Concert For Equality – July 31 – Omaha

As a fan of everything Saddle Creek, I was super excited when I heard the line up. So much so, that I didn’t mind taking the 10 hour drive from Dallas up to Omaha. I think I was finally excited that after all these years I could finally make my Saddle Creek pilgrimage. Well, the long drive and the pretty bad hotel could not stop me from having a great time. Read more and see the set lists after the jump…

This Concert for Equality is/was to repeal the Freemont law which would fine employers and landlords who hire and rent to illegal immigrants. There were two minor problems. First, the Freemont law will not happen (as mentioned by the lawyer and ACLU member who took to the stage to make the announcement), and second, I saw only two people of Spanish descent in the 2,000+ audience, and one of them I brought with me from Texas.

All that aside, it was a concert of almost epic proportions. The line up was stellar, the people at 1% Productions were great, and I have never, NEVER heard a sound system so loud, crisp and pure. Seriously, this was the best “sounding” concert I have ever seen. See pictures here. It was great to see Bright Eyes again, and I was excited when the first song was “The Trees Get Wheeled Away”, but then it kinda went on to the same Bright Eyes songs we’ve seen for awhile now. And, usually I would say that I never want to see “Lover I Don’t Have To Love” live again, but Conor flew this guy in who was in Japan (I wish I could remember his name) to play trumpet/keys, and he was truly amazing! He added so much to “Lover” and the rest of the set that I was really blown away. But, I did not get completely blown away until Cursive took the stage. Tim Kasher was in prime form, in fact this was the best set I’ve seen them play since I’ve seen Cursive (which is easily over 6 since 2001). And, Desa… the show everyone has been waiting 8 years to see, AND… they were ok. You could tell they were a little out of practice. They were a little sloppy, but that didn’t hinder anyof us (2,000+) to sing every word to every song they sang. So, now on to the playlists…

Bright Eyes:
The Trees Get Wheeled Away
Bowl Of Oranges
We Are Nowhere And It’s Now (with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings)
Four Winds (with Gillian Welch and David Rawlings)
Old Soul Song
Lover I Don’t Have To Love
Coyote Song
I’m Wide Awake It’s Morning
Erica Munoz, a personal friend of Conor’s who mother is barred from living in America for 10 years, sang Rocio Durcal song to her mother (this was very cool)

Cursive:
The Casualty
The Martyr
Some Red Handed Sleight of Hand
Art Is Hard
The Recluse
Butcher The Song
Driftwood: A Fairy Tale
A Gentleman Caller (The best song played at the entire concert)
Sierra
Big Bang
Staying Alive

Desaparecidos:
Greater Omaha
Man and Wife, The Former (Financial Planning)
Manana
Man and Wife, The Latter (Damaged Goods)
Mall of America
The Happiest Place on Earth
Survival of the Fittest
Conor’s cousin raps (acapella) against Freemont
$$$$
Hole in One