Boy & Bear Partners With American Express For First NFT Collection

Boy & Bear is getting into the NFT game.

The multiple ARIA Award-winning indie rock act launches its NFT collection through a collaboration with American Express, timed to coincide with the credit card brand’s Back The Night music festival this Sunday (May 29).

The collectables capture Boy & Bear digital artworks and unlock access to experiences and merch for the concert series.

Unveiled this week,  the tokens are rendered and distributed by the carbon-neutral Fanaply marketplace, with 70% of proceeds from the initial sales pumped into the music industry charity Support Act.

“We’ve experienced how badly the Aussie music industry has been hit over the last couple of years and having the opportunity to create our own NFTs and provide some awesome experiences with American Express for our fans,” the band says in a statement, “all in a way that tangibly gives back to Support Act – feels great. It’s nice to be able to play a small part in something bigger.”

Fanaply is taking bids for the one-off Platinum “Boy & Bear x Back The Night” artwork, and other limited-edition releases are priced at US$200 (Gold) and US$15 (Blue) each.

“This is the first NFT collaboration for our brand in Australia,” explains Naysla Edwards, American Express VP of brand and member experience, “and we’re proud to see music lovers enjoying this innovation, that also gives back to Support Act to continue to help the music industry get back on its feet.”

Boy & Bear hit the stage 5pm this Sunday at Surly’s American Tavern for the Amex-sponsored series.

Other performers include Gang of Youths (Oxford Art Factory from 7:30pm), Alex Lahey (The Colombian Hotel from 6pm), Odette (Hyde Park House from 6pm), Jess Kent (The Colombian Hotel from 4pm) and The Delta Riggs (DJ set at The Colombian Hotel Rooftop from 2pm).

Forming in 2009, Boy & Bear had a mainstream breakthrough with their debut Moonfire in 2011. The album scooped five ARIA Awards, spawned three entries in the triple j Hottest 100 and it’s now double-platinum certified.

The folk-rockers’ fourth and most recent studio album, 2019’s Suck on Light, peaked at No. 7 on the ARIA Albums Chart.