Acclaimed UK indie-folk trio Bear’s Den spent May touring across Australia and New Zealand alongside longtime friends Boy & Bear, performing in stunning theatres and recital halls while squeezing in coastal walks, brewery visits, and the occasional travel disaster between shows.
The run also marked the band’s first-ever headline performances in New Zealand, making for an especially memorable trip.
For Rolling Stone AU/NZ, Bear’s Den’s Andrew Davie, Marcus Hamblett, and Jools Owen documented their time on the road.
Check out their tour diary below!
May 5th: Off We Go!
We departed from the UK on a perilous trip that would test us in ways previously unimaginable but fundamentally this trip would change the course of our lives forever. Flight one to Hong Kong…
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May 6th: A Layover in Hong Kong
We had a ten hour layover in Hong Kong and decided to climb up to the top of the peak which was way higher than any of us thought, before we ended up eating an awesome dinner at Maxim’s Palace. Climbing up a huge hill, sweating profusely and creating what can only be described as ‘significant swamp ass’ before a second long flight was a questionable strategy. Flight two was to Brisbane…
May 7th: Arriving in Brisbane
We arrived with some time off to acclimatise and ended up doing a dinner and sinking pints down by the waterfront at a place called Felons Brewery. Each of us trying to stay awake but each of us failing.
May 8th: Brisbane Show Day
Marcus woke up not feeling well so emergency trip to the Chemist Warehouse to sort Lemsip ensued. Today was the big show day supporting Boy & Bear and we were gonna need our starting winger. Luckily he pulled through and we had an awesome first show. It was a joy watching The Dreggs perform, and getting to sing Chris Isaac’s “Wicked Game” with the Boy & Bear lads in front of thousands of Brisbanites was a dream.
My old mate Stu Larsen also sang with us. He’s a fantastic songwriter but once threw up out my flat window in London after we’d had too many drinks. I have not forgiven him and nor has the antique shop I lived above.
May 9th: Sydney Show Day
We flew into Sydney for our show at the beautiful Sydney Recital Hall with brilliant support from the fantastic Amelie Farren. She was incredible and this was our first headline show of the tour and such a fun and special one! Huge thank you to our manager Rowan and his wonderful folks, Guy & Wendy Brand for hosting us at their wonderful home/exotic bird sanctuary.
May 10th: A Day Off in Sydney
We took a day trip to Manly Beach – started with sausage rolls and coffees at Rollers before Jools decided he needed to surf so Marcus and I decided to scale the rocky headland of Manly beach and venture through the Manly Wormhole. It was magic. Waves crashing into the rocks nearby and incredible views – such an awesome day.
In the evening we ventured into Newtown to meet our old friend, front of house engineer and tour manager, Mark Smithers. We ate at an Egyptian restaurant called Cairo and it was incredible.
May 11th: A Flight to Auckland
‘But sir – your flight to Auckland has been cancelled – you should have been made aware…’ is not what you want to hear when you arrive at an airport with loads of guitars and bags on the day you are hoping to fly to Auckland. After some negotiations with airport staff we were all booked in on the next flight and had some time to kill in Sydney.
Scooped up by our trusty manager, Rowan, and bundled into a car we headed to Bondi beach for a walk along the coast from Bronte to Tamarama and finishing up at Bondi. It was awesome! Ended up grabbing a bite at the Depot and a coffee to go from Harry’s. Back to the airport and we boarded a plane to New Zealand for Bear’s Den’s first ever shows in New Zealand.
May 12th: Auckland Show Day
After strolling round Auckland in the morning we headed to the Tuning Fork for our first ever headline show in New Zealand. Supported by the legend Luke Thompson who not only writes beautiful songs but is a massive legend. Met up with our old mate Rob Ball who takes fantastic photos too.
May 13th: Wellington Show Day
We arrived in Wellington and headed straight to the Sea Market for Fish & Chips – it was epic. The gig somehow managed to top it. San Fran was an awesome venue and the whole team there, Nina, Drew, and Maercus looked after us amazingly.
May 14th: A Flight to Melbourne
After having both breakfast and lunch at the incredible Flight Coffee Hangar Cafe we flew back to Australia with nothing but fantastic memories of New Zealand.
May 15th: Melbourne Show Day
Our final show of the tour was at the stunning, Hamer Hall. Once again supporting the brilliant Boy & Bear. They are such a great band of such lovely people and it was a real joy to witness them at their absolute peak as musicians, absolutely crushing it.
Getting to sing “Fall at Your Feet” with them was a huge honour and getting to support them on the run was so special. I met them all at a super formative time in my musical journey and I owe them a lot for their belief and support over the years!
May 16th: Home Time
We flew home to the UK dreaming of the next time. Thank you Australia and New Zealand for having us! We will be back!!
