Pete Murray Solo Acoustic Tour

If you’re in the mood for a concert that feels less like a stadium spectacle and more like a warm catch-up with an old friend who happens to be a chart-topping singer-songwriter, Pete Murray’s solo acoustic tour is the ticket. Brisbane’s Lyric Theatre was the perfect setting for this intimate and heartfelt performance, with the stage dressed simply yet elegantly in flickering candlelight (flameless, naturally), subtle haze and low golden glows that framed the performers like memories in a photo album.

First support act Brett Wood stepped out with nothing but a guitar and a grin, and immediately won over the room with his laid-back charm. His voice, drenched in soul and grit, carried effortlessly through the space. From the bluesy opener I Need Eyes in the Back of My Head to the heartbreak-heavy On Your Side, Wood showcased both his emotional range and his nimble-fingered guitar finesse. Tracks like Finders Keepers and Heads are Gonna Roll were groove-laden and gutsy, and left us in no doubt that Wood is a formidable talent ready to shine in his own right.

Next up, Rachael Fahim strode on stage with sass and sincerity in equal measure. A natural storyteller, she took the audience through the peaks and pitfalls of love, weaving humour and heartbreak into every lyric. Her country-tinged folk-pop sound was warmly received, particularly standouts You Suck and Brake Lights. With shades of early Taylor Swift but more bite and believability, Fahim brought an authenticity that had the sisterhood in the audience cheering in solidarity.

Then came Pete. Greeted with roars, he arrived on stage, unassuming yet magnetic, his voice as velvety and honest as ever. Opening with a slower, stripped-back version of Lines, he set the tone for a night of musical nostalgia and soul-baring stories. The acoustic setting let his vocals take centre stage, revealing new texture and intimacy in well-loved tracks like Bail Me Out, Saving Grace and Summer at Eureka.

Between songs, Pete was disarmingly candid, sharing tales from his past – from discovering Neil Young, to the loss of his friend Charlie, not quite making it to the Wallabies team, to reflections on fame. These moments weren’t just filler; they gave context and depth to the music, allowing the audience to see the man behind the melodies.

Highlights included a rousing rendition of Opportunity with full crowd participation, a moving new single I Am Fire (a well-timed protest anthem), and a sublime version of Free, where Pete’s high notes soared above Brett Wood’s grounding harmonies. The latter had returned to the stage, adding colour and rhythm with elegant guitar lines and backing vocals that enriched the second half of the set.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments came with Wouldn’t It Be Good, its funky groove and layered harmonies offering a rare uplift that had the whole theatre swaying. The crowd were in full voice for favourites Feeler and Better Days, the latter closing the night on a hopeful high.

Pete Murray’s solo acoustic show is everything it promises to be: warm, sincere, funny, musically polished and emotionally resonant. It’s a rare treat to see an artist of his calibre this up close and personal. If you’ve ever connected with one of his songs on a long drive, at a wedding, or during a break-up – this show will feel like coming home.

Kitty Goodall

Photography by Kelsey Doyle