Saturday, 12 Apr 2008
If you felt like a packed sardine last night chances are you were at the Orpheum Stage Door checking out Bon Iver with Collections of Colonies of Bees. On his return to town for a sold out show, Justin Vernon aka Bon Iver didn’t disappoint, concluding his set smack in the middle of the crowd for a beautiful acoustic and sans microphone version of “For Emma.” A breezy number packed with gentle horns on his critically acclaimed For Emma, Forever Ago, received a shot in the arm live, featuring screamed vocals for the “go find another lover to string along” part.
Since we’ve constantly sang his praises it really goes without saying how happy we are that he received such a warm welcome and will most definitely command a larger venue next time through town. What did you guys think of the show? Was it the show of the year? Are you pissed you chose to see Modest Mouse instead of Bon Iver the first time he played here (for free)? Did you like Collections of Colonies of Bees? Did you pay more or receive more than face value for your ticket?
Thanks, we’ll talk again this summer.
Photo: Lea Wolf
Previously: Review: Bon Iver – Lakeshore Theater, Chicago
Previously: From The Crowd | Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
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MoB: 5 Questions with Bon Iver
MoB: Review: Madison Pop Fest
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Myspace: Bon Iver
MP3: Bon Iver – “Skinny Love”
Find more MP3’s at The Hype Machine or buy stuff from Strictly Discs | eMusic
April 12th, 2008 at 10:01 am
He better be coming back to Madison this summer, maybe on the Terrace? I’ve missed him everytime around…
April 12th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Great show, despite the technical difficulties. It was almost magical.
April 12th, 2008 at 10:28 am
I tried to post an image link but it didn’t work – http://www.flickr.com/photos/wolfwolfgirl/2407297244/
April 12th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
I’ve managed to catch about 10 shows thus far in 2008 and it was more certainly my favorite to date. Despite the Stage Door being packed to the hilt and numerous drinks spilled on me the show felt very intimate.
April 12th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Great, great, great show. It was absurdly crowded, hot, and humid, but the man sure knows how to keep an audience’s rapt attention.
Collections of Colonies of Bees was a bit loud and lyric-free for my taste, but I’m quite curious to hear what comes of the collaboration between them and Bon Iver mentioned on the show flier.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:53 pm
one of the better shows i’ve seen in many years not put on by neko case, tom waits or a solo jeff tweedy. the heat (i was standing in back against the wall and yes, there was heat coming out of the radiator) and intimacy of the show made me feel like i was seeing tweedy back at the lounge ax in the 90’s.
‘for emma’ was simply stunning. it truly was one of those ‘moments’ that won’t be duplicated and can’t be described with words.
fantastic photo lea.
April 13th, 2008 at 1:51 am
O, I would love to see Bon Iver. I may have posted this before (I rarely comment anywhere, so it’s unlikely but possible) but I discovered his music through your blog and every time I visit here I remember that and am so thankful. “For Emma” has received heavy play on the old ipod ever since I heard Skinny Love here. Lovely, love it, crave more Bon Iver in my life.
April 13th, 2008 at 5:08 am
I saw Bon Iver in Eau Claire in February for their “kick-off show”. Small, intimate room with friends and family…it was definitely one of my favorite shows of all time. The other guitarist in the band is a friend of mine, so it was all the more amazing.
Now in a few weeks I get to see them in London opening for Jens Lekman…this world could not get better.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
amazing show.
April 13th, 2008 at 12:25 pm
i left madison last year returning to austin, tx. i saw josh ritter @ the stage door in oct. of 06 and can only imagine how great of show bon iver was. i caught him at sxsw, but it was only a taste of what a full show could/would be like.
this blog has been my gateway to some great music, thank you, thank you.
-klaus
April 13th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
I was surprise about Collection. They sounded much better that in his myspace. Bon Iver was very good. He has a nice deep voice when speaks. They have 9 songs but they didn t run away at the end of the show. Learn Vampire Weekend!
April 13th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
It was a great show, but I’m surely not pissed I saw Modest Mouse! That was also a memorable show…
April 14th, 2008 at 12:20 am
I’m not trying to be a “hater” or anything, but I honestly don’t see what’s so great about this music…it seems a boring to me. i just can’t get into it.. ahh well. maybe i’ve got to see him live.