A Review. Bon Iver May 23, 2012

Free Redbull With Every Ticket Purchase 

One month after Coachella I got the opportunity to see the Grammy award winner yet again. In the second of two dates in Calgary, AB, Bon Iver takes over MacEwan Hall for this highly anticipated all-ages event. My previous experience seeing these guys was, I must say, a little lackluster. Don't get me wrong, hearing "Skinny Love" sung in unison with Bon Iver and thousands of Coachella goers was pretty top notch but, in my opinion, the festival atmosphere just didn't agree with the mellow stylings of this new - dare I say - indie king. For the most part (insert cheeky SNL reference here) I felt my eyes getting heavier and heavier with every lyric and didn't really end up taking much away from the show at all. In fact, admittedly, I left early to find a cold beer. But now - now he's in our fair city and I am in the right state of mind for some laid back melodies.So here we go! After insuring a sufficient intake of coffee, tea and energy drinks, my boyfriend and I head off to the big show. Upon arrival we see that the stage looks amazing. Strewn with mesh, organic fabric panels overhead, the stage is littered with countless instruments and beautiful candelabra-esque lanterns.When the set begins, I am immediately impressed by the collection of band members and the phenomenal lighting. Every song is complemented by the perfect combination of ambient lighting. Every color catches differently in the mesh overhangs, and every candelabra is timed to light at appropriate beats, giving the sounds an even more romantic feel. 
A few songs pass as I'm busy drinking in all of the ambiance. My eyes gaze dreamily from corner to corner of the Hall and pause at my boyfriend Curtis - 'he's so cute' I think. I gaze around at the people around me - 'such a wonderful turn Indie fashion has taken lately - I LOVE that gal's shoes' - a big yawn - 'I wonder if I can balance this water bottle between my chest and my chin'. I fumble around for a few minutes until SUCCESS! I turn proudly to my bf to show off my awesome skills, chuckling  - he doesn't get it...'oh cool are they playing Halocene now...?!' And that's when I realize - am I BORED?! Here I am at this highly anticipated musical event and I'm balancing a water bottle on my rack?! I hate to say it but between the long, drawn out interludes between songs and the seemingly endless and shaky trumpet/guitar/drum solos that never quite hit the mark, this band really was doing little to keep my attention. Aside from a lucky few (ahem Skinny Love and Calgary obviously ahem), most songs sounded the same. Don't ask my why but I'm feeling rather guilty for not getting as much enjoyment out of this performance as I thought I would. I was certain that the previous lack of appeal was simply due to the wrong setting - just a technicality. But now I'm really seeing the humor in the SNL skit and feel like the joke might be on me this time. The crowd's applause guides the 7 man band off the stage as quickly as it coaxes them back for the obligatory encore. It begins with Wolves I and II which is hands down the highlight of the show. The song (my favorite of his) is performed beautifully with a lovely audience participation sesh during the bridge.  This song sounded amazing with everyone singing along together. If the rest of the show had sounded like this I would've been gliding home from Mac Hall in a state of bliss but... they finished the show with For Emma - another favorite - which was also really well done.
And then it was over.
Was I sorry to see Bon Iver leave the stage? Not really. Was I disappointed in the show? If I'm being honest...unfortunately yes.  Was the encore super awesome!? Yes. Was I excited to go to bed? Kinda. Would I ever pay to see Bon Iver play again? Probably not, sorry.