“Southern Sun has to be played” the guy next to me insists. His significant other is wearing a maroon and gold Boy and Bear t-shirt and I’m pretty sure she sang every word to every song they played so far so I’m inclined to believe him.
The indie band from Australia known as Boy and Bear have just exited the stage after a relatively short but ultimately sweet set and the audience is demanding an encore. It’s been four years since Boy and Bear have put out new music, and even though it’s my first time seeing them live, I find myself equally as hopeful that they will be coming back to the stage.
The evening was full of warmth and good vibes, with fellow Aussie Stu Larsen getting things going earlier in the evening. I’m not at all ashamed to say that my attachment to the singer-songwriter’s stripped-down roots style folk music is what drew me to the Commodore this evening.
He played a portion of his set solo, with his blonde, permanently wind-swept locks descending from a well-worn fedora. I was over the moon to hear “San Francisco” live. Later, Tim Hart, the beat keeper for Boy and Bear joined Larsen on stage with an acoustic guitar and the two performed a handful of songs together. I could have easily listened to Larsen play a full solo show, but I also really loved the depth that Hart brought to the performance with vocal harmonies and the second guitar.
Probably the coolest thing about the evening was the obvious friendship that the members of Boy and Bear shared with Larsen. It was kind of like they were all one band and each act gave heartfelt thanks to the other while on stage.
Suck on Light, is Boy and Bear’s newest full length album and it was released only four days prior to the show at the Commodore. To say that it was a long time coming is an understatement for both band and fans. Front man Dave Hoskins admitted that the band was excited to play the newer material and the songs from the new release were performed more intensely than their older material.
Songs from previous albums also sounded great and the vibe was laid-back and breezy. The highlight of the night for me was “Break Down slow,” a simmering jam that was kind of a metaphor for the evening.
Boy and Bear don’t make fans wait to long before returning to the stage. Frontman Dave Hosking explains that in the past, they wouldn’t do encores, but lately they’ve been embracing the concept. This is without a doubt, a very popular outcome.
The encore was predictable but amazing. Stu Larsen returned to the stage to add his vocals to a cover version of “Fall at Your Feet” by Crowded House. They closed the night with “Southern Sun,” which judging by the applause, was the most anticipated song of the evening.
Although fans of Boy and Bear were likely stoked on the evening, it’s a pretty good bet they hope to see them again soon.
