Accomplished New Zealand singer-songwriter Matthew Armitage has an old soul air about him. Incorporating blues, roots, country and good old fashioned rock into his sound, Armitage is a pleasant surprise. There's a bit of John Butler about him too, with Love From Afar a soothing blues number and Dear To Me a sombre tale about being on the road. Unfortunately, Armitage is battling to be heard over the boisterous crowd, who are more concerned with talking than listening to his impressive opening set. 

Having toured the country last year in support of his fifth album, Camacho, former rugby player Pete Murray is on the road again, this time playing his hits acoustically. A couple of likely lads high five as Murray arrives accompanied by his guitarist and bassist. Saying a quick hello Murray and co get things underway with You Pick Me Up as the audience still continue to chat away. It's not until second song Bail Me Out that they turn their attention towards Murray, with the first singalong of the night taking place during the chorus.  

For the next 90-odd minutes Murray takes the audience on a laid-back journey through his career. Newer tracks like Camacho, Free and Sold get everyone bopping along but it's the classics like Fall Your Way and Please from his chart-topping Feeler album that receive the biggest cheers. The acoustic setting allows for Murray to try some new things, with Sold featuring the addition of the flute and latest single Heartbeats arranged slightly differently. 

Murray is at his laconic best as he shares stories about some of his songs. He reveals Silver Cloud is a love song while discussing how he wrote H.O.L.L.A.N.D. — a song about letting love go in the hope that it's strong enough to return — in Amsterdam. He lets it be known his first album, The Game, is now back in print and available for purchase at the merch stand, playing the little known track So Why in celebration. Murray even whips out the harmonica for a few songs to keep things interesting.

Opportunity is a clear favourite as the crowd are in full voice while Murray dedicates an extended Better Days to "the dude in the red cap at the back". Home is an interesting way to kick off the encore but Murray brings the energy back with the upbeat Always A Winner as a group of young lads at the very front pump their fists and yell along. Armitage joins Murray for the song as each member of his band gets the opportunity to show their skills with a solo. Murray finishes on stage alone with an emotional rendition of So Beautiful that brings the house down and leaves the crowd wanting more.