After completing their current European tour, Bright Eyes frontman Conor Oberst and The Mystic Valley Band will be back in North America this fall for a series of more than 30 newly announced performances. The second leg of the American tour begins September 20 in Omaha, NE, and concludes November 20 in New Orleans, LA.
Oberst’s current European tour began August 22 at the Leeds Festival in the UK and runs through a September 15 show at the Columbia Club in Berlin, Germany. More 2008 world dates are in store for Oberst and his country-tinged rock band. After a September 28 performance at the Austin City Limits Festival in Austin, TX, the band will perform a brief three-date engagement in Australia before returning to the States for the remainder of the tour.
The Mystic Valley Band is touring in support of Oberst’s eponymous solo record, released August 5. Previously, Oberst released 10 albums under the name Bright Eyes and with an ever-changing line-up of backing musicians. His most recent Bright Eyes recording was the April 2007 release “Cassadega,” which peaked at No. 4 on the U.S. charts.
On September 3, the band’s Web site announced a limited time pre-sale for select shows on the upcoming U.S. trek. Presales opened at noon the same day and were password protected. Face value for the tickets ranged from $18 to $28, depending on the venue.
The Mystic Valley Band formed late in 2007 and is the collaboration of Oberst, Rilo Kiley drummer Jason Boesel, and Nik Freitas, who supported Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley on their recent headlining tours. The remainder of the touring band is filled out with guitarist Taylor Hollingsworth, bassist Macey Taylor, and Bright Eyes’ multi-instrumentalist Nate Walcott.
The line-up is indicative of the close relationship between Oberst and his fellow indie giants, Rilo Kiley. Members of Bright Eyes and Rilo Kiley collaborate frequently, most recently on Rilo Kiley frontwoman Jenny Lewis’ solo album “Rabbit Fur Coat.” Oberst supplied guest vocals for Lewis’ cover of “Handle With Care” by the Traveling Wilburys.
Lewis will perform solo material on the first six dates of the Oberst’s upcoming U.S. trek. Both musicians will then perform at the Austin City Limits Festival on September 27 before continuing with their respective headlining tours.
Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band itinerary:
(Dates subject to change.)
| September 20 | Omaha, NE | Anchor Inn * |
| September 21 | Nashville, TN | Ryman Auditorium * |
| September 22 | Knoxville, TN | Bijou Theatre * |
| September 23 | Fayetteville, AR | George’s Majestic Lounge * |
| September 24 | Oxford, MS | The Lyric Oxford * |
| September 25 | Tulsa, OK | Cain’s Ballroom * |
| September 27 | Austin, TX | Austin City Limits Festival @ Zilker Park |
| September 28 | Austin, TX | La Zona Rosa |
| October 7 | Honolulu, HI | Pipeline Cafe |
| October 16 | Denver, CO | Ogden Theatre |
| October 17 | Taos, NM | Solar Center |
| October 18 | Tucson, AZ | Rialto Theatre |
| October 19 | San Diego, CA | SOMA |
| October 21 – 22 | Los Angeles, CA | Music Box @ Fonda |
| October 23 | Visalia, CA | Visalia Fox Theatre |
| October 24 | San Francisco, CA | Warfield Theatre |
| October 25 | Portland, OR | McMenamins Crystal Ballroom |
| October 26 | Seattle, WA | Showbox At The Market |
| October 29 | Minneapolis, MN | First Avenue |
| October 30 | Milwaukee, WI | Turner Hall Ballroom |
| Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 | Chicago, IL | Vic Theatre |
| November 2 | Royal Oak, MI | Royal Oak Music Theatre |
| November 5 | Boston, MA | The Roxy |
| November 6 | Northampton, MA | Academy Of Music |
| November 7 | Grantham, PA | Messiah College |
| November 8 – 9 | New York, NY | Terminal 5 |
| November 10 | Washington, DC | 9:30 Club |
| November 12 | Richmond, VA | The National |
| November 13 | Asheville, NC | Orange Peel |
| November 14 | Atlanta, GA | Variety Playhouse |
| November 15 | Hilton Head Island, SC | Shoreline Ballroom |
| November 18 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | Culture Room |
| November 19 | Saint Petersburg, FL | Jannus Landing |
| November 20 | New Orleans, LA | Republic New Orleans |
* with Jenny Lewis
