SANDY BIRD
CONCERT CHRONOLOGY
2011
CONCERT CHRONOLOGY
2011
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07.03.2010 -
Berlin, HAU2
Supporting: Moddi
Attendance: ca. 200
Soundcheck: included Tiny Spiderwebs, Bambaloo
Time: 35 min
Set: New song -> Bambaloo -> Restless antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: After six months Sandy Bird return to the stage again with their first concert appearance since Flink Festival 21.08.2010! This is the first concert with new bass player Marc Gundermann. The setting for this debut couldn't be more exquisite: The band supports Norwegian singer/songwriter newcomer Moddi whom the press notoriously dubs "Björks little brother". The show takes place at independent off theater Hebbel am Ufer (HAU). This is the theater's medium sized stage and it's a grand setting for a concert (similiar to Dresden 16.03.2010). A wide and deep stage allows both bands to set up their gear besides each other and there is a lot of room on the stage and for the lights to illuminate a giant blank wall behind the stage. The audience sits on on the floor of wooden stairs that ascend from the floor. Unfortunately there is a 4 meter gap between the stage and the first row of the crowd. However, the setting directs everyone's undivided attention to the music and so the crowd listens focusedly throughout the set in total silence. The sound is great. Dennis enters the stage first and sets up a loop before Vanessa, Sten and Marc come onto the stage and pick up their instruments. They begin with a new instrumental that starts slowly and builds up only to ebb away again after four minutes in a classic post rockish way. Next up is the rechristened "The ravelling sea", now called "Bambaloo" ("released" as CD-single at this very show), which segues into yet another new piece called "Restless antipole". This is the weirder and more interesting piece of music of the two new song debuts, featuring spoken words by Vanessa, some unexpected hooks and turns and Xylophone work by Sten. The second half of this very short set is devoted to two Sandy Bird classics and they are being delivered with emphasis on the noisy climaxes, particularly "Tiny spiderwebs" pleases with a very powerful and loud peak. Before "April showers" Dennis says that they are Sandy Bird and thanks the audience who gives a warm and long applause. Naturally this is not the band's greatest concert -- they are much too concentrated on the playing and visibly strained by the opportunity to play this important support -- but it is a good performance and is is apparent there is a lot of room for the new pieces to merge into the band's repertoire. Marc leaves an impression as excellent bass player and by sporting cool and sexy rock & roll antics (watch him bang that tom!). It's so good to have the Birds back!
pictures (by Susann)
23.03.2011 - Berlin, Lovelite
Supported by: Thomas Naylor
Attendance: 110
Time: 60 Min
Set: New Intro -> The second cry Pt. IV -> Restless antipole -> All women are witches -> Tiny spiderwebs -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers // Bambaloo
Notes: Sandy Bird's 50th concert! A nice crowd gathers on this Wednesday night to see the first Sandy Bird headlining concert since Flink Festival. This concert introduces Marc Gundermann on bass to fans and friends (most of whom didn't attend the previous support concert for Moddi). After Thomas Naylor's support set of laptop electronica Sandy Bird takes the sparsely but elegantly lit stage supported by projections on a screen behind their backs. Right from the beginning, when they slowly indulge in the new intro, it's obvious that the band feels much more confident about their playing than at the previous show. The Sandy Bird universe unfolds beautifully and an early highlight is met when the band organically launches "The second cry Pat. IV" followed by the great new "Restless antipole". After two more very welcome Sandy Bird classics they debut another entirely new piece of music. The silent and attentive audience applauds loudly and persistantly during the encore break so the band smilingly returns to the stage to perform the new single "Bambaloo" as sole encore! The beautiful Michi-designed poster for this show was silkscreen printed in two colour variations (green and grey) and sold at the merch.
poster
a picture
pictures (by Susann)
02.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 2x 60-70
Time: 55 min / 47 min
First set: The second cry Pt. IV, Restless antipole, Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers, Bambaloo
Second set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Restless antipole, Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: On a lovely spring Saturday Sandy Bird decides to play spontaneously and unannounced on the street in front of the Künstlerhaus Tacheles (instead of rehearsing at the rehearsal room). Almost to the day one year ago they played a similiar concert inside the Künstlerhaus at Alexandr Ronin's gallery on the fifth floor (another Tacheles concert was played at Café Zapata 09.05.2010). This time however, the band gets just gets a cable with power supply from one of the ground-floor galleries and sets up on the sidewalk. Oranienburger Straße of course is tourist central on such a day and as soon as the band begins to play a strong crowd gathers to watch the band, smart phones and cameras come out and the tourists from all over the world enjoy to have stumbled upon this crazy band from Berlin. Despite the lively enviroment -- tramways and cars, bachelor parties on a silly gang car as well as normal pedestrians can be heard going by -- Sandy Bird manages to captivate their crowd and when both sets reach their first really quiet part during the very intro to "All women are witches" no one dares to say a word and everyone listens and holds his breath. The sets are spontaneous and loose affairs, the band plays liberated from their normal antics which brings out a good mood, smiles and a wonderful lightheartedness, which is a pleasant and benificial diversion from a regular Sandy Bird concert where everything has its place and is meant to be perfect. Today they allow themselves a few flubs here and there and given the technical circumstances their are not as tight as in a normal show. However, listening to them just there on the sidewalk with the guitar and violin blasting out of the amps across the street is great and intense! For the people of Tacheles and their supporters as well as anyone interested in the development of Berlin this gig has also a prevailing urgency as the Tacheles is endangered to be evicted from their premises more than ever as a sale by court order will take place the following Monday. During the first set Dennis briefly mentions this and whishes the Tacheles best of luck. The band sells all the CDs they brought as well as a few tapes, this gig indeed breaks all previous merchandise sale records. Altogether a wonderful afternoon with Sandy Bird in Berlin-Mitte!
pictures
06.04.2011 - Berlin, White Trash Fast Food, Diamond Lounge
Supporting: Arbouretum
Attendance: ca. 70-90
Time: 50 mins
Set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song (21er) -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: Another support job for Sandy Bird. This time though they play together with folk rockers Arbouretum from Baltimore, MD whose bass-heavy cosmic space sound bears little resemblance to the many indie and post rock outfits like Efterklang, Ef, Moddi, Mimas, Washington or Savoy Grand whom Sandy Bird have supported in the last two years. Regarding sound, mind-set and musical approach Arbouretum have most in common with Canadian doom rockers Nadja whom Sandy Bird supported early in 2009 (and who would play Berlin's best small venue Schokoladen the next day). About 120 music devoted people show up for the concert and a large part of them gets to see Sandy Bird. The concert takes place in the White Trash's Diamond lounge where close to the stage a perfect concert experience can be enjoyed -- the sound is really great and the setting is intimate. The Birds play a great set that is executed very carefully and tenderly in the quiet chamber music parts but doesn't go all the way to the noisy peaks, the energy is a bit contained tonight. After about half an hour into the set the band loses the attention of part of the listeners so some in the back begin to talk. The first rows however are still listening attentively and nodding along to the groove. Apart from Dennis flubbing the loop in "April showers" this is a set that features Sandy Bird in perfection. Later on Arbouretum would play a mindblowing show...
