Justin Vernon plays Bob Dylan covers set at Eaux Claires
The Bon Iver leader performed a full “Bon Dylan” set Friday, then added an unannounced run of his own songs at Eaux Claires.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
Justin Vernon Bob Dylan covers were the main event Friday at Eaux Claires, where the Bon Iver leader returned to the stage for an announced “Bon Dylan” set packed with more than a dozen songs by Dylan, Rolling Stone reported.
The performance took place July 24, 2026, at Vernon’s curated Eaux Claires festival in Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. According to Rolling Stone, Vernon was joined by friends for the Dylan-focused set, which mixed famous staples with deeper cuts from the songwriter’s catalog.
What did Justin Vernon play at Eaux Claires?
Rolling Stone reported that the “Bon Dylan” set included “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “All Along the Watchtower” and “Tangled Up in Blue.” The show also reached into less obvious Dylan territory with “Shooting Star,” from Shot of Love, and “When He Returns,” from Slow Train Coming.
A full video of the Dylan covers performance was posted on YouTube by Live Music MN under the title “Bon Dylan - Full Set - Eaux Claires 7/24/2026”. Rolling Stone pointed readers to the upload after reporting on the festival appearance.
The Dylan set was only part of Vernon’s Friday return. Rolling Stone reported that he also played an unannounced set of his own music, marking his first full live set of his own material since 2023.
Since 2023, Rolling Stone said Vernon had appeared only at a Harris/Walz campaign event and at an anti-ICE benefit. That made the extra Eaux Claires slot a notable reentry for fans waiting to hear Bon Iver songs in a full setting again.
Which Bon Iver songs were in the surprise set?
The unannounced performance included Bon Iver material such as “Flume,” “Speyside,” “Re: Stacks” and the early rarity “Hayward, WI,” according to Rolling Stone. Vernon also played “Room to Spare,” described by the outlet as an unreleased tribute to John Prine.
The set opened with Vernon taking on Kevin Morby’s “Die Young,” Rolling Stone reported. Morby had been scheduled to appear at Eaux Claires before dropping out, and Vernon’s unannounced performance filled that spot.
A fan-shot clip of “Hayward, WI” from the performance was posted to YouTube by greth under the title “Bon Iver | Hayward, WI | Live at Eaux Claires V | July 24, 2026”.
Eaux Claires was scheduled to continue Saturday at Carson Park. Rolling Stone listed Dijon, Julianna Barwick & Mary Lattimore, Samia and others among the acts set to perform next.
This story draws on original reporting from Rolling Stone.