My alarm clock went off at 6:30am this morning. It does everyday. The only difference today was that I had to get up and go to work with very few hours of sleep and it’s Conor Oberst’s fault. Late nights don’t happen much on work nights anymore.  Or usually when I do go during the weeknights to take some photos and listen to some music I will leave the venue early to ensure that I have enough rest to face the next day. Last night I couldn’t leave early. I couldn’t leave until I knew I heard every song that was going to be played. At most shows I’ve been to, and believe me I have lost count- it could be in the thousands at this point- people start to thin out the crowd around 11:15 or so. It doesn’t matter who is on the stage people start to leave, that’s a fact. Last night this wasn’t the case. The venue was packed and no one was leaving until the bitter end. In fact, the impatient crowd were stomping in unison for the encore with such passion that I thought we may fall through the floor of the bar.

The awesome melodies, the solid, tidy arrangements played by backing band Dawes, and the precision and crispness of the sound at the sold out show at Union Transfer last night was worth all the tiredness and pain I feel today. If you know me, you know that operating on less than 8-9 hours sleep doesn’t happen. It just doesn’t. And I would do it all over again. I got to hear songs that I never thought I would have a chance to hear live again- or ever for that matter (Method Acting and Hit the Switch). Reaching far back into the catalog for some old Bright Eyes and then stretching all the way over the rainbow to songs that were released as early as Tuesday of this week off of his new solo album Upside Down Mountain. Conor Oberst’s collection as expansive and eclectic as it is blended beautifully last night into a bouquet-set-list that didn’t disappoint one bit. A fully animated show completed my week and it was only a wednesday.

I always say that my ideal day should provide something to make me think, something to make me laugh, and something to help me make my own fun. Last night provided all three in one space. I feel grateful to be able to continually blend my love of music and creativity all in one place. Enough about me. To see more photos from the photo set click HERE