flyer
Blitzgigs preview
setlist
pictures
Berliner Zeitung review
10.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 60-80
Time: 80 mins / 50 mins / 50 mins
First Set: Tacheles I -> The second cry Pt. IV, Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song (21er) -> April showers bring forth May flowers // Risk - Reward - Ratio, Bambaloo
Second Set: Tachleles II, Tacheles III -> The second cry Pt. IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs
Third set: Tacheles III -> April showers bring forth May flowers -> All women are witches -> Time -> New song (21er)
Notes: Sandy Bird performs at Tacheles again! One week after their first spontaneous street concert in front of the Kunsthaus Tacheles they take the street again (only announcing it on Facebook two hours ahead of the concert). Since the band's concert the previous Saturday an important week had passed for the Tacheles. The sale by court order had been abandoned on Monday 04.04.2011 but the following day one part of the Tacheles users -- who are split into opposing user groups -- did accept to leave the building in return for a payment of 1 million Euro. So the ground floor cafés like Café Zapata (where Sandy Bird has performed on 09.05.2010) but also including the bars in the backyard are closed now. The galleries however remain in the buidling and the artists' camp on parts of the huge free space behind the buidling is still intact and open. However, Tacheles is less lively now (especially in the evenings) which is not the worst thing: The pub crawl crowd and the dope dealers are gone and the audience visiting the building is more likeable now. While this is another wonderful spring week-end the temperature is lower than last time and due to a pretty strong breeze it's pretty uncomfortable to stay in the shade for longer -- and because the Tacheles is not on the sunny side of the street (quite literally) the band gets pretty cold after a while. Additionally Oranienburger Strasse is not as crowded as on a Saturday because many people attend a fleamarket on Sunday or week-end tourists leave the city again so fewer people assemble for the sets. Many though stop and listen to a few songs or the whole set, some return for the second and third set. Cameras are of course being pulled out again by the tourists. Due to the band's set-up many of those who decide to watch the band play stand and sit a bit far away behind Sten and there is less interaction with and contact to the crowd than last week. However, because they play longer today than last time the previous week's merchandise sale record is being broken. And what a marathon concert they play! Today a fan's dream comes true as the band plays a spectacular record-breaking concert that features their regular set as well old favourites, new pieces and a great deal of experimentation, improvisation and jamming. Apart from the second set in Poznan 19.06.2010 this is the most improvised Sandy Bird concert to date. Having just been called "jazzig jammend" in a Berliner Zeitung review of the Arbouretum support gig they fully rise up to make this statement true today. Shortly before 14:00 Sandy Bird begins the first set with a 12 minute improvisation ("Tacheles I") that is driven by a layered vocal loop by Dennis (featuring distinguishable lyrics) with added sounds and beats by the others while the piece is building up. A very cool beginning that segues right into "The second cry Pt. IV" which gets their regular set rolling. It seems as if the band is turned up louder than last time so both the loud and quiet parts are more intense and the vocals can be heard better as well. Like always there is a bit of a freak-scene going around Tacheles with some bums, homeless and old "bohemians" hanging around the complex. During the climax of "The second cry Pt. IV", right after the drumming, one of them, a toothless bum who spawns a gallows rope hanging around his neck, steps up to the mic and let's out some screams that fit quite well to the music at this very point. The band notices his contribution with a smile. He would return to drum a little during "All women are witches". The set then continues loud and intense, especially the the loud parts (e.g. the build up in "All women are witches") are being given a tribal quality. Again the band allows itself the freedom not to be tight although they strive to deliver a good performance but small flubs and glitches are being ackknowlegded with good tempered smiles and laughs. Unexpectedly a huge surprise (and highlight!) comes at the beginning of the first set encore (the only encore tonight) when they jam their way into the middle part of "Risk - Reward - Ratio" which had left the active repertoire in the summer of 2009 when it was played the last time at Fusion Festival and which had been performed only once more on 22.12.2009 -- wow! They play parts of the middle-jam and finish with the proper coda of the song, including Dennis's Sonic Youth influenced vocal part. "Bambaloo" regularly wraps up the first set which happens to be the longest single set since 22.12.2009! After a 25 minute intermission the second set informally begins with Dennis alone playing some ambient guitar drones and one by one the other band members eventually join him. Patiently and tenderly they build up this seemingly free-form improvisational piece ("Tacheles II") until it gets louder and more intense. During the course of this 20 minute jam they feature many known style elements of the band's musical register including additional percussion (by Vanessa and Marc) as well as xylophone by Sten. A third improvised new piece ("Tacheles III") follows this opening jam and this is were the second set peaks for the first time, from now on this set set is one continued highlight. This second improvistion is a more stuctured piece (a new song to be which they rehearsed once), a percussive and rhythmical affair featuring intense and beautiful riffing by Dennis and sexy shaker moves by Marc. It is now that the Birds really take off, forgetting everything around them and just flying away as a perfect unit! This great new piece of music segues into the second version of "The second cry Pt. IV" we hear today. Having more or less improvised for the last 30 minutes though the band is now in perfect sync and they extend the quiet parts significantly making this a stand-out version. "Tiny spiderwebs", too, is unusually prolonged by means of blistering noise rock! The feedback and loops are buzzing and Dennis adds layers and layers of noise that makes one want to sit inside his amp in order to soak in all details of this fantastic space rock number! This loud peak finishes the 50 minute long second set with an exclamation mark! This would have been enough to satisfy any Sandy Bird fan but after another 20 minute intermission the band begins to play again. They repeat the great "Tacheles III" improvisation and let it segue into "April showers" this time. This is the regular version except for the end where the loop-noise is prolonged dramatically until it seamlessly segues into "All women are witches". Sure enough more surprises are in store in this set. "All women" segues into "Time" the way it does on the "Valeur Aratoire"-tape! "Time", too, was performed the last time on 22.12.2009! The last number in the set is the instrumental ("21er") which was introduced 2,5 weeks ago at Lovelite. Given the improvisation treatment too the piece is prolonged in the ending by means of a noise jam that features slight traces of "Industrial" (last time played in 07.08.2010) before it ends abruptly when the band gets out of sync and doesn't know where to go from here. A loud applause follows by the crowd (which also includes a few Sandy Bird fans who had sat through all three sets) finishing this sensational afternoon! With these three sets put together Sandy Bird have played their longest concert to this date and this is indeed the best show in 2011 yet. With the establishment of this regular street concert on week-ends a fan's wildest dream comes true. See you next week at Tacheles!
pictures
more pictures (by Nora)
Excerpt of "All women are witches" (Set I) on YouTube
Excerpt of "Tacheles II"on YouTube
Excerpt of "Tacheles III" (Set III) on YouTube
22.04.2011 - Berlin , Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 60-80 / ca. 100 / ca. 30
Time: ca. 50 min / ? / 35 min
First set: The Second Cry I, III, IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> Tacheles improvisation II (8er) -> All Woman Are Witches
Second set: Seaman IV -> The Second Cry II-IV -> Tacheles improvisation III -> April Showers Bring Forth May Flower -> Bambaloo -> Jam -> Land in Sicht -> Bambaloo
Third set: Improvisation -> New song -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> Bambaloo
Notes: For the third time this spring/month (after 02.04.2011 and 10.04.2011) Sandy Bird performs on the street in front of Tacheles. After their last performance the turmoil surrounding the Künstlerhaus had continued when the bank who owns the estate had built a wall (a very symbolic act in Berlin of all places) right through the Tacheles premises in order to prevent the artists from accessing the huge free space in the back of the building which housed an artists' camp so far. The Tacheles answered with a demo and concert on 16.04. demanding "Die Mauer muss weg". This Easter week-end Oranienburger is hustling with tourists more than ever so the band meets the biggest crowd at Tacheles yet. Especially during the second set a very large crowd gathers, even standing on the street almost blocking off the traffic and the trams. Due to Easter being so late in the year it feels more like Pentecoste week-end: Trees and flowers are in full spring, the sun is shining and the temperatures peak at 24°C -- the perfect day for such a concert. Again the band plays three sets. The experimentation mode is still way on although not to the same extent as last time (although there is a major surprise in the second set). At 16:00 the first set begins with "The second cry Pt. I, III and IV". An improvised new piece follows after "Tiny spiderwebs". And while this number is seemingly built on the structure of the "Tacheles III" improvisation played the last time it is heavily reworked today. During the intro to "All women are witches" Vanessa plays the bird-voice simulator again which was frequently used in the fall 2009 (captured on "Valeur Aratoire") but has not been played too many times ever since. It's a lovely moment as the band plays underneath a tree and the tweeting of the birds who live in that tree joins the band's sound. The second set begins with a new loop piece by Dennis called "Seaman IV" featuring lyrics "Living in a boy's adventure tale". The biggest surprise however in the second set is an extended 10 min+ jam on "Bambaloo" that also features a quote of Ton Steine Scherben's "Land in Sicht". The third and last set begins at 19:15 with a 20 minute experimental piece that also includes the reworked "Tacheles III" song. Just when the last sounds of the last set fade away the cops arrive to announce that there have been complains from the neighbours and that the concert has to stop now.
