Grizzly Bear Reunites for First Live Show in Six Years: A Brooklyn Homecoming

Grizzly Bear’s reunion show marks a triumphant return with a rich setlist spanning their career, thrilling fans with rare live performances and fresh energy.

A Long-Awaited Return to the Stage

After a six-year hiatus, Brooklyn’s beloved indie rockers, Grizzly Bear, reunited for a live show that felt like a warm embrace for their loyal fans. The date was October 13, 2025, and the venue couldn’t be more fitting—Brooklyn Steel, right in their hometown. For those of us who’ve followed the band through their dreamy harmonies and intricate arrangements, this return was pure magic.

The band had been on pause since 2019, two years after releasing Painted Ruins, their latest album at the time. But whispers of a comeback floated in late 2023 when Ed Droste, the founder and co-lead vocalist, revealed that he’d opened a therapy practice and hinted at the possibility of ending the hiatus. Fast forward to May 2025, and the band announced a US tour, sparking excitement that only grew with each passing day.

Grizzly Bear performing live in 2018. Image captures their dynamic stage presence.

Brooklyn Steel Kicks Off the Comeback Tour

The first night back was nothing short of spectacular. Fans were treated to a setlist that stretched through the band’s entire discography, mixing favorites with some deep, rarely performed tracks. It was like stepping into a time machine, revisiting the whole Grizzly Bear journey.

One standout moment? The live debut of their 2013 single Will Calls, a track that had somehow flown under the live radar until now. Equally thrilling was the revival of Alligator from their debut album Horn Of Plenty (2004), which hadn’t been played live since 2008. If that wasn’t enough to get your heart racing, they also dusted off Little Brother from 2006, last heard live in 2014, and Deep Sea Diver, a track likely untouched on stage since 2005.

For the fans craving the songs that helped define Grizzly Bear's indie sound, classics like Two Weeks, Yet Again, and Mourning Sound were also on full display, reminding everyone why the band’s sound remains so cherished.

“We’re trying to balance the songs that we assume are the popular ones or algorithmically favourite songs, coupled with more obscure songs that we maybe wouldn’t have touched at the time.”
— Daniel Rossen, Co-lead vocalist

The Complete Brooklyn Setlist

Here’s the full rundown from that unforgettable night:

• Southern Point
• Alligator
• Sleeping Ute
• Mourning Sound
• Yet Again
• Cut-Out
• Little Brother
• Ready, Able
• Fine For Now
• Foreground Play
• While You Wait For The Others
• Will Calls
• Two Weeks
• On A Neck, On A Spit
• Three Rings
• Sun In Your Eyes

Encore:

• Deep Sea Diver
• Sky Took Hold

If you’re like me, that setlist is pure gold—a blend of hits and hidden gems that demonstrates the depth and evolution of their sound. Plus, the band promises to keep things fresh by rotating their setlists throughout the tour.

Tour Dates and Special Guests

Grizzly Bear’s Brooklyn Steel residency spans five shows, with performances on October 13, 14, 16, 17, and 18. After that, they’re hitting Chicago for two gigs before heading west to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland. It’s a coast-to-coast journey for fans to catch them live.

From October 16 onward, the band will be joined onstage by Victoria Legrand of Beach House, adding an ethereal touch to select songs each night. The band expressed sincere admiration for her presence, calling her "such a queen" and “truly honored to have her with us.” It’s a collaboration that makes the tour even more special.

Behind the Hiatus and Solo Projects

While the band took a break, their members didn’t stop creating. Ed Droste stepped away from music to pursue a new path in therapy, a shift that surprised many but reflects his growth and evolving passions.

Meanwhile, Daniel Rossen and Chris Bear kept the creative flame alive. The duo even contributed to the soundtrack of the 2023 film Past Lives, blending cinematic moods with their familiar sonic textures. Rossen released his solo debut, You Belong There, in 2022 and toured extensively across North America and Europe, proving his resilience as an artist even outside the band’s shadow.

Reliving the Full Show

For those who missed the live magic or just want to relive the moment, the complete show from Brooklyn Steel’s opening night is available online. It’s a testament to the band’s enduring chemistry and musical prowess, even after years apart.

A Nostalgic and Hopeful Chapter

Grizzly Bear's return isn’t just a reunion—it's a celebration of their legacy and a promise of new moments yet to come. For longtime fans (like me), it’s a chance to reconnect with songs that have soundtracked so many personal moments, and to see the band breathe fresh life into them.

Whether it’s your first time hearing Will Calls live or that rare Deep Sea Diver performance, the band’s effort to blend the familiar with the unexpected makes their comeback tour truly special. Brooklyn Steel is just the start—here’s hoping this reunion lasts a good long while.

FAQ

• How long had Grizzly Bear been on hiatus before their 2025 reunion?
  They had been on hiatus since 2019, making it a six-year break from live shows.
• Which rare songs did Grizzly Bear perform at their Brooklyn Steel show?
  They played Will Calls live for the first time, Alligator for the first time since 2008, Little Brother since 2014, and Deep Sea Diver likely for the first time since 2005.
• Who is joining Grizzly Bear on tour from October 16?
  Victoria Legrand from Beach House is joining them for a handful of songs each night starting October 16.
• What have the band members been doing during the hiatus?
  Ed Droste pursued a career in therapy, while Daniel Rossen and Chris Bear collaborated on film soundtracks and solo projects.
• Where can fans find tickets for the remaining Grizzly Bear tour dates?
  Tickets are available through various official ticketing platforms for their shows in Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland.

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