Conor Oberst at First Avenue

Conor Oberst and Dawes sell out First Avenue

If Conor Oberst’s show at First Avenue on Sunday is any indication, the now-34 year old singer has not lost his edge, but it seems he has grown up plenty. With the venerable rock band Dawes backing him, Oberst plowed through a two-hour long set that showcased just as many Bright Eyes tunes as it did solo material. And while the Bright Eyes tunes oftentimes brought the biggest cheers, I was just as impressed with the songs from his fresh, week-old release Upside Down Mountain.

Songs like “Hundred Ways” from Upside Down Mountain show a brighter side of Oberst that is missing from most of his previous material. “There are hundreds of ways to get through the day, just find one.” Conor sang in the chorus, and that sentiment stuck throughout this performance. The crowd, made up up plenty of twenty-something couples and dudes who knew every lyric — took it all in stride, rocking out just as hard for Dawes’ fantastic opening set as they did for Conor Oberst. There were a couple hiccups and start-overs, but overall Dawes backed Oberst wonderfully.

Oberst’s musicianship doesn’t standout as much as his story-telling lyrics and his unique, wavering delivery. There were plenty of times throughout this show however, when the music reached heights I didn’t expect. Taylor Goldsmith’s bluesy guitar solos added a lot, and when he shredded Oberst got within feet of him and nodded in appreciation. Oberst also took to the piano and played “Ladder Song” solo and it was quite memorable. The song ends with “You’re not alone, even if you’re trying to be.” and brought big cheers from the crowd.

In between the seesaw of songs, Oberst found plenty of time to banter. “This one is about the magical healing powers of alcohol,” he exclaimed before “Hit the Switch”, the only Digital Ash in a Digial Urn song played all evening. At another point, he seemingly mocked Mumford & Sons when he said “I like small old things, like this vest. I usually wear suspenders though. We normally have six banjo players, but they’re busy riding the rails to Hudson, NY.” He laughed, then gave some knuckles the keyboardist Tay Strathairn before busting into a revved up version of “If the Brakeman Turns My Way” from the 2007 Bright Eyes album Cassadaga.

Conor Oberst and Dawes at First Avenue made for a great bill, and they did not disappoint.

Photos taken for Twin Cities Daily Planet.

Conor Oberst

Dawes

Conor Oberst – First Avenue, Minneapolis, MN June 1, 2014 Setlist
Time Forgot
Zig-Zagging Toward the Light
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now
Moab
Kick
Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)
Artifact #1
Hit the Switch
Double Life
Bowl of Oranges
Danny Callahan
Ladder Song
If the Brakeman Turns My Way
Soul Singer in a Session Band
Hundreds of Ways
Desert Island Questionnaire
Poison Oak
I Got the Reason #2
Encore:
Cape Canaveral
Another Travelin’ Song
Roosevelt Room