Andrew Bird

Camden Roundhouse

A few years ago I came across Andrew Bird by chance as I flicked over the TV to watch Radiohead perform on Sky's From the Basement sessions, and was immediately fascinated by his one-man band approach to creating music. He'd start by laying down a violin melody and loop it, whilst patching in other layers of violin (plucked or bowed), guitar and even whistling; then sewing into the mix a vocal with a quirky lyric, leaving me caught up in the weave. I promised myself that I'd catch him play live as soon as possible, and tonight was my chance. A few years later than planned, mind, but at last I got to see him do his thing.

Based in Chicago and eleven albums in to his solo career, Bird has been playing the violin since he was 4. He's explored a variety of genres - from classical and jazz, to Hungarian Gypsy music, to country blues. All of which influences his indie, folky, Americana styled pop songs (if you'd excuse the pigeon holing). Recently, his popularity is beginning to spread and he's commanding a bigger audience. 

Tonight he's accompanied by a band - bass, guitar and drums. But he's in control of his violin and glockenspiel (and of course, that wonderful whistle) looping and layering the heart of each of the songs they perform together. Behind him, a giant pair of rotating horns spin (the sort that give a Hammond its characteristic sound but many times the size!), augmenting the ethereal violin. 

The set was a mix of old and new and there was an obvious contrast between both the guitar based indie songs and the more folky recent album Break it Yourself. So much so, that I actually wished he'd do away with the band all together as he was most beguiling working his magic alone. He is seemingly effortless on the violin and has a good ear for bringing together a hybrid of styles and textures. It is always a little difficult to pick up the lyrical nuances when everything is live and loud, but there is a humorous edge to much of what he sings about.

Bird has recently released another eight track album, Hands of Glory. A companion to his previous album and inspired by 'old-time' live sets, recorded by his band playing acoustic, gathered around a single microphone. During tonight's set, they broke off and did the same, huddled around a mic with double bass, acoustic guitar and Bird on his violin, performing re-workings of recent tunes and covers by the likes of The Carter Family and others. Not as magical as when he patches in those loops and layers, but he delivers each rendition with integrity.

Andrew Bird is a musical talent with a sure and solid back catalogue. Considering the quality of his recent albums I think the best is still yet to come.