Recapping Eaux Claires 2015

Eau Claire might still seem unpronounceable to people from out-of-state, but now it’s the site of a major music festival that drew more than 20,000 people to a city that only has a population of 65,000. To create this event within view of the Chippewa River – the very river that defines this place – makes it all the more meaningful.

“You were at Sylvan Esso, or you weren’t at Eaux Claires.” my friend Steve Horn yelled after their show last night.

Martin said he was so exhausted from the from the Eaux Claires festival, he actually slept right through the storm! Nonetheless, the National demonstrated why they’re contenders to headline huge fests like Lollapalooza and Coachella on their next album cycle, putting together a near-perfect 100-minute set that balanced the hits (“Fake Empire”), rarities (“Hard to Find”), slow-burners (“About Today”), and post-punk barnstormers (“Mr. November”). Following a take on “This is the Last Time”, the band broke out a cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Peggy-O”.

Naturally, the band brought out several guests throughout as Sufjan Stevens came out for a series of tunes including “Afraid of Everyone”, “Squalor Victoria” and the newer “I Need My Girl”. Both musicians joined singer Matt Berninger, the guitarists Dessner, bassist Scott Devendorf, and his drummer brother, Bryan, for their now-standard “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” finale, adding an extra air of triumph to the beautiful acoustic number. But it is still going to be a stage like you see at any other music festival.

The show not only marked the group’s first live performance in roughly three years, but also gave those who have been desperately awaiting a follow-up content to Bon Iver’s self-titled 2011 album a sweet surprise.

There’s nothing like kicking back with a rockumentary or two after a jam-packed day of music – just ask my aching feet. Brass Band earned “MVPs of Eaux Claires” honors: After playing with many acts throughout throughout the weekend, they blasted through the festival grounds to the bitter end with impromptu, ebullient performances of songs like a-Ha’s “Take On Me”. It felt like each song was an encore. Over the course of the weekend, I heard British accents and people speaking in French. “Eaux Claires, that’s a thing”.

While no tornadoes touched down in Eau Claire, campers News 18 spoke with Saturday said there were a few tents that did get blown away. I never saw a younger crowd than the people who turned out during their sets; I watched scene teens sprint towards Kindgom as soon as the beat dropped on “All Day”.

Overseen in the Crowd: Mistaken for Strangers filmmaker/Matt Berninger’s brother Tom walking around the festival with his mother.