Review: Bon Iver/Tallest Man On Earth – Barrymore

by uwmryan on 20. Dec, 2008 in Concerts, Film, News

Lots of fun last night at the Barrymore. Bon Iver was definitely happy to be back home in Wisconsin and the crowd was happy to entertain. Below are my 7 highlights from the night, all photos by Ed Oliver.

7 Highlights/Reflections/Remembrances of Bon Iver + The Tallest Man On Earth in Madison

1. The Tallest Man On Earth – Everyone was in place early last night. Everyone got turned onto the awesomeness that is Kristian Matsson aka The Tallest Man On Earth. A great performer, a great musician. Ended his set with a Son House cover. So good.
MP3: The Tallest Man On Earth – “Pistol Dreams”

2. “Beach Baby” – The Bon Iver set began with this new one from the Blood Bank EP. This one rivals “Blood Bank” as a favorite of mine of the new material. Both were absolutely huge live.

3. Blood Bank EP on vinyl – So nice to be able to get this four-song gem on wax. Picked up a copy for myself and some additional ones for friends.

4. “Creature Fear” – Was the absolute pinnacle for me. Hairs on the back of my neck were all at attention by the end of this song. One of the strongest and hardest-hitting musical memories ever.

5. “Your Love” – I almost wish I hadn’t seen and heard their cover of The Outfield’s “Your Love” before going into the show. It was gorgeous and so fun to watch and listen as everyone began to realize what they were hearing and singing along.

6. “For Emma” – Justin described writing the song in one sitting after family members (who were in the audience) had come to visit him at his now infamous cabin in the Wisconsin woods.

7. Bus not a Van – The guys left Madison en route back to their hometown of Eau Claire in a bus, not a van. Really nice to see such great representatives of Wisconsin making it.

Discuss: Leave your thoughts and reviews in the comments. Did you like the new material?

15 Responses to “Review: Bon Iver/Tallest Man On Earth – Barrymore”

  1. cerca_trova 20. Dec, 2008 at 1:43 pm #

    I thought it was an awesome show as well. I picked up the EP on vinyl too, and am really digging the new material, too. Another high point of last night’s show was the encore of Wolves, which was nothing short of epic.

  2. Tyler 20. Dec, 2008 at 1:53 pm #

    creature fear. Oh my God…I couldn’t agree more. They took that song to new heights. That may have been the best live song I have ever heard. And with the new Blood Bank material that I had not heard before last night…wow. Just wow.

  3. Lea 20. Dec, 2008 at 3:53 pm #

    I’ll 3rd the Creature Fear response – I had shivers as well. Amazing. The singalong was mighty fun – I think I liked Wolves at the Orpheum better, but it was because it was unexpected. This time the anticipation of it was lovely too.

  4. smelmoth 20. Dec, 2008 at 5:04 pm #

    Watching them live and the blistering crescendos and all… I can’t help but think they watched Nels Cline and the boys very carefully when they opened for Wilco. I can’t begin to imagine what a night of both bands at full throttle would do to my brain.

  5. Nick 21. Dec, 2008 at 10:31 am #

    Anyone know the setlist?

  6. SlappyPeterson 21. Dec, 2008 at 12:31 pm #

    The Creature Fear was intense. The climax reminded me of something out of the Sonic Youth playbook. Their soundscapes were on par with a band that’s been together for 10 years.

  7. Patrick 21. Dec, 2008 at 5:15 pm #

    I thought the best moment of the set was the 1-2 punch of “Blood Bank” then “Wolves.” Great way to close out the night. Left me feeling high leaving the Barrymore. “Babies” was much better this time around then at the Pabst in August.

  8. Ike 21. Dec, 2008 at 5:59 pm #

    I saw their show near Detroit this past summer…have to say it was a musical highlight of 2008 for me….can’t wait to see them live again. Plus my buddy Steve (Capital A) & I were given the thumbs up by management to design & create a Ltd. Edition Screenprint poster for the show. What a great bunch of people…everyone had such a positive vibe. We still have some posters available for purchase online. Check it out…might make a good gift for that Bon Iver fan who has everything! (note: we used a metallic gold ink on the jaguar in the design…looks sharp)

    http://thelonemicrophone.blogspot.com/2008/12/bon-iver-on-letterman-121108.html

    Hey MOB…hope you don’t mind the plug (& a link)…just thought some fans might dig the poster.

  9. uwmryan 21. Dec, 2008 at 7:09 pm #

    @Ike – Don’t mind at all. That is sharp poster. Very nice.

  10. Ike 21. Dec, 2008 at 7:12 pm #

    Thank you, sir….it was a fun one.

  11. Jeremy 22. Dec, 2008 at 1:11 am #

    Wow, that was the best show that I’ve been to in a long time. Bon Iver was unbelievable live, and The Tallest Man on Earth was incredible as well. I picked up his excellent debut LP yesterday and have already listened to it four times through. Highly recommended.

  12. jesse culp 22. Dec, 2008 at 9:02 am #

    What a hot show! TMOE was amazing as well. This was first time seeing Bon Iver and I hope see more of him. Check out this report (link below) from Madison Music Review, another local perspective.

    http://madisonmusicreview.com/Artists/BonIver/Review-BonIver20081219-Barrymore.html

  13. uwmryan 22. Dec, 2008 at 3:09 pm #

    Update: Another review from No Depression!

    http://nodepression.com/articles.aspx?id=5072

  14. TS 23. Dec, 2008 at 8:46 am #

    I’ve got a setlist–I’ll post it later tonight.

  15. Tamala 28. Dec, 2008 at 7:34 am #

    12/19 Setlist

    Beach Baby
    Lump Sum
    Skinny Love
    Babys
    Creature Fear
    Flume
    Josie [sic]
    Re: Stacks
    For Emma
    Blood Bank
    ___________

    Wolves

Leave a Reply