Amateur Ornithologist is a weird pop ensemble from North East England. AO perform with anything from four to seven musicians playing a mix of pop and orchestral instruments.
The band have earned comparisons to Talking Heads, The Beach Boys and Prefab Sprout due to their adventurous approach to densely-layered, harmony-filled pop.
The band focus on crafting captivating songs inspired by the everyday weird of neurodivergent lives to the uncanny of Victorian fiction. But the ability to translate these into enchanting live shows complete with costumes and stage dressing is what sets AO apart.
Amateur Ornithologist have released three albums, were chosen to play Durham Brass Festival 2025 from hundreds of applications, have been on the cover of NARC Magazine, had videos screened at Sunderland Shorts Film Festival, played sold-out shows and festivals including Marrapalooza, Last Train Home and Summer Streets, and received radio play from BBC Introducing, Amazing Radio, and a host of radio stations.
Image credit - Paul Murray Music Photography
A Christmas single looking back at a childhood sledging trip. Directed by Andy Simpson. Animation by Andy Simpson and Emma Black, with miniature costumes by Emma Black.
This song is about the enduring legacy of the Cottingley Fairies hoax/art experiment by Elsie Wright, Frances Griffiths and their family. Directed by Graham Williamson. From the album, Hide.
A song dedicated to the memory of my Nanna, the video highlights locations important to our relationship. Directed by Daniel Clifford and Jenny Rohde. From the album, Building the Bird.
See Amateur Ornithologist perform live at one of these shows.
Angel's Cut, Darlington
We're making our return to Teesside after almost two years, to perform an intimate show with Tchotchke.
Angel's Cut, Darlington
Pop Recs, Sunderland
We'll launch our new album this Spring in Sunderland with Small Town Brass, Madeleine Smyth and Faye MacCalman.
£10 advance, £12 on the door
Pop Recs, Sunderland