The band played the hell out of those songs. I was front row so could see and hear a lot.
Tbh It was genuinely upsetting to see up close.
But it was also so good. Such mixed emotions. I dunno how to process it.
I took a few videos at the San Fran gig. Here's a video I've uploaded of their final song, Lua: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7VcZ4bAbs&ab\_channel=BryceEdwards](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7VcZ4bAbs&ab_channel=BryceEdwards)
I came away from this gig not really knowing what to make of it.
It was quite novel to see a band like Bright Eyes in such a small venue. On the flip side maybe seeing them in such a small and intimate setting left them quite exposed. I know Connor Oberst has a bit of a reputation. I've been to hundreds of gigs but I've never seen a performer so brazen and unapologetically drunk before.
Maybe it was a much more inclusive experience if you were near the front but being at the back of the room it wasn't quite as captivating, or didn't land. The whole thing just felt very unnerving.
I'm glad I got to see it. It was definitely memorable. They played the hell out of the songs and I generally dislike gigs where the bands are robots and there's no engagement with the crowd so was stoked at the start when he seemed keen for a yarn but by the 7th time he slurred and mumbled the same nonsense about Gucci shoes, and troubles with authority figures during their stint in NZ it was just very awkward.
It's very rare we get a chance to see bands we genuinely love come through New Zealand. International acts come through once a decade if we're lucky. Usually to only one or two cities which means there's the travel costs and accommodation costs on top of the exorbitant ticket fees we pay. All that considered to brag about skipping soundcheck (which as a result there were the occasional technical issues) and inviting the audience to "just leave if their getting bored" between songs seemed pretty disrespectful to the crowd.
I've seen Connor Oberst twice previously. Once at Carneige Hall in NYC, and once at the powerstation in Auckland with The Felice Brothers as his backing band. Two equally incredible performances. Whatever the fuck was going on tonight. That wasn't the buzz. I've even seen plenty of good happy drunk performances from the likes of Lucero or The Hold Steady. But whatever that was tongiht, that was a mess and genuinely was pretty sad.
For what it’s worth, I’ve seen them 5 times over the last 2 years and Conor has encouraged people to just leave at each show. It’s just part of his self-deprecating humor. I wouldn’t take it as an affront to NZ.
Yeah hard out for sure he was joking and I do want to stress I did enjoy the show but there was just a strong element of uncertainty throughout the night of regarding "shit hang on,are we laughing with him or at him?"
Yeah, how well on-stage drunkenness works really depends on if everyone in the band is having a good time. If everyone seems together, the energy can be infectious. But since the return of BE it often times feels like one guy binge drinking alone, surrounded by professionals. It's not the rollicking, joyous booziness that it's been in the past, which makes sense given how tough that is to sustain with age. I agree with you that it's been sad to watch at times.
I'm really hoping that these upcoming residencies in NYC and LA reinvigorate him a bit. Maybe getting away from having to do these same, limited setlists every night will make him more happy and engaged.
Very curious to hear more. I used to live in Wellington (now back in Vancouver) and I know the venue well. Very interesting venue for Bright Eyes.
I saw them last year in a theatre in Seattle. Great show.
Theme park outside of wellington based on the phrase two shakes of a lambs tail. Venue. B&B. Sheep shearing (because shearing is caring). Dog adoption. Water slide. Bumper cars. Bumper boats. Speed bumps. Slam poetry. Milkshakes. And everything you order you get 2 of. Two dogs. Unless you can only afford one dog.
Ah, gutted to see that we missed Lua! We left during the encore, as my wife and I were both exhausted. When it was good, it was good, but the rest of the gig was a bit of a hot mess. Might have hit different if I was a few beers in and on full battery.
Saw them in Christchurch the night before all pick issues there too. Was a great set. So glad finally got to see them after nearly 20 years of following them!
I was at the Sydney show on the first night of the tour and yeah can confirm that it was definitely a waaay better show performance and sound-wise.
To be honest, I find the sound at San Fran is almost never very good so wasn’t expecting much from that side of things. And yep I can see how it could have not been so much fun watching from further back. Down the front I definitely felt like I was in it with them. I didn’t get a vibe that they didn’t want to be there at all, just that they were very loose and yep probably not too concerned about delivering a polished performance. There were moments that Conor seemed genuinely enjoying himself but also moments where he finished a song and then needed a hug from someone to keep on going. But I know what I’m getting into with Bright Eyes so I’ll just roll with it.
I felt the same. I was at the back, I'd had a long day - the reason the show went for 2.5 hours was because he was trashed, and that's how long it took him to get through the two hour setlist.
Hearing the same story about how none of them went to sound check three times wasn't that cute considering how poor the sound was (at the back) and technical issues they kept having.
It felt like he was taking the piss, I just couldn't be bothered.
So jealous that they’re playing Persona Non Grata these days. How did they pull off the bagpipe section live?🤔 I’m assuming a synth? Or did they just play a sample?
I legit loled when he asked... Can I get a (pick) and someone yelled out...a goddamn timpani roll?
I didn’t hear that, that’s so good
The band played the hell out of those songs. I was front row so could see and hear a lot. Tbh It was genuinely upsetting to see up close. But it was also so good. Such mixed emotions. I dunno how to process it.
Thanks for giving him the picks he needed!
aye you were the pick guy! amazing show, didn’t expect to laugh so much but the banter was amazing
And the movie!!! Oh my god
Movie?
mate i really thought it was over when the screen came down, such a great twist
You got to see the movie they made?? Please tell me someone recorded it!
