Kyle from Reveille Magazine and I took an after-work day-trip to Eau Claire, Wisconsin to see Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver at The Nucleus last night. It was a hometown reunion show for DeYarmond Edison where Justin was a member. In addition to Bon Iver, opening was Megafaun, which comprises of the members of DeYarmond Edison sans Justin Vernon. So all and all, a very close group.
Racys and the Nucleus is essentially a small restaurant, a small café and a tiny music venue under the same roof. When we arrived around 8pm the show was already sold out. We watched some of Megafaun through the door until we were able to get escorted in.
Bon Iver’s set was intimate, emotional and personal. Here in Eau Claire he was playing to an overcapacity room of long time fans, friends and family. He played from For Emma, Forever Ago and a cover of “Satisfied Mind.” He brought up the folks from Megafaun to back him on the last part of his set ending with “The Wolves” where the crowd sang the backing vocals at Justin’s direction. I was amazed it all came off even better than the album.
DeYarmond Edison played a few pieces on stage and then went into the middle of the room where a large microphone was set up and played acoustically for the rest of the night. They called for more and more crowd participation until the last piece where the band spread out to different parts of the room and everyone sang together. The band dubbed us all the “Eau Claire Choir.”
Kyle thought it quite possibly be his favorite show all year and I can’t agree more. On our way out we nabbed tickets for the Land of Talk show at The Nucleus where Bon Iver will be opening on Tuesday, November 6th. We figured this was well worth the trip and we’re ready to do it again. Justin joked on stage about Land of Talk that “They’re from Montréal. That’s in another country. This might be an Eau Claire first!”
Reveille this week has an interview with Bon Iver and he’ll be playing tonight with Megafaun and Digitata at the Uptown Bar tonight, October 26.
See my Bon Iver and DeYarmond Edison at the Nucleus photos on Flickr.
Comments 1
I’m going to the show tonight, but more to see Digitata. I might stick around for the rest of it though! Sounds like fun!
Posted 26 Oct 2007 at 10:20 ¶Post a Comment