Birdy w/ Lawrence Taylor
Neumos, Seattle, WA
06.29.16
At just 20 years old, and already on tour supporting her third full-length album, Birdy’s live performance in Seattle was an impressively understated and beautifully executed night of music. The sold out crowd at Neumos, packed to the rafters, remained rapt from the moment the British songstress took the stage. Birdy kicked off the set with “Growing Pains,” the lead track off the recently released Beautiful Lies, it’s mid-tempo beat and airy vocals melting into just one example of the artist’s masterful hooks.
Accompanied by a five-piece band, including a violin, and no less that four keyboards, Birdy worked a solid set that showed off both her newer original work and the moody covers that she originally earned renown for. Whether it was her softened electro-pop version of The Naked and Famous’s “Young Blood,” The National’s “Terrible Love,” or her first major hit, a haunting cover of Bon Iver’s “Skinny Love,” her execution was spot on.
Looking around the room, the crowd was singing along to every word, requisite phones up recording the tender lyricist in her shimmering black unitard, long hair flowing down to her waist. There’s an interesting combo happening in Birdy’s self-presentation right now, somewhere between slick electro-pop and bohemian folk, and it seems to be working in her favor, setting her apart from the masses with a bittersweet personality. While her voice was somewhat overwhelmed by the mass of instrumentation in the small room, every moment was on point, perfect for swaying along.
Opening the night was another Brit singer-songwriter, Lawrence Taylor. He delivered a short set of infectious solo guitar melodies, laced with falsetto. His moody tracks are well-crafted and catchy. Taylor released his debut EP Bang Bang this spring and its soulful sounds are enchanting, all slow builds and echoing power.
Review by Stephanie Dore
Photos by Phillip Johnson
Birdy
Lawrence Taylor
