Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon, the National’s Aaron Dessner Curate Eau Claire Music Festival

Photo by Natalie Kardos

Bon Iver‘s Justin Vernon and the National‘s Aaron Dessner will curate the inaugural Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, a new, two-day music festival that will take place next year in Vernon’s hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, on July 17-18.

In a press release, Vernon shared a statement about his involvement:

After several years of touring and playing music festivals of all different types around the world, I wanted to put together an event that would honor what we love about this place—including an independent attitude and blaze orange caps—but also shine a light on less familiar and surprising elements that are already weaving themselves into our future.

Having this festival right in my backyard gives me and the guest artists a chance to share familiar work and new creations in a setting close to my heart and different than any other stage in the world. To create this event within view of the Chippewa River—the very river that defines this place—makes it all the more meaningful.

We’re fortunate, because the Chippewa Valley already has a history of great music festivals. Everyone—the city, the county, and the Country Jam folks—has been very supportive. They’re helping us take it beyond music into a celebration of film, art, and things still in the works … just walking around the place is going to be an experience.

Dessner also released his own statement: “Justin and I have been friends and collaborators for years. Working together to create and curate Eaux Claires is something we’ve been talking about for a long time. To finally see it come together, and to imagine the music, art and community the festival will bring together, is very exciting.” 

Watch Vernon’s band Volcano Choir perform “Comrade” on Pitchfork.tv’s “City of Music”:

Watch the National on an episode of Pitchfork.tv’s “Over/Under”:

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