Known for their rich harmonies, heartfelt songwriting and uplifting live energy, Boy & Bear will bring a more intimate side of their music to Byron Wellness Festival with beautifully reimagined versions of favourite songs, soulful acoustic arrangements and the kind of shared musical moments that invite you to slow down, breathe and be present.
This special set is an opportunity to experience Boy & Bear in a raw and intimate setting, where voices, strings and stories take centre stage.
Seven recently spoke to Boy & Bear’s Jon Hart about this special show.
What prompted an acoustic set for the Byron Wellness Festival?
It felt like the right fit – we wanted to be involved, but a full-band, loud show didn’t seem quite right for the occasion. We’ve made acoustic recordings before, taking our own songs – and sometimes other people’s – and rearranging them. We enjoyed the creative process, so we thought an acoustic performance could work as a live show too. It will give people who have seen us before a different experience.
How does reworking your own songs change the way you approach them?
You get used to playing a song a certain way, especially when you perform a lot. Arranging it acoustically makes you ask what the important parts are and how to bring them out with different instruments. An electric-guitar part might need to work on acoustic guitar, or a synthesizer part might become something for piano. It’s a chance to relearn your own music and decide what really matters in each song. That makes it a fun, creative process.
You’ve played a lot of festivals. What do you value about them?
There seem to be fewer festivals around now than there used to be. We’ve played festivals such as Blender, Bluesfest, Falls, and Big Day Out, and it’s strange to talk about some of them in the past tense. I hope the current moment is part of an ebb and flow, and that opportunities come back.
Festivals are wonderful for audiences because you can discover artists you might not have bought a ticket to see on their own. You’re there for the experience, you hear someone new, and you might become a fan. That’s valuable for artists too. You want the chance to win over people who didn’t come specifically to see you – and you also get to watch artists you love.
What’s inspiring you right now?
Touring through regional Australia gives you a lot of time in the van or between flights and drives. It can feel nostalgic, and things along the way trigger memories from childhood or adolescence. I write those memories down, and they can lead me somewhere creatively. Being in that reflective mood often makes me want to go and make music.
My kids inspire me too. I have two children under five, and seeing the world as they see it can be powerful. They’re absorbed by simple things – a leaf, a stick, something right in front of them. They’re very connected to the physical world. Paying attention to that helps me look at ordinary things differently.
Jon, are you having enough fun?
Yes, very much. Having two young kids puts a limit on how much fun you can have if you want to be present with them, but I’m having fun. They also remind me that enjoyment doesn’t have to be complicated. Between family life, touring and making music, there’s plenty to appreciate.
Boy & Bear will appear at the Byron Wellness Festival on Saturday, 28 November. Find out more at byronwellnessfestival.com.
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