Boy & Bear have announced they will be returning to Aotearoa this June playing Wellington’s San Fran and Auckland’s Powerstation. Touring in support of their new self-titled album (out May 26) this will be the band’s first visit to New Zealand since 2016.
In further exciting news, the band have confirmed their self-titled fifth studio album will be released on May 26. Following four ARIA Top-10 albums, including two #1’s, the indie band are following up with a new body of work, self-produced and recorded at Golden Retriever Studios in Marrickville (an inner-city suburb of their Sydney hometown) and mixed by Craig Silvey at Toast Studios in London.
Drummer Tim Hart says the album represents a renewal of positivity, hunger and strength as they regain the opportunity to explore adventurous beginnings and creative turning points after being apart during the pandemic years. The album is the latest evolution in their approach to their songwriting and recording. It has familiar elements for listeners who have been on the journey since the early albums - a sense of rawness and authenticity, highlighted by frontman Dave Hosking’s signature heart-touching lyricism and indie-led melodies - melded with the band’s characteristic blend of pop sensibilities. Simultaneously, its a fresh chapter for Boy & Bear, showcasing electronic flourishes and rhythmic elements that were hinted at in their 2019 record Suck on Light.
The album arrives following a jubilant return to music in 2022, with their singles “State Of Flight” and “Just To Be Kind”, as well as an extensive global tour, and a 10-year anniversary celebration of their ARIA double platinum album, Moonfire.
Sydney-bred Boy & Bear first rose to prominence in 2009, uploading their track “The Storm” to triple j Unearthed. Two years later, their debut album Moonfire was released, which would go on to reach double platinum ARIA status, peaked at #2 on the ARIA chart, winning five ARIA awards including Album of the Year, and three spots in the triple j Hottest 100. In 2013, their sophomore album Harlequin Dream debuted at ARIA’s #1 spot and is certified platinum. Their third album, Limit of Love was their second consecutive #1 ARIA chart debut, and saw them tour the world multiple times, become Splendour in the Grass festival favourites, perform on Conan O’Brien, and sell out two Sydney Opera House visits. While the band have enjoyed a ten-year career of outstanding accolades and cherished hits, they’ve also continued their reputation as one of the country’s best live acts, performing to upwards of 65,000 Australian fans every year, in addition to regular sold-out international tours. Most recently, their music appeared in a campaign alongside Matthew McConaughey, the band performed alongside Crowded House, and enjoyed widespread success on their first independent releases, “State Of Flight” and “Just To Be Kind”.
