Another chilly night out in Melbourne and already the beautiful Forum Theatre is filled and punters are taking advantage of an early open bar. Gin Wigmore, her name as interesting as her sound, is on first. Her sound is squeakier, nasally version of Welsh singer Duffy. Though, with her arms waving around madly as though a mozzie was bothering her, it’s difficult not to pay her attention. An eclectic mix of punters and a near full crowd builds for The Audrey’s Trio. Singer Taasha Coates beautiful melodic voice stars on Oh Honey, Found a Place and an INXS cover – Don’t Change, but the crowd seems lazy with their applause.
On stage four large bookshelves complete with books and suitcases mimic the front cover of Murray’s new album. A full house awaits Australia’s boy-next-door, Mr Pete Murray. At last the members of Murray’s band, Ben McCarthy on keyboard, Andy Sylvio on drums, bassist Jonathon Zion and Brett on lead guitar, enter and the punters scream and cheer. They launch straight into Chance to Say Goodbye with nice keyboard arrangement and electric guitar riffs. Murray in cowboy shirt sets the girls hearts thumping.
Old wood lamps adorn the stage and give it a homely feel and four rectangle screens above the stage emit light. The crowd becomes even more pumped with standing and sitting room full. Lights flash and the bookcase becomes a light show with pink lights flood the stage for Ten Feet Tall. A cymbal start followed by drum beats flavoured with guitar and keyboards gets the crowd pumping. On Fall Your Way, Pete’s electric guitar sounds fantastic alongside circular keyboard riffs and the smooth drum beat ending. Class A includes all out instrumental and a drum solo that the crowd loves and Andy receives a thunderous applause. Pete brings out shakers and the crowd clap, pleased with the singer/crowd connection and the lead guitarist ends the song.
The latest single Pick Me Up tickles the punters and the bookcase lights up with dazzling blue cubes blinding some punters. Pete’s honey soaked voice has a soothing melody and as he bares his soul the lead guitarist attempts to steal the limelight with his rock moves and sound. Pete tells us he’s been sick the last few days, but although he is very still on stage his performance doesn’t suffer.
After a song which is about touring and leaving his family at home, The Game, Ben takes to a comfy lounge seat and pulls a book from the bookcase and reads from a book called Spotlight on Love – the crowd hanging on his every word. Returning to the music the bands follows up with Opportunity then Saving Grace, a soft song with lovely harmonies. Big cheers greet Bail Me Out and Sugar before Feeler gets an airing.
After a short break they return for some new tunes and the statues in the Forum Theatre seem to be keeping an eye on the show, surely enjoying the show as much as the full house. Getting back to the semi-acoustic Murray closes the night with So Beautiful and the entire room sings along to every word of the obvious crowd favorite. Finally with his guitar held above his head and Pete bids us goodbye and departs. It genuinely was a gig deserving of the praise of that final tune – so beautiful.
