British singer-songwriter Jade Bird is approaching her personal rediscovery through the act of digging into her own discography. Reaching far into the depths of her earliest work, the musician has hit the road for her North American “Open up the Songbook Tour” — a solo endeavor that places her and her acoustic guitar on stage without the fanfare of a backing band.
Wednesday night the singer performed at Somerville’s eclectic venue Arts at the Armory: a place in which Bird called “magical” and even served as inspiration for a new song that came to her during soundcheck. Returning for the first time since 2021’s “Different Kinds of Light Tour,” Bird has experienced a lot of change in her life since then. Newly single and on the horizon of a new chapter of life, she returned as an awoken and recharged version of her best self.
The night kicked off with Boston-locals Copilot who were hand-selected by Bird to open the show. The trio, stripped down from their typical six-person unit, mesmerized the audience with gorgeous harmonies and songs that felt like instant classics. Their set easily fit the vibe of the relaxed atmosphere and prepared the audience for a special night to come.
Bird graced the stage like a shimmering beacon of light, dressed in white from head-to-toe, (the irony not lost from the themes of her most recent heartbreak). After going through a hellish few years after ending her engagement with her touring guitarist, she is a woman reborn and was eager to show it.
“I’m so excited,” she gushed early on. “To tell you the truth, I changed the whole setlist about five minutes ago, so we’ve got quite the show coming up,” she admitted before diving into the opening track of her debut album, ”Ruins.”
While Bird made sure to play fan-favorite hits like “Uh Huh,” “Something American” and “Head Start,” what made the night the most special were the curveballs she threw the crowd with old EP numbers and unreleased tracks.
To the delight of many, she pulled out deep cuts such as the boot-stomping “Grinnin’ In Your Face” and self-proclaimed “sassy” tune “Good Woman,” which burned with a fever that ignited easily in the fury and passion of her performance. Even stripped of a band, the intensity she amasses is a force to be reckoned with.
It is Bird’s no-filter approach to storytelling and the rawness of her sound that has attracted fans of all demographics to her in droves. The packed crowd that filled the Armory was a testament to this, as fans of each decade appeared in equal captivation, all charmed by Bird’s riveting presence.
Her newest single “C’est La Vie,” an ode to moving on, served as the only track she played off her newly released EP, Burn The Hard Drive. Instead, she delighted the crowd with unreleased songs off her soon-to-be-announced third studio album. “Jet Black,” “Save Your Tears,” and “Wish You Well” already stood out as contenders for some of her best work to date and heightened the anticipation of what is to come.
The night simmered in noteworthy moments and many firsts. Bird treated Boston fans to exclusive tastes of new material, shared like a secret between friends. Playing “Stick Around” off her upcoming album for the first time, she noted, “I think it might be the opener. You’ll be the first to hear.”
“There’s some venues like this that are extremely special and I just stand on the stage at soundcheck and little things might come down and I’ll think that’s an idea,” she said in between unknown tracks. “So, I wrote this song two or three hours ago,” she surprised the crowd, before presenting the fresh material without trepidation and solidifying her genuine talent not only as a performer, but as a seasoned songwriter.
Stripped back performances of tracks like “Cathedral” (“The irony is not lost of me, ladies and gentlemen. She didn’t make it up the aisle after all” she quipped with her self-depreciating humor) and “What Am I Here For” highlighted her voice as it echoed off the walls of the Armory in a hymnal reverberation. Captivating under the glow of the spotlight, such intimate renditions of her songs sounded more beautiful than ever with the contours and peaks of her voice. It is apparent Bird is only getting better with age, as her voice shone crisp and pristine, and with impeccable control.
While opening up about the stories behind songs new and old, her resilient nature shone through and enamored everyone in attendance. It was this raw display of her personality and talent that cemented the night as one-of-a-kind and united the room in a blissful harmony of music and acceptance. It was a reciprocated affair, as Bird continuously declared her appreciation and emotion. “This is my favorite show, Somerville. I just knew it.”
After rolling through more special material that included Stevie Nicks and Bigstar covers and a “Good At It” duet with Copilot, Bird’s own delight was not contained. The setlist concluded with “I Get No Joy,” which earned a standing ovation and applause that quickly ushered the artist back on stage. With Copilot in toe, they performed “Lottery” as a spirit-raising encore that ended the night with a collective grin.
Hearing Bird’s oldest material through the matured vocals of a woman who has lived many lives since provided a bittersweet swell of emotion. She is not the same girl who sang these songs of youth and heartache, nor am I the same one who listened to them in her college dorm. Growing up alongside an artist who captures shared life experiences is always a special bond, yet coming out on the other side feels like a poignant bond that extends beyond the music itself. Bird is an artist that has always felt accessible, and now on this very special tour, that fourth wall between artist and listener is knocked down fully. After a night of high emotions and guards let down, Jade Bird’s hypnotic and highly memorable set will be seared into the souls of all that bared witness.
Jade Bird’s “Open Up The Songbook Tour” continues now through the end of May. Tickets can be purchased here.
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