Reaping the benefits of making money along with no school work, I've been able to go to more concerts this year without worrying about the consequences later. And, not only have I been able see people I love (i.e. Sondre!) but also people I like, a la Andrew Bird. Even if you were to ask me even now if Andrew Bird listed in my top five fave artists, I would most likely say, "No." Other than a few select songs, "Core and Rind" in particular, I haven't paid too much attention to the pretty solid collection of his songs on in my library. But, I heard he put on a good show so I went.
His opener, St. Vincent was very good, albeit a little strobe-light, stroke-inducing happy. Annie Clark, the front-woman, has a beautiful voice and is very talented. St. Vincent was a great opener for Andrew Bird, also specializing in music using clarinets, flutes, saxophones, etc. All the while, Andrew Bird was standing in the stage box watching.
Boy was Andrew Bird's performance entertaining, from sock monkeys, to dancing roadies, and even stage props that featured the Doppler effect. His charisma and showmanship really sold the show. And, I loved the fact he played a mean fiddle, classically of course. I was impressed how he, just like Sondre, condensed intricate orchestral arrangements into a four (or in Sondre's case, one) person band. He also had such a swag up on stage. My personal favorites of the night were "Headsoak," because my favorite A Bird album is The Swimming Hour, and "Scynthian Empires" with the entire St. Vincent band.
However--this has absolutely nothing to do with Andrew's performance--I was not as connected to this show as I have been at others. And, I know it was not because of his performance because my roommates were all pretty giddy after the show. Maybe it's because I did not know his music as well, as in, I did not know every word to every song, sometimes not even the title of the song. Perhaps I would have enjoyed it more if I had been a life-long listener of Andrew Bird, rather than trying to learn his entire repertoire in two weeks.
SET LIST
- Why?
- Masterswarm
- Opposite Day
- A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left
- Fitz and the Dizzyspells
- Headsoak
- On Ho!
- Oh No
- Effigy
- Anonanimal
- You Woke Me Up!
- Imitosis
- Cataracts
- Lusitania w/ Annie Clark
- Scythian Empires w/ St. Vincent
- Tables and Chairs
- Oh Sister
- Prayer of Death
- I'm Going Home
- Don't Be Scared
- Fake Palindromes
