Perhaps you heard that Wisconsin native Justin Vernon of Bon Iver decided to bring back his Eaux Claires festival July 24-25. You may have also scanned the lineup, which includes heavy hitters like Aimee Mann, Hotline TNT, Kevin Morby and a newcomer named “Bon Dylan.”
Not everyone will be able to make the trip to the western edges of our state, though, so we took the initiative to line up two very exciting announcements that will bring a big chunk of the Eaux Claires experience to you.
The really big one is that Radio Milwaukee will be on-site at Eaux Claires for a special pre-show July 23 and both days of the festival. We’re teaming up with The Current from Minneapolis Public Radio and Converge Media in Eau Claire to bring you live broadcasts all three days, plus full coverage on Radio Milwaukee’s social media channels. You’re going to see artist interviews, live performances, backstage access and general festival shenanigans across all three days.
We’ll have more details for you in the weeks ahead, but for now we have one pretty cool thing to tide you over: a special broadcast hosted by Justin Vernon himself that falls right in line with the festival’s baseball theme.
“Eaux Claires Spring Training” will premiere at noon this Wednesday, June 24, with an encore presentation that night at 8 p.m. If you dug the Song Chest Radio Hour that Vernon shared a few years ago, this new broadcast is definitely for you. It’ll feature songs and stories that set the table for the festival to come, with the artists scheduled to perform all throughout the playlist.
With a little more than four weeks before Eaux Claires, this is the perfect way to get in the mood for the return of an event that has sent ripples through Wisconsin’s music scene. So set a reminder to listen on 88Nine or through the Radio Milwaukee app this Wednesday, and enjoy Vernon’s sonic guide through the 2026 festival.
