Birdy – Tivoli 03.04.13

Birdy’s first Australian tour follows on the incredible success of her soulful debut album, which was released in late 2011. At just sixteen years of age, Birdy’s life reads much like a songbird storybook. Her mother, a concert pianist, began teaching her to play the piano when she was five years old.

At age eight, Jasmine van den Bogaerde began writing her own songs. After winning a UK singing competition in 2008, she released a video on youtube thanking her fans. It was picked up by a record label, and in 2011 Birdy’s debut single, a cover of Bon Iver’s Skinny Love, flew into the top twenty in the UK and around Europe.

Her self-titled album of covers was released later on that year, receiving multi-platinum status in Australia and peaking at #1 on the ARIA and iTunes album charts. So it was with great anticipation that hundreds of eager young fans elbowed for space at the Tivoli on Wednesday evening to watch Birdy take her seat at the piano.

Opening with an achingly beautiful cover of xx’s Shelter followed by I’ll never forget you by Francis and the Lights, Birdy’s impact on her audience was immediate. The crowd stood largely still and silent through her covers of The Postal Service’s The District Sleeps Alone Tonight and a mellow version of Phoenix’s 1901. With a voice that defies her age, Birdy’s soaring piano anthems possess an unexpected power and emotional maturity that seems impossible for someone so young. It’s only when she performs her one original tune, Without a Word, that we glimpse a hint of her vulnerability; the lyrics young and slightly uncertain.

A powerful performance of The Naked and Famous’ Young Blood was followed by Cherry Ghost’s moving ballad People Help the People and Terrible Love.Returning to the stage for the encore, Birdy carefully laid down the first few chords of Skinny Love, with the crowd breaking out into raucous applause. This is what they came to hear, and she did not disappoint. With packed out shows in Melbourne and sold-out performances at the Sydney Opera House, Birdy is being eagerly watched. With many commenting on the inevitability of her success, the young songstress seems undaunted.

An album of covers is a brave move indeed, but the true extent of her talents will be revealed when she releases an eagerly-awaited album of original tracks later this year.

Phoebe Owen