The team behind Boston Calling is crashing the Midwest.
Vanyaland has learned that Crash Line Productions has teamed with Justin Vernon of Bon Iver to produce and curate a new music festival just outside of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in the town of Union. Dubbed Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival, the two-day weekend event is slated to go down at Foster Farm on July 18 and 19 of next year, with up to 25,000 spectators expected each day.
Crash Line and Vernon are still seeking a conditional use permit from the town of Union, and will meet with the town on October 14. If all goes well (and it is expected it will), they will then meet with the Eau Claire County Board’s planning and development committee two weeks later.
You can read Crash Line’s entire permit application here.
Currently, Foster Farm is used for the annual country music fest Country Jam. Eaux Claires Music and Arts Festival would operate a week before Country Jam and use the festival’s infrastructure, which includes two main stages and a tent stage that can accommodate up to 6,000 people. The festival would not be limited to music, mixing in elements of film, dance, culinary art, and visual/light installations.
Vernon’s role, at least musically, appears to be similar to that of Aaron Dessner of the National, who helps curate the bi-annual Boston Calling Music Festival. Vernon lives in Eau Claire and would oversee booking and curation of the festival.
Ironically, Vernon also plays in the Wisconsin-based band Volcano Choir, which was one of two acts that did not get to perform at last month’s Boston Calling due to the Saturday session’s inclement weather.
Here’s a quick look at the Foster Farm grounds during Country Jam 2013, via countryjamwi.com…
