Conor Oberst: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

[@StabYrHeart]

i go through periods without Bright Eyes/Conor's solo projects but when i come back it's the only music i listen for weeks.

[@janelee4271]

Kath m

[@justinnemelka6740]

LITERALLY ME TOO. In one right now. My last one was the whole summer when Pokémon Go came out. 😌

[@Jacebeaner]

You mean short periods without depression before it comes crashing back?

[@dustinb1070]

Same.

[@davidr1122]

Elliott Smith, Bright Eyes, Mac Miler, & Less Than Jake are in a constant never ending rotation of music I binge to.

[@tobyclarkthomson8443]

Upside Down Mountain is terrific. The album is so underrated

[@Rianajune]

Conor's voice is like coffee - acquired and addictive.

[@GathererThompson]

Counting Crows-esque :)

[@bloodSCARSandMCR]

Yes! I think if you hear a song by him when in a similar place as he was in emotionally you cant get enough. But trying to share his tunes w folks who dont know him is hard.

[@miker7795]

"Time Forgot" has so many great lyrics. I would think that any hack songwriter could've probably carved a 3 year career out of one of those lines.

[@bloodSCARSandMCR]

@@miker7795 absoloutely!!

[@tobyclarkthomson8443]

Great stuff to listen to during the pandemic

[@dirtbagdingbat6398]

his voice brings me back to being 16 in the winter time, printing BW film in the dark room and riding my bike to the local parks. Times full of genuine emotion and rooms full of weed smoke.

[@blackwindsignomancy8429]

I feel this so hard. God I miss when the world was still real

[@DangerousCandy]

Hahaha Jesus Christ ya something like that ❤

[@bradleylovej]

This is beautiful

[@thatssoironic]

You sound like a cool person

[@n88neight33]

In my opinion, this is the best Tiny Desk appearance. Waiver I am not a Oberst or Bright Eyes fanatic. I do not even own an album. That first song is fantastic.

[@Rustsamurai1]

I just found this vid, and yes, I listened to the first song x12 today.

[@skinblanketed]

I really hope you both dig deeper into his catalog. Not everything hits for me but there are some extraordinary gems that have been legitimately life-enriching.

[@az-co4jb]

Mac Mill

[@Rizza.]

conor is easily one of the best musicians and song writers of our time. i've said it since i was 11 - i'm 32 now and he's still going strong lol

[@jamesd.6979]

It's definitely up there.. I would highly recommend a few others as well in case anyone happens to be interested.. -My all time favorite is Vic Chesnutt's performance, he OD'd and died less than a month afterwards. He genuinely looks like a man in great pain and at the end of his rope, but the performance itself was superbly emotive and full to the brim with sincerity and life. Equal parts beautiful and haunting. If this performance doesn't move you, you are 100% soulless, lol.. -Mac Miller's performance was another close-to-perfect one, imho.. he too would OD and die about a month or so after this performance. Horribly sad, he was only 26 years old. Didn't get nearly enough respect for his legit ability to play + record live instruments and even produce / engineer. An absolute prodigy that we lost far too soon. -U2.. this one was a huge surprise, at least to me. Not only was it crazy that they agreed to do it in the first place, what's even crazier is how well they understood the assignment. Absolutely nailed it. I wouldn't even consider myself to be a U2 fan to be honest, but these stripped down / re-imagined versions of a few of their hits were seriously fantastic. They even brought in a local choir of teens / young adults from the inner city to collaborate and perform with them! I'm telling you, it was ABSOLUTELY beautiful. -Juvenile w/ Manny Fresh. The backstory leading up to the performance is hilarious and the performance was honestly spectacular. Another case of an artist you would not expect to do a Tiny Desk Concert absolutely KILLING IT. Definitely understood the assignment. -King Krule. The performance itself was pretty straightforward, but what made it so special (at least in my eyes) was the sheer authenticity. Their music is not accessible. It is challenging. Many first-time listeners are immediately turned off by Archie's vocals and all of the jazz chords. Huge mistake too, because their music is some of the most rewarding material I've heard in over 2x decades. They didn't come in and pander to the listeners / audience either; King Krule came in to promote their newest album and that's exactly what they did. What made the performance so amazing was how well the material translated in the small, intimate environment. It was absolutely mesmerizing from start to finish. They subsequently made a huge number of new fans based on this performance. Sorry for typing a novel, lol. Anyone else got favorites?

