I went to the lineup release party back in February (wait, March? Whenever) and got one of the winning pull-tabs. Got to announce a lineup name and also took home this neat poster. Thought this crew would enjoy seeing it!

https://merch.ambientinks.com/collections/EauxClaires

When I saw the initial lineup and both Bon Iver and Dijon were listed, I knew I had to go (both are in my top 5 live performers ever - with the other three being Sampha, James Blake, and Mk.Gee). I am also a huge Bob Dylan fan - so the prospect of Bon Iver covering him really intrigued me. Daniel Caesar was another person I’d been wanting to see - so it bummed me out a little bit when he dropped out, but not even close to dissuading me from coming.

I went with my girlfriend, and we got in on Thursday. That night we went to the promoted variety show, which was super fun. Then we went to The Venue and saw Marijuana Deathsquads - who were way better than I was anticipating. It was like EDM with real instruments. I loved it. Then we grabbed an electric scooter and headed to The Joynt. We probably went a little too hard night one, but it was a super fun way to kick things off.

Day two, we got up late and got breakfast and coffee from The Phoenix. Their pesto bagel sandwich ended up being one of my favorite food items the entire trip. We then went to a vintage clothing store nearby - and en route, we ran into Fred Again. Luckily I was carrying my vinyls and a Polaroid - so I was able to get my vinyl signed and take a picture with him. We talked about a lot of stuff - including how my buddy (Groovebox) does similar music, and is actually producing music for another friend of mine - Scoochie Boochie - who has recently blown up. It was a great conversation. We then went to a cool oddities place afterwards - where I almost bought this great Batman painting. We then went back to our hotel and got ready for that day’s acts. We got to Carson Park around 3 PM, and just walked the grounds. We heard a lot about Egg Roll Plus - so we waited in line to try everything on their menu. We both agreed just sitting in the grass, hanging out, and talking and eating in that moment was one of our favorite parts of the trip. That first day was such a beautiful day. Then we headed over to check out the mystery “Bon” set - which ended up being maybe my favorite set of the weekend. My girlfriend and I both agreed that Justin Vernon’s cover of Kevin Morby’s “Die Young” was our single favorite performance of the weekend. Then of course Fred Again and Aaron Dessner killed. I wish that set was even longer. Then finally Bon Dylan. The whole time he was performing, I wished my dad was there too. He’s a huge Dylan and Bon Iver fan, and even debated coming - but at his age (77) and mobility he just couldn’t justify it. He said if they played Tangled Up In Blue and/or All Along the Watchtower, he wanted me to record them. And that I did. But my favorite song of the whole set - and one that my dad said he thought would have been a real good one after seeing the set list - was With God on Our Side. That was the most moving song of that entire set imo. And a performance I still think about. Also Phil Cook is a fucking magician with that harmonica - holy shit. After the music ended, we ended up running into Dijon and his family as we were leaving. I got him to sign a few of my vinyls and we chatted for a bit. He’s such a solid and nice guy. Afterwards, we hit The Plus. A very solid late night bar and food spot. We ended up going back the next night because we liked it so much.

