We Need To Talk About Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes)

[@Gw3nFr3nch]

I hope he gets help. I imagine he must need to tour for a living with how little music pays these days and how much money addiction has likely already siphoned. But this doesn't go anywhere good from here without change. I love you so much, Conor, I hope you get better. I have struggled with addiction too. If your management is reading this, let's get him help. Fans will support it in any way we can.

[@andrewnicon]

This is actually really hard to watch. I saw them in 2004 on the Wide Awake tour in Tokyo and it was one of the best shows of my life.

[@wildmercuryfilms]

Wide Awake was released in 2005

[@saint_gatsby]

I saw them in Kansas City on the digital ash/digital urn leg of that tour and it was a great show. this is all very sad to watch.

[@andrewnicon]

@@wildmercuryfilms eh close enough, it was like 20 years ago bro

[@Mike-enigma]

A long fucking time ago..a lot of fucked up shit has happened to him since

[@PLKirby86]

Total disrespect for his band and fans. Disgraceful.

[@RoadtoJoy88]

Conor Oberst has my favorite artist since I was 13, I’m 36 now. I have tickets to see them in Las Vegas on the 13th. I hope if he needs help for alcoholism he gets it. I know it’s been a battle for him. Praying for him.

[@donhall06]

Well, shit. I had tickets too. :( hope hes ok

[@vanessah9533]

Same!!😢

[@likeanantelope1842]

We might die from medication but we sure killed all the pain

[@TheBeezusjones]

Did we though ?

[@DMTree4me]

We tried.

[@markmunzer4090]

what's normal in the evening by the morning seems.... insane

[@tylerreynolds3869]

The reasons have all run away, but the feeling never did. It's not something I would recommend, but it is one way to live.

[@RingoAteMyBaby]

Parroting Lua is an extremely bleak response to the situation. The audience loves a tragedy, don't they? Ever read Bukowski's "What They Want"? Feels appropriate.

[@mikewifak]

Love him. A beautiful soul in an ugly world tends to wither. I hope he is ok, but I understand his need to numb. I hope he finds a balance.

[@JOSHSHORRDERCORNER]

Not sure if you’re saying he addressed the crowd admitting that he was intoxicated or that kind of “fucked up” he definitely didn’t. He said that his voice was fucked up from all of the practicing leading up to the shows. He basically just tried to hide and brush off whatever else was going on. It was an uncomfortable show, not my first uncomfortable bright eyes show but the most uncomfortable

[@PLKirby86]

He's lying. He's drunk and depressed.

[@alexanderrigda7002]

Saw them last time he was in Cleveland about a year or two ago. Same thing. Blew the set - couldn’t finish songs. Then same exact conversations happening online. Surprised they keep touring. I don’t know how the band and their mgmt team can keep doing this.

[@GiGi-hk8ik]

This breaks my heart. I cut my teeth on bright eyes quite literally. In 7th grade, a boy gave me a mix cd with the last song being Amy In the White Coat. The song broke my heart and as a child i put myself in someone else shoes and felt so bad for Amy in the song. I went to the library and they had his whole discography and bright eyes discography. I checked out every single one and added it to my iPod. I didn’t have internet at home and I listened to them religiously. Their songs became the background to my memories, the song always stuck in my head. Today my mother is at the hospital with my grandma, she’s having surgery. I sent her lyrics to a bright eyes song. Thank you Conor your voice has guided me for many years

[@CarlaGoodrich-u6o]

You know what?! We are ALL Conor's family in Nebraska. WE support him and every musical endeavor he participates in. GO Bright Eyes! Forever true.

[@mrwednesdaythursday]

Yeah forget that he is sick and needs help now…… go BRIGHT EYES

[@androide-rw6hu]

Agreed! Screw everyone's negative comments. You have supporters all over the globe. Love from Ontario, CA/Los Angeles. Love you Connor, Bright Eyes, family and friends. -Sheri

[@androide-rw6hu]

I was agreeing with Carla...jsyk

[@rebecca9949]

kinda feel like his fans are enablers in a way. I listen to his albums still but I'll never want to see him live again unless he gets clean. It's too sad, he's too sick and needs help. People shouldn't pay money to watch a man kill himself in slow motion

[@laurenanderson7823]

It's been a 25+ year cry for help, and everyone ignores and exploits it, because he makes them money

[@grungepants]

He's drinking and drugging to deal with pain. He needs a psychologist.

[@mrwednesdaythursday]

Hasn’t really been this bad though. Between 2001 - 2010 he would have some pretty normal shows where he could at least make it through a sentence. The shows over the last 10 years are just awful due to his addiction.

