Lucinda Albers

A few month ago, news was released that I have been waiting years for.

Bright Eyes, a band I have been dying to see live since I was in high school, finally announced a show in Sioux Falls. The Omaha natives had seemed to ignore South Dakota since they began touring almost a decade ago.

Led by Conor Oberst, Bright Eyes signed to Saddle Creek Records around 1998, and is still with them to this day, despite mainstream success (in 2004, “Lua” and “Take It Easy (Love Nothing)” were simultaneously released, and, within two weeks, landed the top two spots of Billboard’s Hot 100 Singles Sales). And, in my personal opinion, Oberst has proved to be one of the greatest lyricists of our generation.

Oberst had started playing and performing music at a fairly young age and has released numerous album’s since. With each one, not only do the production values increase significantly, but Obersts lyrics become more intense. Oberst and his brother went on to create Saddle Creek (also home to The Faint and Rilo Kiley), which has helped him out of recording in his parents’ basement and into a studio.

On Oct. 25, Bright Eyes will appear at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall for what I call to be the best show of the fall. It’s an all ages event, and tickets are on sale now for $24 before the show, or $28 the day of.

The night before Bright Eyes graces the Ramkota, though, will be another note-worthy show.

Thrice, with openers mewithoutYou, will play on Oct. 24. Tickets for this slightly hardcore group will run $17 in advance, or $20 that day. Although Thrice has a slight hardcore, alternative feel to their music, mewithoutYou’s indie rock should balance the show out well.

If you’re looking for something a little sooner, Silverstein will be playing the Ramkota on Oct. 5 with From Autumn to Ashes, Strike Anywhere and A Day to Remember. This is a pretty hardcore, screamo lineup but should prove to be highly energetic and just plain fun. Tickets cost $16 in advance or $19 at the door.