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Biography
A classically trained violinist, Andrew Bird studied music for much of his life, during which he developed a talent for merging American and European folk traditions with jazz, swing and calypso, creating a distinct style. Bird released his first solo album, "Music of Hair" in 1996, a record that displayed his skills on the violin. He soon joined up with the band Squirel Nut Zippers, with whom he recorded three albums, finding moderate commercial success.
Bird then acted as bandleader for his project, Bowl of Fire, releasing the albums "Thrills," "Oh! the Grandeur" and "The Swimming Hour" between 1999 and 2001, gaining widespread critical acclaim for his efforts, yet was unable to garner a large following, often only playing to handfuls of people at his gigs. However, following an impromptu solo performance after his bandmates could not attend, Bird received a rapturous reception, prompting his decision to go solo in 2003.
His solo debut, "Andrew Bird & The Mysterious Production of Eggs" was released on Ani DiFranco's label, Righteous Babe, in 2005. The record displayed an indie-folk sound, featuring an array of instruments all played by Bird himself. In 2006, Bird signed to Fat Possum Records, through which he released "Armchair Apocrypha," a collaboration with electronic artist Martin Dosh. The album was warmly received, prompting appearances on the "Late Show with David Letterman," amongst several high profile performances. "Noble Beast" in 2009 continued Bird's eclectic explorations, also released with a bonus CD of instrumental pieces.
Having dabbled with film composition for Jonathn Segal's "Norman," Bird returned to his solo work in 2012, with "Break It Yourself." The companion album, "Hands of Glory" arrived later that year, continuing to find critical praise and a growing number of listeners. WIth his newly formed backing band, a seventh album was released in 2014, "Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of…" a collection of covers of the Handsome Family, an act also hailing from Chicago, US.
Live reviews
Andrew Bird is a human wunderkammer... A walking cabinet of musical and scientific curiosities.
From out his kaleidoscopic mind, all kinds of marvels pour - and, refreshingly, none of them are akin to a simple love song. They're a child's wide-eyed wonderings at the world, sometimes anxious, sometimes curious; always mysterious, always looking up at the stars. Even when they're about emotions, they're fundamentally scientific.
There's no single genre to define the man's style. There's vintage swing Andrew Bird, all thrilling, crackling blasts of gramophonic sound and foot-shuffling strings. There's indie rock Andrew Bird, the one who plays at muddy summer music festivals to crowds of welly-wearing cool kids, plugging in and playing up the electric guitar-heavy tracks. Then there's no-one-word-to-describe-it Andrew Bird, where washes of sound slip through holes in the ocean floor, where a violin bow yielded with surgical precision can cut right through your heart. Where you don't look back, 'cause it'll drive you mad. At a live shows he whistles, sings, plucks strings and strums his violin. Alone he is breathtaking. Add in some live-looping technology, and he becomes a one-man orchestra.
When he delves into "Why" - his signature live tune that seems to make it into every concert - he does so with unrelenting passion, harvested from a quiet well of sensuality you didn't know was hidden inside that slender frame.
Turns out Andrew Bird, like the Tardis, is bigger on the inside.
tunnyb
Seeing Andrew Bird is a spiritual experience--there's no better way to put it. Few artists craft a live show so meticulously and deliberately, but with Bird, everything from the lights to the stage positioning to the way the songs progress throughout the set illustrates just how carefully this man plans his concerts. What's so remarkable about seeing Andrew Bird perform is that he's the rare artist for whom you don't need to come in with a wish list of songs. For his most popular tracks, his live arrangements are reimaginations that sound only subtly like their recorded versions, and so are really new experiences entirely. But his commitment to carefully organized live compositions ensures that even songs you've never heard before are just so incredibly gorgeous and delicate that nothing falls flat--everything pleases the crowd. He's an artist that even casual fans can enjoy live, because one doesn't expect you to know the words and sing along or move with his cues; instead, you allow yourself to soak in the sonic sounds of a man who, quite simply, knows music. Whether Andrew Bird is layering his sounds with loop pedals to fill the room or crowding his small folk group around a single microphone, you will not be disappointed by what this man has to offer. He has created a sound so distinctly his own that I can't imagine any other artist rivaling what he does on the stage. If he comes around, you have to find a way to get to the show.
alex-witkowski
There are few artists who can captivate a room and a crowd to the same extent as multi-instrumentalist Andrew Bird. The Illinois singer/songwriter has a fiercely loyal following on both sides of the Atlantic and his shows are often few and far between so tickets go expectedly quickly. Now a frequenter of the US charts, his chamber pop sounds are still considered to be a cult taste in the UK yet this does not stop the crowds turning up in droves as he stops by the most appropriate venues for his music.
A number of years ago he played a suitably somber set at London's Roundhouse as he orchestrates a number of classical musicians in the recreation of his lengthy discography. Beginning completely solo for 'Why' proves the sheer weight of Andrew's talents as a musician before the accompanying instrumentalists offer rich and textured layers to 'Orpheo Looks Back' and the dramatic 'Fiery Crash'. An acoustic interlude focuses on Bird's wise and wonderful lyrical voice before the musicians rejoin to crescendo in a beautiful encore of 'Fake Palindromes'. An idyllic venue plays host to a truly phenomenal artist.
sean-ward
Saw Andrew Bird at Danforth Music Hall in Toronto. Very good live artist, excellent as always. Whistling, multi-instrumental musicianship, looping, violin skills are consistent highlights of Andrew Bird shows. Band included a drummer, a guitarist, a bass player, + andrew bird on violin, guitar, and glockenspiel. At the beginning of the encore the band gathered around a single mic to play a short acoustic set, which was a great addition to the show.
-played 8/19 songs from new album Are You Serious
-happy to see some older classics like nervous tic motion, fake palindromes, imitosis
-duets lusitania and left handed kisses played solo, but very well done
-excellent acoustic cover of Neil Young's Harvest as a Canadian thing for the Toronto audience
If you like Andrew Bird, it's definitely worth going to an Andrew Bird concert. You won't be disappointed!
Ghetto_Defendant
Spectacular concert! It doesn't matter if you like just one of his songs or know each word by heart his concert will not disappoint. I cried pretty much for every violin piece, and when there was no violin I cried of joy! Literally. He had to come back on stage again to perform three more songs because we (the audience) couldn't stop clapping after he left. I made both the bands we watched before him worth everything! I have never spent better 25 euros! Andrew Bird is incredible.
alina-arshi
I have seen the Gezelligheid shows at the church so I was eager to see him at a different, more festive, venue. He delivered high energy numbers, a few Gezelligheid moments in spite of the large space and then encored with some Hands of Glory gorgeousness. He played songs from at least 6 different albums. The gamut of Andrew Bird genius was on full display. It was all I could have asked for. Time, money and energy well spent.
lisakropp
The best musician I've ever seen live. Period. He improv'd every single song in the most beautiful way. Stage presence/swagger without being overbearing. Both full band and acoustic sets were innovative and incredible. I've always loved his studio stuff, but this was on a different level. Five out of five stars.
paul-monk
Great show from Andrew last night! Highlights for me were Nervous Tick Motion, Left-Handed Kisses, and Tenuousness. Great acoustic 4-song encore at the end as well! You could Andrew and co. had a lot of fun. It was a great performance for the end of their tour!
atomshrek
Andrew Bird showcases true musicianship. Perfectionism is evident as he showcases his craft. He will take you from intimate whistling and violin plucking to soaring melodies bowed on his violin with a killer band supporting him.
His shows are not to miss!
austin-taylor-7
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