Andrew Bird "Gezelligheid" @ Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, US, December 10 + 12, 2024

Andrew Bird and Alan Hampton

Andrew Bird

Andrew Bird “Gezelligheid” @ Fourth Presbyterian Church, Chicago, US, December 10 + 12, 2024,

Dec 22, 2024 By Alex Schriner Photography by Alex Schriner Web Exclusive

Andrew Bird’s iconic whistle has become a traditional signal of winter in Chicago. The musician’s multi-night Gezelligheid concert residency, has been found in the sanctuary of Fourth Presbyterian Church for 14 years. “Gezelligheid”, loosely translated from Dutch (depending on context) as “coziness”, “conviviality”, and “fun”, fits the spirit of the shows. The setlists vary enough from night-to-night that if you attend one performance, you are sure to hear the hits. If you attend each night, you get to hear a variety of deep cuts. During a break between songs, Bird mentioned how these annual concerts measure the passing of time. The series has evolved over years, increasing in the number of concerts (some years three nights, now up to seven), and going from Bird’s multi-instrument (violin, vocals, his whistle, guitar, sometimes glockenspiel, and do looping pedals count as an instrument?) solo performance to being accompanied by other musicians. Joined this year by Alan Hampton (bass, guitar), and Nora O’Connor (vocals, guitar), with Mary Lattimore (harp) opening the show. Overheard from the range of 1,000 fans on Thursday night: “I just moved back after three years, and I’m happy to see it again!” to “I’ve always been a fan, but this was the first time I’ve seen him live.” I have attended each year since 2015, and it is always one of my favorite concerts of the year, for the music, and ambience, created by Andrew Bird. At the end of the night, Bird showed his appreciation, as he thanked fans, and acknowledged those that attend as an annual tradition.