St. Vincent’s Annie Clark, Cristin Milioti, and Dijon audition to take the singer’s spot in the band, too
If Justin Vernon leaves Bon Iver, who’d replace him? Jacob Elordi might want to give it a stab. On Tuesday, Bon Iver released the video for “Day One,” which follows a cohort of fans and wannabe stars (including some celebs) attempting to audition for Vernon’s role.
“In 2025, Bon Iver announced his retirement, and the search began for his replacement,” reads a message at the start of the music video. “These are the audition tapes.”
Little by little, people from all kinds of backgrounds and aesthetics are shown lip-syncing to the new song “Day One,” including a few of the band’s celebrity friends. There’s an Asian Elvis impersonator, a kid sporting a fake beard, a nurse with mime makeup, and even a few interpretive dancers thrown into the mix.
“Same old town and you’re parsing through/Signs of live and die for you,” those auditioning lip-sync. “There’s a million ways you’re falling through/The cost of your mind.”
At one point, Jacob Elordi steps in for a tryout, wearing a fake beard as the camera zooms into his face as he gives his best Vernon impression. St. Vincent’s Annie Clark stops by too, actress Cristin Milioti sings along, Dijon makes an appearance, and Flock of Dimes’ Jenn Wasner gives it a try, too. By the end of the video Vernon auditions to take back his role and come back from “retirement.”
“Day One” is featured on Bon Iver’s album Sable, Fable, which dropped back in April. Rolling Stone gave it a four-star review, lauding it for finding “the melancholic indie stalwart at his most hopeful and open.” The album also featured singles “Everything Is Peaceful Love” and “If Only I Could Wait” / “Walk Home.”