[@weeglk]

Conor did NOT say “I’m so fucked up”, he said his “voice is fucked up”. So if you’re going to publicly shame someone, at least get the quotes correct.

[@user-tz2zz5ij1s]

Either way, he’s been a mess for years and needs help. Already in 2024 cancelled a tour before it started by getting wasted during a couple of secret shows. You can’t defend any of his actions.

[@waterthroughyouropenhands]

I saw them in 2021 in Asheville and it was a perfect show.

[@NittyGritty420]

Bro been struggling 20+ years.

[@mrbleachey]

It’s kind of disgusting the way the crowd enables him. Like, you guys are witnessing something pretty disturbing, and all you can do is shout “haha, it’s ok!” If someone you loved was acting this way in front of you, would you just pull out some popcorn and be like “…go on…”

[@petevasile]

Really grateful for seeing the mystic valley band twice in 2009 and bright eyes in 2011. Greatest shows. Ben kweller crushed it as the opener for mystic valley band

[@cd_w2077]

Yikes.. hope he gets the help he needs :/

[@CommonRevolt]

agree - super concerning and hope he gets help soon

[@danyelldoesnot]

So, I've been a Bright Eyes fan for about 20 years. I've seen Conor play about as many times and this is just heartbreaking. He is so much better than this. I sincerely hope he is able to get the help he needs, and I will be here when he gets back🤍

[@moxyangel]

I live in Omaha, was just deciding whether to go to the show or not when I found the news. I had no idea what was going on, but I thought “alcohol face” when I looked up a live performance. (I often preview recently recorded performances of bands to see if I want to go to their show). Now, it’s possible he did lose his voice, there is a “throat virus” going around, I’ve had it for two weeks 🤧 But more likely his health and drinking are catching up to him. Man, that is a longggg tour!! I don’t imagine the rest will roll out, I’d expect more date cancellations if this is how it’s starting…

[@twentysix1230]

Hard watch😪

[@PLKirby86]

I'm in Omaha too. Last time I saw him in person was at Pageturners. They carried him out drunk off his ass after a few hours. He was standing in front of me for a chunk of the concert that was going on. I was nauseous from the smell of alcohol. He's a trainwreck.

[@marselobear2322]

Bright eyes went from alt rock to jazz

[@FukaeriK.]

Saw him at WWWY 2022... flew all the way from Peru. It was worth it tho.

[@dee8178]

I think this really showcases how the music industry and society both glamourize and demonize addiction. I 100% hope he gets the support he needs and am not judging him for any of this. But how many of us were content, if not fully enamored, at the skinny, bright eyed young Conor, high and at least half drunk at those shows in the early or mid 2000s. Singing about suicide and alcoholism and drugs while we sang along. But now its all, oh the horror, hes messing up the songs and clearly fucked up. Dont get me wrong, im very concerned and just as complacent in this as a fan who was enamoured by it. I will always love his music. But hes a person and not perfect and shouldnt be, if anything thats the appealing part of his music. It shouldnt matter how pretty his pain is, its still pain and i hope he gets well and gets the support he needs.

[@paulgreenleaf600]

Hey man ive been waiting for the rest of the story arch... super spiritual sober Conor . I hope he can make it to that part of the story because if i had to guess alcohol isnt the entirety of the problem. Famous people have a habit of having really bad doctors who prescribe really bad medicine. Damnit man I do hope he makes it, he would right the greatest sobering lyrics ever, it would be epic!

[@nolanwolfe]

Dude thank you for featuring the footage I got! That’s pretty awesome. Wishing Conor all the best

[@CaffeineDoughnuts]

Bruh, just step back for a second and think about what you’re saying. You’re thanking this dude for using your footage to exploit Conor for views and money on KZbin. Also, side note, people who take videos at shows are lame af. Sorry not sorry. The only thing that can actually help him is intervention/support from those close to him. It’s disgusting watching all of these people gawk at him, speculate, hold their phones up at him, and spew their half-assed pity at him like he’s some sort of animal under study. Dude needs better support or some shit. It almost feels like his band and management are tiptoeing around his issues cuz he’s their cash cow…

[@nolanwolfe]

@@CaffeineDoughnuts yeah I totally get it. I just think it’s cool that he used the footage (at least I was credited). But I still agree with you nonetheless.

[@sas1s176]

i hope he gets help, i love their music so much

[@sardean85]

Was at the show last night in Philly. We are all worried about him.

