The kitchen was closed, but the bar was open as more than 100 students and other fans shuffled into the Loring Pasta Bar for a midday concert Wednesday. Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band played a free concert in support of Barack Obama before their show at First Avenue later in the evening. Oberst, who gained fame through his other band, Bright Eyes, said he has been supporting Obama since the primaries. âÄúI really believe that he would make the best president, especially given the two current choices,âÄù he said. Oberst also played rallies before the Iowa caucus and Nebraska primary, he said. The Mystic Valley Band is currently on tour and promoting its new CD, titled âÄúConor Oberst,âÄù which they recorded over the course of a month in Mexico. During the show, Oberst pointed out that he was wearing a suit and said, âÄúI donâÄôt usually wear suits, but what youâÄôre doing is important.âÄù Dominick Washington, political director for the Obama campaign in Minnesota , said Oberst made himself available with the tour stopping in Minneapolis. âÄúWe decided that a good thing to do would be to have a concert where we would encourage people who attend to sign up for volunteer shifts,âÄù he said. The free concert required attendees to sign up for two get-out-the-vote volunteer shifts, ranging from two hours to all day during the final six days of the campaign. âÄúItâÄôs extremely unusual and quite fun, actually,âÄù Todd OâÄôDowd, Loring marketing and media relations director , said. He said the ambience of Loring and closeness to the University of Minnesota attracted the campaign. The campaign had to pay $1,000 to rent the restaurant for the hour and a half time block, the standard wedding rate at Loring, Washington said. Students for Barack Obama youth coordinator Matt Smriga said, âÄúOf all the votes Obama is counting on, the youth vote is as important as any.âÄù Neuroscience junior David Wrobleski said he was happy to see the concert. âÄúI thought it was really cool, because I have a midterm in two days so I actually canâÄôt go see the show tonight,âÄù he said. A few fans showed up to the concert but decided they either couldnâÄôt or didnâÄôt want to take volunteer shifts, Students for Barack Obama youth coordinator Molly Sonsteng said. Loring also hosted a luncheon for the Missouri delegation during the Republican National Convention, but OâÄôDowd said the restaurant does not support a specific party or candidate. âÄúWe support all,âÄù he said. âÄúWe serve all.âÄù