Bon Iver turns down performing at Grammys
by Richard Brooks / News / February 3, 2012 / 7700 Views

After receiving an honorable bid to perform at this year's upcoming Grammys, lead singer of Bon Iver Justin Vernon told Billboard that he and his band will not be performing at Sunday's ceremony. While the group is nominated for four awards, Vernon's displeasure with having to settle for a collaboration instead of performing original music from the group didn't sit very well, so they've decided to decline the invite. Vernon goes on to state:

"We wanted to play our music, but were told that we couldn't play. We had to do a collaboration with someone else, and we just felt like it was such a large stage, we're getting nominated for this record that we made. Me and Brian [Joseph] and a bunch of our fucking friends and we were given accolades for it, and all of a sudden we were being asked to play music that had nothing to do with that. We kind of said 'fuck you' a little bit and they sort of acted like they wanted us to play, but I don't think they wanted us to play."

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  • http://twitter.com/LoeKnows Loe

    Big time G-Move. respect!

  • Anonymous

    Realness.

  • http://Under.LA/ UNDER

    Fvck the Grammy's

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  • :l

    Fvck. That's cute.

  • :l

    Fvck. That's cute.

  • HipsterNaziTroll

    Yea fuck the grammys thank god that there are artist's that are gonna stand up for the fact that they deserve a major percentage of creative control. Although their band isn't one that I just love I have so much respect for them and the fact that they respect the art form and they are a great contribution to it. I'm also glad they are nomintated, not just because they deserve it but at least people who would never find out about true musicians otherwise get a taste of music and maybe it will make an impact on them....prolly not tho. Peace. Love. and Rock N' Roll

  • http://twitter.com/cartoonboy09 cartoonboy09

    good move!

  • Yunikon

    God.. I love you even more right now =')

  • Yunikon

    God.. I love you even more right now =')

  • JohnE

    Good move? Respect? Pleaaase! This is just another sign of "indie arrogance". If you want project yourself into the world, take the chances you are given! That's just how it works. I love Bon Iver, I really do, but this kind of diva attitude is totally disappointing. I hope he doesn't win in any of the categories he was nominated for.

  • Anonymous

    Somebody's a slave to the system

  • Barnsley

    Show some class, Justin. Ok, you didn't like the offer, fine but if you want to be taken seriously, speak and act seriously.

  • rorororono zoro

    wtf 

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  • http://www.facebook.com/camerondosteen Cameron Osteen

    i disagree. him declining to play is commendable to me. he had good reason to do so anyway. it's kinda shady how they won't let him play the very material that was got him nominated, but instead they'd rather have him do a collaboration. He made the music to perfome it, ffs.

  • Gaz

    These awful award show collaborations have gone too far. About time someone had the backbone to turn down the "opportunity" to sell their soul for some mainstream exposure. Nothing to do with "indie arrogance" as someone else said.... just a group of musicians who care enough about their own craft and creation to not turn it into "lowest common denominator" drivel for the "Idol" fans.

  • Ramie

    Anyone that thinks The Grammy's deserve respect hasn't watched The Grammy's. What an absolute joke they are.

    Well played Bon Iver.

  • Paul

     John you want him to collaborate in a contrived setting with Katy Perry so CBS can get higher ratings for their contrived awards show? Pay attention.

  • Tim

    Whats bon iver?

  • Dobbodaddy

    good move... make 'em come to you Bon Iver!

  • http://www.facebook.com/DaveBassDotCom Dave Bass

    Can someone say "Integrity"?  F'ing AWESOME, Bon.  Maybe they'll invent an award that actually has to do with quality and not quantity.
    : )

  • Anonymous

    Bravo, Justin and crew!

    Anyone with any knowledge of music knows how many times the Grammys have failed over the years. Like when Elvis Costello lost best new artist to disco group A Taste Of Honey (where are they now?).
     If Bon Iver wins it will be amazing, but still just a tiny blip on the radar of mostly useless Grammy crap.

    On the other hand, one wonders at the possibility of a Bon Iver/Bon Jovi hookup...

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