Boy & Bear, Jinja Safari, EmmaLouise @ The Hi Fi, Brisbane(04/06/2011)

Tue 7th Jun, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Queensland charmer, Emma Louise was the first folk gem of the triplet of Australia’s brightest indie acts on stage at The HiFi on Saturday night. Charming the packed out venue from the start of her set with a laid back, whimsical air, and a simple backup band consisting of keys, percussion and bass, Emma Louise easily fit the bill as a support act for Boy & Bear .

With vocal talents reminiscent of Sarah Store and easy conversation between songs, the set flew by and transported the listener to sunny Sunday afternoon driving along the coast. All in all, a brilliant set, made even more charming with Emma Louise’s ability to retain her Aussie accent throughout her songs.

Next up on the bill, Triple J Unearthed darlings Jinja Safari hit the stage with their fun, eclectic and toe tapping set. Throwing themselves around the stage, the boys got the crowd clapping along with their sitar and glockenspiel-infused folk and roots rock. Skilfully switching between tunes perfect for a yoga class and ones to kick off a party, the boys made it seem like running off to a communal farm, with long flowing, feathered braided hair would be possibly the greatest idea ever. The bongos, intricate stage vegetation, chilled crescendo and on stage poncho also may have contributed to that feeling.

Sydney folk gods, Boy & Bear are quite the Australian phenomenon. Having shared the stage with fellow folk heroes, Angus and Julia Stone and international stars, Mumford and Sons, the boys have gone from strength to strength since being championed on Triple J in late 2009. With their latest release eagerly anticipated, even more so after tonight’s show, the boys thrilled the pack of loyal fans crowding the Hi Fi.

With a shambolic set design, complete with somewhat blinding fairy lights, blinking in time in a most painful yet hypnotising fashion, the boys ploughed through their set filled with their most recent hits including _ Blood To Gold_ and Rabbit Song, some new tracks from their upcoming release and that delightful cover of their contribution to Crowded House’s tribute album, Fall At Your Feet. Current fans of Boy & Bear can look forward to some Nashville-inspired tunes off the new record, but not too Nashville inspired, thank goodness.

With enough variations to keep your attention, including a few guitar and banjo breakdowns, Boy & Bear proved to be due all the praise being heaped on the five piece, Mumford and Sons comparisons aside. Boy & Bear finished their set and promised no encores – a refreshing change from the current predictability of encores at every show, warranted or not. The final song of their set is one of their latest singles Feeding Line and tonight’s set at the Hi Fi cemented in the minds of punters why this act is one of the most sought after folk acts in the country at the moment.