Omaha’s young indie rock darlings, Bright Eyes, started their U.S. Spring 2003 tour on Tuesday April 1 at the Fox Theater in Boulder. Arab Strap was the supporting band, and Laymen Terms from Colorado Springs opened.

Of the four Bright Eyes shows I’ve seen over the past three years, Tuesday night’s show was by far my favorite. It was surely a triumphant comeback after their last show in Boulder, when, opening for Wilco, they were unpracticed and unimpressive.

Tuesday night the band played with all the vigor and talent which seemed to be missing last spring. The band was a six piece for the April 1st show, led of course by singer/songwriter Conor Oberst.

The set included personal favorite “Padraic My Prince,” which I’d never heard live, and “One Foot in Front of the Other,” a song newly released on Saddle Creek Record’s compilation 50.

The band played several other new songs as well. A consistent highlight of Bright Eyes concerts is the inclusion of new songs, and the easy absorption of the audience in each. It’s nice to hear old favorites, but it’s even better to hear a new song which is so good you can’t wait to hear it on disc.

I also recommend checking out Arab Strap. Their live show was sparse and slow but never boring, with Malcolm Middleton on acoustic guitar, Aidan Moffat’s Leonard Cohen reminiscent low vocals, and the occasional drum machine, cello and violin.

Overall, the pairing of Arab Strap with Bright Eyes definitely helped to make the evening memorable.

For information on Bright Eyes check out their label’s Web site www.saddle-creek.com and learn more about Arab Strap at www.arabstrap.co.uk.