I was one of the lucky 2500-ish people who scored tickets to Bon Iver's sunrise show at the Hollywood Forever cemetery in the heart of Los Angeles on Sunday morning.
Movie Buffed's Casey and I made our way through the headstones around 1:30AM and parked our beer, fruit, nuts, Cheetohs, and blankets on the cold, wet grass. We shivered our way through the next 4 hours, alternating between sleeping, watching Bottle Rocket, getting kicked in the head, and practicing our campground hovers in the Port-a-Potties.
We sat up to the sounds of Buddhist monks chanting -- an odd sound, indeed -- but I figured I could sleep my way through any good blessings.
Finally, as the sky was turning pink and as the marine layer was starting to lift, Bon Iver took the stage and performed a 70-minute set.
The music itself wasn't the most amazing part of the 7 hours we spent that night in the cemetery, though, don't get me wrong, it was great. But, it was the incredible experience we had with thousands of others, socializing, snoozing, laughing, and singing for one night with strangers all brought together by a love for live music. It was like getting a taste of what Woodstock must have been like -- a music experience unsullied by the commercialization of today's outdoor festivals.
Check out the videos below of the evening. There are many more on YouTube. If you couldn't be there, do a quick search. If you were, relive the awesomeness. Read reviews of the show here at LAist or in the LA Times.
Bon Iver performs Skinny Love as dawn breaks.
Bon Iver closes the show with The Wolves (Act I and II).
