Bon Iver set to revisit first album 'For Emma, Forever Ago' at special Milwaukee concert
Piet LevyIt began with a lost man, struggling with depression, "shedding his skin" and writing some songs alone in his father's hunting cabin during a Wisconsin winter.
Those songs were ultimately heard by millions around the world. They deeply influenced major artists like Kanye West, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding and James Blake. They made Eau Claire native Justin Vernon, and his project Bon Iver, one of the most influential and accomplished musical acts to ever emerge from Wisconsin.
On Saturday, Vernon will revisit those songs, found on Bon Iver's debut album "For Emma, Forever Ago," at the BMO Harris Bradley Center. It's a special one-of-a-kind concert, in commemoration of the 10th-anniversary reissue of "Emma" on Friday. Those songs, written in isolation a decade ago, will be celebrated not just by Bon Iver, but by fans coming from more than 40 states and Canada. The show is sold out.
I'll have full coverage of the concert at jsonline.com/music Sunday, and in the Journal Sentinel Monday. I also have a feature online now that looks back at the making of "Emma," its phenomenal reception, its influence on other musicians, and its impact in Eau Claire, where Vernon lives to this day.
RELATED:How Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' changed Justin Vernon's life, Wisconsin and the world
THREE SHOWS TO SEE THIS WEEK
If you didn't get a Bon Iver ticket, but you're still in the mood for folk, you could see genre-blending Americana artist Valerie June at the Pabst Theater Friday, or banjo masters (and married couple) Bela Fleck and Abigail Washburn at Turner Hall Ballroom Tuesday.
Or, for something really different, there's the exciting, emerging hip-hop collective Brockhampton, Friday at the Eagles Ballroom at the Rave. I'm reviewing that show as well; check back for coverage Saturday.
NEW CONCERT ANNOUNCEMENTS
On Friday there are not one, not two, but five major shows that are going on sale: the Eagles (at the new Bucks arena Oct. 18); Ed Sheeran (Oct. 23 at Miller Park); Lady Antebellum with Darius Rucker (Sept. 1 at the American Family Insurance Amphitheater); Camila Cabello (April 21, Riverside Theater); and, believe it or not, Bill Murray (April 17 at the Riverside).
RELATED:The Eagles coming to the new Milwaukee Bucks arena Oct. 18
RELATED:Ed Sheeran to play Miller Park Oct. 23
RELATED:Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker playing American Family Insurance Amphitheater Sept. 1
RELATED:Camila Cabello coming to Milwaukee's Riverside Theater April 21
RELATED:Film legend Bill Murray will read great literature, perform songs in Milwaukee April 17
Rock on!
Piet Levy