Lala Lala and Bright Eyes perform at the Madonna Inn Expo Center

Atmospheric, experimental, ethereal and soothing are a few ways to describe Lala Lala‘s and Bright Eyes’ performances at the Madonna Inn on Thursday. The room was filled with enthusiastic Bright Eyes fans and ’90s indie junkies headbanging and shouting lyrics word-for-word. 

The show began with the entrance of the two band members of Lala Lala: the lead, Lillie West, and her drummer. Casual and cool, they played a variety of eclectic yet ethereal songs, some from their 2021 album, “I Want The Door To Open,” and a few others like their new track, “Memory.” As a unifying last song, they covered Imogen Heap’s “Hide and Seek.” The moment her set ended, West ran off stage to join fans in the audience for Bright Eyes. 

Bright Eyes’ Conor Oberst is known for his many projects including his solo work, the founding of the influential record label Saddle Creek and side projects such as a collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers, “Better Oblivion Community Center.”

With the crowd abuzz, seven members of the Bright Eyes band entered. Indie icon Oberst garnered cheers from all over the room, opening with “Dance and Sing” from their newest album, “Down in the Weeds, Where The World Once Was.” The band, composed of backup vocals, saxophone, clarinet, tambourine, trumpet, violin and piano, beautifully juxtaposed the emo, folk-rock sound. The night was filled with bittersweet emotions and connections between generations of fans.