ACL Aftershow: Oberst, Lewis, Ward.

I have been waiting all week to write this review. (Okay, okay...maybe not to specifically write this review but to attend the show...for which I am writing a review.) Despite long lines, aching feet and deliriousness, the concert, featuring M. Ward, Jenny Lewis and Conor Oberst, was one of the best I have seen in Austin to date. I thoroughly enjoyed every single performer on the stage, including the usually inconspicuous band mates of the lead singers. Last night, it seemed every musician exuded their incredible musical talent to their full potential. I was pleasantly surprised because normally I spend the beginning of most shows fidgeting in anticipation for the headliner, barely paying attention to the opening acts. M. Ward and Jenny Lewis were exceptions however, big exceptions. Both their performances were confident, animated and exuberant, emitting an undeniable energy into the air and a profound sense of equality and cohesiveness between the three performers. M. Ward began the night with an explosive strum of his acoustic guitar and the life of the show never died. Although all three performers had moments of somber and reflective serenades, the balance of upbeat, folk-rock tunes kept the entire show captivating. Jenny Lewis' performance had a distinctive and unsuspected old-time, gospel flare, a characteristic of Lewis' new release "Acid Tongue." I could just imagine her and band strumming their instruments on the bank of a southern bayou. Conor Oberst, breaking free from his usual role as the lead singer of Bright Eyes, also played songs from his new self-titled solo release. His performance blended magically into that of Ward and Lewis, taking on a bigger folk presence then his past emotional croons. It was a show that left me stumbling out of LaZona Rosa with throngs of other fans at 2 a.m...aching, exhausted yet completely and utterly satisfied.

http://www.conoroberst.com/
http://www.jennylewis.com/
http://www.mwardmusic.com/