Conor Oberst and Company Brought Passion, Poignancy, and Pure Magic
There’s something almost mythical about a Bright Eyes show — and last night at The Aztec Theater, San Antonio got to experience that magic firsthand. Returning as part of their 2025 North American Tour, Bright Eyes delivered a performance filled with raw vulnerability, indie-rock grit, and sweeping emotional highs. The crowd — a mix of lifelong fans and newer devotees — hung on every word, every note, and every aching pause.
Opening the night was the phenomenal Hurray For The Riff Raff, who set the perfect tone with their soul-stirring folk-rock. Together, both acts turned the historic Aztec into a sanctuary for lovers of poetic storytelling, shimmering melodies, and unfiltered emotion.
The concert felt like a reunion with old friends, the kind of night that sticks with you long after the house lights come up.
HURRAY FOR THE RIFF RAFF
Pure Authenticity On Stage
From the moment Hurray For The Riff Raff stepped on stage, it was clear this wasn’t just an opening act — this was an essential part of the night’s journey. Alynda Segarra’s presence was captivating, blending folk sensibilities with a punk spirit, and every song felt like a personal letter read aloud to a room full of old souls.
With a setlist that spanned heartbreak, resilience, and revolution, they connected with the audience through gritty storytelling and melancholic beauty. Tracks like “Alibi,” “Hawkmoon,” and “Buffalo” pulsed with quiet fury, while more intimate numbers had the crowd swaying like leaves caught in a breeze.
What stood out most was Alynda’s authenticity — there was no pretense, no ego, just a deep desire to share stories that matter. Their voice carried the weight of countless generations, blending indie-folk traditions with modern urgency.
By the end of their 9-songs set, San Antonio wasn’t just clapping — we were cheering for more, completely swept up in the power of their presence.
BRIGHT EYES
Bright Eyes took the stage with the kind of electric anticipation that only comes when a band’s songs are woven into the fabric of your life. From the first strum to the final curtain call, Conor Oberst led his band through a spellbinding performance, balancing fragile vulnerability with explosive indie-rock catharsis.
Every song felt like a confession whispered directly to the audience — a conversation between band and fans that’s been building for decades. The full-band arrangements were lush and cinematic, layering strings, horns, and keyboardsover Oberst’s aching vocals. Classics like “Bells And Whistles” had the crowd singing every word, while “First Day Of My Life” erupted into a sonic fever dream that left us breathless.
What stood out most was the band’s chemistry, effortlessly shifting between delicate ballads and stormy crescendos, reminding us why Bright Eyes remain indie icons. Conoer Obersts, together with the multi-instrumentalist and producer Mike Mogis, and arranger, composer and trumpet and piano player Nate Walcott, delivered a performance where every second felt like a gift — a night we wanted to hold onto forever.
Decades of Music & Emotion
Bright Eyes are more than a band — they are a cornerstone of modern indie music, born from the creative mind of Conor Oberst in the mid-1990s. What started as a DIY project fueled by bedroom recordings evolved into one of the most emotionally resonant acts of the past two decades.
Combining folk intimacy, rock urgency, and poetic vulnerability, Bright Eyes’ music speaks to the uncertainties of youth, the ache of heartbreak, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. Their albums — from the haunting Fevers and Mirrors to the ambitious, orchestral sweep of I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning — have left a permanent mark on indie music history.
Through countless reinventions and a willingness to embrace both beauty and chaos, Bright Eyes continues to inspire generations of listeners. Their legacy is one of radical honesty, artistic evolution, and an unbreakable bond with their audience.
Grateful fans celebrated a magical night!
As the final notes rang out and the band took their bows, there was a palpable sense of gratitude hanging in the air. Nights like this don’t come around often — when the music, the atmosphere, and the emotions all align perfectly to create something that feels almost sacred.
Bright Eyes and Hurray For The Riff Raff gave San Antonio a gift last night — not just a concert, but a reminder of why live music matters so much. It connects us, moves us, and reminds us we’re not alone in our experiences.
BRIGHT EYES – San Antonio, TX – 03/01/2025
- Bells and Whistles
- El Capitan
- We Are Nowhere and It’s Now
- The Calendar Hung Itself…
- Bas Jan Ader
- I Won’t Ever Be Happy Again
- First Day of My Life
- Real Feel 105°
- Rainbow Overpass
- Mariana Trench
- Sorry You’re Sick
- Loose Leaves
- Spring Cleaning
- Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
- Happy Accident
- Tiny Suicides
- Devil Town
- Old Soul Song (for the New World Order)
- Tin Soldier Boy
Encore: - At the Bottom of Everything
- Shell Games
- Let’s Not Shit Ourselves (to Love and to Be Loved)
