Boy & Bear deliver a night of indie-folk nostalgia at The Powerstation

A crowd full of dancing, banter, kinship, and everything in between filled The Powerstation on a Saturday night as Boy & Bear returned to Aotearoa for the first time in two years. The Aussie outfit lived up to their legacy of indie folk music and proved that the genre is still full of life and should not be overlooked.

I walked into the room with no expectations as a first-time listener, and boy was I about to be blown away. Opening act Mountain Boy (Aaron Clarke) had the crowd going from the start, with highlights including Millions and Heard It In The Wind. I have never encountered a crowd at The Powerstation so committed to dancing with their partners, moving together through every song despite the changing tempos. It perfectly set the tone for the night ahead. What an opener.

" I don't like to talk about my past but this effigy says it all"

So joked drummer Tim Hart after a fan brought along a double-sided sign featuring his face. It was a hilarious moment when frontman Dave Hosking invited the fan to bring it up before waving it around for the crowd, sending laughter through the pit and across the venue. Hosking also mentioned that Auckland's Sunday night crowd brought even more energy than their Christchurch show. Considering Christchurch's reputation for embracing indie folk music, that is saying something, though the band agreed they always love playing in Aotearoa because of the atmosphere audiences create.

This band clearly has its own definition of a sad song. Tracks that might seem reflective on paper, such as Part Time Believer and crowd favourite Harlequin Dream, became joyful celebrations, with people on their feet dancing with partners or by themselves. As a first-time Boy & Bear listener, it was a genuinely heartwarming sight.

Not one single person wasn't dancing, I could see this girl across the room with pink highlights in her hair who was arms up and dancing amongst the crowd full of couples, felt that self-love realness during Vertigo. It was so entrancing to witness Killian Gavin shredding incredible riffs from Vertigo and those high notes from Hosking had me feeling gagged! Now that song has now become my next addition to the 2026 main playlist!

Many of the night's standout moments came courtesy of Tim Hart, from the jokes about the double-sided effigy to his banjo playing and his praise for local act Mountain Boy, whom he said was an incredible addition to the tour. You have to appreciate a headliner taking the time to celebrate their support act. The crowd erupted when the banjo came out for A Moment's Grace, and I overheard an audience member shout that it was "definitely our theme song," a sweet reflection of their love for one another and a wholesome moment to witness.

With every piece of banter from Boy & Bear, I found myself becoming a new fan. They have earned a soft spot in my heart and in Aotearoa's indie folk scene. They're a hugely talented band with plenty of charm, and I already know I'll spend the entire month listening to them and trying to cop a vinyl of their latest album 'Tripping Over Time'.