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Words by: Lindsay Colip | Images by: Steven Walter
Bon Iver/Megafaun :: 09.24.09 :: Fox Theater :: Oakland, CA
 Bon Iver :: 09.24 :: Fox Theater :: Oakland, CA |
If you happen to live in the Bay Area, you are blessed with two of the best music venues in the country. For its impressive history and palpable magic, there's The Fillmore in the heart of San Francisco. For its awe-inspiring beauty and sublime acoustics, there's the Fox Theater in Oakland. For those of you who haven't been to the Fox Theater, the stage is bookended by large gold, bejeweled Buddha statues and situated below what looks like hanging magic carpets. The entire theater is adorned with colors and details reminiscent of Walt Disney's Aladdin; an interesting backdrop for both bands that performed on Thursday.
First to come out from behind the gold leaf was bearded country folkers Megafaun. This trio from North Carolina via Wisconsin sound a little like CSNY meets Phish meets Fleetwood Mac. Their harmonies are beautifully dialed, their sound is pleasant and comforting, and their warm vibe makes you feel more than welcome around their campfire. For an intro song, try "The Longest Day" or "Worried Mind" off Gather, Form & Fly. The set was short but sweet and was highlighted when Vernon joined in (on guitar) for one of their songs. On deck for Megafaun is more touring, including a European stint with indie rockers, The Dodos.
After Megafaun got us all tucked in, Bon Iver came out to stir up our emotions and slap some life into us. Looking part Mad Hatter and part Willy Wonka, Vernon humbly took the stage. As the legend goes, Vernon wrote his first album, For Emma, Forever Ago, at his father's cabin in the wintry woods of Wisconsin during a very dark time in his life. What came out of the isolation and blackness was a beautifully haunting record that rips your guts out of your stomach. A quiet record for certain, but not a quiet live show. Seeing Bon Iver at Sasquatch! Music Festival earlier this year was a complete shock. He rocked our faces off. He put oomph into the sadness, which ended up being the perfect call. It was by far my favorite performance of the whole festival weekend. And now, at the Fox, I was excited to see what would come out of him. To my pleasant surprise, we got a little taste of the salt and a little scoop of the cream. Vernon was surrounded by Sean Carey (drums, vocals, piano), Michael Noyce (vocals, guitar) and Matthew McCaughan (bass, drums, vocals) and at one point his brother Nate Vernon made a cameo as a second drummer.
 Megafaun :: 09.24 :: Fox Theater :: Oakland, CA |
They opened with "Flume," which immediately got everyone's juices flowing. To follow were "Lump Sum," "Skinny Love," "Re: Stacks," "Brackett, WI," new song "Beach Baby" and a fantastically amped-up "Blood Bank." Just like at Sasquatch!, he had the audience sing along to "The Wolves (Act I and II)." From what I've read, Vernon likes to do this so he can duplicate the sound of the song on the album, which he felt was impossible to do with just the members of the band. Happy to help, Mr. Vernon. It sounded amazing and full.
Another thing to note was that the audience was dead silent during most of his songs, giving their utmost attention to the seemingly tortured soul - unlike last week when Ben Harper actually told the audience to shut up at the Fox during a particularly quiet set of songs. Maybe it was out of respect or love or perhaps due to the fact that Vernon kept saying he was taking a break after this tour that made people cling to every word. Either way, you could hear a pin drop.
A highlight of the evening came when they covered The Jayhawks' "Tampa to Tulsa," which featured Noyce singing and Vernon backing. Another high point was when Megafaun came out and joined Bon Iver at the very end of the encore for "Worried Mind."
Here's the deal: You believe every single word Vernon sings. You trust him. You let him take you up and down, in and out. You feel sexy and sad and vulnerable and beautiful, all at once. The lyrics of his songs are maddeningly gorgeous. Try to get through "Re: Stacks" or "The Wolves" without getting choked up. Seriously. The best part, however, is that his music can actually be for anyone and everyone. I can't even put it in any sort of specific genre, except maybe 'living life by the balls' rock. The Megafaun/Bon Iver reunion tour proved nothing short of special and if you can see them before they go their separate ways, do so.
Bon Iver :: 09.24.09 :: Fox Theater :: Oakland, CA
Flume, Lump Sum, Brackett, WI, Blood Bank, Beach Baby, Skinny Love, Re: Stacks, Tampa to Tulsa, For Emma, The Wolves (Act I & II)
E: Creature Fear > Team, Worried Mind
The Megafaun/Bon Iver tour has only three more dates before Vernon and his boys take a breather and head into the studio.
September 29 – Mesa Arts Center/Ikeda Theater – Mesa, AZ
October 1 – Marfa Ballroom – Marfa, TX
October 4 – Paramount Theatre – Austin, TX
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