Bon Iver will play first Eau Claire shows since 2008 this December

By Andrea Swensson Tue., Oct. 25 2011 at 11:13 AM

Categories: Bon Iver, Just Announced

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Photo by Ben Clark

Though he still calls Eau Claire home, Justin Vernon has been reluctant to perform many shows in his much-written-about hometown since his band Bon Iver achieved worldwide recognition. It turns out he was just waiting for the right time: On December 12 and 13, as somewhat of a holiday gift to his most dedicated fanbase, Vernon and Co. will play two back-to-back shows at the 3,300-capacity Zorn Arena on the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire campus.

The news came, appropriately, from Eau Claire magazine and website Volume One, who interviewed Vernon about the idea for doing a run of hometown shows earlier this year. "We want our show in Eau Claire to feel special ... something that gives back to the place that holds us," Vernon told Volume One last June. "When it happens, my goal is to play for as many people in town who want to see us play as possible. If that means Country Jam grounds, or multiple nights somewhere, that's what we'll do."

As another surprise for fans, the tickets will first go on sale to those living within driving distance of Eau Claire, and will only be available for purchase in-person for the first week of sales.

In an effort to try to spurn scalpers and out-of-town buyers, the ticket sale arrangement is understandably a little complicated. Here are all the details, via Volume One:

Tickets will go on sale this week: 7am-9pm on Friday, Oct. 28 at UWEC's Zorn Arena Box Office. And this is very cool - initially, tickets will not be available online so as to give locals a first crack at purchase. Sales will continue at the Zorn Office on Saturday Oct. 29 from 10am-4pm. Then sales will move to the UW-Eau Claire Service Center and continue Oct. 30-Nov. 4. Starting Nov. 5, tickets will be available online (and in person) until the show date or until they're sold out.

Tickets are $22 (though the Dec. 12 show will also have a $17 UWEC student discount option), and there's a limit of five tickets per person.

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