Even after jazz at the Chatterbox (the perfect post-show bar by the way), a night of sleep, and a morning of reflection, my mind is still blown by Bon Iver’s performance last night. With that being said, please be patient while I attempt to gather my thoughts and articulately portray my magical evening.
After an incredible performance by The Rosebuds, Bon Iver took the stage and opened with a stunning rendition of “Perth.” This song was only the beginning of the emotional story Justin Vernon would tell throughout the duration of the night. For every song, you see, was part of this bigger picture…this beautiful journey we all took part in on a Monday night at the Murat. As I’m looking at the set list now I’m wishing I could write a paragraph about each song and how it so intricately fit into Vernon’s mind map of music and words. “Calgary” nearly brought me to tears, “Blood Bank” was epic, and don’t even get me started on the acoustic “Skinny Love” or the Bjork cover, “Who is it?”
This concert was more than a 10 piece band on a stage, it was an experience. Although all were spectacular, my favorite part of the night was not the perfect and meticulous lighting, the thought provoking lyrics, or the life changing harmonies. My favorite part of the evening was the relationship between Bon Iver and Indianapolis.
Throughout his performance he complimented the crowd on our attentive yet interactive behavior. Now of course this is fairly typical for any musician trying to build a connection with the audience; however, there was something very different about this night, this concert, this crowd. Indianapolis was alive and there was no denying it. As we all anxiously joined in to clap to the beat there was a feeling of solidarity I had never felt before—Bon Iver had never felt before. It became very apparent that the band not only recognized this solidarity but was humbled by it. Vernon even stated, “You’re on your feet. That’s insane. You’re working hard.”
Once the encore was complete the band just stood there for a few minutes, genuinely impressed with the enthusiasm and spirit of Indianapolis. As we cheered and watched Bon Iver take it all in, I noticed they were staring back at us in awe. It was a mutual exchange of love and respect. They knew we fell in love with the show…their music…their chemistry. We knew they fell in love with us as an audience…a being…a city. What a monumental love story.
For one of the first times, Indianapolis had made a true and honest mark on a band’s national tour and that feeling was more than palpable.
As someone who has been fighting for musicians like Bon Iver to visit Indianapolis for years, last night was more than a victory, it was a moment of pure pride. Groups like My Old Kentucky Blog (MOKB) and IndyConcerts have worked their tails off to make Indianapolis a known stop on any band’s tour and well, I tip my hat to you guys. You not only got them here but you proved it was well worth their while.
This realization comes at a very interesting time for me…as I will be moving to Portland, OR in just a few short weeks. While I’m going to miss nearly everything about the city I’ve called home for 25 years, I feel last night gave me the reassurance to know its okay to leave. Of course I will never believe my work in music is complete, but now Indianapolis has shown me there at least 2,300 people with the same goal in mind.
I couldn’t be more thrilled and excited for you, Indianapolis music fans. This is your time! With bands like The Head and the Heart, Yuck, ands Cults coming through Indianapolis, I find myself saying something I never thought I would—“I’m going to miss so many good shows in Indianapolis after I move to Portland.” I know Portland will have an amazing music scene but this is just different. We worked for this. We earned this and we deserve this.
To Dodge, to my loving concert crew, to my work dropbox, to the Thought on Tracks team, and finally, to Indianapolis, continue to fight the good fight.
Bloomington, Bon Iver, concert review, Cults, Indianapolis IN, indie music, Jagjaguwar, July 25 2011, Justin Vernon, MOKB Presents, Murat Theatre, My Old Kentucky Blog, new music scene, Old National Center, The Head and The Heart, The Rosebuds, Yuck
Laura – This is spectacular work. Every bold statement you made was true and this write-up made me proud. The Indianapolis music scene is booming right now and it is something to be proud of. You have left your mark. We will all miss you deeply.
To celebrate our achievement of Phase 2 and to get a jump start on Phase 3, a few of us plan to find the top of Arkansas this weekend. It’s called Signal Hill or Mount Magazine and it sits at an elevation of 2,753 feet above Mean Sea Level. This trek is fairly moderate in difficulty, and offers some of the best backpacking in the region. Fall colors should be beginning to show, and the views should prove to be outstanding.
