Introducing Bon Dylan

Eau Claire, WI - April 23, 2026 : This summer, for one night only, Bon Dylan will take the stage at the return of Eaux Claires Festival in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Fronted by Bon Iver's Justin Vernon, festival co-founder and curator, Bon Dylan will perform as Bob Dylan circa 1994, doing songs from every era. In a new video and voiceover out today - soundtracked by Bon Iver's rendition of Bob Dylan's "Not Dark Yet," recorded during an early Bon Dylan rehearsal in March 2026 - Vernon has shared the first glimpse of what's to come, and why:

"Oh, it was about a year ago. Bob Dylan came through town.

I went with my dad and about 16 of my friends.

I've lived here for 44 years. And it's been too long to remember since the town felt that together.

So we thought we'd better get the festival back going.

And then the question of whether Bon Iver should play or not.

It was on the table.

Here's what I'll say.

I haven't felt much like being what I've been

Or been seen to have been.

Or what I wanted to have been.

Or what I've become.

So I thought it'd be cool to try to be Bob Dylan for a night.

I'm trying to turn Bon into Bob."

-Justin Vernon, of Bon Iver & Bon Dylan

Bon Dylan is the only concert event that Justin Vernon currently has planned for this year, and he will be joined by a band of close friends and frequent collaborators: JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Sean Carey, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens and Jeremy Ylvisaker.

Watch the introduction to Bon Dylan , and get to know more of the Eaux Claires Festival lineup and local partners by following @eauxclaireswi

Taking place from July 24-25, 2026, at our new home of Eau Claire's Carson Park - the same historic baseball stadium where Hammerin' Hank Aaron began swinging his way toward breaking Babe Ruth's home run record - the first Eaux Claires Festival in eight years will feature more something, for more everyone. In addition to Bon Dylan, our starting lineup brings together Dijon, Daniel Caesar, Lil Yachty, Aimee Mann performing Bachelor No. 2 or, the Last Remains of the Dodo, Kevin Morby, Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, Monica Martin, Hotline TNT, Larry Goldings Trio, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Gully Boys, Bizhiki, The Union feat. Phil Cook, Gash, Urban Classic Presents Revelation: A Retrospective Of The Minneapolis Sound, Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas and Black Sabbath Cover Band Rehearsal.

Along with our incredible roster of musicians, the Eaux Claires bullpen will also include our inaugural class of Writers In Residence, presenting readings, discussions and collaborations from some of the most intriguing names in the literary world: Michael Perry, Sheila Heti, Hala Alyan, Sean Thor Conroe, Kyle Seibel, Amanda Petrusich, Jon Mueller, Nicholas Gulig, Harold Rogers, Mike Nagel, Benjamin Percy, Nishant Jain, Mustafa, Safia Elhillo, Patrycja Humienik, Brent Schoonover, Gabrielle Calvocoressi, Brenda Cárdenas, Katie Ka Vang, Adam Voith, Avery Gregurich and Donika Kelly.

Visit eauxclaires.com for tickets and more details, and stay tuned for our program of fair activities, added fun and other events to be announced - keeping it Eaux Claires, but keeping it open to fresh characters and fresh courses, emphasizing the local and the unexpected.