As soon as Justin Vernon performed 'Skinny Love' on 'Later...with Jools Holland' in December 2008 I knew I had to see him live. Three years later my dream became a reality.
After a busy day in and around London, seeing a lot of what our capital has to offer, the scene was set and I descended on The Hammersmith Apollo with bated breath and raw enthusiasm. The venue living up to its prestigious reputation, entering the crowd in the efficiently sloped standing section it's hard not to realise how beautiful a setting it really is. The balcony cascading out in an almost eager fashion craning its neck pushing the crowd closer to what is about to unfold.
After somewhat enthusiastically familiarising myself with the bands newly released self titled album 'Bon Iver' released on 21st June this year I knew I was in for a treat. Their second album truly advancing from where 'For Emma, Forever Ago' so blissfully left off.
After what seemed like hours, as it so often does whilst waiting for a much anticipated act to arrive on stage he strolled out from side of stage. His 6ft plus frame welcomed with an eruption of applause from the sold out crowd. Flanked on each side by his band consisting of two drummers, a bass player, guitarist, percussionist and brass section the anticipation reached its pinnacle. A shy and withdrawn figure crowds the microphone and welcomes us to the show."Hi, we're Bon Iver". Make no mistake, Vernon is the engine room, the inspiration, the main man behind this project but it is a collective of musical talents making up this performance and we are humbly welcomed so.
First song 'Perth' raises the crowd decibel rating to a climax, a song from the new album it's a chance to see their new material in all it's glory. Subtle, soft and dreamy the guitar and melodic harmonies floating in wave like form over the audience. Backed with tight simultaneous workmanship from both drummers, forming a thunderous tribal intensity seamlessly rolling into next song 'Minnesota'.
'Minnesota' again from second album 'Bon Iver' introduces the bands newly formed electronic inspiration, and it's tastefully done. Subtly emphasising the vocal and guitar lines whilst adding its own venture of melody it is a welcomed new tool to Bon Iver's currently impenetrable armoury. As they glide through songs new and old the crowd becomes increasingly rooted by the intensity of the performance. Justin's vocals bouncing effortlessly across octave scales, whilst the brass section lifts the whole performance beyond levels of distinction.
'Skinny Love' predictably however not disappointingly commenced the encore and the crowd roared with elation, a true sing-a-long of which everyone knew the words. However they weren't finished yet, choosing to end with 'The Wolves (Act I and II)' encouraging crowd participation on a culminating chorus of "what might have been lost" it was a fitting end to an unforgettable experience.
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