The beauty of Volcano Choir is their appreciation for simplicity. Where most bands would start their shows by running on stage, playing their loudest, most adrenaline-inducing songs and basking in the applause and appreciation of 200 plus fans, Volcano Choir walked on slowly, beers in hand, with an attitude that seemed as if they would perform regardless even if no one bothered to attend the concert. Fans who knew what they were getting themselves into should have expected this. These men have proven on numerous occasions in their past endeavors that their talent will not be flaunted but rather, genuinely offered.
Starting slowly and powerfully, Volcano Choir offered variance in the emotion their songs induced. This wasn't a band pretending to be something they aren’t; this wasn't a show you attend in order to dance or even, in the majority of attendee’s cases, sing along. Definitely a unique feature of Justin Vernon’s—the front man for both Volcano Choir and the better known Bon Iver—music is the lack of clarity in his lyrics. To find the beauty in the pieces you must instead appreciate the music and, even further, see Vernon’s voice as the instrument bringing everything together.
Surrounded by a beautiful backdrop of what I inferred to be volcanoes (considering the group’s name) the concert, at times, felt more like a presentation of art. Important to note is the fact that Vernon didn't sing into a headpiece or even a microphone held by a stand. Instead, he had a podium. As he stood behind the podium with his song book, Vernon sang, spoke and even preached to his viewers, all the while making it clear that the goal of this group is not to be entertainers—they were there to play their music and display their talent, and they genuinely hoped those listening enjoyed it as much as they did. Needless to say, they won’t be invited to the VMA’s anytime soon.
Possibly the most amazing part of the night was the band-members’ passion for their art and, even more, their appreciation for one another. Volcano Choir is a collaboration of Collections of Colonies of Bees and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. While Vernon is more hype than the rest of the group’s members, you would never know that watching them play. Throughout every song, Vernon frequently looked around the stage, drawing from the emotion surrounding him. Likewise, the Collections’ members appreciated him as well. This was made especially obvious during the band’s closing piece, “Youlogy,” when all but Vernon got down on one knee, very meditatively, appreciating the moment while he sang his final words.
It’s hard to have a problem with a band that repeatedly tells the audience they’re humbled to be performing for them. In addition, the fact that this was a hometown show for most of the members made the night all the more memorable. Playing songs from their albums Unmap and the much more recent Repave, as well as some pieces not formally recorded and the Bon Iver song “Woods,” fans had a taste of everything.
With beautiful lights, a tapestry for a backdrop, and raw emotion for days, Volcano Choir stuck with what they knew and put on an amazing show. Even with a two-song encore, I felt the end came all too soon. I will fully admit I love this band wholeheartedly, but I believe everyone in that theater could have stayed for another hour. What else could you ask for?
