Concert review: Boy and Bear, Powerstation

Australian band Boy and Bear.

The Powerstation came alive last night as Australian indie folk-rock band Boy and Bear took to the Auckland stage.

"We didn't expect this," front man David Hosking said, humbled by the sold out crowd that had shown up for the band's first headlining show in New Zealand.

The band played a mix of songs from albums Harlequin Dreams and Moonfire, as well as a few older favourites.

Making a moustache look cool, Hosking's slow croon flooded the room over top of a dreamy guitar riff, created by the talented lead guitarist Killian Gavin on their opening song Bridges.

Breaking rock band tradition, Boy and Bear's drum set sat up at the front of the stage, making sure that drummer Tim Hart wasn't left sitting in the shadows.

Boy and Bear breathed new life into their songs. The live versions of each track felt fuller and richer than in the recordings. Smooth intertwining harmonies laced through most of the songs, coming through beautifully at the packed venue.

Bassist Dave Symes drove Rabbit Song forward, which then made a slow transition into Lordy May. Yells of delight could be heard as the crowd started to recognise the first notes. The moody song swelled with vocals and Jonathan Hart's keys before they were built upon by the other instruments.

Synths echoed and guitar strings whined on Stranger, before drums started clicking and Hosking put down his acoustic guitar for uptempo indie-folk-pop tune Old Town Blues. Milk & Sticks earned huge applause, as the fast paced pop-rock melodies got fans moving.

Halfway through the set, Dave Symes took over the drumming, patting at the skins with the palms of his hands while drummer Tim Hart picked up a banjo to tinker on during their performance.

The band's cover of Fall At Your Feet by Crowded House was particularly moving. They keys were slammed dramatically while vocals swirl through the song. Afterwards Hosking shared about how the band had nervously performed it in front of Neil Finn himself.

Two songs before Boy and Bear finished, Hosking revealed that band don't do encores and wanted to give everyone a fair warning that the show would be ending soon, otherwise "s*** can get awkward". They closed with Feeding Line and Big Man from their Moonfire album.

* Boy and Bear perform in Wellington tonight.

Who: Boy and Bear
Where: The Powerstation, Auckland
When: Thursday, September 18

- nzherald.co.nz