pictures
"The second cry Pt. IV" (Set 1) on YouTube
"New song" (Set I) on YouTube
"Improvisation -> New song" (Set III) on YouTube
30.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
First set: unknown but included Sympathy for the devil-jam
Second set: unknown
Third set: unknown but included Bambaloo, Wild Horses and a song by Lenny Kravitz
Notes: On the day of Walpurgisnight Sandy Bird play another street concert in front of Tacheles. This is the weirdest concert of the four street gigs so far: Welcome to freakville! Today the weather is REALLY cold. Not many people can be met strolling on Oranienburgerstraße and the crowds who gather for the sets are much smaller than on previous occasions. In the end there is no audience left at all. What makes today's show so weird is that the scene is dominated by the folks who normally hang around Tacheles: Bums, freaks, excentric artists, toothless and drunk guys. Inevitably one guy engages in drumming (again). Reportedly the band plays three sets, with the last set being really short. The band continues to improvise and experiment and in fact today they bring out the biggest surprises yet: A "Sympathy for the devil"-jam occurs in the first set. In the third set they play another Stones number, "Wild horses", which they actually did once before at the improvised second set in Poznan 19.06.2010. Reportedly they also cover a Lenny Kravitz song...
pictures (by Sebastian Spiewok)
07.05.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 100-150
Time: 24 min
Set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Bambaloo -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: And it goes on: Another Saturday afternoon at Tacheles. Today a demonstration / Straßenfest is being held in front of Tacheles in order to protest against the wall which had been built by the estate's owner (compare the notes to 22.04.2011). This is the second demonstration after a first one was held on 16.04. (the Birds didn't play at Tacheles that day due to the demo). There is a small stage and several hundreds of people gather to take part in speeches, performances and music. There are many colourful people, artists, action painters and people in freaky fantasy costumes. Sandy Bird plays a very short set at about 17:00. During the first number a guy in a Chewbakka costume jumps on stage and dances and he receives cheers from the crowd -- the band smiles and continues to play. They add a new cool twist to the "Bambaloo" vocals but because they cannot hear themselves on stage the vocals are really sour in this version. The entire demonstration including the live performances are being webcast live but the organisers fade in a wrong band name when Sandy Bird comes on.
pictures
03.06.2011 - Berlin, Raum 20
With: I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, Skiing
Attendance: ca. 80
Soundcheck: included April showers, new song (both partial)
Time: 60 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> 8er -> All women are witches -> 21er -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: Finally Sandy Bird plays a gig in Neukölln, Berlin's recent epicentre of the new underground, hip and cool as well as home to a colourful and young international art and party scene (and Sten's hood!). Raum 20 is located in one of the shadier areas of the quarter, in the industrial wasteland around S-Bahn station Sonnenallee. Here, on Ziegrastraße, one is as far away as possible from the dense, busy and hustling inner city atmosphere that charakterizes the west end of Sonnenallee: Turkish wedding ballrooms coexist with car repair shops which have illegal written all over them. One side of Ziegrastraße is being bordered by the tail end of the Landwehrkanal with a giant metal garbage dump towering vis a vis of the estate where Raum 20 is located. Oddly enough, the Estrel Berlin, Berlin's biggest hotel complex, used for congresses and galas, is just a stone's throw away always looming in eye-sight on the south end of the street. A dirty and dark alley leads to the entrance and the stairs to Raum 20, a third-floor room in a non-descript industrial building. The club itself is as trashy as it gets -- even by Berlin standards. One of its greatest assets though is a banks of windows stretching along one entire side of the room offering a wide panoramic view of the area as well as revealing a wide Berlin sky. Due for showtime the typical young hipster crowds appears, sporting big glasses, 80s trousers and colours as well as fabric bags hanging from shoulders. Sandy Bird plays as first band around 23:00 to a crowded room. The band performs an intense set that features no less than four brand-new respectively newer pieces, two of them ("8er" and "9er") even debut tonight, although elements of those had been tried and tested during the string of Tacheles street concerts earlier this spring. The piece which the setlist calls "21er" had been debuted at Lovelite 23.03.2011. The show begins with a new piece featuring Dennis on the vocals which is a rare but welcome treat. Weird rhythms, difficult drum patterns, sudden changes of tempo and looming build-ups characterize this set which is one continous stream of music. Dennis grooves, often in sync with Sten and Marc gives us the rock star again. The crowd is captivated at first but 30 minutes into the set some talking begins due to the party character of the location and the event. The sheer amount of new material that dominates this set gives this concert a premiere type of feel -- Sandy Bird 2.0 featuring Marc on bass has finally arrived in a new place!
flyer
online flyer
setlist
pictures
09.06.2011 - Frankfurt/Oder, Unithea Festival, Gerstenberger Höfe
Attendance: 50-80
Soundcheck: Irrenhaus (Dennis solo, by Keimzeit), You gotta move (by The Rolling Stones), April showers (partial), Tiny spiderwebs (partial)
Time: ca. 65 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> 8er -> All women are witches -> 21er -> April showers bring forth May flowers // E: Bambaloo
Notes: Tonight the band truely delivers a highlight set in one of the best sounds heard at Sandy Bird-concert yet! Sandy Bird's concert debut in Frankfurt/Oder takes place at the university theatre festival Unithea which is run by students. The band plays the closing party which takes place open air in the yard of an old industrial complex that is now used by artists and small creative start ups. A pretty big stage is being put up for the only musical act of the day: Sandy Bird. After the final theatre plays of the festival are over Sandy Bird begins its set at 23:00. About 40 people are there to listen to the band in the beginning but during the first half of the set the crowd grows and ultimately about 80 people listen to the band. While many in the crowd engage in talking and chatting when the band begins the majority of the audience would suspend the chatting during the set and focus on the band and the music -- quite the opposite effect of what could be observed at the previous show at Raum 20. While most of the audience listens attentively a few people pull off a freak-show to the band's music by dancing wildly and uncontroledly, kissing each other and rolling on the floor at times. Another guy constantly plays his own percussion with two shakers. The real star tonight is the sound though: A well-balanced, rich and detailed sound enables us to hear every instrument and voice the way it should be heard. In fact this must be one of the best sounds at a Sandy Bird concert yet, together with 18.11.2009, 24.11.2009 and 03.07.2010. Therefore this is the perfect occasion to really GET the magic of Sandy Bird. In addition the new songs are elevated to a higher level today, they really work for the first time to this reviewer's ears, of course also thanks to the outstanding sound. The entire set is a highlight as the band is together and gels sublimely. The crowd applauds long and persistently so the Birds returns to the stage and encore with a very groovy rendition of "Bambaloo" wrapping up the best Sandy Bird concert of 2011 so far! Wow!
pictures by Susann
23.07.2011 Berlin, Dachterasse, Anklamer Str. 52 ("Über den Dächern")
Supporting: Crashcaptains
Attendance: 100
Time: 55 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 8er -> All Women Are Witches -> 21er
Notes: Sandy Bird performs on a roof-top in Berlin-Mitte. The semi-private event (attendees could sign up on Facebook and obtain tickets in advance with a limited supply of 100 tickets which were all sold) is organised by another local band called Crashcaptains. The roof terrace is a beautiful setting creating a summer party vibe (complete with DJ, barbeque and cold beer). There is a small stage and the terrace is decorated with paper birds and paper airplanes. Naturally one can enjoy a perfect view over the city center including views of Fernsehturm, Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, the Charité tower as well as the Siegesäule in the far distance. Shortly before Sandy Bird takes the stage at 19:20 as first band of the night the news spread among the attendees (with the help of smart phones) that Amy Winhouse had just passed away at the age of 27. Sandy Bird takes the stage and first Dennis thanks Crashcaptains for the invitation to this beautiful event. He introduces the band as "Sandy Bird vom Dach" and then they dive into the first number ("9er"), an intense newer song featuring vocals by Dennis. The sound is brilliant. With a great deal of patience and depth the band devotes themselves to creating the most detailed versions of their songs heard yet. In the mind of this reviewer this is quite natural as the band spent the previous two weeks in the studio cutting their first album so they know the material by heart. The new songs which account for the major portion of the set come to full bloom today (even more so than in the previous show) and there are many new exciting parts and arrangements. Also the old tunes are changed in many places. During "All women" Dennis breaks two guitar strings at once, that's why he has to change them after the tune had reached its first climax. The band bridges this moment with a very basic percussion groove-jam. The concert ends with a simply epic new number ("21er") that builds to an impressive post-rock explosion in the end. The band however, was convinced this was one of their worst show they have ever played, quite a clash of perspectives here. On the "setlist" (there was no physical setlist though) but not played: "April showers" and "Bambaloo".
