Photos: Bright Eyes tour stop in KC at Uptown

March 24, 2025

Haley Mullenix,

Bright Eyes. // photo by Haley Mullenix

This past Thursday, March 21, I found myself at the Uptown Theatre here in KC to see Bright Eyes and the band joining them in support, Hurray for the Riff Raff.

The venue slowly filled up as people trickled in from the cool evening. I can’t help but notice with going to concerts so often, the difference in generations of concert goers. This night felt like mostly a millennial crowd who show up a little after doors or right before the main act vs younger generations who tend to show up hours before doors for that perfect spot. The Bright Eyes crowd seemed pretty laid back which was nice for a Friday night concert.

Before the opener came on a pre recorded announcement by Bright Eyes lead singer Conor Oberst notified the crowd about a chance to win a signed setlist and come backstage to meet the band by donating to their charity, the Poison Oak Project, which focuses on advancing equity for LGBTQ+ folks with a specific focus on the trans community.

Hurray for the Riff Raff. // photo by Haley Mullenix

When the time came for Hurray for the Riff Raff to take the stage, I was immediately locked in. Lead singer Alynda Segarra has this captivating sort of aura that makes you want to watch what she’ll do next. Wearing silver cowboy boots and a leather vest she was rocking this western style getup that might be deceiving to some but her punk roots are palpable.

Growing up in the Bronx, Segarra became an avid attendee at local punk shows before travelling North America via train hopping. Her music was reminiscent of this, floating between different styles of folk with a little bit of rock don’t forget the roll. At times the set felt like the soundtrack to a summer road trip montage and other moments were more loud-cathartic and passionate as it was obvious Segarra has something to tell the world. Their latest song, “Pyramid Scheme,” really delves into this as she said it’s about “tech overlords ruining the planet and our lives.”

Bright Eyes. // photo by Haley Mullenix

Finally, the time came for Bright Eyes and the crowd was pumped. I was even a little distracted throughout my time in the photo pit by the yelling on the barricade. Including things like, “We came here for you!” (I hope so) and “Yass daddy” (Oh!). Besides the crowd’s obvious enthusiasm, the Bright Eyes guys seemed as passionate as ever too. Having released an album this past September, Five Dice, All Threes, as well as having nearly three decades worth of work, it was obvious Bright Eyes really love what they do.

Multi-instrumentalist Mike Mogis was jumping around like crazy on stage and I was lucky to get a clear photo of him! Nate Walcott, the band’s piano and trumpet player also blew me away. I wrote in my notes app while at the show, “That horn player, BABY!” I think every band should get a trumpet player immediately if they don’t already have one. It was fun to hear the band jump around between three to four different albums as the show opened, and I was glad to, of course, hear “First Day of My Life” pretty early on as well.

All photos by Haley Mullenix

Bright Eyes

Bright Eyes setlist

Bells and Whistles
El Capitan
Method Acting
Bas Jan Ader
Take It Easy (Love Nothing)
We Are Nowhere and It’s Now
First Day of My Life
Mariana Trench
Soul Singer in a Session Band
Poison Oak
Loose Leaves
Shell Games
Contrast and Compare (with Waxahatchee)
Rainbow Overpass
Tiny Suicides
Old Soul Song (for the New World Order)
Clairaudients (Kill or Be Killed) (with Alynda Mariposa Segarra)
Lua (with Alynda Mariposa Segarra)
Tin Soldier Boy
—
The Calendar Hung Itself…
Dreaming (Blondie cover with Alynda Mariposa Segarra)
Let’s Not Shit Ourselves (to Love and to Be Loved)