[@NoahMullinax]

The guy playing the shakers is the chillest dude I've ever seen

[@Hugyourmomm]

Noah Mullinax it’s definitely just the glasses. Lmfao. It even made snoopy cooler. And he was already pretty cool.

[@lancehopkinsmusic]

He’s the drummer for Dawes!

[@TheBella2u]

Seriously, he’s adorable.

[@TheBella2u]

Lance Hopkins ya, I saw Dawes with Jackson Browne. Jackson knows great music..

[@NeverButNothing]

I guess you’ve never seen the drummer for bill withers?

[@neros12346]

I'm surprised how insanely good all these songs are. Conor has been making and releasing music constantly over the last 25 years, and yet I love almost all of the things he creates. Such a wonderful human.

[@vivalanina]

The fact that he doesn't only make me cry during artifact no.1 but he makes himself cry when he's singing it makes it seem so real and raw. He completely broke me when he changed the lyrics from "the sound that's been keeps echoing" to "you're the sound that's been, you keep echoing" SO beautifully heartbreaking

[@thepearlnextdoor1820]

Let's just take a moment and realize how absurdly beautiful this performance was

[@Seth-hc2bj]

He always says what I cant manage to, so eloquently. This skill leads to tears.

[@jedwalsh4055]

this tiny desk concert has gotten me through a lot. thanks, conor oberst.

[@Cptidris]

He is healing himself with his music . Kudos Conor always inspiring us.

[@natashamorgan1698]

Healing us all haha

[@louieo.blevinsmusic4197]

Sharing his soul.

[@kevinmichaelcallihansr5053]

He is singing from the heart. He'll be okay. Someone told me that same thing, too. It works with music.

[@jarretttindle5101]

Love you Conor! You're THE GREATEST songwriter of our generation...possibly of all time! Thank you

[@abbytee1]

I love that Conor collaborates will all the bands he goes on tour with

[@simone_asleep9953]

SETLIST 0:00 Time Forgot 5:20 Double Life 9:46 Zigzagging Toward The Light 13:56 Artifact #1

[@MikePouch]

I was like, "there's gotta be a hero in this comment section!" BOOM!

[@fiftythree30]

Tiny Desk really has shown me amazing songwriters and musicians I would never have found otherwise. This is my favorite format and when I strike gold like this one it makes my month. I get to dive into new amazing music now and have something new in my life. Thanks guys! This Collings and Gibson sound just great together. Tiny Desk is my favorite guitar museum.

[@talktothewalls]

this is so good, it hurts. i've strayed from conor for a few years, but i'm back and an even bigger fan now! also love how that shaker dude takes his light percussion so seriously.

[@brigademember7363]

Playing those things as good as he did is pretty tough tbh

[@friendship6668]

I listened to him in the first half of the 00s. But now its really resonating again.

[@sweetjimmymullins]

Gotta love Dawes backing him

[@zzdoodzz]

Unmistakable voice of Conor Oberst, such a unique style. Definitely one of the true greats of this generation.

[@TheoVoidTV]

That dude on the maraca's is KILLIN IT though!!!!

[@steelrain3686]

+Theo Void it's Griffin Goldsmith from Dawes.

[@JimmyGrackle]

GRIFFFFFFFF!

[@lucidinterval8012]

Conor has been my favorite artist since the early 2000's.

[@emilymclemore2774]

There are not enough words. Conor oberst is everything

[@billkruegler1749]

I'm swimming in the coolaid. My ggosebumps have goosebumps! In my humble opinion Conor is one of our best singer songwriters. I love Steve Earle and many others, but Conor is surely one very crazy stupid off the charts special American artist.

