by john cole (bon pic by sarah cass)
This was my first experience at Town Hall and it was definitely one to remember. As the usher guided me to my seat just under the balcony, I couldn’t help but realize that it took me five years to experience this venue in person.
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The show started promptly at 8 with the only opener of the night, The Tallest Man On Earth. The folk singer played a solid half-hour set and really filled up the entire auditorium with his elaborate guitar picking and gritty vocals. Though the room was only about half-filled, The Tallest Man On Earth got a great reaction from the crowd as he bowed to the audience after his closing song.
It seems it takes a lot to play Town Hall, especially having just one album under their belt. However, Bon Iver’s set was my most favorite performance of the year. He played just about every song off the For Emma, Forever Ago LP and threw in a few new songs from their upcoming EP, Blood Bank, which will be out in January. The band sounded perfect at Town Hall, and I was able to hear every single instrument that was being played, flawlessly. As I looked around the audience, it seemed as though everyone, including myself, was in complete awe.
After the set, I thought to myself, “What more can I ask for?” And then, the band came back onstage for one more: “Wolves Acts I & II.” As the song started it’s build-up halfway through, the crowd started to sing-a-long as requested by Bon Iver. It got louder and louder and then…the audience shouted at the top of their lungs, using up every square inch of Town Hall with their voices. In my mind, it was the best way the night could’ve concluded.
