Andrew Bird Goes To Church

Andrew Bird has lined up some unique gigs in Chicago and Minneapolis.

This December, Bird will play churches in Minneapolis and his home base of Chicago. According to a press release, these shows are based around the Dutch concept of Gezelligheid, or, roughly, "coziness": "a term that fails to fully describe the more intensely warm, amicable and joyous atmosphere the word expresses in its native language." Bird, playing entirely solo, will mostly focus on instrumental violin pieces. He'll use ambient lighting instead of overhead lights and giant horns instead of P.A. systems. Also, he'll serve donut holes at post-show meetups in the basement. (OK, I made that last part up.)

Here's what Bird says about the Gezelligheid shows: "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."

12-10 Minneapolis, MN - Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral (Gezelligheid show)
12-11 Minneapolis, MN - Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral (Gezelligheid show)
12-15 Chicago, IL - Fourth Presbyterian Church (Gezelligheid show)
12-16 Chicago, IL - Fourth Presbyterian Church (Gezelligheid show)
12-17 Chicago, IL - Fourth Presbyterian Church (Gezelligheid show)

[via Pitchfork]