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Back in February, Bon Iver announced the return of the Eaux Claires Festival following an eight-year absence. But amid all the hootin’, hollerin’, and general celebratin’, one question immediately arose: As featured on the 2026 lineup, who the heck is Bon Dylan?
In our defense, we did (rightly and enthusiastically) assume that the “Bon Dylan set will be Bon Iver performing Bob Dylan covers.” But now, thanks to a new video from frontman Justin Vernon, we have a much better idea of what this whole “experience” actually involves. And boy howdy, even if we were totally right, we missed so much of the picture.
For one, we’ve learned that Bon Dylan is actually performing as “Bob Dylan circa 1994, doing songs from every era.” From there, soundtracked by a rather compelling cover version of 1997’s “Not Dark Yet” (taken from a rehearsal back in March), Vernon Dylan shared some cryptic spoken word about this creative “transformation”:
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.
We’ve also learned that Bon Dylan will be supported by a gang of Vernon’s “close friends and frequent collaborators” including JT Bates, JP Brooks, Camaja Byrd, Sean Carey, Phil Cook, Ben Lester, Michael Lewis, Katira Lutterman, John Pieter, Courtland Pickens, and Jeremy Ylvisaker. Check out the full video below.
Set for July 24th and 25th in a new location, the historic Carson Park, Eaux Claires’ 2026 edition will also feature sets by Aimee Mann, Dijon, Daniel Caesar, Lil Yachty, and Kevin Morby. The lineup is rounded out by Hotline TNT, Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Monica Martin, The Union feat. Phil Cook, Gash, gully Boys, Julianna Barwick & Marty Lattimore, Larry Goldings Trio feat. David Piltch & Beth Goodfellow, and Nathan & The Zydeco Cha Chas.
Eaux Claires will also welcome its inaugural class of Writers in Residence, with literary names like Michael Perry, Sheila Heti, Sean Thor Conroe, Hala Alyan, Amanda Petrusich, Jon Mueller, and more “presenting readings, discussions, and collaborations.”
A press release promises “a full program of fair activities and added fun across Carson Park” will be announced in the near future, while a program dubbed Eaux Claires Days will present special shows and welcome events in Eau Claire itself, “emphasizing the local and the unexpected.
Tickets for Eaux Claires’ 2026 are now available via Ticketmaster. Find more info at the event website, and see the full lineup poster below.
Local Ticket Presale Access Code Locations:
The Local Store — 9am – 9pm
Leona’s Pizzeria — 12pm – 2pm / 4pm – 8pm
Revival Records — 10am – 6pm
Abraxas Wax — 11am – 7pm
The Joynt — 1pm – 2am
Racy D’Lenes Coffee Lounge — 8am – 2pm
English (US) · 