Bright Eyes

On September 9, 2011, when Bright Eyes delivered that poignant live rendition of "Poison Oak" at Workplay in Birmingham, they were riding high on the wave of their seventh studio album, *The People’s Key*, released earlier that year. This album marked a significant moment for the band as it was their first release in nearly four years, showcasing a matured sound while still deeply rooted in frontman Conor Oberst's signature introspective lyricism. Interesting enough, the song "Poison Oak," which has resonated with many for its heart-wrenching themes of loss and nostalgia, actually originated from their earlier album, *I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning* (2005). It's also worth noting that this live performance came just before the band took a break to pursue individual projects, but moments like these served as reminders of their unique ability to blend storytelling with raw emotion, a hallmark of their artistry. What a delightful showcase of both nostalgia and evolution, wouldn’t you agree?

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