[@danc.732]

He was perfectly fine in Philly

[@silleetram]

He said his voice was fucked up not he was fucked up

[@DF9392]

Either way, he was fucked up

[@JoshuaJohnson-zj8sr]

Good point. But he was fucked up

[@badgerstorm6141]

He drinks so much he fucked up his voice

[@misshelenc]

Not sure who this video is meant to help really. I won’t speculate on a situation I don’t know but I care about people. All people, but especially one of my favourite ones.

[@GiGi-hk8ik]

Yes this video made me feel terrible inside

[@misshelenc]

I’m sorry. I hope you feel better soon.

[@someymix]

take that as no monster of folk reunion at OBH

[@jonathananderson7696]

shew, so sad, 6 days sober. he's in such need of help. I really hope he will get help :(

[@OscarTaylor-b7b]

Here's the thing, people should let people make the few decisions that they have. People are sometimes used as instruments by forces that cannot be explained. There is a purpose for everything that happens. Thanks for your concern but I personally think it's a little selfish.

[@uncleclowny]

Saw him in 2017 and was just as bad - my boy needs help

[@OscarTaylor-b7b]

Here's the thing, people should make their own decisions. It's not like we can decide everything. Sometimes people are used as instruments by forces that cannot be explained. Everything that happens has a purpose. I understand your concern but I just find it a little selfish.

[@amylong4716]

I’ve loved this guy’s work since I was 16, and I’m 40 now. I care about him in a genuine way and want him to be healthy and keep his depression at a level with which he’s comfortable. But I don’t think fans gawking at him and acting more worried about his drinking than his new album will help. He told The Fader that, multiple times, he put out a record, and “it seemed like there was no one fucking there. It seemed like no one cared.” So maybe that is the more important thing we can actually do something about: support the record. Tell our friends. Remind people that Bright Eyes is a tentpole Elder Millennial band and deserves to have an album release people are excited about. Some people are acting like he’s going to die in a ditch. He owns two homes and a bar. He called himself “part of the 1%” and “semi rich” (as in “The nice thing about being semi rich is that you can [be lazy with money, basically]”) on a podcast this album cycle. I’m not knocking him and don’t begrudge him what he has. He earned the shit out of it. I’m not sure he’s so liquid he never has to tour again, but I believe he has money for help if he wants it. He seems like he has a strong support system in his friends, Mike and Nate included (and in a recent interview, he says he loves his therapist), and you can tell from the way people talk about him (watch Alex Orange Drink on After the Deluge on here) that his friends love the shit out of him. He’s lifted up friends for 20+ years, too. I doubt they’d let him flail like that. I’m not unbothered, but I don’t think he’s going to die in a ditch. It’s also clear that there is something real going on with his voice; we don’t know where his drinking is based on a video in which he is drunk but also obviously frustrated with his voice, which has to be distressing for a guy whose voice is such a big part of his life. I don’t think it’s just or even necessarily mostly substances. Let’s just be there for him and support the band we love. Let’s not hold an intervention on KZbin.

[@CommonRevolt]

@@amylong4716 this is all entirely well written, and I don’t entirely disagree with you. the intent behind this video was to moreso raise awareness regarding his wellbeing. all the money in the world cannot cure addiction or mental illness - it can certainly alleviate issues that financial burdens can bring, but overall, I think him getting some help is what’s most important. I don’t know him personally. it’s conflicting for me to want to support art from someone when I see the toll it is taking on their lives to produce it - no song is worth your life. with musicians like Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell tragic passings in recent years, it’s important to me to sound the alarm when someone is crying out for help. I struggle with mental illness myself. And while I’m not saying a KZbin video is going to change the course of events, if I can be even a small part in the change for him toward getting on a path of healing, that is the only goal. my videos aren’t monetized, FYI - not sure that that’s important, but just wanted to note that I have nothing to gain from this video’s performance other than building an audience. there are comments here that are criticizing my use of words when I spoke incorrectly in this video, which I do admit I may have genuinely misheard his choice of words on stage. I want to continue improving at what I’m doing. this type of “we need to talk about ____” video is a very popular format on KZbin and not original to my channel, as I’m sure you are aware. I was never trying to cancel him or hurt his career, I enjoy his music greatly and want him to be okay. Hope this all makes sense.

