Justin Vernon plays first live set of Bon Iver music in two years, including unreleased rarities

Vernon is the curator of the festival – held in Eau Claire's Carson Park, his Wisconsin hometown – which went on hiatus after its initial 2015 to 2018 run before returning this year. On its final night, the Bon Iver bandleader came out for a surprise solo set of the band's material – the first since August 2024.

Performing solo with acoustic guitar and harmonica, Vernon played a set that included Kevin Morby's "Die Young" as well as Bon Iver tracks "Beach Baby", "Flume", "S P E Y S I D E" from last year's SABLE, fABLE, an unreleased rarity titled "Room To Spare" (a tribute to John Prine, who died in 2020), "Re: Stacks", and "Hayward, WI" - another unreleased rarity).

Other acts performing across the weekend included Aimee Mann, Hotline TNT, Kevin Morby, Vernon's Bob Dylan cover set (Bon Dylan), Dijon, Samia, and many more. There was also lumberjack shows with pro jugglers and magicians and a Writers In Residence stage, where 20+ writers and poets read their work.

Earlier this year, Bon Iver released the first instalment of Volumes, a series of archival releases. Volumes: One (Selections From Music Concerts 2019–2023 Bon Iver 6 Piece Band) is available now via Jagjaguwar, their long-time label home.