By Benjamin Wallen //
The Infamous Stringdusters feat. Nicki Bluhm with Della Mae //
The Fillmore – San Francisco
February 20th, 2016 //
The Fillmore welcomed Charlottesville’s Infamous Stringdusters to SF for a fun-filled night of bluegrass tunes last Saturday, and opening the show was Della Mae. These ladies from Boston have been delivering quality music for bluegrass lovers across the U.S. and around the world. In fact, their self-titled third LP was my favorite album of 2015.
Della Mae is what we all love about bluegrass, a perfectly tight group playing with roots and wisdom shining through on every song. “Old souls” would be a great way to describe their sound, but it’s also richly filled with life and energy. The last time I saw Della Mae they filled The Chapel, and this time they returned to a packed Fillmore — not a bad way to make your return to SF if you ask me. Although the six-piece lost out on a Grammy to the legendary Del McCoury in 2014, I imagine we will see them back up on the pedestal again sooner than later.
Della Mae
The Infamous Stringdusters, meanwhile, brought the heat and along with it, Bay Area favorite Nicki Bluhm to sit in on a few songs. Bluhm, the singer-songwriter who hails from Lafayette, Calif., and has collaborated with Chris Robinson, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Warren Haynes, Grace Potter, The Avett Brothers, Keller Williams and Galactic, proved to be a great fit, blending in perfectly with the group’s “jamgrass” sound — something different from the more traditional Americana rock/soul she usually cooks up as a solo artist — like the perfect amount of spice.
The Stringdusters blazed The Fillmore and whipped up a great double set that was incredible to witness. The last time I saw these guys was at Winter Wonder Grass in Lake Tahoe almost a year ago, and they definitely kicked it into overdrive at The Fillmore. I cannot wait to get back out to see them soon, and if they come through your town, make sure you don’t miss them.
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