BRIGHT EYES DELIVER AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED PERFORMANCE AT THE WILTERN IN LOS ANGELES
WORDS AND PHOTOS BY ISABEL DIMARANAN
The sold-out show for Bright Eyes at the Wiltern was impressive, with a crowd excited to see Conor Oberst play with his band. From the beginning of their set, they engaged the room with their Spanish intro, heading into a song off their newest album, Five Dice, All Threes. Hearing them play new and old songs like Mariana Trench and Shell Games, then play a few from one of his favorite albums and my favorite, Digital Ash in a Digital Urn, which is going on to be 20 years old this year.
Through the performance, they brought back old memories and the chance to bring newer songs to life. As someone who saw them perform at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon, earlier this year, I found it cool to see them play with just as much energy as the last. They played, yet again, the song Devil Town, covering the song by the cherished Daniel Johnston. Oberst was in good spirits, and the band had the same expertise and rhythm.
It was also great to see Christopher Owens open, a soothing solo performance to start the night.
Using an 18-400mm on my Nikon was a considerable help in shooting in a venue like The Wiltern, and I got the shots I wanted from different angles of the house.
Anytime, it’s always a treat to see Bright Eyes.
