Live Review: Pete Murray

After selling out shows last year celebrating the 10^th Anniversary of debut album Feeler, singer songwriter Pete Murray embarked on another massive national tour, this time swapping his electric guitar for an acoustic.

Armed with said guitar, harmonica and trademark laconic voice, Murray arrived to thunderous applause from an overly enthusiastic audience. Noting he'd been warned the crowd was "already rowdy," Murray kicked things off with Blue Sky Blue and kept the hits coming, helping sedate his rabid fan base.

Declaring the show one "for the fans," Murray was open to requests, resulting in shouted song names during every pause in the show. The requests were heavily Feeler-era, with Freedom, Tonic, Ten Ft Tall and the title track getting the acoustic treatment. There was even a special shout out to young fan Mia, who had just turned eight and wanted to hear Opportunity, with Murray expressing his relief she was listening to him and not Justin Bieber.

When not playing fan requests, Murray delved into his bag of tricks, plucking out lesser-played numbers such as King Tide and Bail Me Out. He also entertained with the origins behind many of his most meaningful songs; the only time throughout the show the audience was quiet.

Jeremy Marou of Busby Marou accompanied Murray on stage, providing great support and some super guitar solos. Adding another edge to the likes of Better Days, Saving Grace and Always A Winner, Marou left for the final few songs as Murray ended with his biggest hit So Beautiful, complete with audience participation.

After witnessing the entire audience singing, clapping and laughing along with the easy going Queenslander for nearly two hours, it's easy to see why Australian's can't enough of the laid-back Murray, whose popularity shows no sign of slowing down.