Bon Dylan delivered what the name promised on July 24th at Eaux Claires festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin — an eras-spanning set of Bob Dylan covers by Bon Iver and friends.
Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon took to the microphone and started the set with Dylan’s 1997 song “Not Dark Yet” before going into his 1989 track “Shooting Star.” From there, the 16-song set focused on Dylan’s output from the 1960s and 1970s starting with “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right” from 1962’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan and “The Man in Me” off of New Morning from 1970. The band started this first third of the set with mostly acoustic performances sparsely adorn.
Kicking in the full-band with electric guitar and bass, two drummers, gritty harmonica, keys and more, the group performed a duo of Blood on the Tracks tunes, going from “Tangled Up in Blue” to “Meet Me in the Morning” with “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You” from 1969’s Nashville Skyline in between as drummer Sean Carey took over vocals for the song. Dylan’s 1960s’ recordings were also represented by “Boots of Spanish Leather” an acoustic duet with Vernon and Monica Martin, “Lay Lady Lay,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “With God On Our Side.” Songs from his Christian trilogy also made appearances, with Bon Dylan performing an organ- and piano-driven version of “When He Returns” and “Shot of Love.” The band concluded the night with a rousing encore of “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.”
Related Video
Eaux Claires festival, founded by Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner in 2015, made its return on Friday after an eight-year hiatus. The announcement of the festival’s return also came with the announcement of Bon Dylan’s scheduled performance, and, while the name was unfamiliar, it was apparent that the group was going to be Bon Iver performing Dylan covers, which Vernon elaborated on in April.
Elsewhere during Friday’s festivities, Justin Vernon performed a last-minute solo acoustic set as “Bon” in place of Kevin Morby, who recently welcomed a child with his partner, Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield. His set included a cover of Morby’s “Die Young,” plus performances of “Beach Baby,” “Flume,” “S P E Y S I D E,” and “Re: Stacks.” He also played “Room To Spare,” an unreleased rarity honoring John Prine, and another rarity called “Hayward, WI.”
Bon Iver released VOLUMES, a collection of rarities and unreleased material, in April.
Bon Dylan Setlist:
Not Dark Yet
Shooting Star
Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright
The Man In Me
Make You Feel My Love
Tangled Up In Blue
Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You
Meet Me In The Morning
New Morning
Boots Of Spanish Leather
When He Returns
Shot Of Love
Lay Lady Lay
All Along The Watchtower
God On Our Side
Knockin’ On Heavens Door
Bon Setlist:
Die Young
Beach Baby
Flume
S P E Y S I D E
Room To Spare
Re: Stacks
Hayward, WI
