BON IVER - Sat. 10/3, 5pm (Dell)
A purposefully mis-transcribed play on the French term for *good winter,* Bon Iver is the heart frontman Justin Vernon wears prominently on his sleeve.
The 2007 debut album For Emma, Forever Ago, is a collection of rumintative songs that very loosely chronicle his bout with mono, a breakup and a geographical move. But they also speak in awe of nature. It's the sound of a man left alone with his emotional imagery and a guitar. Vernon's vocal phrasing is sweeping and poignant and he uses it like another musical instrument, fully aware of the power it posesses.
There is something seminal already developing with Vernon's music and for the folks at ACL to book Bon Iver and place them in a prominent time slot is brilliant (it's too bad it's not about an hour later nearer sunset). Just a few days ago, they performed at the Hollywood Forever Cemetary at 6 in the morning!
~jason repko