[@amylong4716]

@@CommonRevoltI don’t think you’re trying to hurt him. I think it’s concern troll-y (I don’t mean that in as mean a way as it sounds) and not useful. If I were him, this is not what I’d want people to talk about (and not just because it’s not positive-more that sensational worry will overshadow his amazing work). I don’t think he’s drinking or anything in order to bring us songs or that giving him money (and remember that, if you’re streaming the album, he sees little money from it) is enabling or anything. I feel pretty sure he’d be about the same if he weren’t a musician. We have known for years that he’s been depressed and death obsessed his entire life. To me, this is not a “We can’t support this and must sound alarm bells” situation. As a fan, I want him to know we’re here and that we care about his work since it seems like that’s what he cares about most. I care for him as a person, too, and I’ve got my worries, but I also think people have the right to put in their bodies what they wish. We don’t even know what his daily basis drinking is like. He sounds slurry in some recent interviews (funny, charming, and self aware, too, though), but I know people who’ve been off heroin for years and still have a distinct slur, so I can’t go off that. And it’s none of our business really. He doesn’t owe us sobriety. He’s earned a lot of grace through his songwriting, good works (donations, shows for political causes, raising awareness, etc.), and contributions to his scene and community (think of all the bands he’s signed or helped). If he goes out early on his own terms, that’s his business. I want him to live long enough to get old, but I understand why he might not want to (it has nothing to do with music), and we just have to deal with that. Some might decide to withdraw support, but I don’t think doing so is productive. I don’t think handwringing is either. I think we have to choose to support him where he is. I dated Ray Raposa of the band Castanets a couple years before he died. His alcoholism killed him. But he didn’t want to quit. I did everything I could, but there’s only so much anyone else can do. I put some blame for his death on friends abandoning him when he got really bad, and while I get why they did it (he was not easy to deal with), I feel like it was callous. I’m glad Conor has the money and the support system he does because Ray was all but homeless at the end, and he’d have lived longer if he hadn’t been (I can’t give more details, but I know he would have). But did live long enough to see his final album get no attention, and he would never have said so, but it hurt him. I’ve also had people bother and even stage interventions on me for using drugs I’m prescribed for pain (I’m responsible with them; people just hear “opioid” and freak out). So, I might be biased, but I think I’m informed. I maintain that the best thing we can do is just be a supportive fan base that loves the music and understands as best we can. We care about this person. It’s parasocial, but I think he’d get why we care. But we can’t let our concern hurt Conor. I don’t care if it’s “tough love” or something (I’m not into that strategy in any context). He’s just a person who’s struggled all his life. We can grant him the empathy it takes to go “I hope Conor is okay, but I’m going to support him even if he isn’t and hope for the best.” I think making it a bigger spectacle and not doing the most we can for the album and band will cause more harm, not less. We need to show up for the record. That’s our job. He has people I’m sure will talk to him and push him in the right sort of direction if he wants it. His friends will do that. From fans, I think it’s a little condescending. I’m not trying to be mean to you. I’m trying to tell you where I’m coming from. No malice.

[@miamo888]

Thanks for writing that@amylong4716 Ps:the new Album is amazing

[@Mike-enigma]

Do you understand addiction or depression? Neither of those things give a fuck bout how much money you have..just because he has the money to get help doesn’t mean he will…in fact he would be more likely to get help if he was broke…and as far as the people around him? They ALL depend on his ability to write the songs…would he be the first songwriter propped up and sent out onstage every night? No fucking way…history is filled with dead rock stars…I would bet you there are at least 10 people that rely on him touring to feed their families…what motivation do they have to stop this train? ZERO…do t be so sure that he doesn’t die in a ditch…he has just as much of a chance as all the rest of us depressed addicts

[@SleepyTelly]

For his voice being so fucked up.

[@uns33n]

Seems like the last two times is saw him were not coincidental rarities

[@lexremillard2549]

First Perry and Conor Both need rehab and a new way. Anyone can get sober if you get broken enough and don’t die and wake up simultaneously.

[@DanielStillMusic]

Do you really “wish him the best” by posting shit like this for clicks?

[@WillisStores]

I remember him talking about not harming himself at a show in Phoenix years ago and I thought it was odd. At a show in Las Vegas he punched himself pretty hard in the jaw.

[@candacejohnson8948]

We actually don’t need to talk about him. Making a video like this doesn’t help him at all, it just helps get views. Way to act concerned though.

[@bryandean8608]

Just comes across as judgemental and as always, hungry for views

[@meowertwelve]

I mean Conor's being the asshole. If people didn't talk about it, he'd keep being one. It doesn't seem like enough people around him have addressed it but yeah. He needs loved ones but he can be called out for his behavior.

[@ayr7171]

Jusr delete the video. It's gross and harmful to speculate like this. New album is hella good btw.

