Justin Vernon Plays Surprise Set Of Bon Iver Music & Premieres Bob Dylan Cover Band At Eaux Claires

Bon Iver's Justin Vernon revived his Eaux Claires Festival at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin over the weekend following an eight-year hiatus. On Friday, Vernon played Bon Iver songs for the first time in two years and unveiled his “Bon Dylan” tribute to Bob Dylan.

On Eaux Claires kickoff day, Justin Vernon shouldered his acoustic guitar and delivered a solo set of Bon Iver material for the first time in two years after he put the project on a touring hiatus. The surprise “Bon” performance also included covers, kicking off with Kevin Morby’s “Die Young.” Vernon filled the slot left vacated by Morby, who pulled out of the festival after the birth of his first child with partner Katie Crutchfield.

Additionally, Vernon delivered stripped-down renditions of Bon Iver favorites such as “Beach Baby” and “Re: Stacks.” Justin also played unreleased rarities like “Hayward, WI” and John Prine tribute “Room To Spare” alongside the first live performance of “S P E Y S I D E” since releasing Bon Iver’s final studio album to date, SABLE, fABLE.

Friday also saw Vernon collecting a group of musicians to honor Bob Dylan. “Bon Dylan” saw JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Sean Carey, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, Courtland Pickens, John Pieter and Jeremy Ylvisaker joining Justin to perform a set of songs stylized after Dylan’s 1994 tour where he touched on his many eras.

The set saw early Dylan cuts “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” and “Boots Of Spanish Leather,” the latter a duet between Justin and Monica Martin. The song selection was also heavy on Dylan’s post-motorcycle accident output of the late 1960s including “All Along The Watchtower,” “The Man In Me,” “Lay Lady Lay” and “New Morning”

Mid-seventies favorites included “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” “Tangled Up In Blue” and “Meet Me In The Morning.” “Not Dark Yet,” “Shooting Star” and “Make You Feel My Love” marked latter-day Dylan standouts.

Check out a crispy recording (via ben m) and full video (via Live Music MN) of the “Bon Dylan” set as well as clips from the “Bon” performance below: