Yesterday evening, Ashley, Ry, and I made the 125 mile trip to Newport, KY for our second Andrew BIrd show this year. The weather was horrible. Dreary and snowing. Yes, in mid-April. However, as we rolled in to Newport, we were in for a pleasant treat. It is a darling little town, and we have decided to go back when it’s warmer and explore it. Check out some online photos of it. Who knew it was even there, right across the river from Cincinnati? Beautiful bridges and evening lights. Beautiful drive home at 1am.

But yes, Andrew Bird at Southgate House, which is a lovely venue, but didn’t quite have the abandoned mansion atmosphere I’d hoped for, even though that’s exactly what it is. The people were super friendly though, so that was nice.

Courtney Tidwell was the opener. She had a very cool voice with a lot of dynamics to it, but I didn’t really fall in love with her performance. We decided it’d be great soundtrack music.

But Andrew Bird did not let us down. I think it was the best of the three shows I’ve been to, even though they played all but 4 new songs: Imitosis, Fiery Crash, Plasticities, Spare-ohs, Armchairs, Dark Matter, Simple X (written by Dosh), Scythian Empires, Hertetics, Fake Palindromes, Skin, Why?, & Tables and Chairs.

Those last few older songs were definitely the highlight. He did something completely crazy with all of them. The girl behind me just said “wow” after Fake Palindromes. Everyone pretty much went crazy. The Jeremy guy played electric guitar with it. I wish I had a video of the show. Probably never hear those songs like that again. “Why?” was just magical…he’d pause for like 4 seconds. It was awesome.

So we of course stuck around after the show. Dosh said the three of them decided this was their favorite show of the tour when they left the stage. It was obvious they were having a good time. After the first song, Andrew said “We decided we feel like rocking, so hopefully that’s what you were expecting because that’s what we’re going to do.”

I made friends with both of the guys again. I asked Andrew what his favorite word was but he thought I said bird, so he said “Jaybirds…actually, Magpies. They have big heads.” so then I said “oh, i actually said word, not bird but birds are cool.” so he laughed and said “yes, definitely magpies”. Then I had to ask where he got his tie and apparently a friend of his made it. I totally got a full smile from him, dimples and all, which Ashley noted as soon as I walked away. She was like “Dude! You got a full smile. He wouldn’t even smirk for us.” Just wait, one day Andrew & I will be good friends. I have full faith.

Also, this story is a secret but I think I can post it here. At the last show, Alex had Andrew sign his vinyl “and there will be snacks”, and Andrew just gave him a strange look but signed it anyway. Well, for weeks, yes weeks, folllowing the show, Alex was being depressed around the house so Amy asked him why. “I think Andrew Bird hates me,” he said. So we bought one of the limited run posters (only 500 made) and told Andrew that our friend had been depressed and upset because he thought Andrew thought he was a complete moron having him sign the snacks line. We asked him to sign the poster “Yes, Alex, there will be snacks” but he added to it “both salty & savory”. hahaha so we are waiting until we’re all together to present alex with his new poster. It will be grand.

I talked to Dosh right before we left to tell him I was glad he played a little solo stuff right at the start of the show. So he said he’s going to start touring with his own thing and will likely be through Indy again in 6-9 months so I should keep an eye out. I got the high-five handshake. He liked me, too.

So we didn’t get home until after 3am, but it was soo worth it. I never get tired of his shows. Just rocks my world.

I forget about this thing called YouTube. Here’s a little Andrew Bird for your viewing pleasure.