poster
ticket front / ticket back
pictures by Susann
06.08.2011 - Hamburg, Knust
With: Golden Kanine, Spring Leads You Home Tonight
Attendance: ca. 250
Time: 53 min
Set: Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 9er -> All Women Are Witches -> April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers // E: 21er
Notes: Sandy Bird returns to Hamburg after exactly one year to play the "Knust Geburtstag" -- the 35th anniversary party of this venue -- again (the band has played this venue twice: on 24.11.2009 with Efterklang and on 07.08.2010). This is an insanely humid summer day. Half a dozen bands are scheduled to play on two stages, one indoor and one outdor. However, when inevitably the clouds open up and unleash their heavy summer rain the artists on the very small outdoor stage suffer a sad fate. The indoor stage greatly benefits from this situation though as hundreds of people flock inside the venue so that the first band on the big indoor stage, the local boys Spring Leads You Home Tonight, get the biggest crowd of this night, playing for several hundred people. Although the rain has stopped when Sandy Bird comes on around 23:00 the hall is filled very well with listening people, some in the first rows dance and enjoy with closed eyes. And wow, what a setting this is to see the band: A great stage and a wonderful light show combined with a brilliant and loud sound give you a feeling to a see a show by your favourite band for which you have bought a ticket for 25 bucks already half a year ago. The venue's owner, Norbert, introduces Sandy Bird telling the crowd the story of how he discovered them when they played the support for Efterklang and that he is proud to present them on this stage for so many people even though no-one knows them. He would again say this between the main set and the encore also mentioning that the band has merch to sell. The Birds then play a near flawless show that is very impressive and fat due to the conditions at this great venue. Dennis says hi and introduces the band name after "All women are witches". The new tracks "9er" and "21" clearly establish themselves as highlights in the current set. A huge show!
pictures by Susann
"Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs" on YouTube
13.08.2011 Berlin, Flink Festival, Lovelite
With: How How, Vomit Heat, Touchy Mob, Reverend Shine Snake Oil Co. a.m.o.
Attendance: ca. 30 Time: ca. 50 min
Set: Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 9er -> All Women Are Witches (broken off, unfinished), April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers
Notes: The last concert with Vanessa.
flyer front
flyer back
Zitty preview
Tip preview
Berliner Zeitung preview
setlist I
setlist II
pictures by Susann
"9er" on YouTube
13.10.2011 - Poznan, Meskalina (PL)
Attendance: ca. 30
Set: 7er -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner! (alter 9er) -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> Neuen 9er / Improvisation -> 21er -> April Showers
Notes: The first concert without Vanessa. The set works very well. There are a couple of new instruments like a Zylophon for Sten and a harmonium for Dennis. At one point Marc even sits down and plays an acoustic guitar. Sten also sings a few lines now. Raw and intense.
pictures by Susann
27.10.2011 - Oberhausen, Druckluft
With: Jason & Theodor
Attendance: ca. 10-15
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: The band returns to Druckluft where the "Valeur Aratoire" release concert took place 1,5 years ago. Although the band had been booked for the small room of the venue (the Café) the concert takes place in the 400-capacity hall. The hall is divided into smaller rooms with partitions but the venue is still hopelessly too big because only around ten paying guests show up...
28.10.2011 - Münster, Dachboden
With: Jason & Theodor
Attendance: ca. 50-60
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er // E: Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: This is the best show of this week-end, which also includes a concert in Oberhausen the day before and one in Solingen the day after. This is the band's concert debut in the well known student-town Münster. The venue is improvised and located in some attic, definitely not compliant with any security, static or fire protection standards. The band meets a good crowd. This show makes the entire trip to the west worthwile.
29.10.2011 - Solingen, Waldmeister
Attendance: ca. 10
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: Tonight, for the band's concert debut in Solingen, four paying guests show up. Sometime after the show during a long night fueled by a two-litre bottle of Jägermeister a long jam session ensues that finds everyone in attendance joining in on whatever instrument could be grabbed...
11.11.2011 - Berlin, Roter Salon
With: Kool Thing, CJ Boyd
Attendance: ca. 80
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: A Sandy Bird concert at Roter Salon is something this reviewer has dreamt of for a long time. The 250 capacity venue is one of the most beautiful in the city. Located in the side-wing of the theatre Volksbühne Roter Salon offers classy interiors, parquet floors, chandeliers, mirrors, paned double wing doors and cosy chairs in cosy corners. Tonight's show is being presented by Popmonitor, who also presented 20.11.2009 at NBI. The line up was chosen by Sandy Bird though. CJ Boyd jumped in for Glass & Fishes who were originally booked but cancelled on short notice (Sandy Bird and CJ Boyd both played Fusion 2010, on the same stage but on different days, but Dennis saw CJ perform the day after Sandy Bird's performance). Unfortunately the choice of the venue proves to be a bit too ambitious because the attendance is too little to really fill the club. It is however filled enough to make it feel just comfortable enough. Musically though the Birds have a huge surprise in store: Tonight's performance features Sonja Deffner on clarinet. Sonja is one girl in the duo Jason & Theodor (who played with Sandy Bird just last month in Oberhausen and Münster). She plays just on two or three songs (i.e. "Tiny Spiderwebs") and the dark textures of her clarinet provide very fitting and beautiful undertones to Sandy Bird's music. Unfortunately only half the audience listens to Sandy Bird, the other half engages in notorious and obnoxious chatter (it doesn't help that the bar is in the same room as the stage) effectively ruining the atmosphere of the gig. This gig looked so great on paper but turned out to be a bit of a premature and rather anticlimatic affair...
flyer front
flyer back
corrected online flyer
pictures by Susann
pictures by Olga (www.olgabaczynska.com)
exerpt on YouTube
"April showers" (excerpt) on YouTube
15.11.2011 - Hamburg, Astra Stube
With: I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream
Attendance: 40
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Happy Birthday Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers // E: The Second Cry Part III - IV
Notes: Finally after two years another concert at this fine venue. Astra Stube is a very peculiar and very urban place. This trashy but lovely micro venue offers room for up to 100 persons but feels already crowded with 10 persons inside thus offering perfect conditions for unknown bands who won't draw a big crowd in Germany's second biggest city. Sandy Bird bring their friends IHNMAIMS from Berlin (compare 03.06.2011) who play first. The Birds perform as a trio and deliver an intense and convincing performance, probably the best of the five trio shows yet. It's Dennis birthday the next day (16.11.) so at midnight his band members toast him. Quite appropriately "The second cry" is the perfect blast to end this night. Also in the audience: Norbert, owner and booker of Knust, where the band has performed numerous times since 2009. A local fan (and Motorpsycho friend of Äxl and Susann) who attended almost all Hamburg shows so far expresses his impressions in a mail afterwards:
presale
ticket coupon front
presale ticket coupon back
pictures
Supporting: Moddi
Attendance: ca. 200
Soundcheck: included Tiny Spiderwebs, Bambaloo
Time: 35 min
Set: New song -> Bambaloo -> Restless antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: After six months Sandy Bird return to the stage again with their first concert appearance since Flink Festival 21.08.2010! This is the first concert with new bass player Marc Gundermann. The setting for this debut couldn't be more exquisite: The band supports Norwegian singer/songwriter newcomer Moddi whom the press notoriously dubs "Björks little brother". The show takes place at independent off theater Hebbel am Ufer (HAU). This is the theater's medium sized stage and it's a grand setting for a concert (similiar to Dresden 16.03.2010). A wide and deep stage allows both bands to set up their gear besides each other and there is a lot of room on the stage and for the lights to illuminate a giant blank wall behind the stage. The audience sits on on the floor of wooden stairs that ascend from the floor. Unfortunately there is a 4 meter gap between the stage and the first row of the crowd. However, the setting directs everyone's undivided attention to the music and so the crowd listens focusedly throughout the set in total silence. The sound is great. Dennis enters the stage first and sets up a loop before Vanessa, Sten and Marc come onto the stage and pick up their instruments. They begin with a new instrumental that starts slowly and builds up only to ebb away again after four minutes in a classic post rockish way. Next up is the rechristened "The ravelling sea", now called "Bambaloo" ("released" as CD-single at this very show), which segues into yet another new piece called "Restless antipole". This is the weirder and more interesting piece of music of the two new song debuts, featuring spoken words by Vanessa, some unexpected hooks and turns and Xylophone work by Sten. The second half of this very short set is devoted to two Sandy Bird classics and they are being delivered with emphasis on the noisy climaxes, particularly "Tiny spiderwebs" pleases with a very powerful and loud peak. Before "April showers" Dennis says that they are Sandy Bird and thanks the audience who gives a warm and long applause. Naturally this is not the band's greatest concert -- they are much too concentrated on the playing and visibly strained by the opportunity to play this important support -- but it is a good performance and is is apparent there is a lot of room for the new pieces to merge into the band's repertoire. Marc leaves an impression as excellent bass player and by sporting cool and sexy rock & roll antics (watch him bang that tom!). It's so good to have the Birds back!
