Live DC: Bowerbirds & Bon Iver

August 5, 2008 by Matt Siblo  Send to a Friend

All Photos: Michael Starghill

“Just a reminder, you can shut the hell up that’s fine too,” mused an exasperated Phil Moore of Bowerbirds. The Friday night crowd at the Black Cat was certainly chatty much to the dismay of its opening acts. Perhaps because it was the start of a mild summer weekend or those in attendance did not feel obliged to sit pensively through two straight acts, Bowerbirds’ set drew battle lines between the faithful in the front and the roaring crowd in the rear. Backed by an accordion, violen and sturdy, simplistic occasional percussion, Bowerbirds projected a wistful, almost aching sound that complimented its headliners nicely. Although the band was noticeably (and rightfully) perturbed by the lack of respect shown by the audience, its songs came alive behind the incessant murmurs and impatience; the band’s sleepy hooks flourished amidst its noisy surroundings.

The crowd reluctantly settled down by the time Justin Vernon and the rest of Bon Iver took the stage, if only just barely. A collective shushing gave way to the hushed opening of “Flume,” the opening track from the acclaimed For Emma, Forever Ago. “Lump Sum” followed next, its harmonies expanding with the help of Bowerbirds’ Mark Paulson alongside the rest of his band.

Vernon’s songs have quickly embodied the spirit of folk music what reaches beyond its mere aesthetics and fabled origins. In their short life, these songs already transcend its singular performer finding power in the presence and participation of an audience, even this one. With “The Wolves (Acts 1 and 2),” the talkative crowd now had a singular voice, finally finding something worthwhile to say. The intensity was heightened by the song’s finale, a shambolic deconstruction of its textured melodies. This dynamic was also used to fruitful effect on “Creature Fear,” a bluesy slide guitar helped make way towards a bustling, surging finale. Vernon, whose introverted demeanor was heightened by his tea sipping and terse in-between banter, previewed a new song into the set which also included a cover of Talk Talk’s “I Believe in You” for the encore. The song, which may or may not been called “Blood Bank,” was a jarring departure for those expecting more of the same. Vernon’s voice was no longer the centerpiece, replaced a playful organ and a fuller, more band oriented sound. Perhaps due to the noise, “re: stacks” was the set’s only noticeable omission, a shame considering it was also left out of the band’s set at the Pitchfork Music Festival presumably for the same reason. That left “For Emma” to end the proper set, its twangy guitar and relaxed hums converging briefly before the venue’s background noise once again took center stage.

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