I just find it so ironic how everyone in the crowd seems to be talking while Conor sings Something Vague. It just makes it even more lonelier than the lyrics give it out to be.

i don't think a lot of people know how hard it is to continue performing when everybody is talking. you have to believe 100% in what you're doing and really not give a shit. one ounce of self doubt and and you're done. it's hard. props to conor. thanks

When I start playing live I know I'll be ignored at first and it's people like Conor who give me hope. No matter what, you just have to do what you love until you die... Whether people appreciate it or not.

It pisses me off how good he was at such an early age. Every verse is such a dense collection of great poly-metaphors. When I was that age I would be lucky to find even one okay metaphor for an entire song. Its kinda neat hearing the crowd not noticing this young genius yet in a strange way too. Thanks so much for posting this.

"Fevers and Mirrors, 22 years ago. crazy when you realize yourself and the people around you are ageing so rapidly.

i found it cool how he played 'A Song To Pass The Time' while waiting for Roger. that song comes in handy soooo well

As soon as he started playing my eyes started watering. Im actually glad all the people are talking. Its rather....perfect? Conors beautiful voice and words coming out of the destruction and ugliness of everyone, of society, of what actually created those words in the first place. perfect.

WHY ARE YOU MAKING NOISE AT THE SAME TIME CONOR OBERST IS

In the end aren't we all just looking for our Roger?

him shaking during sunrise sunset really got to me. man hes fantastic.

There are some songwriters that truly are timeless. Conor Oberst definitely fits the bill. His songs could have been written in the 1940's and the feelings would be understood just the same as they were and will continue to be.

This brings me back to 2002 when I found Conor's music and was in a very dark place in my life personally. I struggled with extreme depression and his music was like a warm blanket I wrapped myself in. I became obsessed with his music and for a while was on a continual mission to find all of his music I could. I remember searching the web going through page after page of web search results and finding this concert. This was in 2002 before KZfaq and all these video upload and search sites. But there this video was, in 2002, on page 40 (I don't remember which page but it was buried) of a web search and I weatched it so many times I can't remember. Thanks for keeping this classic concert alive. Fun Fact: Google says Conor is worth 185million today. Not bad for a kid from Omaha who can't sing ;) You'll always be the GOAT Conor. Much love from Southeast Virginia. PS. I got over my depression and grew up to be man finally -- but I'll always love his music and Conor still today is my favorite singer/songwriter of all time.

a song to pass the time always brings me to such an existential place of a sort of happy sadness, i cant quite describe it, but its a good feeling and i will always be grateful for that wonderful song.

There is someone looking for what I've concealed... The most beautiful line in the song

You’re hopeful then you regret the circle never breaks

The flute player smoking a cigarette really sets the mood

Annoying. I can't hear the conversations over the rude music.

really can't describe how monumental bright eyes have been and always will be to me. I've listened to them for years and to this day their music still helps me through the days where i don't feel capable of anything. listening to them just feels like the softest hug, especially old videos of them like this one. been meaning to get the mirror from the cover of fevers and mirrors tattooed onto my arm for years now but I've never found the spare cash to do so. such a special and timeless band.

He is still one of a kind. (One of my kind:-p) ... I just think he is more beautiful, more reflective and more brilliant as time goes on. He has kept its fragility and his intensity, his anger, frustration and his ability to sing the world's best stories and his ability to make the world stand still, and his own inner beauty ! He is still one of a kind and a man I will never ever get tired of. He is a good role model, he struggles for some good things and have some good values​​. He's cool!

So many people there don't even realize the greatness in front of them and what i would give to have been there.

Seeing these same people 20 years later outside Syracuse was amazing breaks my fucking heart.

Its times like this i wish more than anything that i could travel back in time. I am so thankful that this video exists. That crowd is unaware that they are bearing witness to something so incredible.

Part 1: 0. Intro 0:00 1. A Song to Pass the Time 1:20 2. Something Vague 7:40 3. Sunrise, Sunset 12:07 4. Kathy with a K's Song 17:47

the instant this started playing this video tears literally started pouring down my face.

A song to pass the time ❤

This might be the best thing on youtube.

I can't believe how much he moved me with the beautiful lyrics and learning he was started writing at 13 years old

thank god that one person in the audience realised what they were watching!!

such disrespect for the best, most under appreciated musician of all time...I would have killed to be there...unfortunately I was about 11 when this show happened and I did not discover bright eyes until I was about 14.

listen to all those fools chatting away, there's a genius in your midst, close your mouths and listen

An aspect of the live performance I love is not only how the crowd seems to talk over Connor so much that you can barely tell what he’s saying in between songs. But the way he powers through all of that noise to make his lyrics loud and clear, and eventually, overpower the audience’s noise completely towards the end with “Kathy with a K’s song”. So no, Conor will not shut up.

and you sit in your chair, brush the snow from your hair. and drink. drink. drink. god this album brings back so many memories. getting drunk and stoned to it with friends, good times..

I will always love this man! Such a talent

i dont think the camera man has ever seen a flute. or an asian woman. they are just awestruck by this crazy metal mouthed creature and its beautiful vocals.

