By photojournalist Daniel Fernandez
Much welcomed gusts of wind followed morning storms to create the perfect atmosphere for the moody offerings that Janus Live brought their patrons on Wednesday March 5, 2025. Music enthusiasts gathered in St. Petersburg, Florida for a memorable evening featuring the revered indie-rock pioneers Bright Eyes with Americana band Hurray for the Riff Raff serving as the opener. The night was a collaboration of lyrical depth and musical revivals, showcasing a blend of nostalgia along with fresh offerings from Bright Eyes’ most recent album “Five Dice, All Threes.”
Hurray for the Riff Raff, led by the talented and soulful Alynda Lee Segarra, set the tone for the evening with an impressive performance that combined folk, blues, and Americana influences. Segarra’s spirited stage presence and poignant lyrics resonated deeply with the audience while the band’s rich instrumentals provided a fitting start to the evening. Their set was the perfect appetizer for the meal that was to come. Wednesday night was my first time seeing Hurray for the Riff Raff live but it certainly will not be my last.
As the full venue eagerly awaited the arrival of Bright Eyes led by front man Conor Oberst the atmosphere was electrified in anticipation. When the group finally took the stage, they delivered an enthralling mix of both classic tracks and more recent songs, striking a fine balance that pleased long-time fans from the Saddle Creek Records era to newcomers alike.
The setlist was a curated trip through the band’s discography. Starting off with newer songs “Bells and Whistles” and “El Capitan” the beginning of their set lent much time to the promotion of the “Five Dice, All Three’s” album as expected before easing into an offering that spanned near every release from the early 2000’s to current. Each song seamlessly flowed into the next, with Oberst’s distinctive vocals and humorously dark crowd banter drawing in the audience’s full attention as the set deepened. Among the highlights of the night were early favorites like “First Day of My Life” and “We Are Nowhere and It’s Now,” which invited sing-alongs that echoed through the venue.
One particularly noteworthy moment that attendees were incredibly lucky to enjoy was the performance of “Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed),” featuring Alynda Lee Segarra, marking its first live rendition since September 2007. The chemistry between Oberst and Segarra was tangible. The duo also performed an acoustic rendition of “Lua” that resonated deeply with the raw emotion in Oberst’s voice paired with Segarra’s harmonies. This tragic lullaby far more than met and fulfilled all expectations.
The band then introduced audiences to a few morenewer songs, including “Mariana Trench” and “Spring Cleaning,” demonstrating their lyrical maturity and evolution of their sounds while maintaining the signature authenticity that fans have come to adore. Late in the set another fan favorite, the playful yet haunting “Devil Town” (a cover of the Daniel Johnston classic) sent fans into yet another sing-along frenzy and delighted those in attendance.
As the concert approached its run time, the atmosphere of the set list turned to one of reflective euphoria with tracks such as “Old Soul Song (for the New World Order)” and “One for You, One for Me.” “Old Soul Song (For the New World Order)” was released exactly twenty years ago but seems more relevant now than ever, an irony that Oberst was quick to point out telling all to heed his musings. The night concluded with an uplifting energy as they performed “Road to Joy,” leaving the audience buzzing with excitement and contentment.
The Bright Eyes concert at Janus Live began as one of those special nights where a concert slowly turned into moments of connection, nostalgia, and celebration. Oberst and Bright Eyes proved once again why they remain a staple of American indie music and continue to earn their seat at the head of the table. As concertgoers left with songs echoing in their minds it was clear that this night would be remembered.
