Dirty Cello brings high-energy blues, rock and Americana to Pearl Theater

International touring band Dirty Cello will bring its unique blend of blues, rock and Americana music to the Pearl Theater on Sunday, June 28. 

Led by virtuoso cellist Rebecca Roudman, Dirty Cello has built a reputation for transforming the classical cello into the driving force behind an energetic live performance. The San Francisco-based group has performed around the world, from Iceland and Italy to China and venues across the United States. 

“We travel all over the place, and everywhere we go, the idea is to put on a high-energy show,” said Roudman. “We’re a rock band, but with a cello instead of a lead guitar.” 

A classically trained symphony musician, Roudman left the traditional classical music world behind to explore a wider range of styles. Today, Dirty Cello's performances feature everything from blues and rock favorites to Americana influences and original music, creating a show that is both technically impressive and highly entertaining. 

The band's setlists are intentionally flexible, allowing performances to evolve based on audience response.  

“We’re all about the fun at our shows,” Roudman said. “We step on stage with only a vague plan as to what specific songs we are going to play, and we react to what the audience wants to hear and adjust accordingly.” 

Oakland Magazine described the group as “funky, carnival, romantic, sexy, tangled, electric, fiercely rhythmic, and textured, and only occasionally classical.” 

The concert begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at the Pearl Theater, 7160 Ash Street in Bonners Ferry. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Additional information and advance tickets are available through DirtyCello.com and the Pearl Theater.