By Deb Kloeden, Adelaide correspondent in Geelong, Victoria
Review: Boy and Bear, Limit of Love Regional Australian Tour
Venue: Costa Hall, Geelong, 11th November 2016
Australia’s popular Indie/folk band, BOY & BEAR have just returned home from a successful tour of the US and are immediately embarking on a 20 gig regional tour of Australia. ‘Limit of Love’ is the band’s 3rd studio album, released in 2015. This album, unlike their previous albums, was a collaborative effort. A few weeks ago I chatted with lead guitarist Killian Gavin, who explained that each band member would record riffs and ideas that came to them, on their phones, then send them to each other. From here they would decide which ideas were worth developing.
Gavin also told me that performing a regional tour would let them connect with their audiences more intimately. Although the show in Geelong was held in a seated theatre; drummer, Tim Hart, and later in the show, front man, David Hosking, provided entertaining banter with the audience & responded to ‘shout outs’ which really helped the audience and band connect.
I was lucky enough to catch them early on their tour, in Geelong, near Melbourne. The show opened with the album title, ‘Limit of Love’, one of the most popular tracks from the album. This track is typical of the band’s style, showcasing their regular, galloping beat and distinctive vocals. Each song tells a story and gives listeners a glimpse into the band’s lives.
Although the tour highlights songs from ‘Limit of Love’ they performed songs from each of their albums, including early favourite ‘Rabbit Song’ from their first EP, ‘With Emperor Antartica’. They also played other old hits, ‘Lordy May’ and ‘Part Time Believer’ from their first full length album, ‘Moonfire’; and ‘Bridges’ and ‘A Moment’s Grace’ from their second album, ‘Harlequin Dream’. ‘A Moment’s Grace’ features Vocalist, David Hosking’s famous whistling segment, and yes, he can pull it off live! I’ve see BOY AND BEAR a few times now and each time it amazes me that they sound just as good live as they do on their recordings.
David explained toward the end of their set, that they don’t do encores, but they had 2 more songs to play (“so consider this the encore”). To the crowd’s delight, they performed ‘Southern Sun’ from ‘Harlequin Dream’, and lastly, ‘Walk the Wire’ the first single from ‘Limit of Love’.
Apart from transfixing the audience with their harmonic sounds, the concert was beautifully lit. In every aspect, this was a professional show. Boy and Bear is a band Australia can be truly proud of. If you are able to catch one of their regional shows, I highly recommend you do. They are a band that appeals to all age groups, as was evident from last night’s show in Geelong.
Australian Regional Tour
Wed 09 Nov Regent Theatre, Ballarat VIC
Thu 10 Nov Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo VIC
Fri 11 Nov Costa Hall, Geelong VIC
Sat 12 Nov The Cube, Wodonga Vic
Wed 16 Nov C.Ex Coffs, Coffs Harbour NSW
Thu 17 Nov Miami Marketta, Gold Coast QLD
Fri 18 Nov Beach Hotel, Byron Bay NSW
Sat 19 Nov Lake Kawana Community Centre, Sunshine Coast QLD
Sun 20 Nov The Mills Precinct, Toowoomba QLD
Wed 23 Nov Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton QLD
Thu 24Nov MECC, Mackay QLD
Fri 25 Nov Tanks Art Centre, Cairns QLD
Sun 27 Nov The Venue, Townsville QLD
Fri 02 Dec Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany WA
Sat 03 Dec Oceans, Margaret River WA
Sun 04 Dec Fremantle Prison, Fremantle WA
Wed 07 Dec Orange Ex-Services Club, Orange NSW
Thu 08 Dec ANU, Canberra ACT
Fri 09 Dec Waves, Wollongong NSW
Sat 10 Dec Wests City, Newcastle NSW
Band Members
Dave Hosking – vocals/guitar/songwriter
Killian Gavin – guitar
Tim Hart – drums
Jon Hart – mandolin/keys
Dave Symes – bass guitar
PHOTO GALLERY
The images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without written permission to Rock At Night and the photographer. Use of any image is a violation of the United States and international Copyright laws.
From Darkroom to Lightroom in 4 decades.
Deb is aPhotographer, Music Lover, Ex teacher, and traveller.
- WOMADelaide 2020 truly proved that ‘music is the language of us all’ - March 11, 2020
- Byron Bay Bluesfest 2020 could well break all previous records - December 16, 2019
- The best Beach Party will kick off the New Year in Adelaide - December 15, 2019
