Sunday 10th May 2009 @ Thekla, Bristol
With Support From: Cortney Tidwell

It was a beautiful, sunny Sunday evening in Bristol docks that begun with a dynamic lively band, Cortney Tidwell, playing support to a packed out crowd within the belly of the Thekla boat/club. Cortney began playing to a crowd anxious for some Bird action but quickly managed to win them over with some diverse, energetic and, above all, atmospheric tunes. Think Frou Frou meets Bat For Lashes with crescendos that build into an almost Godspeed You! Black Emperor like style, taking their time and allowing the music to tell a tale and portray an emotion. Front women Cortney Tidwell, similar to Andrew Bird, was not hesitant in boasting her multitude of musical instrumental talent and with each other band member also holding their own not just as a group but clearly bringing in their own unique style and pace to add to the musical concoction.

Andrew Bird was up next beginning his set alone, creating the tune simply using his customary loop pedal, clapping, whistling, singing and but two of the infamous amount of stringed instruments he has become celebrated for. In essence, this intro was an introduction not only to the gig but to Andrew’s unique style. His band members joined him mid-song and went on to play new track Not A Robot, But A Ghost from the most recent album Noble Beast.

Bird also gave a nod to his older sounds such as Fake Palindromes and Nervous Tic Motion Of The Head To The Left both from The Mysterious Production Of Eggs. This really got the crowd going with individuals hanging on to each note and longing for the next. Bird at times played with this notion, purposefully and overtly shifting timing of the lyrics and tune, playing cheekily with the audience’s expectations in a lovable fashion, consistently reflected in his cheerful, sneaky expression.

The Thekla’s amps took a while to warm to Bird’s music but once the sound was sorted after the first few tracks, the space itself allowed the performance to feel intimate and gave a fantastic atmosphere that went well with Bird’s band’s character and genre of music, with everyone leaving the venue feeling content with smile upon there face, a hop in there step and attempting a whistle. Andrew Bird’s joy and passion for music is nothing short of infectious.

www.andrewbird.net

Kyle Von Brown