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Review and Photo by Liana Minassian
On an unusually chilly Tuesday night in South Florida, fans of Bright Eyes found themselves at the Culture Room, unfazed by the weather as they anxiously waited to see Conor Oberst, the band’s visionary.
But it wasn’t Bright Eyes they were coming to see, although Oberst’s latest incarnation, Mystic Valley Band, does include some former musicians from Bright Eyes. Instead of the melancholic, and dare I say emo songs, typical of Bright Eyes, fans got a taste of the country/folk side of Oberst, which was at times even uplifting. No doubt a result of Oberst’s continual progression as an artist, the Mystic Valley Band and supporting acts Rig 1 and the Felice Brothers were a breath of fresh air among the stagnant acts blowing through the Sunshine State this month.
Opener Rig 1 was a surprise to the crowd wandering in that night. Singer Rig rapped over blasted beats accompanied by guitarist and bassist Trust and Jimmy Utah. All three members wore oversized black hoods that made them look more Sith than hip-hop. Rapping about philosophy, politics and spirituality, Rig 1 set the stage for an interesting night full of originality.
Next on stage were toetappers The Felice Brothers, who sounded like they belonged on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. Their mix of folk, country and bluegrass style brought the South back to South Florida. With a voice like Bob Dylan, singer Ian Felice rounded out their down-home sound, living up to their self-proclaimed genre, simply defined as American music.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band started things off with "Cape Canaveral," also the first song off Oberst’s CD. He sang in his peculiar wavering way, all the while shaking and rattling like a human tambourine. The Mystic Valley Band’s folksy southern rock blended nicely with Oberst’s sensitive voice and lyrics, forming an interesting blend unique in sights and sounds.
The Mystic Valley Band’s set seemed too short for their radiating energy, and they left the crowd longer than most indie bands that come back for an encore. However, when Oberst reappeared once again all was forgiven and his rowdy fans swelled with gratitude at the chance to experience his bountiful talent if just for a few more minutes.