[@andrewhuffman7129]

Conor and Taylor should do a ep together. You can tell their chemistry is great.

[@SomethingAboutMars]

....strummin my pain with his fingers, singing my life with his words........

[@gustercc]

I've loved this guy's music for the longest time. His writing has grown stronger with each passing album. He's a far better songwriter than half the people out write now. Even at his worst, better still than the other half. I've been waiting for another acoustic based album like a toddler waiting for Santa.

[@EugeneMiller-ld5xg]

Never commented in my life on line. Loved Conner for years but this is special.

[@ASAPQUARTERBAG]

jesus christ, like a lot of other people have said, i go to and fro with conor's work. 3 months ago started listening to the old stuff again. first time listening to this, and to say he's the greatest artist of our generation is a little over the top, but how committed he is to his craft still blinds my heart. "it's a little early to be singing but doing the best i can" One of the best , if not , "The"

[@TheSuperPolarBear]

Still my favorite version of Time Forgot! I come back to this often to listen.

[@justinfearior357]

Sometimes you think and realise this isn’t just consumable product there for me to sit back and listen to, a person created this. And it’s fucking amazing. And you think “could i do this?” And you know, no I couldn’t. All i can do is enjoy. Sit back and listen.

[@Nabooshlove7]

♥️

[@benholland1331]

The best tiny desk performance ever, so many emotions from one second to the next , thank you Conor ❤️👏🙏

[@skifullydone8165]

Time Forgot is such a beautiful song! With the beatiful voice of Taylor it's even more beautiful! What a great Tiny Desk Concert. I love this approach!

[@blobfishrescue]

Oh. Its just Me. Coming in for my weekly dose of live Artifact #1.

[@UnCleT215]

Mrs O there's no better version of that song anywhere . 100%

[@ophiliafox4268]

I love Tiny Desk concerts SO MUCH! Every single one just seems like a showcase of the very best of whatever artist is performing. They have amazing brilliant small indie artists, as well as such iconic music as Aurora and PWR BTTM. I love these. Yessss

[@BryanHaywood]

I've loved his previous work but this is probably some of his strongest work yet.

[@AidenWylieIsSoWonderful]

A lot of his recent output has been substandard. I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning was his last consistently great record. This new one is right up there. He sometimes lets that annoying whiney woe-is-me self indulgence creep into his lyrics, but for the most part this is a much more mature record with his strongest melodies.

[@BryanHaywood]

Aiden Wylie wide awake is a wonderful album.

[@BryanHaywood]

***** yes?

[@levimcduffie]

Aiden Wylie Dude the people's key is a masterpiece and his first solo album is ridiculous as well... to each his own I guess though

[@MusicInMotion]

Artifact #1 is one of the best songs I've ever listened to. It's a poem. A masterpiece.

[@MEbrickCo]

That music comes deep from the heart.

[@mallulamounier]

you're the sound that's been, you keep echoing, you never disappeared

[@TheRoundaboutCrew]

I'm glad blonde Howard Stern is getting some maraca work. Enjoyed this set!

[@Tsumami__]

Lmfao noooooo 😄😆😂😆😂 I'm crying

[@kewlkid629]

lmao im dying from this

[@kewlkid629]

and im 99% sure none of these guys know that the orlando magic are a basketball team

[@bandawhat33]

kewlkid629 it's sad that anyone knows that.

[@johnshears5160]

kewlkid629 you immature hipsters know nothing! the "howard stern" is the drummer for Dawes and the back up guitarist is the lead for Dawes! BTW he's a basketball fan you naive little child! go back to middle school before you get caught truant

[@ChristCrucifiedforyou]

Here a little late, but doesn't matter. Timeless....glad to hear this now.

[@Blandyman]

Fantastic performance of fantastically written songs.

[@gregfolino906]

Soul singer in a session band.

