8 responses to “Concert Review: Andrew Bird at the Modern Wing of the Art Institute of Chicago (WXRT’s Night at the Museum)”

  1. Jason Fistner

    Your pics suggest you were at the front center table. Is that right? If so, there were two fellow Pennsylvanians at the table behind you.

  2. Jason Fistner

    Haha no way. I noticed you were definitely were a real bird fan as you were taking down the setlist at the same times as me- and I’m a musician and know all the technical intricacies of what he’s doing. That’s why I couldn’t help but laugh at the very end of ‘Scythian’ as he was playing with the knobs of the loop pedal, the side of his foot grazed the one button sending it back into ‘normal speed time’. His countenance went ‘oh shit’ and he shut it down immediately. The same thing has happened to me hundreds of times. My friend thought I was being rude, but I just couldn’t help it- this is the precarious nature of his performance that he thrives on. About the setlist… I was thinking, “why am I even doing this when she’s got it under control?” Are you a musician too? We are both still current Pennsylvanians (but not much longer for me). I drove all the way from Bethlehem, PA- if you have any clue where that is. (Allentown might be a better marker.) My friend was from Pittsburgh who randomly happened to be in Chicago. I didn’t even know it until hours before the show. She had never even heard of Andrew before but I can’t think of a better way to introduce someone to his music. What an amazing night! I was cutting through Chicago on my way across country. I absolutely loved it there. I’m actually in LA now. I should be making my way back through Chicago during the week of the 11th. I’ll be following your site trying to line up my trip with something to do. Great site and excellent review by the way. Cheers. 🙂

  3. Jason Fistner
  4. Jason Fistner

    Yea the improvisational, precarious, perilous nature of his shows are what makes them so interesting. That’s cool that you’re a musician too. Are you bad at all that you listed or just the guitar? 😛
    This is getting even stranger because I, too, am a PSU alum (’00-’05 Psychology, Computer Engineering). Actually, that day I had just arrived from Happy Valley for the Penn St – Temple game weekend. By the way, going back made me feel really, really old. I’m not sure how old you are but I don’t recommend it.
    This transcontinental adventure is the first time I’ve been west of State College. My one night in Chicago was amazing! But I didn’t get to see much of the city. I’m hoping to catch more on the return trip- maybe even 2 nights. It will be tough because I’m still in LA and headed to SF on Tues and Portland on Thurs. I was going to go to Seattle but I need to get back home for the Hammock show in Philly on the 17th. It will be interesting. I’ll be checking in to see what’s going on in Chicago. If I see something or even if there’s something you’d recommend I’ll skip Seattle. 🙂

  5. Jason Fistner

    ha it didn’t take first one. it just disappeared into the atmosphere (but I should know not to worry about the atmosphere, right?) and i rewrote the second from memory. now it just seems odd. delete the former. thanks haha