Brisbane review - Birdsongs: The kind of collaboration that comes rarely

By Nahima Abraham

Birdsongs

Presented by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Birds of Tokyo in association with Brisbane Festival

Conducted by Nicholas Buc The QPAC Concert Hall

South Bank

Run time: 2 hours 35 plus interval.

There’s something sincerely unexpected about unusual collaborations. Whether that be Oddfellows in cahoots to solve crimes like Laurel and Hardy, the oddly satisfying combination of chilli oil and creamy vanilla ice-cream, or a seasoned rock band and a symphony orchestra.

Which do you think would win as the strangest of these combinations yet produce the most satisfying results? My money’s on the rock band, which is precisely what was brought to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre Concert Hall the 8th and 9th of September this past week.

Who would have thought a hard rock band paired with a premier Orchestra could produce delight, tears, and singing without abandon? Birdsongs, a collaboration between QSO and Birds of Tokyo (pictured) in association with Brisbane Festival, took the perceived restraint, rigorous ritual, and the general inaccessibility out of orchestral performance and music. In its stead, it brought a joyful collaboration of impressive vocals, backed with top notch musicians, helmed by an exceptional conductor.

The highlights of the first performance of Birdsongs were Brace, Wild at Heart, Hurt, Anchor, The Greatest Mistake, Plans, and finally, Lanterns. Brace brought a dramatic, cinema-worthy performance of Bond-like proportions.

Wild at Heart provided the most interesting and different collaboration between transposition and original, in that the initial song was markedly different and brought that interest forward, compelling the audience to want more.

Hurt was a heavier yet softer and sweeter song, covering the Nine Inch Nails classic. Anchor, and The Greatest Mistake both brought out classic Birds of Tokyo songs with an orchestral twist, lending a nicely complimentary edge to both sides of the coin. Finally, Plans, and Lanterns, Birds of Tokyo’s most popular songs did not disappoint, propelling the audience to get up and physically dance. The finale, Lanterns, was a poignant way to end the night. As the members of the audience took out their phones, and shone their torches, the mood shifted, bringing with it the pin-prick lights, as beautiful as fireflies at dusk.

Ian Kenny, frontman for Birds of Tokyo, and the heavier Karnivool was relaxed, suffused with energy, and charismatic. The whole Birds of Tokyo band had their time in the limelight, and demonstrated the brotherhood, love, and passion that has had this band skyrocketing for the last 20 something years. This kind of collaboration is something that comes rarely. And we question why? It is genuinely a joy to witness Orchestras perform, do what they love, and perform tried and true music, repertoire, and carefully curated programs. However, any deviation from the norm, is fantastic. Last night demonstrated the flexibility, talent, and genuine love for music that the QSO and conductor Nicholas Buc have and hold for music of all kinds, for all kinds of audiences. All we can say is “what’s next??”