[@natatattful]

Are you kidding

[@amylong4716]

@@natatattfulWhat comment do you think he’d rather read? “Oh my god. I’m so concerned. He needs help” or “I love the new work and don’t want to speculate about a relatively private person”?

[@ionwanetownalainet1741]

I was seeing everyone worry in the subreddit and I don’t think it’s that deep. At this show he was talking about how they practiced too much and he messed up his voice. Conor loves singing and knew he wasn’t going to be able to give a good performance. So, he got really faded cause there wasn’t any point to him being there. The band still practiced very hard and that’s why Conor still wanted to do the show for them.

[@miamo888]

What is the purpose of this?

[@ChrisRam-z2q]

He's fine

[@JoshuaJohnson-zj8sr]

They canceled the September 19th show it would’ve been my first time seeing them.

[@iamfromthewild]

He said sorry my voice is so fucked upbim gonna take care of it. Probobly not.

[@rene7057]

He is jjust neurodivergent. I have adhd meds now and 80 % of my problems are gone. 40 years of depressiln anxiety adiction sadness go e by 10 mg ritalin 3 times a day. My world is quiet now. Conor kept me alive

[@Z3nHolEminD]

Bright Eyes : El Capitan

[@saint_gatsby]

someone get Conor into rehab asap.

[@KamikazeJedi]

The dudes a prophet been screaming at you people for years, so there’s that

[@listentonoveltysongs]

:(

[@ryanbrankin225]

That ain’t alcohol

[@nicd1826]

I cant even understand him. Sad.

[@sheeteemouse3746]

Really feel that Mike Mogis should change his last name to Mongus, therefore becoming Mike Mongus, therefore being close toAmongus therefore being closer to God

[@luaslooms6805]

Damn man

[@o0jenni0o]

It’s gross and weird to exploit and speculate on someone’s health…

[@natatattful]

It’s actually not at all weird to speculate or talk about the performance and health of public personalities and artists.

[@donnmills]

This made me feel super weird to watch, if you care about Conor, take it down.

[@Xanthopathy]

Thank you for leaving this video up. I couldn't care less about the others shitting on you.

[@zoomie-qq3wq]

Please someone get him in treatment before we lose him :,(

[@allyevenson]

:(((

[@letmeknowhowthatgoes]

Gundlach Bundschu winery fall 2021 was dark! Seemed like Conor must had a barrel before the show. Definitely well enabled.

[@PLKirby86]

God, this is pathetic to witness. 😑 All I know is, last time I saw Conor Oberst in person, was at his Pageturners bar, here in Omaha, for a Larkin Poe concert. By the end of the show, he was so hammered drunk he couldn't walk, and four people carried him out of the bar, like a dead body. It was pathetic. Lost so much respect. The underground tea, if you put the puzzle pieces together is this: He formed Better Oblivion Community Center with then fairly unknown artist Phoebe Bridgers. He cheated on his wife with her, and impregnated her. She aborted the unborn baby. The fallout resulted in Oberst's divorce and increased alcoholism, the dissolution of BOCC, and most importantly...a dead baby, who didn't need to die. Ever since, Conor Oberst has been a wreck, his performances have grown increasingly erratic and concerning (see his performance of "Dance and Sing" on Colbert), and now he has cancelled his tour due to depression and alcoholism. As you can see in his Instagram announcement, and most recent concert, his voice is fine. The man needs this time off to get his shit together and get back on the right track. The man is a legend, and an artistic genius, and I wish the best for him.

[@TheCheesecakedeath]

Honestly this sounds like clickbait and it's kind of gross

[@zolzbernack7563]

No shit. Listen to his music?

[@thesoundandthefuryro]

I wondered why Bright Eyes fell off so hard almost 20 years ago. Now I see.

[@martinbueno821]

He's trying to have fun

[@IxQuit]

This looks like it's way past fun.. and it's not exactly a new thing from Connor.

[@martinbueno821]

@@IxQuit why don't you send him a welcome basket

[@sunglassesnadvil]

yea looks like hes having a blast 🤣

[@wateronmars-bz4yc]

always thought they sucked. going strong since the early 2000's. love being right

[@distortiongal]

good takeaway from all of this

[@DMTree4me]

Hope you never have a problem.

[@chrisc4264]

You're a troll who has no soul

[@OscarTaylor-b7b]

Here's the thing, people should make their own decisions. It's not like we can decide everything. Sometimes people are used as instruments by forces that cannot be explained. Everything that happens has a purpose. I understand your concern but I just find it a little selfish.