ANDREW BIRD 2009 DATES TO CONCLUDE WITH INTIMATE “GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT” PERFORMANCES

AUSTIN CITY LIMITS TV PERFORMANCE AIRING OCTOBER 24
LATE NIGHT WITH JIMMY FALLON DEBUT OCTOBER 30

As his current North American tour winds down with a set on Austin City Limits (October 24), a performance of “Anonanimal” from his acclaimed Noble Beast on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (October 30) and a sold out finale’ at Washington DC’s 9:30 Club, Bird has announced a series of intimate solo performances to conclude his 2009 work year, built around the concept of “Gezelligheid.”Gezelligheid is a Dutch term that can only be approximately translated into English using the word “coziness,” a term that fails to fully describe the more intensely warm, amicable and joyous atmosphere the word expresses in its native language. For these unusual first-time events, Bird will play solo, concentrating mainly on instrumental violin pieces. Bird will also eschew a typical P.A. for these performances, instead utilizing more of his signature giant horns to amplify his violin playing. Ambient light sources will be used in place of traditional overhead lighting.

Bird explains in his own words: “What I hope to do with these shows is adapt my music completely to the atmosphere of the space and the season. I’m inspired to do this based on childhood memories of performing Handel’s Messiah in various churches on an annual basis. The music will be mostly original instrumentals using my voice only to intone. I want the audience to be both lifted and comforted as we head into another cold and dark winter. I feel the space should be sacred so the audience can experience my music in a different atmosphere.”

The Gezelligheid Concerts will take place December 10 & 11 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Minneapolis and Dec 15, 16 & 17 at the 4th Presbyterian Church in Chicago. For information on tickets to these shows, as well as other current and newly added dates, go to http://www.andrewbird.net

ANDREW BIRD 2009-2010–New Dates In Bold:
10/21/09 – Buffalo, NY – Asbury Hall
10/24/09 – S. Portland, ME – S. Portland High School Auditorium
10/25/09 – Philadelphia, PA – Electric Factory
10/26/09 – Burlington, VT – Higher Ground
10/27/09 – Providence, RI – Lupo’s
10/28/09 – Washington, DC – 9:30 Club
11/10/09 – London, UK – Union Chapel
11/11/09 – London, UK – Union Chapel
11/13/09 – Paris, FR – Casino de Paris
11/15/09 – Amsterdam, NL – Melkweg MAX
11/16/09 – Tumhout, BE – de Warande
11/17/09 – Gent, BE – Vooruit
11/19/09 – Katowice, PL – Festival Ars Cameralis
11/21/09 – Madrid, ES – Joy Eslava
11/23/09 – Valencia, ES – Palau de la Musica
11/24/09 – Barcelona, ES – Sala Apolo
12/08/09 – Champaign, IL – Foellinger Hall – solo
12/10/09 – Minneapolis, MN – St Mark’s Episcopal Church (GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT)
12/11/09 – Minneapolis, MN – St Mark’s Episcopal Church (GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT)
12/15/09 – Chicago, IL – 4th Presbyterian Church (GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT)
12/16/09 – Chicago, IL – 4th Presbyterian Church (GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT)
12/17/09 – Chicago, IL – 4th Presbyterian Church (GEZELLIGHEID CONCERT)

12/30/09 – Marion Bay, AU – The Falls Music & Arts Festival
12/31/09 – Lorne, AU – The Falls Music & Arts Festival
01/01/10 – Melbourne, AU – The Hi-Fi
01/03/10 – Sydney, AU – Sydney Opera House
01/07/10 – Brisbane, AU – Sunset Sounds
01/09/10 – Busselton, AU – Southbound Festival
1/26/09 – Singapore – The Esplanade
1/27/09 – Hong Kong – Grappa’s Cellar
1/29/09 – Shanghai – Zhijiang Dream Factory
1/30/09 – Beijing – Mao Live House
02/03/10 – Tokyo, JP – Club Quattro
02/06/10 – Honolulu, HI – Pipeline Cafe – solo
02/20/10 – Los Angeles, CA – USC – Bovard Auditorium – solo