Can't people just be in the moment for once and enjoy listening to anything other than themselves?

I'm so so happy for the ones there that really are listening. I'm so glad they go to enjoy this.

i wish that he could have been locked up in a time capsule, and given an ability to sit in a well of youth, and never let out. My goodness this kid was something else.

opening with Song To Pass The Time is wild, but given the crowd it makes sense

I love this songggg. I've had this version forever. I always wondered if it was actually live and I have been listening to him since I was thirteen. I'm 31 now. Still love just as much. ❤️

One of my favorite albums of all time.

I saw Conner a couple years ago hear in Chicago. People were not talking. They were singing. But this is cool to see how he keeps going. It's encouraging for artists who are blooming

Such a talented musician and lyricist it's surreal. Saw him a couple of weeks ago with Desaparecidos and it was incredible. I hope he never stops making music.

Some dope flute skills

"we're looking for a guy named rodger... he plays drums"

As an old guy, I have seen crowds TALK over some of the most important artists of my generation! Aside from Bright Eyes...Low, Will Oldham, Bill Callahan, Royal Trux, Elliot Smith, Mazzy Star, and plenty of others. People should be ashamed!!

He still is something else.

great crowd 2nite guys

I would kill to have been at this show

I love the drummer, he killed it

love you 2021

Kathy With a K's Song 😍

Great set and a wonderful moment in time. Ill never understand the relentless, unstoppable, and overall annoying chatter of audiences like this. "Some people like to come to shows to talk, it sucks but what can you do?" - Elliott Smith.

Thank you for posting. I appreciate it like you don't know.

thanks so much for posting this! Pure gold!

Thanks a million for posting these, truly legendary stuff

Listen to the disrespectful crowd. As they babble to each other. They are blind and deaf. Not to hear the words of this brilliant young German.

Love, love, love this. Thanks for sharing!

this is gold!!! oh god

a beautiful soul

goodness this gave me butterflies. this is my favorite album. thank you so much!

THANK YOU.

i love you so much for posting these

i think this is beautiful

Why are there a hundred comments about the audience and zero about how fucking hot Conor was?

thank you for this :)

Oh my everyone.... I understand that he is a gem then, and now.... I was just enjoying this video in some sort of hindsight- reminiscing a bit you know what I mean? Indeed, I do love this man, however when he was younger he held this sort of youthful, destructive, beauty that few kids are able to expose, or express in the way he did pre "I'm wide awake". I could go on in explaining what I meant by my comment, but I'm glad you guys love this fella. He once was a true friend of mine.

oh there's roger

i get sad every time the camera moves away from conor

Ever feel alone in a crowded room, at peace? He was.

i love you so much,conor WOAH

Why do I discover videos like these always so late, this is amazing.

I saw him during this "era" in Nashville, TN at the Exit/Inn and the crowd was fully immersed in the experience. It was a great concert and crowd. I saw it posted on here about a year ago and then it was taken down. If you have a copy of that show, let me know. I would love to see it again.

omggggg this crowd. makes watching the whole thing through phones look less bad.

You act like it was half the video, but it was like 3 minutes total, and she's the second most important part of this show. If you want to see conor more, just look at his picture

perfect

Flower violet....I salute you.

@ Robotmonks - I recognize both the drummer and flutist/bassist here from a gig I played in December of 2000, opening for The Good Life in New London, CT. That was a nice show. They were very friendly. A few months before that Bright Eyes played a very scaled down set at the same venue. It was similar to this arrangement, just with some difference musicians. I think drummer from The Faint played with him. It was a very small crowd and this was right before Fevers and Mirrors came out.

Wow, already brilliant at such a young age. Shame about the audience but understandable I suppose with a young unknown band playing: their loss anyway.

I love how during Sunrise and a Sunset song, at (15:15) Conor is like shut the F*** up and listen to my message!

holee cow brilliance genius etc. aside boy is he MINI in the video

Agreed!

Sounds like I'm playing diner dash.... annoying. Love the nostalgia this gave me though.

💕

“The best art just fucking flows through you.” (KS)

Ooh he's talking about grandaddy, great band

Seriously was the crowd noise added in post? This is an amazing performance. I know CE isnt for everyone but appreciate the talent of the band.

Tell me about it it'd be time to roll them out, so as to enjoy!!

how about the bravery to keep playing such music in front of peopple who do not care? there must be a few people standing there silent and in awe

Go find hrsef a dry place too!!!! Amicus storms!!

It sounds like they opened for Grandaddy. That must've been an amazing tour.

It would have been nice if the audience had shown some respect and adoration for his talent. When at a live acoustic show...listen.

I think sunrise sunset is kinda cool with all the people talking. If they would fade it out lol. Kinda like a Beatles move..

whats the song called by michael perkins

This is fucking real. This new generation is lacking hahaha

Did Elliott Smith know about Conor?

Roger is the drummer, who shows up around 7:44. He also drummed for the bands The Good Life, Neva Dinova and Conduits.

@16: Conor thanks the crowd

they know nothing. innocents in the presence of brilliance, they are lucky and they don't even know it.

anyone know who they opened for here?