Locally you can catch them in Castlemaine, Traralgon, Frankston and Torquay.
Australian ARIA-award-winning act Boy & Bear are coming out swinging in 2023, today sharing a new single and video ‘Strange World’ ahead of their self-titled fifth studio album, Boy & Bear – available May 26 independently. Alongside the release, the band have announced a huge list of regional Australian tour dates across September to November, following their national headline tour dates in June and July.
The band’s regional tour will see them hit Castlemaine, Torquay, Albury, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains, Mackay, Townsville and more.
Boy & Bear Regional Tour Dates
Wednesday, September 13 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine (VIC)
Thursday, September 14 – Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (VIC)
Friday, September 15 – Pier Bandroom, Frankston (VIC)
Saturday, September 16 – Torquay Hotel, Torquay (VIC)
Thursday, September 21 – Beer Deluxe, Albury (NSW)
Friday, September 22 – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul (NSW)
Thursday, September 28 – Civic Theatre, Newcastle (NSW)
Friday, September 29 – Drifters Wharf, Central Coast (NSW)
Saturday, September 30 – Blue Mountains Theatre + Community Hub, Blue Mountains (NSW)
Friday, October 6 – The River, Margaret River (WA)
Wednesday, October 11 – Seabreeze Hotel, Mackay (QLD)
Thursday, October 12 – Magnums, Airlie Beach (QLD)
Friday, October 13 – JCU Uni Bar, Townsville (QLD)
Saturday, October 14 – Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns (QLD)
Thursday, November 9 – Kings Beach Tavern, Sunshine Coast (QLD)
Friday, November 10 – Burleigh Bazaar, Gold Coast (QLD)
Saturday, November 11 – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba (QLD)
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The forthcoming album’s opening song, “Strange World” reverberates with a quintessentially Australian chorus of cicadas as the band enter their homecoming era. A warbling synth bordering psychedelia oozes a warm aura as the song progressively builds to a harmonious groove, while the track’s lyricism explores the universal emotion of struggling to operate in a world where nothing seems fair.
Speaking to “Strange World”, Boy & Bear’s Dave Hosking shares: “‘Strange World’ was written just as COVID hit. Jon and I were working on an idea and it was during this period that COVID came and wiped out our Australian tour. After a previous forced break due to illness kept us from touring for a long time, it seemed that finally we were going to be able to get back to what we loved and then it all got canned. It was at this moment where the lyrics for ‘Strange World’ just started flowing out. I particularly love this song – it might even be my favourite on the album. I love the moment the drums hit and it feels like we’re really moving, as if the intensity of the rhythm section symbolising a sense determination and propulsion. Even though it was a tough moment, we were going to push through.”
Following four ARIA top-10 charted albums, including two to take out the number one slot – Harlequin Dream and Limit of Love – it is with high anticipation that the indie band release their fifth studio LP next week, on May 26. A new body of work, each of the 11 tracks were self-produced and recorded at Golden Retriever Studios in Marrickville, Sydney, and mixed by Craig Silvey at Toast Studios in London.
The band’s fifth self-titled album arrives following a jubilant return to music in 2022, with its previous singles “State Of Flight”, “Just To Be Kind”, “State of Mind” and “Apex” receiving widespread global press adoration. Prior to its release, Boy & Bear enjoyed an extensive national and regional tour, a European and UK tour, and a 10-year anniversary celebration of their ARIA double platinum album, Moonfire. Most recently, Boy & Bear were nominated for Reader’s Choice at the Rolling Stone Awards 2023.
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