By Azzam Bilal 
HangupsMusic.com – Eau Claire, In a move that signals a deep dive into the creative machinery of one of the most influential acts of the 21st century, Bon Iver has officially pulled back the curtain on a comprehensive new archival project. Titled Volumes, the series is designed to chronicle the sprawling, metamorphic live history of the project led by Justin Vernon. The debut installment, Volumes: One “Selections From Music Concerts 2019–2023 Bon Iver 6 Piece Band,” is scheduled for a wide release across both digital and physical platforms on April 3, arriving via the band’s long-standing label partner, Jagjaguwar.
The announcement marks a significant pivot for Vernon, who has spent much of the last decade pushing the boundaries of folk, indie-rock, and electronic music. While Bon Iver has always been a project defined by its studio innovation—from the isolated cabin recordings of For Emma, Forever Ago to the glitchy, maximalist textures of 22, A Million—the live stage has served as the laboratory where these compositions truly breathe. Volumes: One seeks to capture the specific alchemy of the "6 Piece Band," a lineup that many critics and fans consider to be the most cohesive and powerful iteration of the group to date.
According to official press materials, the genesis of the Volumes series dates back to 2020. During the global touring hiatus necessitated by the pandemic, Vernon began the painstaking process of auditing years of soundboard recordings and high-fidelity captures. The conceptual framework for the series is intentionally lofty, with Vernon citing the gold standards of musical curation: Bob Dylan’s legendary Bootleg Series and the Neil Young Archives. By adopting this model, Bon Iver is positioning its live history not merely as a supplementary product for superfans, but as a vital, alternative narrative to its studio discography.
Vernon’s own assessment of the first volume is both humble and bold. In a statement accompanying the announcement, he framed the collection as a definitive entry point for the uninitiated and a potential bridge for the skeptical. “This particular set of 10 songs is like, ‘Here, if you’ve never heard Bon Iver, or you have and you didn’t like it, this might be for you,’” Vernon remarked. He emphasized that the recordings represent the pinnacle of the group’s collective synergy, stating, “This is what we became. This is really us at our best. This is it.”
The "6 Piece Band" featured throughout this first volume is a formidable ensemble of multi-instrumentalists and longtime collaborators. The lineup includes Andrew Fitzpatrick, Jenn Wasner (of Wye Oak and Flock of Dimes), Matthew McCaughan, Michael Lewis, and Sean Carey (known solo as S. Carey). This unit, bolstered by the technical precision of live engineer Xandy Whitesel, was responsible for translating the complex, layered arrangements of the 2019 album i,i into a touring spectacle that utilized immersive 3D audio and intricate light design.
To coincide with the announcement, Bon Iver has shared a preview of the collection: a live rendition of the rarity “Heavenly Father.” Originally recorded for the soundtrack of the 2014 film Wish I Was Here, the song has evolved into a centerpiece of the band’s live sets, often performed with a capella vocal arrangements or soaring electronic swells. The version included in Volumes: One was captured during a 2022 performance at Milan’s Mediolanum Forum, showcasing the group’s ability to transform a relatively obscure track into an anthem of profound emotional resonance.
The tracklist for Volumes: One spans the globe, reflecting the extensive touring schedule the band maintained between 2019 and 2023. The journey begins at The Forum in Los Angeles in September 2019, shortly after the release of i,i, with an "Intro" and a performance of "Man Like U." From there, the collection moves to the Xcel Energy Center in Vernon’s home state of Minnesota for a rendition of "We," featuring the Indigenous music collective Bizhiki. Other highlights include a performance of "Jelmore" from Jakarta, Indonesia, and a version of "666" recorded in Irving, Texas.
The inclusion of "P.D.L.I.F." (Please Don’t Live In Fear), recorded in Perth, Australia, in early 2023, highlights the band’s commitment to its more recent, socially conscious material. The album also features "Hey, Ma" from the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago and a "Boardmix" of "Sh’Diah" from Toronto, providing fans with a raw, direct-from-the-desk perspective on the band’s sonic textures. Interestingly, the collection includes a 2017 recording of "A Satisfied Mind" from Portland, Maine, suggesting that the Volumes series may occasionally reach outside its primary date range to include pivotal moments of transition.
The rollout of Volumes comes at a time of renewed activity for the Bon Iver camp. Just weeks ago, the music world was buzzed by the news that the Eaux Claires festival is set to return this summer. Founded by Vernon and Aaron Dessner of The National, the festival has been on hiatus for eight years. The 2024 lineup features a diverse array of talent, including Aimee Mann and the rising R&B innovator Dijon. However, it is the inclusion of an artist billed as “Bon Dylan” that has sparked the most intense speculation. While many assume this is a playful nod to the archival influences of the Volumes project—perhaps suggesting a set of Dylan covers or a hybrid performance—official details remain under wraps.
Further context for the Volumes series was provided during Vernon’s debut appearance on NTS Radio. In a broad-ranging broadcast, Vernon discussed the philosophy of the archival series, describing it as a way to "honesty-check" the band’s legacy. He spoke about the importance of capturing the imperfections and the spontaneous improvisations that occur when a group of musicians plays together for years. For Vernon, these recordings are a testament to the growth of the band as a singular organism, moving away from the "lone folk singer" archetype toward a communal, experimental collective.
The physical release of Volumes: One is expected to be a high-quality affair, consistent with Jagjaguwar’s reputation for premium packaging. While specific details on vinyl variants have yet to be fully disclosed, the emphasis on the "Anthology" format suggests that this is only the beginning of a long-term retrospective project. By documenting the 2019–2023 era first, Vernon is highlighting the period where Bon Iver most successfully integrated high-concept technology with raw human emotion.
As the April 3 release date approaches, the anticipation among the indie music community is palpable. For a band that has often been shrouded in abstraction and cryptic messaging, Volumes: One promises a rare level of transparency and a clear-eyed look at their evolution. It is a celebration of the road, the stage, and the ephemeral moments that happen when the lights go down and the music takes over.
Volumes: One “Selections From Music Concerts 2019–2023 Bon Iver 6 Piece Band” Tracklist:
01 Intro – The Forum, Los Angeles, CA. Sep 15 2019
02 Man Like U – The Forum, Los Angeles, CA. Sep 15 2019
03 We [ft. Bizhiki] – Xcel Energy Center, St Paul, MN. Oct 03 2019
04 Jelmore – Tennis Indoor Senayan, Jakarta, ID. Jan 19 2020
05 666 – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory, Irving, TX. Apr 03 2022
06 Heavenly Father – Mediolanum, Milan, IT. Nov 05 2022
07 P.D.L.I.F. – Red Hill Auditorium, Perth, AU. Feb 26 2023
08 Hey, Ma – Pitchfork Music Festival, Chicago, IL. July 23 2023
09 A Satisfied Mind – State Theatre, Portland, ME. Dec 08 2017
10 33 “God” – WOMADelaide Festival, Adelaide, AU. Mar 10 2023
11 Sh’Diah (Boardmix) – Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, CA. Oct 06 2019