Anything But a Sell Out

When we told you that Andrew Bird's concert was sold out, boy did we misunderstand what sold out was. At the Fillmore at the TLA, sold out means the girl on your left doesn't have a problem rubbing up against you throughout the night, even though her boyfriend is on the other side. Not sure if he cared; I would have. It means that the girl behind you likes to breathe heavily on your neck and that the girl in front of you, unbeknownst to her, likes to shove her purse into your crotch. Now, under different circumstances this would be, for some, a dream come true; unfortunately for claustrophobic me, it was anything but a dream - it was more a nightmare. My visiting brother was the only reason I didn't dart to the nearest exit. So I stayed.

Andrew Bird was a breath of fresh air (especially since it really smelled like a mix of pot and b.o.). Bird had two other musicians with him on this tour, a bassist and a drummer. Bird plays the guitar, violin, sings and orchestrates all of the looping with his feet. (You also can't forget the whistling.) He started every song with some sort of percussion, then looped in the strings (usually a couple of times to include harmony) and then finally added the guitar. This whole technique and process was incredibly fascinating and completely amazing to watch. I've never seen an artist use loops in this technically advanced manner. The timing was perfect on every song, and by the time Bird started singing (which was usually several minutes in), it sounded like a ten-piece band was playing on stage. The sound was overwhelming and yet stunning at the same time.

This concert would have been much more enjoyable if it was at a seated venue. Bird's music is a beautiful mathematical process that can not be simply reduced to head-banging or pelvic-thrusting enjoyment. He ventures into uncharted musical territory. Academically, I would categorize his music as minimalist folk electronic-art music. A long explanation is what Bird's music needs. The minimalism techniques comes from the repeating steady pulse that Bird utilizes in his music loops. This repetition often became mesmerizing and meditative. Bird's clear, crisp vocals emanate the vocal purity that many folk artists employ. The lack of radio-style antics gives Bird's music a depth that musicians dream about finding. There is a mysterious quality that demands focused attention from the listener to understand the true vision of Bird's music.

Bird's ability to multi-task is what makes him a stand-out musician. It's not his voice, nor his guitar or violin playing that makes him extraordinary, rather it's the process that he uses to create music. It's exciting and fascinating to watch. After an hour of the repetitive looping I was a bit bored but I think that's because I am not as familiar with his music as everyone else was. My brother definitely thought it was worth the trip from Utah and ultimately, I was happy I didn't bolt to the nearest exit when I had the chance. Claustrophobia aside, it was an awesome show.

All photos taken by author