Andrew Bird @ State Theater - 10.4.08
Already familiar with his recorded work, 2008 provided my first opportunities to see Andrew Bird live. The first time was a set with his band opening for WILCO at Tanglewood in August. Then, in October, Bird performed a solo show at Ithaca’s State Theater. While the full band show was excellent, seeing him during a solo performance puts his talent in perspective.
The set included Why?, a song he claims is one his favorites to perform, A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left and Sovay from the album The Mysterious Production Of Eggs [2005], and Plasticities and Imitosis from last year’s Armchair Apocrypha. From the 2003 album Weather Systems, he played Lull and the album’s title track for the encore. Closing the first set was the standout track Tables And Chairs.
His performance style is remarkable, fluidly moving from violin to guitar while whistling, singing, clapping and looping tracks. Dressed in a vest and tie but removing his shoes at the beginning of the performance, his songs vary from album form to fit the mood and flow of his performance. His stage show combines a unique balance of precision, such as coordinating the looping, and the improvisational element of live performance. His relaxed stage presence and calm demeanor with banter provides comic relief and insight between songs as he plays in front of a backdrop of large, often swirling, horn speakers. Check the link below to see his performance of Lull from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hi-7RjV3eU
The near capacity crowed remained enthralled and enthusiastic throughout the show by this incredible performer and songwriter. The show also included two new songs, Natural Disaster and Fitz And The Dizzyspells, from his new album, Noble Beast, which is due in January of 2009 and can be pre-ordered here:
http://www.andrewbird.net/
Already familiar with his recorded work, 2008 provided my first opportunities to see Andrew Bird live. The first time was a set with his band opening for WILCO at Tanglewood in August. Then, in October, Bird performed a solo show at Ithaca’s State Theater. While the full band show was excellent, seeing him during a solo performance puts his talent in perspective.
The set included Why?, a song he claims is one his favorites to perform, A Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left and Sovay from the album The Mysterious Production Of Eggs [2005], and Plasticities and Imitosis from last year’s Armchair Apocrypha. From the 2003 album Weather Systems, he played Lull and the album’s title track for the encore. Closing the first set was the standout track Tables And Chairs.
His performance style is remarkable, fluidly moving from violin to guitar while whistling, singing, clapping and looping tracks. Dressed in a vest and tie but removing his shoes at the beginning of the performance, his songs vary from album form to fit the mood and flow of his performance. His stage show combines a unique balance of precision, such as coordinating the looping, and the improvisational element of live performance. His relaxed stage presence and calm demeanor with banter provides comic relief and insight between songs as he plays in front of a backdrop of large, often swirling, horn speakers. Check the link below to see his performance of Lull from the show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hi-7RjV3eU
The near capacity crowed remained enthralled and enthusiastic throughout the show by this incredible performer and songwriter. The show also included two new songs, Natural Disaster and Fitz And The Dizzyspells, from his new album, Noble Beast, which is due in January of 2009 and can be pre-ordered here:
http://www.andrewbird.net/
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