We’ve also partnered with the USAF 7 Summits Challenge to help them in their newest quest to bag the highest point in each of the 50 US states. We will carry the USAF flag with us on our journey, and proudly display it at the top of Signal Hill. They have this to say about getting outside and into the mountains.
“With the group’s new focus of “Airmen Helping Airmen”, we want to introduce more Airmen to the healing power of the mountains…especially those who may be dealing with the stresses of combat deployments or injuries, or stresses at home. Getting outdoors, working up a sweat, and reaching a summit is good for the soul.”
This mindset is so compatible with the Thrive lifestyle! We hope to continue to work with this amazing group and support our US service members.
Are you in Arkansas, Missouri, East Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Mississippi, Louisiana or Tennessee? It would be awesome if you would join us! Hit us up using the contact form on this page to let us know you are coming, and we’ll send more specific details. Here’s the basic idea:
Friday, 11 October: Rally at Loop A of the Cove Lake Recreation Area near Paris, AR. Campsites are first come, first served. **Cove Lake is currently open. There is a small chance that this USFS campground will be closed due to the ongoing circus in Washington D.C. If that happens– we’ll flex as needed.
Saturday & Sunday, 12-13 October: Depending on the size of our group, experience, weather, etc. we will begin Saturday or Sunday on the Cove Lake Trail with a final destination of Signal Hill. This is the highest point in Arkansas. The trip can be completed in 1 or 2 days depending on how fast we move. There are also plenty of hiking trails, rock climbing, and boating to be had in the area if some of your party will not join the trek.
Bring all of your other toys too! Rock climbing gear, bicycles, kayaks, ATVs. The Mount Magazine State Park website has loads of info about what the area has to offer.
If you can’t make this trek, maybe you’d like to get involved with the USAF 7 Summits folks and bag your own high point. Find them on Facebook or check their website for more info on how to help. The Highpointers Club and Summit Post are great resources for info about the tallest point in each US state.
After a Presidents Day Weekend investigation of OHV abuse in Wonder Valley by the California State Parks, BLM, Sheriff and Code Enforcement it was determined that.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff officers advised that the San Bernardino County Counsel has issued a legal opinion that the Wonder Valley dirt roads are highways open only to street legal vehicles.
The California Highway Patrol does not consider the dirt roads in Wonder Valley to be highways and that these dirt roads may be used by non-street legal vehicles.
And the Officers observed one non-street legal vehicle. It was an ATV being ridden at slow speed on a track on the operator’s private property. The team did not see any illegal activity, so no enforcement contacts, citations or arrests were made.
Well I side with the Highway Patrol on the dirt road issue because the State trumps County. I decided to make an education video on the dirt roads in Wonder Valley this weekend.
the problem is that the DA is the one that prosecutes. In law the general guideline is that you cant make a law that is less restrictive or contrary to the existing law, but you can make one more restrictive. So the county can do something more restrictive than the state. Also CHP is the one who would or wouldnt cite you, just like the Sheriff would be. Its up to the DA to follow-up and prosecute. If this is just an infraction then no DA would be in court, it would be the LEO officer, you and the judge. You could argue that the CHP said it was OK and this MAY give you a one time out, may not work a 2nd time cuz you have been warned. Its up to you, see what works, go for it, just dont be surprised if you get cited and have to go to court.
The argument is the roads in wonder Valley are not public maintained: They receive no gas tax for road maintenance. The road maintenance is paid for by the property owners. The roads are right of way from land patents.
V.C. Section 360 "Highway" is a way or place of whatever nature, publicly maintained and open to the use of the public for purposes of vehicular travel. Highway includes street.
I am proud to report that the roadway in Wonder Valley receives no public money for maintenance therefor it is not a highway. The California highway patrol are some pretty educated people
Key word "Maintained" with no time limit. If it was ever maintained with public funds is it a "Highway" for ever?
I have battle in several places with BLM over; is it a BLM road needing a permit for a ride, or is it public county highway.
try n it n see how it goes, argue your case in court if you should ever be cited. I just wouldnt bank on this and I wouldnt tell people to go for it cuz its OK, inform them fully and let them decide for themselves.