Pete Murray made a triumphant return to Brisbane’s inner city music scene with his sold out gig at the Triffid Friday night. His paired down acoustic “Heartbeats” Tour providing a great night of skilled musicianship, career highlights, 3 part harmonies and outstanding home grown talent.
Brisbane singer songwriter Dave Orr opened the billing, touting his wares with some serious guitar skills. Warming up the punters early in the evening, Dave, in solo mode more than held his own; delivering a great set peppered with original old school blues tracks and crowd pleasing instrumentals. Be sure to check him out, he has a few free gigs across Brisbane in the coming weeks.
Taking to the stage next was singer song writer and literal one man band Matthew Armitage. Hailing originally from NZ, although now a Tweed Heads resident by choice, he put together a set which showcased his folk blues roots and unique multi – instrumental ability.
With a deft display, he strummed, stomped, sung, blew and rattled his way through an outstanding set, much to the delight of the Triffid crowd. Endearing himself even further with his tale of fortune at being on the touring line up (he hit Pete Murray up for a job whilst busking in Byron Bay) Matthew seemed certain to cement his fate by delivering a slew of neatly crafted tunes off his new album.
Pete Murray was a commanding presence from the moment he stepped on to the Triffid stage. With his easy going engagement of the crowd, chiselled good looks, sentiment filled tracks and endearing vocals it’s no wonder he’s one of Australia’s most loved performers.
Nothing forced or overdone, his songs lost none of their power in this stripped back format, instead Pete delivered some of his best tunes with a soulful and heartfelt clarity that celebrated their acoustic beginnings. Assisted by the irrepressible Brett Wood on left hand lead guitar and Simon Fisenden playing a fierce flute and solid bass, Pete entertained the crowd with an impressive collection of standout singles, career commentary and highlights.
Paying tribute to his early days with tracks like “So Why” from the independently released “The Game”, Pete negotiated his way through the evening perfectly, engaging plenty of crowd participation with old favourites like ‘Free”, “Bail Me Out” and “Opportunity”, whilst striking just the right note with a stirring version of “Home” in memory of Jan Dooley, one of his early patrons in Brisbane music scene.
With an encore performance that included “So Beautiful” and a rocking rendition of “Always a Winner” to close, Pete Murray and his acoustic, 3 piece harmonised “Heartbeats” Tour is just that – a winner all around. The tour continues throughout regional Australia till the end of August.
Words by Terresa Allen
Images by Tam Schilling
PETE MURRAY NATIONAL ‘HEARTBEATS’ ACOUSTIC TOUR
FRI 29 JUN | ROSEMOUNT HOTEL, PERTH WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://rosemounthotel.oztix.com.au/?Event=85445
SAT 30 JUN | ROSEMOUNT HOTEL, PERTH WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://rosemounthotel.oztix.com.au/?Event=85449
SUN 01 JUL | ROEBUCK HOTEL, BROOME WA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=85441
THU 05 JUL | VILLA NOOSA, NOOSA QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84672
FRI 06 JUL | TWIN TOWNS, TWEED HEADS QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.twintowns.com.au |1800 014 014 http://bit.ly/2HNlsCD
SAT 07 JUL | REDLAND BAY, REDLAND BAY QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84675
THU 12 JUL | HIGHFIELDS, TOOWOOMBA QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84676
FRI 13 JUL | THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE QLD | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=85097
SAT 14 JUL | THE CORNER, MELBOURNE VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.cornerhotel.com | 1300 724 867 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pete-murray-tickets-43864901100
SUN 15 JUL | GRAND HOTEL, MORNINGTON VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://grand.oztix.com.au/?Event=85131
THU 19 JUL | SHOAL BAY COUNTRY CLUB, SHOAL BAY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://bigtix.oztix.com.au/?Event=85466
FRI 20 JUL | THE ENTRANCE LEAGUES CLUB, BATAEU BAY NSW | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=85106
SAT 21 JUL | NARRABEEN RSL, NARRABEEN NSW| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=85108
SUN 22 JUL | MARLIN HOTEL, ULLADULLA NSW| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=85127
THU 26 JUL | GATEWAY HOTEL, GEELONG VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84718
FRI 27 JUL | YORK ON LILYDALE, MT EVELYN VIC | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84719
SAT 28 JUL | THE COMMERCIAL, SOUTH MORANG VIC| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84723
FRI 10 AUG NORWOOD, NORWOOD SA | 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84727
SAT 11 AUG | NORWOOD, NORWOOD SA| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84728
THU 23 AUG | MACQUARIE INN, DUBBO NSW| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=84725
FRI 24 AUG | THE CUBE, CAMPBELLTOWN NSW| 18+
Tickets available from www.thecube.net.au |Box Office (02) 4625 0000 | http://bit.ly/2HMi76W
SAT 25 AUG | STATION RESORT JINDABYE, JINDABYNE NSW| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| https://tickets.oztix.com.au/?Event=85464
SUN 26 AUG | THE BASEMENT, BELCONNEN ACT| 18+
Tickets available from www.oztix.com.au | 1300 762 545| http://kingdomsounds.oztix.com.au/?Event=85429
