Though the music world may not be hurting for another festival, Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon feels differently. He’s curated the Eaux Claires Music & Arts Festival, a new two-day outdoor music festival to be held at the beautiful 20-acre Foster Farm in Eau Claire, WI. The first-ever Eaux Claires festival will take place Friday, July 17 – Saturday, July 18, 2015, organized by Eau Claire native Justin Vernon in collaboration with Aaron Dessner of The National.
Eaux Claires’ complete music lineup will not be announced until early 2015, but the festival will make a limited number of specially priced presale tickets available Thursday, December 18 at 12pm CST on the official Eaux Claires site. Camping passes will also be available fo purchase, though local lodging is available.
This addition to the Midwest’s festival scene is produced by Crash Line Productions, the team that founded and produces the popular Boston Calling Music Festival in Boston, MA. In addition to musical performances from world-class artists on three stages, Eaux Claires will also feature visual art, innovative integrations of music and light, locally sourced food and beverage, and many other artistic and experiential elements to surprise and delight attendees. Foster Farm, also home to Country Jam music festival, is set on the banks of Wisconsin’s Chippewa River and is 90 minutes east of Minneapolis.
Speaking to Eaux Claires and his special connection to his hometown, Justin Vernon says, “After several years of touring and playing music festivals of all different types around the world, I wanted to put together an event that would honor what we love about this place — including an independent attitude and blaze orange caps — but also shine a light on less familiar and surprising elements that are already weaving themselves into our future. Having this festival right in my backyard gives me and the guest artists a chance to share familiar work and new creations in a setting close to my heart and different than any other stage in the world. To create this event within view of the Chippewa River — the very river that defines this place — makes it all the more meaningful. We’re fortunate because the Chippewa Valley already has a history of great music festivals. Everyone — the city, the county, and the Country Jam folks — has been very supportive. They’re helping us take it beyond music and into a celebration of film, art, and things still in the works… just walking around the place is going to be an experience.”
Aaron Dessner adds, “Justin and I have been friends and collaborators for years. Working together to create and curate Eaux Claires is something we’ve been talking about for a long time. To finally see it come together, and to imagine the music, art and community the festival will bring together, is very exciting.”
Eaux Claires Presale Tickets: A limited amount of Two-Day General Admission “Eau Claire” Passes and Two-Day Enhanced “Chippewa” Passes will become available at the official site on December 18, 2014 at 12pm CST. Two-Day GA “Eau Claire” Presale tickets are $100; Two-Day Enhanced “Chippewa” Presale tickets are $200 (includes complimentary beverages on festival grounds during show hours; more amenities to be announced). A limited number of 3-night camping passes at different levels will also be available with prices beginning at $100.
