Billed simply as “special guest,” Cursive finished off the official showcase of the Omaha indie label Saddle Creek at Bowery Ballroom last night. Lucky thing, too: Although the other five bands offered a tantalizing bit of foreplay, the night-closing appearance of Cursive guaranteed a stirring climax.
Opened by Two Gallants, the label’s most recent signees, Saddle Creek’s showcase offered everything one would expect: Moody singer-songwriters, aggressive indie rock, and an appearance by Mr. Bright Eyes himself, Conor Oberst. The face of Saddle Creek — one that makes more frequent appearances on the walls of teenage bedrooms — joined Maria Taylor from Azure Ray onstage during her final number. But Oberst’s appearance was not the highlight of the evening, nor were any of the other band’s sets.PrintEmail
