Omahype: The Omaha Events Calendar

Written by Andrew Locke

Bon Iver played at Stir Concert Cove at Harrah’s Casino, in Council Bluffs Thursday night. In case you haven’t had the experience of attending a show there, it is an outdoor venue that feels surprisingly comfortable, despite the fact that it is quite large and heavily branded.

Those who attended enjoyed one of the most perfect nights of the year — a fact frontman Justin Vernon emphasized throughout his set. Vernon, despite being the creative engine driving the success of the band, didn’t draw much attention to himself. Instead, as a true musician, he brought out the best of those around him — not unlike a good point guard — leaving the audience as enthusiastic about the supporting cast as they were about seeing the band’s most recognizable face. It was this selflessness that made the show what it was — a full and complete musical experience.

Vernon was supported onstage by a set of several talented musicians composed of strings, brass, and two drummers. This many musicians gave the music a grander feel than what may be conveyed on Bon Iver and For Emma, Forever Ago. While these records may, at times, seem subdued, peaceful, and contemplative, the show portrayed a livelier side of the band that showcases the more “epic” aspects of their sound. There are a few factors that account for this. One of which is that outside of the sterile environment of the studio, and even from the constrictions of a traditional indoor venue, the band had all the room they could possibly need to explore the limitations of their sound. As a result, there were thrilling moments of exploration, as the band occasionally incorporated lingering moments of noise.

The eight piece orchestra thrived throughout the show. The wailing and squealing five-foot bass saxophone sounded like an old rusted lift bridge struggling to raise, while the heartbreaking violin added emotional depth to an already dense sound. As the music emanated throughout the crowd and the dark, cool night, imperfections and eccentricities emerged from the songs. This was a welcome departure from the heavily and meticulously produced records.

Although Vernon demonstrated the humility to highlight other prominent members of his band, he certainly did not shy away from exciting, theatrical expressions during his set. In fact, toward the end of the very first song, Vernon was on the ground, violently and passionately thrashing at his guitar. His distinctive falsetto sounded as unique and heartbreaking as it always does, while his natural, smooth baritone humanized Vernon, providing a contrast that gives the listener a sense of compassion. The Bon Iver singer is grounded enough to win the hearts of all and enough of an entertainer to make him captivating to watch.

When introducing “Beach Baby,” Vernon said in his usual straightforward manner, “it’s about a lot of things.” This notion of interconnectedness, despite working with disparate themes and techniques, became especially evident in Bon Iver’s show. Just as the band’s material cannot be easily narrowed down simply into songs of heartache or nostalgia, neither can their sound, which often simultaneously conveys vastly different tonal qualities and occupies distinct sonic realms. Even the band itself isn’t just about Justin Vernon—as evidenced Thursday night. It is about the vibrant blue lights, the sprightly trumpet, the violin. It is even about the fans, of whom Vernon asked not only to sing along with him, but in a way that produced an integral part of “The Wolves (Act I and II).” His fans sung “what might have been lost” increasingly loud until it swelled into the song’s loud, theatrical climax, making that moment more exciting and gratifying.

Bon Iver’s music, as appears on the records, often comes across as understated and even scant. This show was delivered in a way that emphasizes its merit and, thus, contributes to a more complete understanding of the band’s abilities. While Bon Iver’s two records may transplant the listener to where much of the material was written and recorded, (a secluded and peaceful wooded area) the live concert brings you somewhere entirely different—atop a mountain where tempered, calculated emotions and clear realizations are replaced with exhilaration and hyperbole.

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PHOTOS: Shannon Claire