BRIGHT EYES w/ Gillian Welch @ Town Hall – 5/25 – 6/1

Oberst and friends will be in town for a stunning week long run starting this Friday. What is more interesting, though, are his “very special guests” that will be joining him onstage throughout the week. We’re not going to spoil it for you, but some of the biggest names in rock, country, college and underground music will be up there with Conor. Even a casual fan of theirs will get a kick out of this marathon, but undoubtedly there are the hardcore fans that will buy tickets to every single show to see what the surprises are each night. We would tell you, but that would ruin all the fun.

RIYL: Cursive, early Wilco, Rilo Kiley, Commander Venus

BRIGHT EYES @ Bowery Ballroom – 3/2/07, 3/3/07

Conor Oberst et al. will be in New York’s Bowery Ballroom for two dates this weekend behind their upcoming Saddle Creek release Cassadaga. Seemingly every review for any Bright Eyes album or show brings up two points: how young Oberst is (he’s fucking 6!) and how he is such a gifted songwriter. And while most of his work up until this point has been basically folk music coupled with Oberst’s signature vocal warble, his newer compositions take a decidedly more country turn, opening up a whole new spectrum for the Bright Eyes faithful. Don’t worry though; his style has not changed enough as to alienate his audience. His bleak and cathartic outlook on life is still intact, so if you hate governments and relationships, you will still be right at home.

RIYL: Cursive, early Wilco, Rilo Kiley, Commander Venus