Click Here for the full photo set.
Exit the sun parched
stillness into words bound and
words set free into
open space cascading through
honeycombed rail speaking truths
Upside down Mountain
radiates, a deliverance
from flamingo stance
the sound, soft as fuzz, casts spells,
grabs hold with ferocity
Renga by: Shan
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
is for the Abandoned pair of shoes we found along Thames Street
is for the Backstage BBQ going down in a storm . . .
. . . only to rise again! Unplugged but still so powerful
is for the Cameras on sticks
is for the water Dumping down Ady’s back!
is for the solid Everywhere-man Taylor Goldsmith (Dawes) who was spotted . . . everywhere!
is for the vibrant music playing with the historic Fort Adams as its backdrop
is for the Guthrie Family and the celebration of Woody Guthrie’s 100th birthday
is for the Heat and Humidity
is for Irie!
is for the friendly stranger who strolled over to chat with us, and turned out to be Jackson Browne
(and for the omelette that was named after him)
is for all the fun we had with Kristi! And for the beautiful souvenirs she made for us
is for the Love of music
is for Deer Tick’s explosive cover of Lennon’s “Mother”
is for, what else! the legendary Newport Folk Festival and the Newport Festivals Foundation that supports it
is for Conor Oberst and Friends’ mind-bending performance at Jane Pickens Theater
is for the Passageways leading from one stage to the next
is for the lightning Quick entrance by Conor Oberst to join First Aid Kit for “King of the World”
is for Rip Roaring amounts of fun and entertainment for days on end
is for Jay Sweet. Thank you and the rest of your crew for making the NFF so folking amazing for all of us!
{PHOTO BLOCKED FOR YOUR PROTECTION}
is for the (dog, not deer) Tick that stowed away home with us, only to be discovered and dumped along the way in a parking lot in somewhere in New York state.
is for the rumored Unicorn head at the festival that turned up at First Aid Kit’s set (see Kristi’s photo for proof!)
is for Ben Brodin’s ethereal Vibraphone at Jane Pickens Theater
is for the spectacular Weekend kickoff with Wilco’s “Christ for President”
is for the acoustic cover of InXs’ “Never Tear Us Apart” led by Jim James at the Backstage BBQ
is for the countdown to the 2013 NFF. See you next Year!
is for the lack of Zzzzzzz’s, but who cares! We were at the 2012 Newport Folk Festival!
Adieu sweet festival, until we meet again!
View our collection of photos from the 2012 Newport Folk Festival
July 24, 2012– Conor Oberst traveled to “the land Jesus was born in” to play a lengthly solo set that eventually ended with him accompanied by the Band Dawes . Dawes opened the evening, drawing attention and pleasing many. Conor Oberst told the crowd that Dawes will be recording soon, so keep your eye out for something new from these friendly, talented guys (and also keep an eye out for the photographs of their set as well, those are coming soon).
I’ve never been to the Musikfest Cafe, what a neat venue. Facing old steel stacks, the Musikfest cafe provides a beautiful glass window view from floor to ceiling. Quite the ambiance, sun setting, as a band takes the stage. Perfect.
I didn’t write down the set list, I was busy taking photos for the first three songs- and then went to my seat to enjoy music. Happy crowd, smiling faces and several new songs filled the evening.
This is just the beginning of the week for Conor Oberst. He’s slowly making his way over to the Newport Folk Festival this weekend. Sisters Dissonance will also be there covering the fun. Check back this week for more and more and more… This is going to be a great week.
Click here to view the full photo set of Conor Oberst live in Bethlehem.
Sisters Dissonance 