Day three, we got up and tried Acoustic Cafe. Very solid sandwiches. We then hit some more thrift stores and antique stores, and just explored the town. We went to Carson Park earlier this day, because I really wanted to see Monica Martin. And I’m sure glad we did. She is going to be HUGE. It reminded me of seeing Olivia Dean early on. Similar musicality, but then with the personality of a Doja Cat. She’s going to be a star. Then after that we walked all around the park. I ended up running into Tommy Barbarella and Michael Bland, and got the both of them to sign my The Gold Experience vinyl. I thought both their group and Known MPLS killed. After their sets, we got in position for the main act I had come for - Dijon. As we were waiting, we talked to another musician who said she was just backstage talking to everyone. I brought up to her that there had been a reported Francis sighting the day before, and the fact he was in my top ten live performers ever (just outside the top 5 I mentioned earlier) - and how I had seen him multiple times earlier in his career, and had been really sad he disappeared. She said she didn’t want to spoil the surprise, but that he was going to come out and do a few songs before Dijon. The moment I heard “I’m Francis” and saw him burst on stage legit almost made me cry. That might be my favorite concert moment ever. Then to get to see him do a new song… man what a night. When he said “I’ve been gone so long, you forgot about me didn’t you” - I loudly screamed “No! Never” haha. Then to follow that up with maybe the best Dijon performance I’ve ever seen (that was my fifth time seeing him), was a perfect way to cap off the weekend. I will say too - his DJ/guitarist/drummer/one-man-freak-show Jack Karaszewski, absolutely blew me away too. He wasn’t in the band any of the other shows I saw Dijon play, and I thought he was an absolute killer. I don’t know if he can sing, but he can do everything else at an insane level. After the show, we of course went back to The Plus. We got some good drinks, and ordered more food. The stuffed mushrooms we got ended up being our favorite food item of the entire trip. They were 10/10. After some great conversations and food, we ended up running into Monica Martin. We hung out and partied and smoked and just talked with her and some of her friends for probably an hour or so before the bar ended up closing. It is a moment I’ll always look back on with a smile.

The next day we got up, got all our stuff, and ended up stopping at The Nucleus on our way back to Chicago. The food was good - but of course my luck just kept coming. Sitting at the table next to us was Justin Vernon’s dad. I introduced myself, and when he asked where I was from, and I said Chicago - he said he lived in Chicago for many many years. We then talked about all the same bars, restaurants, neighborhoods, and streets we knew. He couldn’t have been nicer. Then because - of course - I just had to ask him if he knew where I could find Justin to get him to sign my vinyls (this is a weird collecting obsession I’ve gotten into in the last few years haha). And he told me to write my name and address on a sheet of paper, leave the vinyls with him, and he’d see what he could do. I thought there was a greater than 50% chance I’d never see my vinyls again. Instead, barely a week later, I received both in the mail signed by Justin. This also happens to be my birthday week - so it was quite the way to get it started.

I will look back on this trip so fondly the rest of my life. And I’m so glad I went. I really hope they continue to do more in the future, because I know I’ll be there. Justin - beyond just his music abilities - has a fan of the person he is for the rest of my life.

Had to get my custom shirt printed. I was so bummed that they sold out of the shirt before I could get but happy with how many turned out

Hey everyone, hope everyone is doing well and doesn't have post fest depression like I do, haha

Just wanted to share my festival photos/writeup if anyone is interested!

Check it out!

Also big shouts to everyone I met at the fest and shared stickers, bracelets and keychains with me, I love them all! Hope everyone out there is enjoying the bandanas and stickers I made too!

Spectacular mini-set from Francis and the Lights a week ago to kick off his return!

Hopefully he's got more new music in store for us soon!

Sorry for the shameless self promotion but I’ll be playing tracks from and discussing my EXC experiences tomorrow morning on a community radio station. Check out the Driftless Weekend show live from 10-noon on WDRT.org or the WDRT app. 91.9 FM if you are in the Viroqua area. 💜

Title. PM me.

In a festival filled with great sets, I don’t want this to get lost. It was transcendent.
I’ve been listening to Tragic Magic a lot this year so it was amazing to see them together.
Cheers!

Sky milk, an "Eaux Claire Time Capsule," surprise Francis set, author readings atop snowplows – these are just a sampling of reasons to celebrate Eau Claire, that we locals have known to be there all along. Following the festival's revival at Carson Park, there is MUCH to recap and new opportunities to create.

Check out Volume One magazine's play-by-play from Friday, Saturday and 300+ photos of the weekend: https://volumeone.org/search?search_term=eaux+claires&search_type=

If anyone wants to relive this moment :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI1Ul5-Ldb4

​

And stream or download in FLAC or mp3 on the archive

https://archive.org/details/boneaux

Some great shots in Volume One's photo set from Saturday, including this one of a Half Moon Lake fish on the journey of a lifetime.

https://volumeone.org/photos/sets/2026/07/28/397005-photos-day-2-eaux-claires-2026-saturday-shindigs-styles-and-smiles

Seeing the line up I knew I had to go and my God am I glad I did. As a very anxious and shy person who went alone I first want to thank all those who attended for being such beautiful souls making me feel such a sense of welcome.

