LIVE FROM THE PIT: Exploring Birdsong and Our Glass Haven
Before EXPLORING BIRDSONG had even stepped on stage, the sense of community around the band was impossible to miss. Fans from the Discord were handing out bracelets outside the venue, including one that lit up, showing just how much friendship and community seemed to sit at the heart of the band. There was even a community move to get the bracelets to light up during Spy In The House Of Love, turning the crowd into part of the show before the band had even played a note.
With no barrier separating the photographers from the crowd, fans could get right up to the stage and, at times, directly into the singer’s face. It made the whole evening feel incredibly intimate and personal, particularly in a medium-sized venue.
First up were OUR GLASS HAVEN, who immediately suited the intimate atmosphere. Their singer had a gorgeous, incredibly clear voice, particularly during their almost acoustic set. They introduced Godspeed as a new song, explaining that this particular rendition would never be heard again, which only added to the special feeling in the room. The venue was so quiet during their set that you could genuinely hear everything. Even someone speaking across the room could be heard, and rather than taking away from the performance, it made the whole thing feel even more special.
Their next song, the new single Dreams, came with another little joke from the singer, who told the crowd that if they wanted to know what it really sounded like, they should check the band out. It was a funny little moment that fitted perfectly with the relaxed atmosphere. They closed with Poison In The Well, which the lead singer described as their favourite. The fans in the crowd joined in with the song, making it a lovely way to finish a set that had felt genuinely close and personal.
Then came EXPLORING BIRDSONG, touring their debut album Every House We Built. There was not a huge amount of direct interaction between the band and the crowd, although the drummer did plenty of his own, standing up, clapping and acknowledging the audience throughout.
When Spy In The House Of Love came around, the pink glowing bracelets appeared throughout the crowd. It was one of those little moments that showed how much effort the fans had put into making the night feel like something they were all part of.
The female vocalist Lynsey Ward was brilliant throughout, with a voice that was exceptionally clear and beautiful to hear. Every member of the band had their own moments to shine, and the softer songs had the whole room completely captivated. Footprints was a particular standout, with the backing singers coming in around the repeated “she calls my name” refrain and sounding genuinely angelic. It was one of those moments where the vocals completely filled the room without needing anything else.
There were also little moments between the band members themselves that made them feel more human. They had their own interactions on stage rather than simply standing in place and playing through the songs, which worked really well with the relaxed atmosphere of the evening. The interludes around the house and property themes of the new album also worked well alongside the outfits and staging, particularly with the album being centred around the idea of Every House We Built. The lighting was particularly impressive, changing with the different themes and completely shifting the feeling of the room.
The sound mix was brilliant after a few tweaks following the first song. The heavier drums and guitars were balanced beautifully against the quieter piano, giving everything plenty of room without one element fighting against another. The staging itself could probably have been stronger, there felt like there was wasted space there. But the lighting during the solo singing moments more than made up for it. With the lights focused tightly around the singer, the medium-sized venue suddenly felt much smaller and far more intimate.
There was no mosh pit and no madness, but that was never really what this gig needed. There was something lovely about seeing a crowd completely captivated by the music instead. For a band with heavier elements to their sound, the whole evening had a surprisingly relaxed feel.
For a style of singing that leaves very little room for mistakes, there were none. EXPLORING BIRDSONG delivered a relaxed, beautiful and incredibly atmospheric set, while their fans made sure the whole evening felt like something much more personal than a standard gig.
Words and Photos: Lauren Wenham
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