Two days of camping and festing in beautiful Eau Claire, Wisconsin, was enough to recharge the soul. Despite the rainy first day and the ridiculously humid second, the attendees and performers were some of the best you could ask for. The overall vibe of this weekend in August was peaceful and jovial— it’ s hard to imagine feeling any other way in such a serene environment.
Unlike its larger, older siblings, Bon Iver’ s Eaux Claires festival encourages a oneness with nature by its very design; the wooded, winding trails that lead to the campsites are gracious avenues— or at least a tranquil place to down a few Leinies. The low capacity keeps the crowds small, which keeps anxiety and claustrophobia and all of their attendant effects to a minimum. At times, it feels more like a campground where the noise of the boombox three tents over has been replaced by live music from Beach House and Melvins and Shabazz Palaces.
The running joke throughout the two days of Eaux Claires was the festival name’ s similarity to the classic pastry. Mavis Staples was perhaps one of the few who could get away with calling it“ éclair,” but really, who was going to give her a hard time?
FLOOD 29