studio album, In The Shadow Of The Holy Mountain, via Spotify:
Blind Pilot Setlist
Packed Powder
The Story I Heard
Just a Bird
Don’t You Know
The Colored Night
Brave
One Red Thread
Just One
Oviedo
Jacaranda
Half Moon
New York
Lucky
Pocket Knife
We Are the Tide
Umpqua Rushing
Encore
Believe Me
3 Rounds and a Sound
Below are DIY rolled-developed-scanned 35mm black-and-white shots and color digital images of Blind Pilot along with opening act, Dean Johnson, performing at 9:30 Club on Jan. 26, 2025. All photos copyright and courtesy of Casey Ryan Vock.
Blind Pilot
Dean Johnson