The Wake

Conor Oberst made his return to the 400 Bar in Minneapolis on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of December. Oberst has a history of playing the 400; he was 18 for his debut on the 400 Bar’s stage. “It was the first place to ever pay me to play outside of Omaha.” He explained. Bill Sullivan, brother of owner Tom Sullivan, now manages Bright Eyes.

He played a set of entirely original material before returning for an encore. The encore consisted of Bright Eyes, “covers,” as Conor called them. “Southern State” and “A Man Named Truth” were two among them. The originals (listed below) are believed to be potential tracks for his two forthcoming releases. He plans to record both a solo album and a combined effort with his Saddle Creek companion, M. Ward. The titles came straight from the set list which Oberst kept in his pocket for both shows, it was the only list made. He played in Carroll, Iowa, on the 31st at a rally with Michelle Obama; then in Souix City on the 1st at, his set immediately preceding Obama’s speech. Oberst openly endorsed Obama before one of his new originals. He raised his cup to the crowd as he and his new band, which included opener Nik Fritas, took shots of tequila. “Cheers, cheers to this crumbling world. And cheers to Barak Obama, our future President.” He yelled to the enthusiastic crowd.

1. “Cape Canaveral”
2. “Sausalito”
3. “get-well-cards”
4. “Lenders in the Temple”
5. “Highrise Hotel”
6. “Danny C.”
7. (can’t read clearly Conor’s handwriting on the one)
8. “Nyc Gone Gone”
9. “Moab”
10. “Eagle on a Pole”
11. “I Don’t Want to Die…”
12. “Practice Mansion”