pictures (by Susann)
23.03.2011 - Berlin, Lovelite
Supported by: Thomas Naylor
Attendance: 110
Time: 60 Min
Set: New Intro -> The second cry Pt. IV -> Restless antipole -> All women are witches -> Tiny spiderwebs -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers // Bambaloo
Notes: Sandy Bird's 50th concert! A nice crowd gathers on this Wednesday night to see the first Sandy Bird headlining concert since Flink Festival. This concert introduces Marc Gundermann on bass to fans and friends (most of whom didn't attend the previous support concert for Moddi). After Thomas Naylor's support set of laptop electronica Sandy Bird takes the sparsely but elegantly lit stage supported by projections on a screen behind their backs. Right from the beginning, when they slowly indulge in the new intro, it's obvious that the band feels much more confident about their playing than at the previous show. The Sandy Bird universe unfolds beautifully and an early highlight is met when the band organically launches "The second cry Pat. IV" followed by the great new "Restless antipole". After two more very welcome Sandy Bird classics they debut another entirely new piece of music. The silent and attentive audience applauds loudly and persistantly during the encore break so the band smilingly returns to the stage to perform the new single "Bambaloo" as sole encore! The beautiful Michi-designed poster for this show was silkscreen printed in two colour variations (green and grey) and sold at the merch.
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a picture
pictures (by Susann)
02.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 2x 60-70
Time: 55 min / 47 min
First set: The second cry Pt. IV, Restless antipole, Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers, Bambaloo
Second set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Restless antipole, Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: On a lovely spring Saturday Sandy Bird decides to play spontaneously and unannounced on the street in front of the Künstlerhaus Tacheles (instead of rehearsing at the rehearsal room). Almost to the day one year ago they played a similiar concert inside the Künstlerhaus at Alexandr Ronin's gallery on the fifth floor (another Tacheles concert was played at Café Zapata 09.05.2010). This time however, the band gets just gets a cable with power supply from one of the ground-floor galleries and sets up on the sidewalk. Oranienburger Straße of course is tourist central on such a day and as soon as the band begins to play a strong crowd gathers to watch the band, smart phones and cameras come out and the tourists from all over the world enjoy to have stumbled upon this crazy band from Berlin. Despite the lively enviroment -- tramways and cars, bachelor parties on a silly gang car as well as normal pedestrians can be heard going by -- Sandy Bird manages to captivate their crowd and when both sets reach their first really quiet part during the very intro to "All women are witches" no one dares to say a word and everyone listens and holds his breath. The sets are spontaneous and loose affairs, the band plays liberated from their normal antics which brings out a good mood, smiles and a wonderful lightheartedness, which is a pleasant and benificial diversion from a regular Sandy Bird concert where everything has its place and is meant to be perfect. Today they allow themselves a few flubs here and there and given the technical circumstances their are not as tight as in a normal show. However, listening to them just there on the sidewalk with the guitar and violin blasting out of the amps across the street is great and intense! For the people of Tacheles and their supporters as well as anyone interested in the development of Berlin this gig has also a prevailing urgency as the Tacheles is endangered to be evicted from their premises more than ever as a sale by court order will take place the following Monday. During the first set Dennis briefly mentions this and whishes the Tacheles best of luck. The band sells all the CDs they brought as well as a few tapes, this gig indeed breaks all previous merchandise sale records. Altogether a wonderful afternoon with Sandy Bird in Berlin-Mitte!
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06.04.2011 - Berlin, White Trash Fast Food, Diamond Lounge
Supporting: Arbouretum
Attendance: ca. 70-90
Time: 50 mins
Set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song (21er) -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: Another support job for Sandy Bird. This time though they play together with folk rockers Arbouretum from Baltimore, MD whose bass-heavy cosmic space sound bears little resemblance to the many indie and post rock outfits like Efterklang, Ef, Moddi, Mimas, Washington or Savoy Grand whom Sandy Bird have supported in the last two years. Regarding sound, mind-set and musical approach Arbouretum have most in common with Canadian doom rockers Nadja whom Sandy Bird supported early in 2009 (and who would play Berlin's best small venue Schokoladen the next day). About 120 music devoted people show up for the concert and a large part of them gets to see Sandy Bird. The concert takes place in the White Trash's Diamond lounge where close to the stage a perfect concert experience can be enjoyed -- the sound is really great and the setting is intimate. The Birds play a great set that is executed very carefully and tenderly in the quiet chamber music parts but doesn't go all the way to the noisy peaks, the energy is a bit contained tonight. After about half an hour into the set the band loses the attention of part of the listeners so some in the back begin to talk. The first rows however are still listening attentively and nodding along to the groove. Apart from Dennis flubbing the loop in "April showers" this is a set that features Sandy Bird in perfection. Later on Arbouretum would play a mindblowing show...
