It started with Bright Eyes, which featured multi-instrumentalists Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott. Or how about the Mystic Valley Band, again including Walcott but with Jason Boesel, Taylor Hollingsworth and more? Then there's Monsters of Folk, a supergroup with M. Ward, Mogis and Jim James that Oberst didn't front, per se, but still had some help from high-profile friends.

But no one backs up Conor Oberst quite like Dawes - that much is certain following a cool Tuesday evening at Summerstage in Central Park, New York.

The Los Angeles four-piece joined Oberst on his current tour behind Upside Down Mountain, the Omaha native's new solo album released this spring. After playing a dependable set of their own, the quartet joined up with Oberst. Also on stage was Wolcott, who again played trumpet as part of a three-piece horn section, and Larkin Poe, a sister duo (and apparent descendants of Edgar Allan Poe), who contributed mandolin, slide and backing vocals.

And sure, Oberst is the main draw and the top dog; rightfully so, considering it's his tour, album and songs. But special mention has to be made for Dawes, who added their own flair to songs from Upside Down Mountain and Oberst's past material, solo or otherwise.