Tag: Tweedy

Eaux Claires Day 1 Shines with Tributes, Headliners and Side Projects

Justin Vernon, left, and Phil Cook pay tribute to John Prine at Eaux Claires.

A heavy summer rain pelted Eaux Claires festival goers Friday evening as they watched Justin Vernon pay tribute to country/folk singer-songwriter John Prine.

Vernon, festival co-curator and frontman of Bon Iver, led a “Great American Songbook” a 90-minute set featuring Phil Cook, The Staves and other Artists-In-Residence and didn’t let it dampen the mood in Eau Claire, Wis.

“On a personal note, there is no more important music to me or my family than the music of Mr. John Prine,” he said. “He’s the greatest teacher I ever had, and I only met the man yesterday, but this is all for him.”

Prine joined Vernon and the others toward the end of the set and played “Hello in There” as well as few other favorites.

Outside of the Prine tribute, attendees watched Chance the Rapper give an energetic, danceable performance as the night’s headliner. “This festival is not like any other festival,” said the Grammy-winning artist.

A performance highlight included a collaboration between Chance the Rapper and Francis & The Lights called “May I Have This Dance,” which sounds like it was inspired by Peter Gabriel.

Friday also served as Wilco side project day with The Autumn Defense, Tweedy, Cup and S. Carey and Glenn Kotche.

Comprised of Wilco bassist John Stirratt and multi-instrumentalist Pat Sansone, the duo performed at a new Eaux Claires stage called Oxbeaux situated in the surrounding woods. The Autumn Defense played a haunting acoustic cover of the Bob Welch and Fleetwood Mac classic, “Sentimental Lady.”

Later in the day, Jeff Tweedy and his son, Spencer Tweedy, played the Tweedy favorite, “Summer Noon,” on the Flambeaux stage, while Wilco guitarist Nels Cline and his wife, Yuka Honda, performed their ambient music as Cup at the intimate Sparreaux stage.

At nightfall, attendees grooved on the lawn to Durham, N.C.-based indie pop duo Sylvan Esso, who drew their energy from the wet, but enthusiastic crowd. Songs like “Coffee,” “Hey Mami,” “Die Young” and “Radio” were crowd favorites as Amelia Meath and Nick Sanborn performed their 60-minute set.

“Thank you for buying a ticket to one of the only festivals that’s a true celebration of music,” Sanborn said.

Return to the River – Eaux Claires Festival ‘Troix’ Starts Today

The National’s Matt Berninger performs during a Day of the Dead tribute at Eaux Claires in August 2016.

The third installment of Eaux Claires kicks off today with Chance the Rapper, John Prine, Sylvan Esso and others.

Known as “Troix,” Justin Vernon’s and Aaron Dessner’s annual two-day music festival in Eau Claires, Wis. returns with more chances to see the entire lineup.

Situated along the Chippewa River, the festival boats some of the most talented emerging music artists in the indie rock world as well as several legendary acts.

“In year three of Eaux Claires, we’re reconfiguring the grounds and reducing the amount of stages. You might notice this change reflected in our lineup,” according to the Eaux Claires’ “Troix” festival guide. “We’re doing this because it provides the ability to devote more attention to one-of-a-kind projects that make this festival unique. We’re refocusing in order to do even more to merge the audience and the artist.”

Throughout today’s lineup, festival goers will see several Wilco side projects, including The Autumn Defense, Tweedy, Cup and S. Carey and Glenn Kotche. They also will see Vernon and Bon Iver pay tribute to Prine as part of The American Songbook.

For electronic and chamber music fans, a collaboration called Music for The Long Emergency will premiere today at the festival. It’s the product of a yearlong virtual residency between Minneapolis electronic and drum-and-bass quartet Poliça and European-based chamber ensemble, s-t-a-r-g-a-z-e, led by conductor André de Ridder.

Finally, Artists-In-Residence will collaborate with featured performers throughout the festival. Many Artists-In-Residence include past performers from the first two Eaux Claires festivals – Jenny Lewis, The Staves, Phil Cook and others.