Bon Iver

Hammersmith Apollo,

London

24/10/2011

The idea that Bon Iver all but disappeared between releasing his broken hearted debut in 2008 and returning to the fore earlier this year is easy to understand. However, between albums with Volcano Choir and Gayngs as well as that hook up with Kanye West it’s easy to see just what kept Justin Vernon busy. Whatever the recent past involved, he returns to

London tonight as something of a hero – playing the second of two huge shows.

‘

Perth’, taken from this year’s self-titled record, makes for a beautifully epic opening to the show. Being backed by an eight piece band could be seen as an answer to those who still see Bon Iver as the work of a lone man locked away in a forest hideaway. Things have changed, so many things, in that time and this is a big show that is reminiscent of Arcade Fire and The National‘s recent touring performances. Vernon’s voice is simply staggering throughout, from the highest high to the lowest low, the range and tone is never less than perfect with every emotion seemingly located deep inside the soul of this most engaging performer – ‘Blood Bank’, ‘Perth’ and ‘Holocene’ simultaneously taking away breath and filling you with life and energy.

‘Beth/ Rest’ is something of a lowpoint. Arguably the most divisive song of the year, the full on 80′s onslaught seems magnified in the live arena with the spirit of Phil Collins looming large as soft synths float ominously above. We can’t help but warm to the song, however, simply because you so very rarely get to see a drummer pull out the full-on Cadbury’s gorilla moves in 2011. Ultimately though, this is not what Bon Iver is about and a gorgeous encore of ‘Skinny Love’ might be predictable but anything else would seem wrong somehow. Wrestling the song back from Birdy‘s pale teenage version, the crowd match

Vernon and his band word for word in glorious unison.

David Renshaw