The scene: A small university gymnasium, in a small American university town that is bubbling over with excitement. So much so that the three-thousand strong huddled on wooden bleachers, or if they were lucky, seated upon plastic chairs, leave their seats for a standing ovation. Not even for the main event, but for the mediocre lone-female opening act, Lianne la Havas, who talks more about "this next song" and takes photos than sings (albeit nicely) to her sparse electric guitar. Suffice it to say the atmosphere when the hometown hero finally takes to the stage is more like a Final-Four basketball game than a concert.
Hailing from Eau Claire Bon Iver's trots out for the first show in his native city since the year following the release of his acclaimed debut album, which came out in '07. Following him are eight men who will prove to be supremely gifted musicians in their own right. Without much ado off the top they launch into music that ranges from sparse, with touches of improvisation and jazz, to crescendoing noise that is equally powerful and plain awesome. Besides Justin Vernon's signature voice and impressive guitar chops, the sound includes two guitarists, one of whom picks up an acoustic at times throughout the night, and both of whom rock violins at other points. There's even a violin solo. Speaking of doubles, there are two drummers with full kits doing oh-so-much more than keeping time. Another musician has a cymbal, but also plays the chimes, a set of hanging triangles and trombone. Beside him also occasionally on brass is the keyboardist. Had enough horns and trombones? Absolutely not! The bass player picks up a clarinet and trumpet from time to time, while the most welcome addition comes in the form of the outrageously talented Colin Stetson on saxophone. And sister, this isn't your high-school band sax, this is a beast that would be the giant squid of the orchestra - the biggest sax I've ever seen. More on Colin later.
The band runs through a myriad of songs - seeming to focus more on the newer, self-titled album. This is understandable considering the previous was a more subdued, acoustic affair - absolutely lovely - but with a super group assembled like this you want to take full advantage with the fleshed out, fuller sounds of Bon Iver. That being said old faves such as Creature Fear fully impressed too in the flashing red lights and surprisingly crisp sound of this gymnasium, considering the sonic levels they could take it up to as a whole. (If I had to liken it to anyone, I could say I heard elements of TV on the Radio at times, coincidentally a band Colin also works with.)
Quieter moments were also achieved, such as when Justin took a mid-set opportunity to play us a solo acoustic song, Re: Stacks, which he dedicated to a local university adviser. Bringing it right back around following this was a full-band rendition of a Bjork song that was equally as impressive as their originals and featured the trombone player beatboxing under Vernon's singing. Rad! However perhaps the most breathtaking part of the night, both literally and figuratively, was Stetson's saxophone solo. It sounded completely unique (and diverse considering it was just one sax), and it lasted for nearly five straight minutes! As in constant, non-stop, soloing (presumably with a circular breathing technique) that carried directly into a full-out, loud, band breakdown through which he could still be heard jamming away. Words cannot do it justice.
To cap what was already a night to remember was the album, and set, closer: Beth/Rest. This song has an uplifting feeling that is not often felt in his music and it was another showstopper - literally - as they broke before the encore. We knew it was coming not only from the absolutely thunderous applause and stomping, but because they placed a stool on Justin's rug and brought out an additional two mics. The stool allowed him to play acoustically while his band backed him for the most reserved full band song of the night. Following this was a gem I'd personally been waiting for all night - and judging by the reaction of the other people standing and showing their appreciation, I was not the only one. Skinny Love wowed with the drummers staying put while the other six gathered around two mics to sing the back ups, and clap/stomp along. Whew! How do you top that? How do you close a night as incredible as this? Have the audience sing along, at the top of their lungs, to The Wolves while the music escalates to heavenly heights. Exceptionally high hometown expectations exceeded!
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