As if anyone needed more proof that Bright Eyes had graduated from indie superstar to mainstream presence, a sold-out show at the home of the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall, leaves little doubt. While it may have felt a little funny watching counter culture icon Thurston Moore entertain the Radio City crowd (which remained seated the entire night), Bright Eyes seemed perfectly in his element, comfortable, as if it could have been the back room of any bar. It must have been the mass of hugely devoted fans protecting him from seeing the gaudy wallpaper in the balcony which was apparently bringing on some flashbacks when the hall was empty, according to Mr. Oberst.
Perhaps in reference to graduating through the ranks of halls from Webster to Town to Radio City, the set began with a spirited “Another Travelin’ Song,” or perhaps it was the appropriateness of the lines:
I dreamt this ship was sinkin' there was people screaming all around
And I awoke to my alarm clock it was a pop song it was playin' loud
So I will find my fears and face them
or I will cower like a dog
I will kick and scream or kneel and plead
I'll fight like hell to hide that I've given up
New York has been a productive well to draw from for Bright Eyes for some time, and he does it well, already having a number of songs in his repertoire which, to me, do a remarkable job of capturing what life in the city feels like. He played several of these; from the chemically aided, depressed, ongoing party of “Lua” to the protest spirit documented in “Old Soul Song” they were among the highlights of the evening, and reminded that Radio City is only a couple miles from the Lower East Side, home for the Omaha born indie star/New York songwriter.
Other highlights of the set included “Poison Oak” and “If the Brakeman Turns My Way,” as well as “Arc of Time” from the 2005 release, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, less represented than I’m Wide Awake… released concurrently. This incarnation of Bright Eyes handled the highly produced, electronic “Arc…” beautifully with Mr. Oberst plugging in, turning up, and making me yearn for some more Desaparecidos’ releases. It seemed like the only ones affected by the venue were the audience, who seemed much more inclined to sit quietly and snap pic after pic, and view the night’s proceeding through their camera or phone. I suppose that that is one of the prices of stardom, and that is what Bright Eyes has become. Not only is he comfortable in any setting, he is a rock star in any setting. Fortunately, it is well deserved and he treated the Radio City crowd to great songs with great lyrics, performed well, no matter where we were. The chandeliers and padded seats were just an extra bonus.
--William Carey