[@willkirby5214]

The most genuine soul for the most beautiful music.

[@kati4191]

I just want him to be happy

[@1833semperfi]

P Haxke and

[@JoshtheEnigma]

Me too

[@jefflangenberg2411]

1833semperfi I want conor to have my baby

[@bhew7409]

I want my body to have corners ¬

[@vicinteriano]

Conor Oberst and happiness are 2 words that don't combine at all. XD

[@matthewaubertin9452]

Dawes should be his permanent backing-band. So solid.

[@jonathanrandol794]

Thank you Meg my dear, for introducing me to bright eyes, and for all that you do to put a smile on my face. 😙

[@uptheantie417]

I missed this guy. way too much.

[@MethenySco]

Once i started listening, I couldn't stop.

[@inurb4se]

I'm going to see him live in a few weeks, he has been my favorite artist throughout my teens and twenties. I worried about his direction for a little bit, but this was incredible.

[@anigmasaur5280]

Same.

[@ophiliafox4268]

oh my god i love how like 60% of the comments are about the guy in the back with the sunglasses and maraca

[@progressiveGal73]

ophilia fox right?!! They are cracking me up!!! I have to re-listen to the set because the comments are messing with my melancholy 🤨😄

[@martilack]

That’s an awesome profile pic or whatever love that record

[@dlowery1024]

Wow, what a great mini-set. Conor's voice sounds as emotive as ever and it's pretty cool to have Taylor Goldsmith as your sideman. Taylor and Griffin are pretty busy with their own thing.

[@meganbright94]

I listened to Bright Eyes and other Conor Oberst projects throughout high school and they have meant so much 💛

[@vegancomicnerd86]

I wasn't sure about his new album at first, but this performance for sure won me over. I'm looking forward very much to seeing him live in August!

[@bentolleson8582]

He writes such pretty songs

[@Richhookspin]

I think about 1,000 of the views of this are me watching it again and again!

[@SarahZ333]

Listening to him makes me cry. Is that normal?

[@wulfbuoygarwalfey3582]

Completely

[@Snacktime12345]

Oprah Jones yup me too!

[@cameronchapman171]

100%

[@melancholyskittle]

Totally normal. I cry while listening to him a lot

[@starlamoon286]

It's probably abnormal if you don't.

[@Eeli2008]

So lovely! But the shaking voice sounds sort of heartbreaking at the same time.

[@writingalias4401]

Love Conor, its awesome that he got michael cera to do the percussion. :p

[@angrychocolaterabbit]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@scenekid222]

That's the drummer for Dawes. Know more things.

[@writingalias4401]

@@scenekid222 I was j/king - I hope you're doing ok!!

[@humanonearth1]

Don't know bright eyes much. But man this guy has the folk in him like a fire. Bravo!

[@alebole]

Amazing and moving to tears thank you Charlie for letting me know Conor Oberst....

[@emilygreen6720]

Best thing I have heard in quite some time.

[@marcowolf993]

Grandissimo Conor! Ti ho visto a Camogli diversi anni fa e hai fatto un concerto bellissimo! E questo concerto da camera è davvero un bel regalo. Spero di poterti rivedere di nuovo da vivo, magari in Italia...a presto.

[@akobrien9142]

love the goldsmiths so much

[@nulluser4015]

I've watched this set so many times, and I never get sick of it. So good!

[@adaswedentr]

Same!!

[@Weareroses]

i literally said to myself about 5 minutes ago to go check out somw live footage of bright eyes cause i havent listened to him in a long time and then i open uo youtube and this was on my feed... crazy world thank u!

[@rickhelm8106]

Fantastic set. Great stuff. Particularly love Disco Stu on percussion.

[@Duda4real]

Who just watched the 2020 Tiny Desk and couldn't get enough of Conor's voice?

[@litethepath]

My God, I've always heard the standard for music was to hear it live. Connor, you are the closest to a god we have ever had.

