When Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon announced the lineup for this year’s Eaux Claires festival, the poster featured a performance by “Bon Dylan.” Now, Vernon has revealed more information on what, exactly, this secret project is. Per a press release, “Bon Dylan will perform as Bob Dylan circa 1994, doing songs from every era.” In a video Vernon posted to Instagram ahead of the performance, you can hear him and his band covering “Not Dark Yet.” Regarding the inspiration for the project, Vernon has shared a poem of sorts:
“Oh, it was about a year ago. Bob Dylan came through town.
I went with my dad and about 16 of my friends.
I’ve lived here for 44 years. And it’s been too long to remember since the town felt that together.
So we thought we’d better get the festival back going.
And then the question of whether Bon Iver should play or not.
It was on the table.
Here’s what I'll say.
I haven’t felt much like being what I’ve been
Or been seen to have been.
Or what I wanted to have been.
Or what I’ve become.
So I thought it’d be cool to try to be Bob Dylan for a night.
I’m trying to turn Bon into Bob.”
The band includes friends and collaborators JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Sean Carey, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens, and Jeremy Ylvisaker. Check out the aforementioned video below, and buy Eaux Claires tickets here.
