Bears Den, ICA London, gig review: Refreshingly life-affirming

Off-mic singing and crowd mingling create a warm, communal atmosphere

Bear’s Den are a live band in the truest sense, having built a career playing gigs anywhere and everywhere that would let them pitch camp. It is not, therefore, a surprise when the London-based duo effortlessly bridge the gap between audience and performer, but it is still refreshing at a time when basic human connection can feel depressingly elusive.

Andrew Davie and Kevin Jones are admittedly nervous; this is their first hometown performance with a new touring line-up since banjo player Joey Haynes left in February. They needn’t be, as new songs from upcoming album Red Earth & Pouring Rain are met with cheers. The title track has welcome, synthy tinges of The War on Drugs while the oomph of soaring folk-rock stormer “Dew on the Vine” hears Davie muse on his untameable heart and sounds set to be a road trip playlist staple.

Better known songs from 2014’s Islands inspire hymnal sing-a-longs; the sensitive, more serious moments lightened by endearingly awkward banter between Davie and Jones as they drily joke about everything from beards to the inherent pointlessness of encores when everyone knows bands just ‘go and wait in the corridor’. Off mic singing on “Sophie” shines the spotlight on richly atmospheric vocals that need not rely on technology to impress, while understated, Ivor Novello-nominated gem “Above the Clouds of Pompeii” is delivered with a beautiful vulnerability.

Restrained heartache can pack a powerful punch musically and lyrically but at times, the nagging feeling that Bear’s Den are slightly holding back from allowing themselves moments of unbridled passion frustrates. Fully letting go on stage takes balls, but this indisuptably talented band have no reason to feel self-conscious.

Lyrically, Bear’s Den are similar to Mumford & Sons in their poetic, often highbrow approach. Like their predecessors, however, there is something universally accessible and bonding in these sweeping, hope-fuelled anthems. Clearly, the band feel it too, as they jump down to play “Bad Blood” in the middle of the sweaty crowd before ending with a tender rendition of early EP favourite “Agape”. Everyone is equal here, and it’s life-affirming.