[@gradenhill6851]

"Spins around just like a clock" I wonder if he changed the lyrics in Zigzagging Toward the Light. He seriously makes great music and is one of my favorites now. I wish I wasn't broke so I could own more of his albums and he's only getting better from the past even though i loved those albums too

[@perrygrossman2008]

Amazing performance, especially the solos by Taylor Goldsmith.

[@MrPDTaylor]

Greatest songwriter ever.

[@MrPernell27]

going to see him again in September. Great song writer, great performer!

[@jarmstrong026]

That shaky voice is so beautiful. Bright Eyes.

[@barryfromwales.]

this version of 'time forgot' is so heartbreakingly beautiful

[@JustinSemenoff-jy9w]

where the hell have you guys been?...living under a rock? he's a musical genius.

[@kurtiswithakayy]

One of the greatest songwriters of all time, period.

[@Macheeoo33]

WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO HAVE DAWES ON FOR A TINY DESK CONCERT!!!!!?!?!?!?!?

[@jakedurm]

preach

[@skyekent9934]

I saw them at Hangout Fest where they played and then they also played with Conor - so good! They deserve a TDC of their own, for sure.

[@hmonroe2002]

I'm a big fan of Dawes. Anyone they back without question has talent. Many thanks to Bob and Denise for hosting them. Awesome performance.

[@kimberlykay1495]

The feelings this pulls from me, I can’t begin to describe. I could watch him play and sing all day. I think I’m in love 🥰

[@richhoracek7561]

That's ridiculous good. His hung over state just makes it better. I love that guy. Put Bright Eyes to bed? Yes this album has done it.

[@sdslancs]

Reminds me of the lead singer of Counting Crows. Love the rawness

[@brazenlilhussy5975]

S'pose they do use a bit of tremolo in their singing, both effortlessly convey emotion when they sing too and that's as rare as it is real. I do think Adam Duritz overdoes it sometimes these days (cos he hasn't got quite the same pitch as when he started, that's not a dig either he's been around a long time) 😊

[@DamianKonopka]

mazing...Conor is one of my musical and life-living idols. Beautiful

[@brismith6148]

I love this performance so much, I'm seeing Conor in concert this June and I'm so excited!!

[@emilysavage2151]

I've actually never seen him sing and the way his mouth moves is fascinating.

[@fuzzyone99]

Great harmonizing. Dawes is talented too. Great to see them supporting him.

[@melissamagana2986]

Bands like these are why I love tiny desk concerts.

[@Treesandink]

holy cow! what a concert! lovely new songs. I know he's doing something totally different and i respect that but i would've loved to have seen him play "Lua" here.

[@nimblemix]

"It's a little early to be singing..." Preach. But you sound great dude!

[@TheJaceriley]

I love the gift at the end!! Conor Oberst is amazing!!!

[@neros12346]

I keep coming back to this video, it's so freakin good

[@garrethgoodworth2494]

Agreed with NPR's comments - his finest solo work yet. Taking time to appreciate and 'digest'.

[@Nabooshlove7]

This performance always stuns me, no matter how many times I watch. It's always there when I need it

[@knittingthestash]

Absolutely love this album. Thanks for the excellent live show!

[@katharinakrenn7714]

this reminds me of my good friend Klaus from Graz. I haven't seen him in a long time but he looks exactly as beautiful and shining as Conor.....

[@blahblah14722]

This version of Double Life should be the definitive version. Listened to the album after and was disappointed to find how electronic it was. The dude soloing from Dawes along with their backing melodies absolutely elevate the material.

[@SouthernWild]

The greatest songwriter of our time.

[@bradperry1515]

Conor Oberst is simply an amazing Lyricist!

[@meganbright94]

Ok he brought Bob a gift, that is so cute. So sweet. I love that

[@11Garrett11]

Such amazing songwriting! And the vocal harmonies at 2:10 are epic!!

[@taycirgaffrache5304]

This man makes my life bearable

[@takeshelter5313]

this album and performance did alot for me thank you Connor it was awesome