Pete Murray - Solo Acoustic Tour
Pete Murray – Enmore Theatre, 18 July 2025
Some gigs hit like fireworks — all dazzle and bang. But others? Others take their time, unfolding like a familiar conversation over a long-overdue catch-up. That was the energy at the Enmore Theatre on Friday night, where Pete Murray, with support from Brett Wood and Rachel Fahim, turned a candlelit stage into something far more intimate: a room full of mates sharing stories, laughter, and songs that still cut deep.
Long time bandmate of Pete’s, and, for once, stepping into his own spotlight. “First time Pete’s let me off the leash,” he joked, looping together guitars and vocals with that quietly brilliant musicianship fans have come to love. His set — packed with sincerity and songwriting strength — covered personal territory with a gentle touch. On Your Side, about his divorce, hit hard in all the right ways, while his brand-new track ‘Eyes’ suggested Brett’s storytelling has plenty more chapters to come. It was reflective, honest, and beautifully played — the kind of support set that does more than just warm the stage; it builds the foundations for something special.
Next came Sydney’s own Rachel Fahim, armed with cheek, charm, and a catalogue of tracks that read like romantic battle diaries. “I’m taking you on a tour of my love life — song by song,” she warned with a grin. From Good Luck — written at a songwriting camp about the ex who ran back to his ex (also at the camp… grim) — to the sharp-edged You Suck, Rachel had the crowd laughing, wincing, and quietly cheering her on. She powered through ‘Middle Ground’, ‘Who You Are’, and ‘Break Lights’, each song full of candour and sass. She also cleared up a persistent rumour (sparked by Pete himself): “It’s Fahim — Far…him. Not Farnham. Not related to any Aussie rock royalty!
Then the candles glowed a little brighter, and Pete Murray appeared — no grand entrance, no theatrics. Just a handful of guitars on stands, a mic, and that unmistakable grin. “I’ve got two jobs tonight,” he said. “Play you some great songs… and make sure you’re relaxed and not nervous. Don’t worry - I'm relaxed — I’ve already got your money!”
The crowd was his from the first note.
Early in the set, Pete shared one of the night’s most moving stories. He spoke of a gruff man from back home, softened by love — who found joy and purpose in a woman who became the light of his life. She passed away from cancer not long after they married, but before she died, she told him: “If I go, I’ll come back as a butterfly.”
At the pub after the funeral, as stories were flowing, a butterfly flew through the window and landed on his shoulder. “And here’s the thing,” Pete said quietly. “Butterflies don’t fly at night.” From that moment came ‘Ten Foot Tall’ — a song not just about grief, but the beauty that sometimes follows.
What followed was classic Pete — stripped-back, sincere, and full of warmth. He spoke of his early days, including a particularly feral two-bedroom flat in Europe shared with 19 other Aussies — one of whom turned out to be Angus McDonald from Sneaky Sound System. It was during this chaotic chapter that a guest challenged him to stop mucking about and write something original. So he did — and the rest, as they say, became the beginning of his story.
Then came one of the most unforgettable visuals of the night. Before playing ‘So Beautiful’, Pete asked the crowd to hold up their phone torches — and the Enmore lit up like a sea of gentle stars. He smiled and nodded, soaking it in before delivering a perfect callback: “Remember what I said earlier? This isn’t a Coldplay concert. No kiss cam. Just relax.”
Cue laughter, swaying arms, and a singalong that felt more like a shared memory than a performance.
It was around this point that Brett Wood returned to the stage — a moment that felt more like a reunion than a re-entry.
“We’ve been doing this for 19 years,” Pete noted warmly, as Brett slid into place with the ease of a trusted co-pilot. With harmonies and a second guitar in the mix, everything lifted: ‘Always a Winner’, ‘Feeler’, ‘Free’, ‘Home to Me’, and the politically charged ‘I Am Fire’ — as relevant now as ever — all landed with new depth and power.
Pete may keep the vibe cruisy, but there’s always intent behind the music. That balance — relaxed but real — is what’s made him endure.
“I’ve got one more,” he said. “And it’s a bloody good one. It even got me into the Urban Dictionary.” He paused, smirking. “Although it’s a bit tame. I’m trying to get them to change it to something about waking up after a big one… y’know — ‘seen better days, get on my knees and I pray to gods.’” And with that, he launched into ‘Better Days’ — full of uplift, catharsis, and the kind of collective joy that only comes from knowing you’ve just experienced something genuine.
The Enmore emptied slowly, no one rushing to leave the glow. You could hear it in the voices around you:
“Felt like catching up with an old mate…”
“…an old mate who writes bloody great songs.”
“No ego, just stories and soul. That’s the stuff.”
Pete Murray didn’t just play a gig. He gave us a window into his world — and reminded us why we keep coming back. Not for the fireworks, but for the firelight.
Tickets available for forthcoming shows via PETEMURRAY.COM
Photo Gallery https://musicfestivalsaustralia.com/event-photos/pete-murray-solo-acoustic-tourgallery
Thank you to Pete Murray, Rachel Fahim, Brett Wood, TEG MJR, On The Map PR and the Enmore Theatre for having us along.
Review and Photos by Andy Kershaw for Music Kingdom Australia
