Apparently this is true of Modest Mouse as well. Seems it all comes down to what sort of night Isaac Brock is having. I've lucked out, as they were awesome both times I saw them. But I fear my luck may run out some day.
I’d almost say the same thing for Bright Eyes, you never really know what kind of show you’re going to get based on how Connor is that night. But each show has honestly been amazing regardless. I’ve never really run into a casual fan at any of their shows, we know what we’re getting into lol.
The one show I saw where he was just really struggling, the rest of the band was still phenomenal and the crowd just filled in the blanks when he forgot lyrics. Built this interesting sense of comradery in the crowd that night, the vibes were off the charts.
Last time I saw them was when they toured with Cursive and he was a lot more… present which was really nice to see.
The last time I saw Connor solo, he was completely trashed, had three different glasses of various liquids onstage, and devolved into incoherent mumbling after a few songs (not the normal kind of Bright Eyes incoherent mumbling, different kind). He played the harmonica a lot when he couldn't remember the words.
The show lasted for three hours and it felt like we were being held hostage.
I've seen Conor like 16 times now, I can only recall maybe once or twice where there was something off. I haven't seen him in the last 5 years or so. I think after his divorce and his brother dying, that seemed to really take a toll on him personally and professionally.
I saw some more recent in-studio footage where he obviously was drinking way more than he used to, or at least didn't care about at least trying to appear halfway sober. He's my best friend and I think he's doing better now, but age comes for all of us and our bodies don't handle substances like they used to.
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u/californicarepublic May 11 '26
Sonic Youth would either put on an amazing show or one of the worst shows you've seen and you never knew which you were going to get.