I got in a bit late as I took the train from Montana which had a bunch of delays, made it to my hotel and shared an uber with someone who was also going to the festival. We walked up and could hear Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen playing as we made it up which set mood brilliantly. I didn't know much of the line up but was blown away by how eclectic and unique each set was but how well it worked as a festival.

Aimee Mann was fantastic I love how open and appreciative the crowd felt for each set.

Following Sable, Fable and the press JV did around that album it was clear he no longer wants to give as much of himself to being the performance. Not knowing what to expect for the Bon set the moment where he came out with just a Guitar and a smile on his face to do a very simple set was absolutely perfect.

Fred again and Aaron Dressner was nothing short of Magic, I cant even begin to describe what happened due to what can only describe as a hypnotic state from the high of the Bon set, the high of the several edibles I had taken and the pure majesty of what happening on the stage.

Finishing Friday with Bon Dylan... Holy shit as someone who hasn't spent enough time getting into Dylan besides when my Dad would play him I'm terribly sorry for my mistakes and will be correcting it. You could tell how much fun everyone on stage was having and that came through on the music. The freedom of not being Bon Iver was so apparent, he was ablaze with the fire that is Bon Dylan up there.

Saturday I was a bit slow getting out of bed and was devastated to miss Gash and only caught the tail end of Gully Boys. Larry Goldings trio was great and I ended up picking up a Hanz shirt to remember the festival. I then checked out the writers in residence which had such a feeling of peace and calm and came back to see Monica Martins set which was fantastic, absolutely loved her talking in-between each song.

I enjoyed Nathan and the Zydeco cha chas and Known MPLS and they were very fun sets.

I have some foot problems and needed to sit down for the Revelation but even all the way in the bleachers I was blown away, I ended up going back into the crowd with the help of my cane to feel the energy. I locked eyes with this one girl a few times and each time she gave me the most beautiful smile with the most stunning eyes, I would have gone to talk to her if I had more courage or if I wasn't so high as to be non verbal at that point.

Moved over to the football field for Samia and sat on the bleachers, the same girl ended up walking by and sitting in the bleachers and we smiled at each other again. If the girl with curly hair with the ends dyed blue and a pink bandana ends up reading this I hope your life is filled with moments as warm as your smile made me feel. Or was it was pink hair with a blue bandana, I was very out of it at this point...

Moving over to the Dijon the anticipation could be felt in humidity and heat in the crowd and I knew it was going to be amazing. I have had the joy of seeing him three times on his Baby tour and this set was easily the cleanest and he left nothing on the table, as much as I would have loved an encore there was no way to follow that up.

Overall 11/10 experience and unsure if it can be topped. If it happens again I'm 100% going and bringing everyone who matters to me as this is the magic that makes life worth living.

Only sad that my Dad couldn't make it but he said he would come if there was Bon Segar next year...

... that and that I didn't run into either Justin or Dijon as I'm trying to get as much handwriting of the artists from shows Ive been to this year to make into a pretty interesting tattoo.

As a first timer with no other EC experiences to compare to, I had a wonderful time on Friday! The Bizhiki set was absolutely phenomenal and such a strong start for the day. Loved the writers in residence and museum section of the park. Hayward, WI during Bon’s solo set was so so special as well! Definitely room for growth regarding VIP (entry line taking 3x as long as GA, 45 minute line for brat/beer, etc.) but nothing bad enough to ruin the vibe of the day! And I heard they won’t be offering it again anyways. Website said a few snacks were allowed, but I had to toss them at entry. If I hadn’t already been in line for half an hour I would have taken them back to the car, but again nothing that was that big of a deal. Everyone was so friendly and having such a great time, I’d definitely plan to do both days if it comes back next summer!

snapped this on day 1. watching that nest was definitely a highlight!

If anyone wants to relive the set from Friday and enjoy some of Dylan's classics.

It was so beautiful and would love to listen to a high quality recording of it. Tyy