The 10th anniversary tour celebrating Boy & Bear's 2013 sophomore album 'Harlequin Dream' paid a visit to Adelaide, amidst a slew of heavily sold out concerts across the nation this year.
Delighting the South Australian audience with a full reprisal of the album, along with a delve into some fan favourites and sing-alongs, the Sydney-based quintet were joined by supporting acts Sarah Blasko and Tom Harrington at Hindley Street Music Hall (15 August).Harrington, a one-man band, opened the show with a mesmerising performance utilising looping pedals to brilliant, tasteful effect. Generating a textured soundscape distinctly indie-folk on the palate, Tom also brought an affable, humble personality to his set.
Telling tales of crossed paths and loves lost on the road, he also revealed his spot on the tour was secured as a result of a nationwide contest that Boy & Bear held to give the spotlight to an emerging Australian artist. Very well at place onstage, his set was ethereal, simplistic but ultimately heart warming.
Sarah Blasko's intimate set saw her perform behind the keys solo, allowing space for her enormous vocal talent to take centre stage. Taking the opportunity to perform as-yet-unreleased material, her show was pulled off with marksman-like precision, taking little time to warm into a full scale choral song.
Her voice filled the room with introspective rumination and words of affirmation. Despite straying from the indie-folk styling of the other acts of the evening, her set nevertheless captivated with such breathtaking talent on display.
Boy & Bear - image © Mike Lockheart
Even on a rainy and thundering Thursday evening, the venue and its surrounding bars and restaurants were filled with a sense of anticipation long before the headliners took to the stage. Hindley Street Music Hall, known for its intimate atmosphere and excellent acoustics, was the perfect setting for such a special occasion and sonically brilliant reprisal of a familiar and beloved record.
As the lights dimmed and the band launched into 'Old Town Blues', the crowd erupted in applause, a clear indication this was a night they had been eagerly awaiting.
'Old Town Blues' indeed set the tone for the evening – a soulful, introspective beginning that showcased the band's lyrical depth and musical finesse. The transition into 'Harlequin Dream' was seamless, drawing the audience deeper into the emotional landscape Boy & Bear have been known for since their inception.
The richness of Dave Hosking's vocals, combined with the band's intricate instrumentation brought the song to life in a way that felt both familiar and new.
Boy & Bear - image © Mike Lockheart
Initially not visiting the state as part of the tour, Hosking revealed that after some consideration, and engagement with their audience over social media, the demand was overwhelming, to which the band offered an earnest appreciation for the support that Adelaide audience's have shown the act through their career, and cherished this moment to celebrate the album with them on the night.
As the band moved through their set, comprising the album in full, albeit slightly rearranged, it became clear they had meticulously crafted the evening to honour not just the album but the journey that has brought them to this point. 'Three Headed Woman' and 'Bridges' made for particular standouts, with their haunting melodies and poignant lyrics resonating deeply with the audience.
The band's chemistry onstage was magnetising, each member contributing to a sound that is greater than the sum of its parts, creating a sense you were observing a band practice session, with antique rugs beneath them, glasses of wine and all.
Despite indulging in less onstage banter than usual, laughs were still plentiful as drummer/ vocalist Tim Hart was celebrated for his multi-instrumental ability, even taking on guitar duties for 'End Of The Line' for the first time ever, due to an untimely banjo malfunction – illustrating fully the risks involved in folk-rock musicianship.
Boy & Bear - image © Mike Lockheart
Undoubtedly one of the more treasured moments of the night came during 'Southern Sun' where the band were joined by the ethereal Sarah Blasko, whose resonating vocals added a haunting beauty to the already powerful track.
Welcomed to the stage with a heartfelt introduction as one of Australia's absolute finest singer-songwriters, her presence onstage elevated the performance, creating a moment of magic that had the crowd entranced, as the beloved tune took on a more bombastic form. It was collaborations like this that underscored the night's celebratory tone, reminding everyone in attendance of the communal spirit of Boy & Bear's sound.
Fan favourites included 'A Moment's Grace' and 'Back Down The Black', each song met with enthusiastic applause and sing-alongs. By the time the band reached 'Arrow Flight', the final song before the encore, the audience was fully immersed in the carnivalesque world of 'Harlequin Dream', underpinned of course by the colourful artwork adorning the band's backdrop.
The encore made for a masterclass in how to close a show on a high note. Beginning with 'State Of Flight' and moving through 'Magnus' and 'Lordy May', Boy & Bear kept the energy levels unrelentingly high at this point.
Boy & Bear - image © Mike Lockheart
However, it was a cover of Crowded House's 'Fall At Your Feet', featuring a guest appearance by Tom Harrington, that truly brought the house down. The cover was a nod to the Australian music legacy, delivered with the reverence and skill it deserved.
The night ended with 'Feeding Line', a track that has become a cornerstone of Boy & Bear's live shows. As the final notes rang out and the band left the stage, the crowd's cheers and applause echoed through the venue, a fitting end to a night that will surely linger in minds for awhile to come.
This 10th anniversary celebratory tour makes for a night steeped in nostalgia, musical excellence, and genuine connection between a band and a devoted fan base. The event served as both a celebration of the band's career and a testament to the enduring impact of an album that helped define a chapter in Australia's indie-folk scene.
More photos from the concert.
