'Bright Eyes' for Beginners

Conor Oberst, aka 'Bright Eyes', performed to a sold out crowd last night at The Ohio State University's Mershon.

Oakley Hall or as Conor referred to them, "the best band in New York" opened with a spirited performance to a crowd that was less into them and more into counting down the seconds till Bright Eyes took the stage.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings (also regulars in the 'Bright Eyes' band lineup) took the stage and sang sweet country-like melodies. One could not stop staring at David Rawlings. He appeared shy and sweet, but the way he played guitar was a near orgasmic experience. His passion for his instrument almost bordering on obscene. The crowd drank it all in, knowing that their set was not the last we would see of them.

Then the moment everyone was really there for arrived. Conor took the stage. now I have to say I am writing this never hearing a lick of his music until a friend tricked me into going last night. I am a former self professed music snob who grew up, had children, and finds herself completely out of touch with the music world.

The stage was decorated in various unnaturally dyed daisies. The fans, mostly college aged underweight hipsters stared at the stage in awe. the band, which included two female drummers, a six piece orchestra of sorts off to the sides, and various other instrumental geniuses including now full-time band members Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott all dressed in romantic white. The screen in the background flashed various images varying from a Ouija Board to a purple daisy whose leaves were being plucked as Conor sang "Make a Plan to Love Me."

What I was expecting was a politically charged rant, fueled by his all to famous drunken stage presence. What I got was a glimpse into the soul of a man who had such an amazing voice and spirit I could barely believe my ears. He sang one melodic tune after the next. He barely looked at the audience (I am told he has extreme stage fright). When he did talk he dedicated a song to Walt Disney and everyone in the audience with lime green eyes. But when he sang, it was as if you could feel his passion surging through the crowd.

His final some, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" was an all out ode to noise. The crowd stormed the stage, the ten plus band members did all they could to make enough noise to nearly shake the walls to pieces. Conor grabbed the multi-colored daisies and threw them out to the crowd them walked off stage to everyone chanting. "One More Song." But Alas, their chants were not heard. the lights came on, and Conor, my newfound favorite "boy genius" was gone.