The Blue Nile helps you get a head start on festival season with two shows this week from artists with releases on Royal Potato Family Records. Marco Benevento plays Thursday night with Mike Dillon opening and Wil Blades returns on Saturday night.
Benevento is an adventurous keyboardist who is no stranger to New Orleans. Though his appearances tend to be around Jazz Fest, the last time I saw him was in late September 2013, which was a sold out show at the Blue Nile. He played with DaveDreiwitz on bass and Andy Borger on drums. Both will join him again on this tour.
During that performance, he mostly stuck to piano, but added some interesting effects that added up to a really big sound.
Mike Dillon opens the show tonight. He will feature Claude Coleman Jr. and JJ Jungle.
Saturday night should also be a spectacular night. Wil Blades is another incredible keyboardist and since his most recent recording, Field Notes, he has been playing with our own Simon Lott on drums. Lott also appears on the album. Jeff Parker of Tortoise rounds out his trio.
For readers in the Baton Rouge area or fans interested in a road trip, you can make it a Royal Potato Family trifecta. Blades will be appearing at Chelsea’s on Friday night.
