Rather than stepping back into the role of
Bon Iver frontman,
Justin Vernon will instead inhabit an entirely different musical persona at this year's revived Eaux Claires festival in Wisconsin. Performing under the name Bon Dylan across the weekend of 24th-25th July, Vernon plans to channel
Bob Dylan circa 1994, drawing on material from across the legendary songwriter's catalogue.
A newly released teaser video provides the first real glimpse into the project. Set to a stripped-back version of '
Not Dark Yet' captured during early rehearsals, it positions Bon Dylan somewhere between playful concept and genuine creative reinvention. Vernon says in the clip: "I haven't felt much like being what I've been. 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 genesis of the project lies in a Dylan concert Vernon caught in Eau Claire last year alongside his dad and "16 friends", which he says inspired Eaux Claires' revival thanks to the sense of community it fostered. Faced with the question of whether Bon Iver should headline the returning festival, Vernon chose a different path entirely.
Backing Vernon on stage will be a rotating ensemble of trusted collaborators: Sean Carey, Phil Cook, JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens and Jeremy Ylvisaker, with additional guest vocalists still to be confirmed. The weekend will represent Vernon's sole live outing of 2026, with Bon Iver having remained off the road since 2019.
In related news, Vernon has launched a new archival series called VOLUMES. Its opening instalment, VOLUMES: ONE 'SELECTIONS FROM MUSIC CONCERTS 2019-2023 BON IVER 6 PIECE BAND', compiles nine live recordings spanning the group's final four years of touring activity, alongside one additional track dating back to 2017.
