The north east plays host to a plethora of incredible venues and this weekend I paid my first visit to The Glasshouse, to be completely blown away by indie folk outfit Bear’s Den, who celebrated the 10 year anniversary of their debut studio album ‘Island’.
Opening the night for Bear’s Den was Scottish singer songwriter, story teller, and comic Brodie Barclay. Having first seen Brodie perform live at Gateshead’s Under The Spire during an intimate Sofar Sounds session in 2023, it was impressive to see how this fast rising musician charmed a 1640 capacity hall. Brodie Barclay takes the man with guitar genre to another level, as he turns open-hearted short stories into colourful songs. Add a bunch of well timed jokes and a humble attitude towards his eager audience, and you’ve got the perfect opener for the evening.
Once Bear’s Den entered the stage, I went into a state of constant amazement. Every fibre of my being felt the warm folk vibrations of magical alternative Americana slash indie outfit Bear’s Den. Soaring vocals, wandering guitar lines, and strumming banjo sounds filled The Glasshouse and had me totally and utterly mesmerised. What I wondered most throughout the night, as I nearly bopped off my chair from the start until the finish of every single song, was how my fellow audience members were able to sit still throughout these wonderfully crafted anthems.
Bear’s Den wandered, stunned, and mesmerised with a first set of songs old, older, and new, and a second set of the band playing through ‘Islands’, the album we were all present to celebrate. Their warm, heavy, and vibrant live sound made sure to have all in attendance pay full attention, and we could hear a pin drop in the grand theatre hall. ‘Evelyn’, ‘Sophie’, ‘On Your Side’, ‘Above the Clouds of Pompeii’, ‘Magdalene’, and ‘When You Break’ were personal favourites. Bear’s Den brought their entire set immaculately without a hitch and filled with passion for their craft. Combined with a kind audience that seemed truly transfixed, all involved made this a most memorable evening.
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