After Luke Temple, of Here We Go Magic, opened to a crowd that had already reached the venue’s capacity Andrew Bird started off his Summerstage show with three solo offerings before bringing out his backing band. The troupe called The Hands of Glory performed with Bird for the rest of his lengthy set reimagining his originals (draw from nearly a dozen albums) and some covers, mainly those from Bird’s most recent album, Things Are Really Great Here, Sort Of… consisting entirely of songs originally by The Handsome Family. This backing band included regular collaborators Tift Merritt, Kevin O’Donnell and a few others and they gave Bird a country nest from which to perform though there was a couple chances for him to go on one of his more abstract, whistling journeys. A fine performance for the outdoor venue on an evening that remained undisturbed by rain.
Visit the City Parks Foundation page to see a complete listing of Summerstage events including a Pete Seeger tribute and Blood Orange and visit Facebook to see a larger gallery of images from the show!
Setlist:
[Solo]
Ethio
Hole in the Ocean Floor
Plasticities
[with Hands of Glory]
Jesus is a Dying Bedmaker
Tin Foiled (The Handsome Family)
Dear Old Greenland
Effigy
Frogs Singing (The Handsome Family)
Give it Away
When that Helicopter Comes
Something Biblical
Railroad Bill
Near Death Experience
Three White Horses
Pulaski at Night
Danse Caribe
Drunk By Noon (The Handsome Family)
Tables and Chairs
[break]
MX Missiles
Cathedral in the Dell (The Handsome Family)
Don’t Be Scared (The Handsome Family)