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Blitzgigs preview
setlist
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Berliner Zeitung review
10.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 60-80
Time: 80 mins / 50 mins / 50 mins
First Set: Tacheles I -> The second cry Pt. IV, Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> All women are witches -> New song (21er) -> April showers bring forth May flowers // Risk - Reward - Ratio, Bambaloo
Second Set: Tachleles II, Tacheles III -> The second cry Pt. IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs
Third set: Tacheles III -> April showers bring forth May flowers -> All women are witches -> Time -> New song (21er)
Notes: Sandy Bird performs at Tacheles again! One week after their first spontaneous street concert in front of the Kunsthaus Tacheles they take the street again (only announcing it on Facebook two hours ahead of the concert). Since the band's concert the previous Saturday an important week had passed for the Tacheles. The sale by court order had been abandoned on Monday 04.04.2011 but the following day one part of the Tacheles users -- who are split into opposing user groups -- did accept to leave the building in return for a payment of 1 million Euro. So the ground floor cafés like Café Zapata (where Sandy Bird has performed on 09.05.2010) but also including the bars in the backyard are closed now. The galleries however remain in the buidling and the artists' camp on parts of the huge free space behind the buidling is still intact and open. However, Tacheles is less lively now (especially in the evenings) which is not the worst thing: The pub crawl crowd and the dope dealers are gone and the audience visiting the building is more likeable now. While this is another wonderful spring week-end the temperature is lower than last time and due to a pretty strong breeze it's pretty uncomfortable to stay in the shade for longer -- and because the Tacheles is not on the sunny side of the street (quite literally) the band gets pretty cold after a while. Additionally Oranienburger Strasse is not as crowded as on a Saturday because many people attend a fleamarket on Sunday or week-end tourists leave the city again so fewer people assemble for the sets. Many though stop and listen to a few songs or the whole set, some return for the second and third set. Cameras are of course being pulled out again by the tourists. Due to the band's set-up many of those who decide to watch the band play stand and sit a bit far away behind Sten and there is less interaction with and contact to the crowd than last week. However, because they play longer today than last time the previous week's merchandise sale record is being broken. And what a marathon concert they play! Today a fan's dream comes true as the band plays a spectacular record-breaking concert that features their regular set as well old favourites, new pieces and a great deal of experimentation, improvisation and jamming. Apart from the second set in Poznan 19.06.2010 this is the most improvised Sandy Bird concert to date. Having just been called "jazzig jammend" in a Berliner Zeitung review of the Arbouretum support gig they fully rise up to make this statement true today. Shortly before 14:00 Sandy Bird begins the first set with a 12 minute improvisation ("Tacheles I") that is driven by a layered vocal loop by Dennis (featuring distinguishable lyrics) with added sounds and beats by the others while the piece is building up. A very cool beginning that segues right into "The second cry Pt. IV" which gets their regular set rolling. It seems as if the band is turned up louder than last time so both the loud and quiet parts are more intense and the vocals can be heard better as well. Like always there is a bit of a freak-scene going around Tacheles with some bums, homeless and old "bohemians" hanging around the complex. During the climax of "The second cry Pt. IV", right after the drumming, one of them, a toothless bum who spawns a gallows rope hanging around his neck, steps up to the mic and let's out some screams that fit quite well to the music at this very point. The band notices his contribution with a smile. He would return to drum a little during "All women are witches". The set then continues loud and intense, especially the the loud parts (e.g. the build up in "All women are witches") are being given a tribal quality. Again the band allows itself the freedom not to be tight although they strive to deliver a good performance but small flubs and glitches are being ackknowlegded with good tempered smiles and laughs. Unexpectedly a huge surprise (and highlight!) comes at the beginning of the first set encore (the only encore tonight) when they jam their way into the middle part of "Risk - Reward - Ratio" which had left the active repertoire in the summer of 2009 when it was played the last time at Fusion Festival and which had been performed only once more on 22.12.2009 -- wow! They play parts of the middle-jam and finish with the proper coda of the song, including Dennis's Sonic Youth influenced vocal part. "Bambaloo" regularly wraps up the first set which happens to be the longest single set since 22.12.2009! After a 25 minute intermission the second set informally begins with Dennis alone playing some ambient guitar drones and one by one the other band members eventually join him. Patiently and tenderly they build up this seemingly free-form improvisational piece ("Tacheles II") until it gets louder and more intense. During the course of this 20 minute jam they feature many known style elements of the band's musical register including additional percussion (by Vanessa and Marc) as well as xylophone by Sten. A third improvised new piece ("Tacheles III") follows this opening jam and this is were the second set peaks for the first time, from now on this set set is one continued highlight. This second improvistion is a more stuctured piece (a new song to be which they rehearsed once), a percussive and rhythmical affair featuring intense and beautiful riffing by Dennis and sexy shaker moves by Marc. It is now that the Birds really take off, forgetting everything around them and just flying away as a perfect unit! This great new piece of music segues into the second version of "The second cry Pt. IV" we hear today. Having more or less improvised for the last 30 minutes though the band is now in perfect sync and they extend the quiet parts significantly making this a stand-out version. "Tiny spiderwebs", too, is unusually prolonged by means of blistering noise rock! The feedback and loops are buzzing and Dennis adds layers and layers of noise that makes one want to sit inside his amp in order to soak in all details of this fantastic space rock number! This loud peak finishes the 50 minute long second set with an exclamation mark! This would have been enough to satisfy any Sandy Bird fan but after another 20 minute intermission the band begins to play again. They repeat the great "Tacheles III" improvisation and let it segue into "April showers" this time. This is the regular version except for the end where the loop-noise is prolonged dramatically until it seamlessly segues into "All women are witches". Sure enough more surprises are in store in this set. "All women" segues into "Time" the way it does on the "Valeur Aratoire"-tape! "Time", too, was performed the last time on 22.12.2009! The last number in the set is the instrumental ("21er") which was introduced 2,5 weeks ago at Lovelite. Given the improvisation treatment too the piece is prolonged in the ending by means of a noise jam that features slight traces of "Industrial" (last time played in 07.08.2010) before it ends abruptly when the band gets out of sync and doesn't know where to go from here. A loud applause follows by the crowd (which also includes a few Sandy Bird fans who had sat through all three sets) finishing this sensational afternoon! With these three sets put together Sandy Bird have played their longest concert to this date and this is indeed the best show in 2011 yet. With the establishment of this regular street concert on week-ends a fan's wildest dream comes true. See you next week at Tacheles!
pictures
more pictures (by Nora)
Excerpt of "All women are witches" (Set I) on YouTube
Excerpt of "Tacheles II"on YouTube
Excerpt of "Tacheles III" (Set III) on YouTube
22.04.2011 - Berlin , Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 60-80 / ca. 100 / ca. 30
Time: ca. 50 min / ? / 35 min
First set: The Second Cry I, III, IV -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> Tacheles improvisation II (8er) -> All Woman Are Witches
Second set: Seaman IV -> The Second Cry II-IV -> Tacheles improvisation III -> April Showers Bring Forth May Flower -> Bambaloo -> Jam -> Land in Sicht -> Bambaloo
Third set: Improvisation -> New song -> Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> Bambaloo
Notes: For the third time this spring/month (after 02.04.2011 and 10.04.2011) Sandy Bird performs on the street in front of Tacheles. After their last performance the turmoil surrounding the Künstlerhaus had continued when the bank who owns the estate had built a wall (a very symbolic act in Berlin of all places) right through the Tacheles premises in order to prevent the artists from accessing the huge free space in the back of the building which housed an artists' camp so far. The Tacheles answered with a demo and concert on 16.04. demanding "Die Mauer muss weg". This Easter week-end Oranienburger is hustling with tourists more than ever so the band meets the biggest crowd at Tacheles yet. Especially during the second set a very large crowd gathers, even standing on the street almost blocking off the traffic and the trams. Due to Easter being so late in the year it feels more like Pentecoste week-end: Trees and flowers are in full spring, the sun is shining and the temperatures peak at 24°C -- the perfect day for such a concert. Again the band plays three sets. The experimentation mode is still way on although not to the same extent as last time (although there is a major surprise in the second set). At 16:00 the first set begins with "The second cry Pt. I, III and IV". An improvised new piece follows after "Tiny spiderwebs". And while this number is seemingly built on the structure of the "Tacheles III" improvisation played the last time it is heavily reworked today. During the intro to "All women are witches" Vanessa plays the bird-voice simulator again which was frequently used in the fall 2009 (captured on "Valeur Aratoire") but has not been played too many times ever since. It's a lovely moment as the band plays underneath a tree and the tweeting of the birds who live in that tree joins the band's sound. The second set begins with a new loop piece by Dennis called "Seaman IV" featuring lyrics "Living in a boy's adventure tale". The biggest surprise however in the second set is an extended 10 min+ jam on "Bambaloo" that also features a quote of Ton Steine Scherben's "Land in Sicht". The third and last set begins at 19:15 with a 20 minute experimental piece that also includes the reworked "Tacheles III" song. Just when the last sounds of the last set fade away the cops arrive to announce that there have been complains from the neighbours and that the concert has to stop now.
pictures
"The second cry Pt. IV" (Set 1) on YouTube
"New song" (Set I) on YouTube
"Improvisation -> New song" (Set III) on YouTube
30.04.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
First set: unknown but included Sympathy for the devil-jam
Second set: unknown
Third set: unknown but included Bambaloo, Wild Horses and a song by Lenny Kravitz
Notes: On the day of Walpurgisnight Sandy Bird play another street concert in front of Tacheles. This is the weirdest concert of the four street gigs so far: Welcome to freakville! Today the weather is REALLY cold. Not many people can be met strolling on Oranienburgerstraße and the crowds who gather for the sets are much smaller than on previous occasions. In the end there is no audience left at all. What makes today's show so weird is that the scene is dominated by the folks who normally hang around Tacheles: Bums, freaks, excentric artists, toothless and drunk guys. Inevitably one guy engages in drumming (again). Reportedly the band plays three sets, with the last set being really short. The band continues to improvise and experiment and in fact today they bring out the biggest surprises yet: A "Sympathy for the devil"-jam occurs in the first set. In the third set they play another Stones number, "Wild horses", which they actually did once before at the improvised second set in Poznan 19.06.2010. Reportedly they also cover a Lenny Kravitz song...
