Andrew Bird @ Radio City Music Hall, NY 6/18/09 (review & setlist)

A little bit of an aye-aye-aye day kept me at work til past 8PM today and fearing I was going to miss this show. My co-worker who was to join me was a casualty of the unexpected lengthening of the work day, so it was a solo mission tonight. I missed Calexico who was opening, but made it for Andrew Bird and the main event albeit in work clothes and sans camera. At least I had my tickets with me.
I was glad I made it. The show was a good finish to what has been a busy couple weeks for me. I was able to settle in with a couple cocktails and enjoy Bird's layers upon layers of sound with loops of the violin, xylophone, etc. He played a few tracks from his recent Noble Beast and some faves from older albums. I was sorry I didn't have the camera. The stage lighting and effects were impressive and photo ops were aplenty. Good times. I love me some 'Effigy' and 'Why?'. Bird's lyricism and obvious musical multi-talents shines through on most all the tunes.
Anybody else at the show take some pics? Have a link you'd like to share. Leave us a comment.

Andrew Bird @ Radio City Music Hall, New York 6/18/09 Setlist:
Sweetbreads
Fiery Crash
Opposite Day
Fitz and the Dizzyspells
Masterswarm
Oh No
Effigy
Anonanimal
Imitosis
Cataracts
Skin Is, My (w/ Calexico)
Scythian Empires (w/ Calexico)
Tables and Chairs (w/ Calexico)

ENCORE:
Why?
Don't Be Scared
Fake Palindromes

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Andrew Bird - Civic Opera House, Chicago - 4/10/09

"Well ya get down the fiddle and ya get down the bow, kick off your shoes and you throw 'em on the floor..."

Alright so it wasn't Alabama, but I did get a little excited after Mr. Bird removed his shoes and tossed tem to the side after his first song. Unfortunately he didn't 'dance in the kitchen till the mornin night.'

There is no question the guy is a talent, and an interesting one at that. The sounds and harmonies he creates are unique and with great attention to craft. He truly is a musician. Mastering music as opposed to an instrument. It really just wasn't my cup of tea. Or maybe that was the problem, it was music I'd love to listen to sipping tea while reading the news or diving in to a thick book, it was not music for my Friday night. The music was subdued but not nearly as much as the crowd. I have never seen a more sober and polite crowd in my life at any live music event. Honestly people get more rowdy at symphonies. One time hearing Mozart's Requiem Jim and I witnessed fans booing and shaking fists because they were displeased with the changes and liberties the composer had taken with Mozart's piece.

Anyway what can you do, can't love everything you see. Good music, blah show not sure if it was the crowd, the venue, or my mood. It was quite interesting however to see how A. Bird makes music, it is unconventional, and one thing is for sure, the kid can f-en whistle. Check him out, he is good, I know this write up isn't the best sell since its clear I didn't love it, but give a listen and reach your own conclusions. What the hell do I know? Im going to give his album a few re-listens right now.

Heres a sample track:
Andrew Bird - Masterswarm - Buy Album