Over the weekend, the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) hosted the virtual Save Our Stages Fest. Featuring performances from some of the biggest names in popular music performing from iconic venues across the country, the fundraiser brought much-needed attention to the worsening crises surrounding the live music industry.
Among the performers was indie-darling Phoebe Bridgers who played with her band at L.A.’s Troubadour before an empty room. During her 36-minute set, the rising star was joined by her onetime bandmate Conor Oberst (Bright Eyes) for a pair of songs, including one from their shared Better Oblivion Community Center project.
Related: Bright Eyes Make ‘Tiny Desk’ Debut With Home Concert [Watch]
For her part in the three-day livestream event, Bridgers offered up a smattering of her own hits before being joined by Oberst. Starting with “Scott Street” from her debut release Stranger in the Alps, Bridgers delivers the melancholy mood that has made her an underground favorite seemingly overnight. After that, she brought out singer Charlie Hickey, who has a long and winding history with the singer going long back before she was a household name. Following a run through “Kyoto” and Christian Lee Hutson‘s “Lose This Number”—featuring the man himself—Bridgers welcomed Oberst to the stage.
It’s worth noting that every guest who joined Bridgers onstage—along with her entire backing band—donned the singer’s iconic skeleton outfit. That clothing choice was all the more relevant as Oberst joined Bridgers and company in a rendition of the Punisher track “Halloween”. Though sparing, Oberst added backing vocals to the haunting number that gave the tune an even richer texture. Next, the two dug into the Better Oblivion Community Center catalog for “Dylan Thomas”. The ode to the 20th century Welsh poet—which Bridgers reveals was originally written about the internet conspiracy theory QAnon—finds a much fuller contribution from the Bright Eyes frontman and draws his time onstage to a close. Finally, Bridgers ends her set, appropriately, with her own “I Know The End”.
Watch Phoebe Bridgers perform alongside Conor Oberst and more at the Troubadour for her set at Save Our Stages Fest.
Phoebe Bridgers – Save Our Stages Fest
[Video: Phoebe Bridgers]
[H/T Consequence of Sound]