Photo by Asher Weisberg
Previously, Justin Vernon (also known as Bon Iver) helped spread the word that the Eaux Claires Festival would return for the first time in eight years, on July 24-25, 2026. During the first-wave announcement of artist names and event participants, keen-eyed readers lingered over the festival billing Bon Dylan. Today, Vernon, one of the festival’s co-founders, has confirmed his intent to evoke the songs and spirit of 1994 Dylan during the imminent Wisconsin gathering via an official announcement video that also presents audio from Bon Dylan’s March 2026 rehearsal capture of “Not Dark Yet.”
In the video, rushing waters serve as the main visual with Vernon’s relaxed Midwest tone talking through Bon Dylan’s back story:
“Oh, it was about a year ago. Bob Dylan came through town.
I went with my dad and about 16 of my friends.
I’ve lived here for 44 years. And it’s been too long to remember since the town felt that together.
So we thought we’d better get the festival back going.
And then the question of whether Bon Iver should play or not.
It was on the table.
Here’s what I’ll say.
I haven’t felt much like being what I’ve been
Or been seen to have been.
Or what I wanted to have been.
Or what I’ve become.
So I thought it’d be cool to try to be Bob Dylan for a night.
I’m trying to turn Bon into Bob.”
According to the official press release that arrived in tandem with the video, “Bon Dylan is the only concert event that Justin Vernon currently has planned for this year, and he will be joined by a band of close friends and frequent collaborators: JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Sean Carey, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens and Jeremy Ylvisaker.”
Eaux Claires Festival is a two-day event, beginning on Friday, July 24, and featuring Aimee Mann, who has signed on to perform her third studio album, Bachelor No. 2 or the Last Remains of the Dodo. Also included are Kevin Morby, The Union ft. Phil Cook, Monica Martin, Black Sabbath cover band Rehearsal, Bizhiki, Hotline TNT, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentleman, in addition to the highly anticipated Bon Dylan set.
Saturday, July 25’s lineup includes Lil Yachty, Daniel Caesar, Dijon, Gash, Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, Gully Boys, Larry Goldings Trio ft. David Piltch and Beth Goodfellow, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas, in addition to an experience dubbed Urban Classic Presents Revelation: A Retrospective Of The Minneapolis Sound.
Visit eauxclaires.com for tickets and more details.
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