Bright Eyes at The State Theatre Portland, Maine 3-11-11

photos by Robbie Kanner

Quotes from the audience:

Connor Oberst was at home last Friday NIght at the State THeater. He showed a lot of love for Portland Maine, reigning accolades on one of the world best mastering engineers. "He walks amongst you" he said in reference to the great Bob Ludwig. Connor's energy and performance was contagious. He played multiple encores as the audience erupted over and over again. from the beautiful acoustic ballads, to the full on rocking arrangements, Bright eyes played to every nook and cranny of the State Theater, leaving Portland Maine in a state of awe I haven't seen in a long time. It was a night i will never forget... Ralph Graceffa of Marion Grace

I've had the oppurtunity to see Conor play in different formations (The Desaparacidos, Monsters Of Folk, Solo)....This was my first time actually seeing Bright Eyes, and it was spectacular. The presentation and song selection was top notch. Besides "Gold Mine Gutted off of "Digital Ash....:", the stuff off "The People's Key" were my personal highlights, and quite honestly, i think its the best stuff Conor's ever done... Miek Rodrigue of Holy Boys Danger Club

The show exceeded all expectations... felt like you could have cut the nostalgia in the air with a knife. Amazing energy from both crowd and Conor + Co...Kelsey Munroe

Seeing the band perform with Jim James, Gillian Welch and David Rawlings in 2006 at Bonnaroo, at the height of their careers to that point (coming off dual releases of "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning" & "Digital Ash in a Digital Urn"), I never thought those moments and the emotions that set instilled in me, could ever be attained again. That is until I stood 10 feet away from the stage at The State Theatre and was engulfed in visual and sonic bliss. Conor and his new band (a Saddle Creek all-star lineup), welded beautifully the meloncholy madness of his earlier work and the hopeful and spiritual synth-fused indie rock of his newer material. The show is still replaying in my mind days later and is destined to stay there for quite a while...Billy Lynch of Deep in the Belly Management