Once in a while, you’ve got to take a chance on music you believe in, on the music that keeps your heart beating and your soul soothed. There are going to be times that the bands that get you through your roughest times won’t hit your city. It is at those times that you must take the plunge and head to the next closest city. You’ve got to embark on an adventure and hope for the best, sometimes.
Last week, two of TVD Cleveland’s writers took that chance. We boarded a bus to Chicago to catch Bon Iver at the UIC Pavilion. We had never been to the windy city. Hell, we’d never been on the Megabus. But we knew that Bon Iver is the kind of artist you don’t miss live.
What we saw and heard at UIC Pavilion is nearly impossible to describe. Bon Iver comes to the stage—an ensemble nine men strong. Front man Justin Vernon is surrounded by a horn section, some guitars and two drum sets, but I suppose it takes just such an army of angels to orchestrate such beauty. The lights dimmed blue, and Vernon’s voice wafted out over the crowd.
It is always remarkable to see these kind of bands, the ones that seem to sprout right up through the floorboards of the stage, to grow, to wave and reach higher—to ascend carrying the whole crowd with them. To transcend the mundane reality of 9-5 jobs and touch something else, something bigger than ourselves. Bon Iver is one of those bands that verge on a spiritual experience. At least, for me they do.
There were so many moments that were beyond beautiful. I remember when the band performed “Creature Fear.” My mind was completely blown. The fact that they could incorporate so many effects without it being overkill amazed me. The lights were even perfect. There was a moment where the saxophone player was circular breathing for a good five minutes to transition from “Perth” and into “Blood Bank.” Coming from a classical background, I have so much respect for that because I know just how difficult it is to do. Their transitions were flawless.
Bon Iver oscillated between really delicate, humble sounds and pulsing rock coupled with intricate technical playing. Singing “The Wolves” with thousands of other people just putting something so beautiful out into the world, it was a really touching experience.
The encore was what every breath was being held for, in the Pavilion. Vernon took the stage again with his band and played “Flume,” “Skinny Love” and “For Emma.” Those songs left us with warm hearts and goosebumps.
Bon Iver was supported that evening by Lianne La Havas. La Havas hails from England, and she’s got one of those powerhouse voices that proves versatile in performance; she coupled delicate soft moments with exultations. Truly noteworthy. Definitely grab her EP, Lost & Found.
To wrap this all up for you, if you’ve got the chance to catch a band that touches your soul, be it Bon Iver or someone else, do it. Your life will forever be changed, and the adventure will be totally worth it. Maybe you’ll venture to Cleveland. We’d love to see you.
