By A.J. Harris
BLOOMINGTON – Nearly two years ago, in September 2017, Conor Oberst was scheduled to play at the Castle Theatre in Bloomington. Due to unforeseen circumstances, he didn’t make it, and fans have been clamoring for his return ever since.
They got their wish last night, as Oberst made it back to the Twin Cities.
Opening act Joanna Sternberg, whose voice sounds like a pensive Lisa Simpson, yet bare and vulnerable, more than handled the pressure of being on their first tour. While the nerves were visible, Sternberg was disarming, and the crowd fell into a swoon along with them. Their delicate folk piano and even more delicate singing was the perfect compliment to Oberst, as was the personal nature of their songs. It’s as if the crowd found their diary, and immediately felt guilty for reading it. They were quiet and captivating.
Conor Oberst shows have an interesting dichotomy, at times introspective and raucous, and this show was no different.
Playing from a consistent setlist that he and his backing band have not changed from night to night, one might think the predictability could hinder the show, and maybe cause the energy level of the crowd to drop.
The first quarter of the show was certainly subdued, opening with alt-folk songs “I Won’t Ever Be Happy Again” and “The Trees Get Wheeled Away”, both from Oberst’s former band Bright Eyes.
It wasn’t until Oberst broke into long-time fan favorite “Bowl of Oranges” that everything clicked, and a palpable change took place in the small venue. Introspection and excitement seemed to meld, and the rest of the evening became something to remember.
Oberst tore through an almost even mix of chamber pop-ish Bright Eyes staples, which sounded busy in the best way with horns and synthesizers, and his solo work, which featured more sparse production. He even covered an old Waylon Jennings classic “If You See Me Getting Smaller”, which the crowd recognized and appreciated.
The most poignant moment of the night came during a devastating and beautiful performance of “No One Would Riot For Less”.
“Help me out. Help is coming” he sang in a desperate and hopeful plea, accompanied by shimmering synths.
One would think that the overtly-political Oberst would be in a more somber mood, but he was light and affable on stage, joking with the audience about his broken lava lamp and how they were the best college band in the country. He was seemingly having a grand old time, and the audience was right there with him.
“This is just family fun,” he repeated throughout the show. And it was. Oberst was having fun, and everyone was having fun right along with him, so happy that he finally made it back.
A.J. Harris can be reached at [email protected]
