For the past 20 years we’ve witnessed a rich stream of pop culture spectacles from acclaimed tv shows, box office busting movies, and captivating interactive experiences found in video games. And for the past 20 years, it’s a good chance that the scores for many of these spectacles that provided that atmospheric audio stimuli  that bring characters and stories to life were written, produced, and masterfully assembled by man whose name is so cool that it certainly would have caught many eyes during credit rolls: Bear McCreary. With an ensemble of tremendously talented virtuosi, including his very own brother Brendan on vocals, McCreary brought his world class Themes and Variations tour down under, taking up on an unforgettable journey throughout his career.

Warming us up for the night was the Sydney-born artist Portair, whose talent and sound greatly exceeds that of a mere warm up act. The solo troubadour blended an appealing mix of electronic and earthy melodies that were delicate and moving, the kind of music that could provide a soundtrack in itself to one’s daily adventures growing up. 

The interval between the two acts did not leave us tapping our feet in anxious anticipation for long, and I’m sure a few drinks were spilled as patrons ran back to the stage as the lights dimmed and Bear, alongside his band, entered the fray to an orchestral overture right into one opening tune of his recent album, The Singularity: Incinerator. The electrifying energy from the first note played was as palpable as a fiery dance of dragons. Omer Ben-Zvi shreds the lead guitar like Barry Allen himself. Pete Griffin slaps and plucks the bass like a tire Lord of Low End. Paul Cartwright makes the violin sing as if he’s possessed Paganini. Gene ‘The Atomic Clock’ Hoglan smacked and rattle the drum kit like a thunder god. Brendan McCreary is an incredible vocalist with a style akin to say M. Shadows of Avenged Sevenfold for example, with an incredible vocal range fitting for anything from slower melodic tunes to heavy and fast metal. And Bear McCreary, the master composer who has put all this talent and music together, lead the entire performance with the presence of a true maestro….and perhaps a rock n’ roll legend.

The night was, as mentioned above, a versatile and diverse journey across many projects in McCreary’s career, playing famous and masterful themes from cinematic masterpieces such as God of War, Rings of Power, Outlander, Black Sails Battlestar Galactica, many with that slight metal variation mixed in, to independent compositions made by Bear seperate from any projects written throughout his life and career. And this piece would be excruciatingly bereft had I made no mention of the legendary composer’s amazing versatility. Raeb The Dwarven  Bard utilised such a variety of instruments like a fine art, from guitars to keys to a giant drum, even the accordion and (my personal favourite instrument of all time) the famous Hurdy-Gurdy, a musical tool so unique, historical, and even versatile itself that it would make Apollo himself swoon. 

I left this experience upon its conclusion with a whole new level of appreciation for composition. Whether it’s for film, tv, video games, theatre, or even a concept album, it is such a beautiful thing to be able to make storytelling so much more audible and captivating, having a creative outlet that involves figuring out what notes and chords should be weaved into a character’s arc, a significant event, or even a conversation. And Bear McCreary is one to absolutely consider as one of the Gods of this art form,  starting off as a protégé of the iconic Elmer Bernstein and then proceeding to weave a decades long thread of incredible works, and will continue to do so. Seeing his talent live and watching an artist so immersed in their love of music and performing it is an unforgettable experience, and just further shows the importance of the soundtrack in any aspect of art and entertainment….and even life itself. 

BEAR McCREARY AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES
Wednesday 23 July Forum Melbourne
Thursday 24 July Enmore Theatre Sydney
Friday 25 July Eatons Hill Hotel Brisbane
Monday 28 July Astor Theatre Perth

https://www.destroyalllines.com/tours/bear-mccreary