Review: Boy & Bear, Ball Park Music, The Paper Kites @ the Tivoli

Thanks to the line-up was an experiment in extremes, the sold out audience at The Tivoli experienced completely different ends of the spectrum in terms of stage energy and presence. 

The night began with a set by The Paper Kites, this currently unsigned band from Melbourne opened the evening to a room that was slowly filling.  They didn’t get to enjoy playing to a full room, their set of laidback, acoustic indie folk while not breaking in any new ground musically speaking was a tender, subtle collection of well written gems and the perfect opening band for the evening.

The audience had swelled considerably for the second band, Triple J darlings Ball Park Music. What sets Ball Park Music apart from their contemporaries is their bombastic, highly energetic stage presence. Always a joy to watch, front man Sam McCormack delighted the audience with his grinding, thrusting dance moves as they played their way through a set of the crowd favourites. Hits like iFly, Rich People are Stupid, Sad Rude Future Dude had the audience bellowing the lyrics along with the band.

After getting all riled up from Ball Park’s tour de force of a set when Boy & Bear took the stage, the mood shift entirely. It was clear who the audience was here to see and from the first note the band had the complete adoration of the crowd. While bands like Ball Park Music are known for their stage presence and ability to create high level of excitement in the most apathetic audience respect must be shown for a band that can control a room with a much more subtle and quiet energy.

From the first note, Boy & Bear had the audience spellbound; working their way through a set comprised mainly of tracks from their long-awaited debut record Moonfire. A few earlier songs were there too, Mexican Mavis and radio favourite Feeding Line were both set highlights. Boy and Bear’s superb lyrics and mix of indie pop and folk with just hints of bluegrass and country is always appealing. They produce the sort of music that is relaxing and familiar but not cliché.

Initially I thought the choice of supports would be too different, the sandwiching of high-octane indie pop of Ball Park Music between the more relaxed and low-key vibes of The Paper Kites and Boy and Bear fighting each other. But the line up worked extremely well, one support act, a breath of fresh air while the other complimented the feel of the headliners perfectly.