BEAR'S DEN // BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW
London's folk rock stars Bear's Den return to Glasgow's infamous Barrowland Ballroom for sell out show.
BEAR’S DEN PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S BARROWLAND BALLROOM - 13.04.2019
PICTURE BY: STEPHEN WILSON PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★★☆ (4.5/5)
Follk duo Andrew Davie and Kev Jones are Bear’s Den. Hailing from London and formed in 2012, they were initially a trio, until Joey Haynes decision to leave the band in 2016. With 2 albums already under their belt, this month will see the release of their third record So That You Might Hear Me. Tonights setlist would see many of the new tracks played, alongside more familiar work from their back catalogue
The lights dimmed and the band took to the famous stage to a massive roar of appreciation. Opening with Fuel On The Fire, Elysium, Dew On The Vine and Fossils, the smiles on the faces of the band was obvious, they were having a ball and loving the reception given by the Glasgow crowd. The music is of a similar vein to Snow Patrol or Mumford And Sons, easy on the ear, while musically intricate, the lyrics complimenting the music perfectly. The more well known tunes give opportunity for a mass crowd karaoke at times, again giving the band members the cheesiest grins ever!.
The lights dimmed and the band took to the famous stage to a massive roar of appreciation. Opening with Fuel On The Fire, Elysium, Dew On The Vine and Fossils, the smiles on the faces of the band was obvious, they were having a ball and loving the reception given by the Glasgow crowd. The music is of a similar vein to Snow Patrol or Mumford And Sons, easy on the ear, while musically intricate, the lyrics complimenting the music perfectly. The more well known tunes give opportunity for a mass crowd karaoke at times, again giving the band members the cheesiest grins ever!
Midway thru the set the band take the unorthadox approach to turning off the stage mics, closing down the bar (temporarily, it is Glasgow after all !) and all the lights in the venue go off other than 1 spotlight on the band, as they acoustically and unplugged perform the track Sophie, which goes down a storm with the crowd singing and stomping along with the music. A bold move by the band but it just goes to show how musically talented and confident they are. Love We Stole, Red Earth and When You Break follow, great tunes from their first two releases Islands from 2014 and Red Earth and Pouring Rain from 2016.
Auld Wives, Laurel Wreath, Pompeii bring the evening to a climax. Blankets sees the band unplugged and acoustic again however now the they now come off the stage to mingle with the crowd, continuing to play as they wind their way amongst their hot and sweaty, yet adoring fans. As they all gathered back on stage for one last song, Agape was played and the evening was over.
This was a great evening, my first time seeing the band live and certainly not the last. Great music, great atmosphere, a great band and one id certainly recommend to catch live if you get the chance.
SETLIST: | BEAR’S DEN : BARROWLAND BALLROOM, GLASGOW - 13.04.2019
Fuel on the Fire
Elysium
Dew on the Vine
Fossils
Magdalene
Hiding Bottles
Stubborn Beast
Crow
Issac
Sophie - (Unplugged)
The Love We Stole
Red Earth & Pouring Rain
When You Break
Auld Wives
Laurel Wreath
ENCORE:
Above the Clouds of Pompeii
Blankets of Sorrow - (Unplugged in the Crowd)
Agape