The concert, showcasing Oberst' new eponymous album of upbeat indie-folk rock songs with trademark depressing-as-hell lyric, was good. Musically, the five piece Mystic Valley Band worked together well, backing Conor solidly as he strummed a variety of guitars and threw himself all over the stage and played in their faces. They even took lead vocal duties on a few songs.
The only problem was the sound was quite muddy, and the band overpowered the vocal quite a lot. I enjoyed it a lot more when Conor played the simpler arrangements, usually himself and one other member accompanying him - in those moments it was clear how beautiful and unique his voice is, how affecting the songs are. I particularly loved a slowed down version of Cape Canaveral, with the guitar slapping and extended band jam. Actually, all the band jams were good examples of Americana folk rock at its best. And Conor clearly adores his band, from his descriptions of them as amazing and lovely, and the random shaking of their hands in thanks, and the group hug at the end of the second last song.
Conor himself was ADORABLE. He was a tiny man, smart and oddly formal in a dark suit and tie. He was obviously enjoying his time on stage, playing with passion, dancing oddly around with his arms in the air or outstretched at other times. He even climbed up on the drummer's riser, then onto his bass drum, where he proceeded to play and sing half a song during the encore. He also came and sat on the edge of the stage for Central City, to the joy of those lucky fans at the barrier. His voice was, as already noted, in good form, and he had this great growl in the more bluesy songs that was both unexpected and much appreciated.
The set list was pretty obscure; apart from nearly every song from the new album, there was a scattering of covers, unreleased songs and rare tracks. Milk Thistle ("This is a therapeutic song" was Conor's introduction) was amazingly moving live, and I really liked the blues cover Corinna, Corinna.
Sausalito
Get-Well-Cards
Danny Callahan
Central City
Smoke Signals
Cape Canaveral
I Got A Reason #1
Moab
Ten Women
I Got A Reason #2
Sun Down
NYC - Gone Gone
Souled Out!!!
Milk Thistle
Lenders in the Temple
Corinna, Corinna
Kodachrome (Paul Simons cover)
I Don't Want to Die (In The Hospital)
Breezy
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