Altsounds - Bon Iver [Live] @ Apollo London

They are arguably one of the most gifted bands of the moment. They are a band that will manipulate your emotions, but if their songs make you want to cry, tears, I guarantee, will not be wasted.

This is Bon Iver, an indie-folk band consisting of Justin Vernon, Sean Carey and Mike Noyce who tonight at Apollo Victoria, London, play tracks from their independently released debut album, For Emma, Forever Ago. There is an electrifying atmosphere tonight that oscillates between an excitable and mellow mood, as fans eagerly await the bands lulling melodies. Bon Iver stealthy meander onto the stage and all becomes still as we are fed a collection of delicate folk songs, full of natural imagery and acoustic strums.

Vernon briefly exclaims his excitement at being at such a large venue, and the band descend into their harmonies, the majority of which were recorded whilst Vernon spent three months ill and mourning the break down of his relationship in a remote cabin in Wisconsin. But we’re too bowled over by Vernon's falsetto to be thinking about a broken man, who at a time was completely splintered into fragments of himself.

Vernon’s diverse vocal harmonization delivers magical, endless serene moments through poetic songs, which move in an aesthetic impression. The set manages to create a real intimacy as they perform ‘Flume’ which uses piano and simple lines during the verses that reinforce the songs angular melody, creating a beautiful contrast. Next is 'Re: Stacks' which is arguably one of the most heartfelt songs you will hear, as Vernon describes ‘this is pouring rain/this is paralyzed’, and tries to find his “excavation” through layered vocals.

Bon Iver’s performance is purely captivating, and our attention is only momentarily shifted, due to the huge metallic dragon that peers down onto the stage (a prop for the west-end musical Wicked) - It’s overbearing presence reinforcing the fragility of Vernon’s lyrics.

In an age where music is fundamentally derivative, Vernon manages to create music that is seamless in its construction. Bon Iver’s songs flourish with pure emotion as they ensure a performance that is truly breath taking!

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