Bon Iver

Multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Justin Vernon came into the spotlight as Bon Iver in 2007 with his revered debut For Emma, Forever Ago. Famously recorded from the confines of a solitary wooden cabin in Wisconsin, the record was shrouded in romanticism as Vernon told tales of loneliness with impassioned acoustic guitars and cavernous vocals. 

The reception that followed For Emma, Forever would begin to pave the way for Bon Iver's path to headline status. In 2011 his self-titled follow-up him expand on the use of orchestral elements that had been teased before in tracks 'For Emma' and 'Flume', bringing a more open and cinematic atmosphere to his performances.

It was the enigmatic and fragmented beauty of third full-length 22, A Million in 2017 that took this quality to its peak, though. With its heavily vocoded and sampled vocals, layered percussion, rich saxophones and a powerful visual aesthetic, Vernon finally had all the tools at his side for powerful festival headline set, taking it to Barcelona's celebrated Primavera Sound festival first in the summer of 2017, along with a scattering of 2018 performances, including another muso's favourite, Pitchfork Music Festival Paris. 

2019 however looks to be Bon Iver's biggest year, and has already been announced for a number of festivals across Europe including Madrid's Mad Cool Festival, Lisbon's NOS Alive'19, NorthSide in Denmark, Norway's Bergenfest and of course All Points East in London.

To remind yourself of Justin Vernon's progression, take a look at Bon Iver's 5 Steps To Headliner Status.