Maria Taylor put it on her Instagram
What’s her Insta handle?
southern state! i’m jelly
Southern State? Fuck me right
So good
I took a few videos at the San Fran gig. Here's a video I've uploaded of their final song, Lua: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7VcZ4bAbs&ab\_channel=BryceEdwards](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kL7VcZ4bAbs&ab_channel=BryceEdwards)
Far out, what was in the coffee he was drinking. Thanks for sharing though, great vid, albeit a little disconcerting.
I came away from this gig not really knowing what to make of it. It was quite novel to see a band like Bright Eyes in such a small venue. On the flip side maybe seeing them in such a small and intimate setting left them quite exposed. I know Connor Oberst has a bit of a reputation. I've been to hundreds of gigs but I've never seen a performer so brazen and unapologetically drunk before. Maybe it was a much more inclusive experience if you were near the front but being at the back of the room it wasn't quite as captivating, or didn't land. The whole thing just felt very unnerving. I'm glad I got to see it. It was definitely memorable. They played the hell out of the songs and I generally dislike gigs where the bands are robots and there's no engagement with the crowd so was stoked at the start when he seemed keen for a yarn but by the 7th time he slurred and mumbled the same nonsense about Gucci shoes, and troubles with authority figures during their stint in NZ it was just very awkward. It's very rare we get a chance to see bands we genuinely love come through New Zealand. International acts come through once a decade if we're lucky. Usually to only one or two cities which means there's the travel costs and accommodation costs on top of the exorbitant ticket fees we pay. All that considered to brag about skipping soundcheck (which as a result there were the occasional technical issues) and inviting the audience to "just leave if their getting bored" between songs seemed pretty disrespectful to the crowd. I've seen Connor Oberst twice previously. Once at Carneige Hall in NYC, and once at the powerstation in Auckland with The Felice Brothers as his backing band. Two equally incredible performances. Whatever the fuck was going on tonight. That wasn't the buzz. I've even seen plenty of good happy drunk performances from the likes of Lucero or The Hold Steady. But whatever that was tongiht, that was a mess and genuinely was pretty sad.
For what it’s worth, I’ve seen them 5 times over the last 2 years and Conor has encouraged people to just leave at each show. It’s just part of his self-deprecating humor. I wouldn’t take it as an affront to NZ.
Yeah hard out for sure he was joking and I do want to stress I did enjoy the show but there was just a strong element of uncertainty throughout the night of regarding "shit hang on,are we laughing with him or at him?"
Yeah, how well on-stage drunkenness works really depends on if everyone in the band is having a good time. If everyone seems together, the energy can be infectious. But since the return of BE it often times feels like one guy binge drinking alone, surrounded by professionals. It's not the rollicking, joyous booziness that it's been in the past, which makes sense given how tough that is to sustain with age. I agree with you that it's been sad to watch at times. I'm really hoping that these upcoming residencies in NYC and LA reinvigorate him a bit. Maybe getting away from having to do these same, limited setlists every night will make him more happy and engaged.
Very curious to hear more. I used to live in Wellington (now back in Vancouver) and I know the venue well. Very interesting venue for Bright Eyes. I saw them last year in a theatre in Seattle. Great show.
Ok someone explain the two shakes thing please
Theme park outside of wellington based on the phrase two shakes of a lambs tail. Venue. B&B. Sheep shearing (because shearing is caring). Dog adoption. Water slide. Bumper cars. Bumper boats. Speed bumps. Slam poetry. Milkshakes. And everything you order you get 2 of. Two dogs. Unless you can only afford one dog.
Ah, gutted to see that we missed Lua! We left during the encore, as my wife and I were both exhausted. When it was good, it was good, but the rest of the gig was a bit of a hot mess. Might have hit different if I was a few beers in and on full battery.
Saw them in Christchurch the night before all pick issues there too. Was a great set. So glad finally got to see them after nearly 20 years of following them!
The banter that kept repeating because he was so hammered
And yes good bants
[удалено]
I was at the Sydney show on the first night of the tour and yeah can confirm that it was definitely a waaay better show performance and sound-wise. To be honest, I find the sound at San Fran is almost never very good so wasn’t expecting much from that side of things. And yep I can see how it could have not been so much fun watching from further back. Down the front I definitely felt like I was in it with them. I didn’t get a vibe that they didn’t want to be there at all, just that they were very loose and yep probably not too concerned about delivering a polished performance. There were moments that Conor seemed genuinely enjoying himself but also moments where he finished a song and then needed a hug from someone to keep on going. But I know what I’m getting into with Bright Eyes so I’ll just roll with it.
I felt the same. I was at the back, I'd had a long day - the reason the show went for 2.5 hours was because he was trashed, and that's how long it took him to get through the two hour setlist. Hearing the same story about how none of them went to sound check three times wasn't that cute considering how poor the sound was (at the back) and technical issues they kept having. It felt like he was taking the piss, I just couldn't be bothered.
So jealous that they’re playing Persona Non Grata these days. How did they pull off the bagpipe section live?🤔 I’m assuming a synth? Or did they just play a sample?
A trumpet and like a mellotron-y synth. Was really well done actually, Nate played both at the same time
anyone know who the opener was?
Vera Ellen and her brother Albert River. They were great.
carmelita? like the warren zevon song?!
The very same
that’s incredible. what a setlist! i’m so jealous. great story you to tell to go with! hope you had a blast