When the Eaux Claires lineup was announced in February – for the first edition of Justin Vernon’s festival in eight years – Bon Iver wasn’t on it.
But a mysterious act called Bon Dylan was. In a video posted April 23, Vernon confirmed suspicions that he was involved and offered more details.
For a one-night-only performance, and Vernon’s only planned performance in 2026, he will take on the persona of “Bob Dylan circa 1994.”
According to a news release also issued April 23, the performance will cover Bob Dylan songs “from every era.” The setlist will almost certainly feature Dylan’s 1997 song “Not Dark Yet.” An audio recording of Bon Dylan playing that song in a rehearsal last month was included in the video.
Collaborating with Vernon in the performance will be Bon Iver bandmates Sean Carey and Michael Lewis. The band will also feature several other Vernon friends and collaborators, including JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens and Jeremy Ylvisaker.
In the video, Vernon explains through voiceover he got the concept for the Bon Iver performance after seeing Bob Dylan perform in Eau Claire last year (at The Sonnentag Center on April 5, 2025).
“I’ve lived here for 44 years,” Vernon says in the video. “And it’s been too long to remember since the town felt that together.”
He also explains in the video why Bon Iver itself is not part of the lineup.
“I haven’t felt much like being what I’ve been,” Vernon said. “So I thought it’d be cool to try to be Bob Dylan for a night.”
Vernon has suggested that last year’s album “SABLE, fABLE” could be the final new Bon Iver studio album, and the band didn’t tour behind it. Bon Iver releases have continued with the February announcement of a new “VOLUMES” archival series and first live album.
The Bon Dylan performance is slated for Eaux Claires’ first day, July 24, with the festival wrapping up July 25. It’s taking place at Carson Park in Eau Claire, with 18 acts on the bill, including Dijon, Daniel Caesar, Lil Yachty, Bizhiki and Aimee Mann.
Tickets are $119 to $229 per day or $229 to $399 for two-day passes, at eauxclaires.com, with additional camping and parking passes available on the festival website.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Justin Vernon confirms he’ll perform as ‘Bon Dylan’ at Eaux Claires
Reporting by Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
