French composer-turned post rocker Yann Tiersen played San Diego’s Belly Up last week to a large crowd. Fun-loving Michigan folk trio Breathe Owl Breathe opened, and surprised many with their lighthearted-yet-resonating music.

Breathe Owl Breathe frontman Micah Middaugh warmed up the crowd for Tiersen in typical animated fashion, incorporating props and the audience into his songs and garnering genuine laughs in the process. The venue itself felt a tad too big for Breathe Owl Breathe’s engaging style, but the charisma of Middaugh and multi-instrumentalist/powerhouse singer Andrea Moreno Beals made up for any lack of intimacy. Without a doubt, the band earned many new fans Thursday night.

Whether Yann Tiersen made new fans, merely pleased existing ones, or confused those expecting more Amelie material is a another story. Since hitting it big with his soundtrack to the modern classic French film, Tiersen has leaned away from what made him so popular in the first place–eschewing traditional French folk influence for a more electric sound. And while Tiersen did indeed play some old favorites, he made clear his desire to be known for something other than violin and melodica. Nonetheless, there were plenty of people there willing to see him take any incarnation, and Tiersen delivered in talent and intensity.

Photos – Breathe Owl Breathe at the Belly Up, March 10, 2011

Photos – Yann Tiersen at the Belly Up, March 10, 2011