Boy & Bear, Cloud Control, Freddie Bailey, Peachy @ Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide 2/5/2025
There is no denying the fact that Australia’s very own Boy & Bear are a class act and I would go as far as saying that they are a very underrated outfit. Having seen them countless times now their show at the iconic Thebarton Theatre is right up there as one of their very best. The test of strength with their back catalogue can be judged on the number of songs that didn’t make the set list, which is a lot that are competing against their fantastic newish album Tripping Over Time. Whilst it was a solid turn out there was no excuse really to have sold this one out. That said, to those umming and ahing really did miss out on what might be one of this year’s finest.
A nod and a wink to openers Peachy and Freddie Bailey who won a competition covering one of Boy & Bear’s songs to win a coveted support slot. Both displayed immense talent looking right at home on the big stage. No doubt there is bigger and better things to come.
Oh my! Cloud Control are so good and it is great that they are back touring again having played Harvest Rock last year. Bringing a further touch of class to this line up they charmed the pants of the Adelaide faithful for the next forty five minutes or so. The unfortunate thing was that some people felt this incessant need to natter away about literally nothing instead of focusing on what was unfolding in front of them. It was a remarkable performance and we can only hope that there is more to come.
Given the time it was a good spread from Dream Cave, Bliss Release and Zone. Right from Dojo Rising it was something special and something quite remarkable. Alister (“Al”) Wright banter brought plenty of smiles even if that seemed a little rusty. Big wraps for Meditation Song #2 (Why, Oh Why) and Gold Canary which morphed sensationally in to the Butthole Surfers Pepper. Promises, Dream Cave and Scar. If the show ended here I would have been content with my fill, absolutely brilliant.
It was a low key build up to Boy & Bear and this band is unassuming and as humble as you’d get starting with Where Does Life Begin then returning to familiar territory Old Town Blues and Suck On Light. With an early heckle the band encouraged the fans to yell out “whatever you got, chuck it up here, express yourself”. More crowd pleasers in Part Time Believer and Harlequin Dream adding to that their first song off their first album in Lordy May which was “recorded in 1972”. Their music is flawless and it is hard not to be in awe of what they do. Such a great live sound which would be to the envy of many.
New single Vertigo is an absolute winner and the driving grooves of State Of Flight is another affirmation of how good this band is. Dave Hosking’s vocals are sublime, a sheer delight to listen to. Feeding Line was great and the Chris Isaak cover Wicked Game was a true highlight featuring Alistair and Heidi from Cloud Control. After Just Dumb I’m not sure if they were intending to play this one or not but another cover being Crowded House’s Fall At Your Feet was another great moment featuring Peachy and Freddie Bailey on backing vocals to close out the main set.
Up to this point it was an elite performance taken to another level in the encore which really does show an abundance of riches with the calibre of songs starting with Hold Your Nerve and bringing it home on Walk The Line and the golden Southern Sun. Incredible show and there is no doubt we have seen the very best of Boy & Bear who are at the top of their game.
Live Review By Rob Lyon