I just got back from a Bright Eyes concert.  It was so unbelievably good that there is absolutely no way I could describe how happy it made me.  I was happier than I’ve been in a while and it equaled the way 30 Seconds to Mars concerts make me feel even though it was a completely different kind of concert experience.  I guess I can’t say any more about that so I’ll just leave it at, I was and still am just plain happy.

The best moment?  This song.  He played it, and it was beautiful and incredible and made me cry.  It’s not the best Bright Eyes song, but it’s the first one I truly loved, the one that made me a fan, and the first song I ever learned to play on guitar.  From the second the first word left his lips, I was crying.  Tears of joy.  It was like nirvana.  Freedom and salvation and affirmation and just everything good all wrapped up in one song.

In summation: Bright Eyes killed it tonight and if you can see Conor Oberst live, you should.

First Listen: Bright Eyes, 'The People's Key'

I won’t mince words: This is the best record Bright Eyes has ever made. In fact, it’s the best record the band’s frontman, Conor Oberst, has ever been a part of. Publicists like to say as much any time an artist releases a new album, but in this case, it’s actually true. The People’s Key is a career-defining work of art.

Click through to listen to the album in its entirety and read the rest of the article.  I’m halfway through and loving every minute of it.  Can’t wait to see them at SXSW!

New SXSW adds - Bright Eyes, The Felice Brothers, Man Man

sxsweveryband:

Auditorium Shores have announced an exciting preliminary lineup for their close-out show on Saturday March 19.  From SXSW.com:

The Auditorium Shores Stage will close out SXSW 2011 with a bang. Ground Control Touring is pleased to present their showcase on Saturday, March 19 featuring Bright Eyes, The Felice Brothers, Middle Brother, and Man Man.

Conor Oberst’s seminal band Bright Eyes will return to SXSW in support of their new record The People’s Key, their first in four years. The record will drop on February 15 on Saddle Creek Records. Bright Eyes’ last performance at SXSW was way back in 2000 and you can find some cool old pics from that show here.

http://sxsw.com/node/6241

I literally just yelped aloud when I saw Bright Eyes up there in the title.  Potentially going to be my favorite part of the whole week.  Hopefully it won’t be freezing again like it was when I stood at Auditorium Shores last year for She & Him.

Gah!  SO happy.