pictures (by Sebastian Spiewok)
07.05.2011 - Berlin, Tacheles
Attendance: ca. 100-150
Time: 24 min
Set: The second cry Pt. IV -> Bambaloo -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: And it goes on: Another Saturday afternoon at Tacheles. Today a demonstration / Straßenfest is being held in front of Tacheles in order to protest against the wall which had been built by the estate's owner (compare the notes to 22.04.2011). This is the second demonstration after a first one was held on 16.04. (the Birds didn't play at Tacheles that day due to the demo). There is a small stage and several hundreds of people gather to take part in speeches, performances and music. There are many colourful people, artists, action painters and people in freaky fantasy costumes. Sandy Bird plays a very short set at about 17:00. During the first number a guy in a Chewbakka costume jumps on stage and dances and he receives cheers from the crowd -- the band smiles and continues to play. They add a new cool twist to the "Bambaloo" vocals but because they cannot hear themselves on stage the vocals are really sour in this version. The entire demonstration including the live performances are being webcast live but the organisers fade in a wrong band name when Sandy Bird comes on.
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03.06.2011 - Berlin, Raum 20
With: I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream, Skiing
Attendance: ca. 80
Soundcheck: included April showers, new song (both partial)
Time: 60 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> 8er -> All women are witches -> 21er -> April showers bring forth May flowers
Notes: Finally Sandy Bird plays a gig in Neukölln, Berlin's recent epicentre of the new underground, hip and cool as well as home to a colourful and young international art and party scene (and Sten's hood!). Raum 20 is located in one of the shadier areas of the quarter, in the industrial wasteland around S-Bahn station Sonnenallee. Here, on Ziegrastraße, one is as far away as possible from the dense, busy and hustling inner city atmosphere that charakterizes the west end of Sonnenallee: Turkish wedding ballrooms coexist with car repair shops which have illegal written all over them. One side of Ziegrastraße is being bordered by the tail end of the Landwehrkanal with a giant metal garbage dump towering vis a vis of the estate where Raum 20 is located. Oddly enough, the Estrel Berlin, Berlin's biggest hotel complex, used for congresses and galas, is just a stone's throw away always looming in eye-sight on the south end of the street. A dirty and dark alley leads to the entrance and the stairs to Raum 20, a third-floor room in a non-descript industrial building. The club itself is as trashy as it gets -- even by Berlin standards. One of its greatest assets though is a banks of windows stretching along one entire side of the room offering a wide panoramic view of the area as well as revealing a wide Berlin sky. Due for showtime the typical young hipster crowds appears, sporting big glasses, 80s trousers and colours as well as fabric bags hanging from shoulders. Sandy Bird plays as first band around 23:00 to a crowded room. The band performs an intense set that features no less than four brand-new respectively newer pieces, two of them ("8er" and "9er") even debut tonight, although elements of those had been tried and tested during the string of Tacheles street concerts earlier this spring. The piece which the setlist calls "21er" had been debuted at Lovelite 23.03.2011. The show begins with a new piece featuring Dennis on the vocals which is a rare but welcome treat. Weird rhythms, difficult drum patterns, sudden changes of tempo and looming build-ups characterize this set which is one continous stream of music. Dennis grooves, often in sync with Sten and Marc gives us the rock star again. The crowd is captivated at first but 30 minutes into the set some talking begins due to the party character of the location and the event. The sheer amount of new material that dominates this set gives this concert a premiere type of feel -- Sandy Bird 2.0 featuring Marc on bass has finally arrived in a new place!
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online flyer
setlist
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09.06.2011 - Frankfurt/Oder, Unithea Festival, Gerstenberger Höfe
Attendance: 50-80
Soundcheck: Irrenhaus (Dennis solo, by Keimzeit), You gotta move (by The Rolling Stones), April showers (partial), Tiny spiderwebs (partial)
Time: ca. 65 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs -> 8er -> All women are witches -> 21er -> April showers bring forth May flowers // E: Bambaloo
Notes: Tonight the band truely delivers a highlight set in one of the best sounds heard at Sandy Bird-concert yet! Sandy Bird's concert debut in Frankfurt/Oder takes place at the university theatre festival Unithea which is run by students. The band plays the closing party which takes place open air in the yard of an old industrial complex that is now used by artists and small creative start ups. A pretty big stage is being put up for the only musical act of the day: Sandy Bird. After the final theatre plays of the festival are over Sandy Bird begins its set at 23:00. About 40 people are there to listen to the band in the beginning but during the first half of the set the crowd grows and ultimately about 80 people listen to the band. While many in the crowd engage in talking and chatting when the band begins the majority of the audience would suspend the chatting during the set and focus on the band and the music -- quite the opposite effect of what could be observed at the previous show at Raum 20. While most of the audience listens attentively a few people pull off a freak-show to the band's music by dancing wildly and uncontroledly, kissing each other and rolling on the floor at times. Another guy constantly plays his own percussion with two shakers. The real star tonight is the sound though: A well-balanced, rich and detailed sound enables us to hear every instrument and voice the way it should be heard. In fact this must be one of the best sounds at a Sandy Bird concert yet, together with 18.11.2009, 24.11.2009 and 03.07.2010. Therefore this is the perfect occasion to really GET the magic of Sandy Bird. In addition the new songs are elevated to a higher level today, they really work for the first time to this reviewer's ears, of course also thanks to the outstanding sound. The entire set is a highlight as the band is together and gels sublimely. The crowd applauds long and persistently so the Birds returns to the stage and encore with a very groovy rendition of "Bambaloo" wrapping up the best Sandy Bird concert of 2011 so far! Wow!
pictures by Susann
23.07.2011 Berlin, Dachterasse, Anklamer Str. 52 ("Über den Dächern")
Supporting: Crashcaptains
Attendance: 100
Time: 55 min
Set: 9er -> Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 8er -> All Women Are Witches -> 21er
Notes: Sandy Bird performs on a roof-top in Berlin-Mitte. The semi-private event (attendees could sign up on Facebook and obtain tickets in advance with a limited supply of 100 tickets which were all sold) is organised by another local band called Crashcaptains. The roof terrace is a beautiful setting creating a summer party vibe (complete with DJ, barbeque and cold beer). There is a small stage and the terrace is decorated with paper birds and paper airplanes. Naturally one can enjoy a perfect view over the city center including views of Fernsehturm, Reichstag, Potsdamer Platz, the Charité tower as well as the Siegesäule in the far distance. Shortly before Sandy Bird takes the stage at 19:20 as first band of the night the news spread among the attendees (with the help of smart phones) that Amy Winhouse had just passed away at the age of 27. Sandy Bird takes the stage and first Dennis thanks Crashcaptains for the invitation to this beautiful event. He introduces the band as "Sandy Bird vom Dach" and then they dive into the first number ("9er"), an intense newer song featuring vocals by Dennis. The sound is brilliant. With a great deal of patience and depth the band devotes themselves to creating the most detailed versions of their songs heard yet. In the mind of this reviewer this is quite natural as the band spent the previous two weeks in the studio cutting their first album so they know the material by heart. The new songs which account for the major portion of the set come to full bloom today (even more so than in the previous show) and there are many new exciting parts and arrangements. Also the old tunes are changed in many places. During "All women" Dennis breaks two guitar strings at once, that's why he has to change them after the tune had reached its first climax. The band bridges this moment with a very basic percussion groove-jam. The concert ends with a simply epic new number ("21er") that builds to an impressive post-rock explosion in the end. The band however, was convinced this was one of their worst show they have ever played, quite a clash of perspectives here. On the "setlist" (there was no physical setlist though) but not played: "April showers" and "Bambaloo".
