Boy & Bear ProfileOf all the interesting venues to catch Boy & Bear live, Fremantle Prison would be high on that list. Held in what was presumably the old prison yard, it felt oddly like being on the set of The Shawshank Redemption. It was impossible not to think 'no passouts' involved being taken out by a prison guard, but only in the movies.
Walking into the venue and hearing All Our Exes Live In Texas play from the entrance was described by some punters in the crowd as being "transcendental". If that is enough to go by, then All Our Exes totally ruled the day with their set. Easing into the evening with some welcoming folk, the girls' tracks were easy to kick back to, proving to be the perfect support band for Boy & Bear. Sounding like a mixture of Simon & Garfunkel and an old school folk band, All Our Exes gave the crowd a rustic, warm set filled with pleasurable vocals and instrumentals.
There was an anticipatory wait for Boy & Bear to emerge onto the stage, with each member slowly setting up one by one to rapturous applause from the crowd. At first the crowd didn't feel too tight thanks to the open-air nature of Fremantle Prison, giving an opportunity to breathe and enjoy Boy & Bear's tunes in an atmosphere with abundant chill vibes.
Featuring a setlist that was a mixture of old and new, the band exhibited that crisp, folky-rock vibe they are known for. Starting off with the acoustic drums of Limit Of Love, the track helped begin an enjoyably explosive performance. Comfortably sitting somewhere between the excitement of a rock concert and the chill vibes of a folk fest, Boy & Bear had it all.
Halfway through the set the band plugged their own custom beer being sold at the gig, proceeds of which went to farmers in need. With lead singer Dave Hosking stating his dislike for encores, Boy & Bear finished up their set with Crowded House's Fall At Your Feet, the entire crowd singing in unison and All Our Exes on supporting vocals, giving rise to a truly magical experience.
Rocking out to Walk The Wire, the band finished their show in a crisp and catchy fashion, making the crowd feel oddly free in a historical prison.