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ticket front / ticket back
pictures by Susann
06.08.2011 - Hamburg, Knust
With: Golden Kanine, Spring Leads You Home Tonight
Attendance: ca. 250
Time: 53 min
Set: Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 9er -> All Women Are Witches -> April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers // E: 21er
Notes: Sandy Bird returns to Hamburg after exactly one year to play the "Knust Geburtstag" -- the 35th anniversary party of this venue -- again (the band has played this venue twice: on 24.11.2009 with Efterklang and on 07.08.2010). This is an insanely humid summer day. Half a dozen bands are scheduled to play on two stages, one indoor and one outdor. However, when inevitably the clouds open up and unleash their heavy summer rain the artists on the very small outdoor stage suffer a sad fate. The indoor stage greatly benefits from this situation though as hundreds of people flock inside the venue so that the first band on the big indoor stage, the local boys Spring Leads You Home Tonight, get the biggest crowd of this night, playing for several hundred people. Although the rain has stopped when Sandy Bird comes on around 23:00 the hall is filled very well with listening people, some in the first rows dance and enjoy with closed eyes. And wow, what a setting this is to see the band: A great stage and a wonderful light show combined with a brilliant and loud sound give you a feeling to a see a show by your favourite band for which you have bought a ticket for 25 bucks already half a year ago. The venue's owner, Norbert, introduces Sandy Bird telling the crowd the story of how he discovered them when they played the support for Efterklang and that he is proud to present them on this stage for so many people even though no-one knows them. He would again say this between the main set and the encore also mentioning that the band has merch to sell. The Birds then play a near flawless show that is very impressive and fat due to the conditions at this great venue. Dennis says hi and introduces the band name after "All women are witches". The new tracks "9er" and "21" clearly establish themselves as highlights in the current set. A huge show!
pictures by Susann
"Restlessness antipole -> Tiny spiderwebs" on YouTube
13.08.2011 Berlin, Flink Festival, Lovelite
With: How How, Vomit Heat, Touchy Mob, Reverend Shine Snake Oil Co. a.m.o.
Attendance: ca. 30 Time: ca. 50 min
Set: Restlessness Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> 9er -> All Women Are Witches (broken off, unfinished), April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers
Notes: The last concert with Vanessa.
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Zitty preview
Tip preview
Berliner Zeitung preview
setlist I
setlist II
pictures by Susann
"9er" on YouTube
13.10.2011 - Poznan, Meskalina (PL)
Attendance: ca. 30
Set: 7er -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner! (alter 9er) -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> Neuen 9er / Improvisation -> 21er -> April Showers
Notes: The first concert without Vanessa. The set works very well. There are a couple of new instruments like a Zylophon for Sten and a harmonium for Dennis. At one point Marc even sits down and plays an acoustic guitar. Sten also sings a few lines now. Raw and intense.
pictures by Susann
27.10.2011 - Oberhausen, Druckluft
With: Jason & Theodor
Attendance: ca. 10-15
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: The band returns to Druckluft where the "Valeur Aratoire" release concert took place 1,5 years ago. Although the band had been booked for the small room of the venue (the Café) the concert takes place in the 400-capacity hall. The hall is divided into smaller rooms with partitions but the venue is still hopelessly too big because only around ten paying guests show up...
28.10.2011 - Münster, Dachboden
With: Jason & Theodor
Attendance: ca. 50-60
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er // E: Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: This is the best show of this week-end, which also includes a concert in Oberhausen the day before and one in Solingen the day after. This is the band's concert debut in the well known student-town Münster. The venue is improvised and located in some attic, definitely not compliant with any security, static or fire protection standards. The band meets a good crowd. This show makes the entire trip to the west worthwile.
29.10.2011 - Solingen, Waldmeister
Attendance: ca. 10
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: Tonight, for the band's concert debut in Solingen, four paying guests show up. Sometime after the show during a long night fueled by a two-litre bottle of Jägermeister a long jam session ensues that finds everyone in attendance joining in on whatever instrument could be grabbed...
11.11.2011 - Berlin, Roter Salon
With: Kool Thing, CJ Boyd
Attendance: ca. 80
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers
Notes: A Sandy Bird concert at Roter Salon is something this reviewer has dreamt of for a long time. The 250 capacity venue is one of the most beautiful in the city. Located in the side-wing of the theatre Volksbühne Roter Salon offers classy interiors, parquet floors, chandeliers, mirrors, paned double wing doors and cosy chairs in cosy corners. Tonight's show is being presented by Popmonitor, who also presented 20.11.2009 at NBI. The line up was chosen by Sandy Bird though. CJ Boyd jumped in for Glass & Fishes who were originally booked but cancelled on short notice (Sandy Bird and CJ Boyd both played Fusion 2010, on the same stage but on different days, but Dennis saw CJ perform the day after Sandy Bird's performance). Unfortunately the choice of the venue proves to be a bit too ambitious because the attendance is too little to really fill the club. It is however filled enough to make it feel just comfortable enough. Musically though the Birds have a huge surprise in store: Tonight's performance features Sonja Deffner on clarinet. Sonja is one girl in the duo Jason & Theodor (who played with Sandy Bird just last month in Oberhausen and Münster). She plays just on two or three songs (i.e. "Tiny Spiderwebs") and the dark textures of her clarinet provide very fitting and beautiful undertones to Sandy Bird's music. Unfortunately only half the audience listens to Sandy Bird, the other half engages in notorious and obnoxious chatter (it doesn't help that the bar is in the same room as the stage) effectively ruining the atmosphere of the gig. This gig looked so great on paper but turned out to be a bit of a premature and rather anticlimatic affair...
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flyer back
corrected online flyer
pictures by Susann
pictures by Olga (www.olgabaczynska.com)
exerpt on YouTube
"April showers" (excerpt) on YouTube
15.11.2011 - Hamburg, Astra Stube
With: I Have No Mouth And I Must Scream
Attendance: 40
Set: Antipole -> Tiny Spiderwebs -> Moiner -> 8er -> Disco 5er -> 21er / Happy Birthday Ansage / Neuer 9er -> April Showers // E: The Second Cry Part III - IV
Notes: Finally after two years another concert at this fine venue. Astra Stube is a very peculiar and very urban place. This trashy but lovely micro venue offers room for up to 100 persons but feels already crowded with 10 persons inside thus offering perfect conditions for unknown bands who won't draw a big crowd in Germany's second biggest city. Sandy Bird bring their friends IHNMAIMS from Berlin (compare 03.06.2011) who play first. The Birds perform as a trio and deliver an intense and convincing performance, probably the best of the five trio shows yet. It's Dennis birthday the next day (16.11.) so at midnight his band members toast him. Quite appropriately "The second cry" is the perfect blast to end this night. Also in the audience: Norbert, owner and booker of Knust, where the band has performed numerous times since 2009. A local fan (and Motorpsycho friend of Äxl and Susann) who attended almost all Hamburg shows so far expresses his impressions in a mail afterwards:
"ein fantastisches konzert. sandy bird spürbar auf der suche. was eine unglaubliche frische reinbrachte. scheinbar ohne selbst zu ahnen, dass man häufig schon angekommen ist. das erzählt man der band dann vielleicht besser nicht, damit diese belebende, mutige suche weitergeht. größte überraschung waren die neuen arrangements der songs und deren transitionen. alles klingt auf ziemlich geile art anders. und es hatte starke auswirkung auf die einzelnen musikerprofile. der neue einfluss des glockenspielkrams auf die drums ist beeindruckend. der nicht mehr ganz so neue bassist hat sich fantastisch eingelebt und bringt einen echten musikalischen zugewinn rein. und dennis beweist ein hohes maß an flexibilität und gibt mit seinen sounds drums und bass mehr raum als vorher. kurz: unerwartet. mitreißend. fehlen tat nichts. die geige ist gemeint. die neue arrangementierung fällt viel mehr auf und haut einen regelrecht um. ob sandy bird auf dauer ein trio bleiben sollte, mag ich nicht einschätzen. eine vierte person würde mehr ermöglichen. keine frage. klingt also vielversprechend. klarinette klingt verlockend, da eines meiner lieblingsinstrumente(nfamilie). aber heute ging's auch sehr gut zu dritt. die stimmung in der band scheint ziemlich gut im moment. zumindest auf der bühne. das ist viel wert. nice auch der alte kracher zum konzertabschluss. das nächste konzert kommt hoffentlich bald."
presale ticket coupon back
pictures
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