An Australian music icon with a career spanning back more than a decade, Chet Faker aka Nick Murphy returned with a sold-out show at Naarm's Palais Theatre (12 October).
Playing live on home soil for the first time since his Groovin The Moo appearance in 2019, the multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter recently released the funky single 'Something Like This', and is due to appear at Harvest Rock II in Adelaide and Yours & Owls in Wollongong.Opening the night was alt-pop artist Phoebe Go, known for fronting acts like Snakadaktal and Two People. Phoebe, who released her debut EP 'Player' in 2022, looked right at home on the Palais stage; a large crowd in front of her listened on eagerly.
"This venue is so beautiful, I never thought I'd be playing here," shared Phoebe. Their heartfelt performance echoed with honest and soul-crushing lyrics was a combination more than enough to capture the crowd.
The room was filled with glowing dream pop as Phoebe and the band reigned in their set, concluding their beautifully earnest performance.
The packed theatre fell silent as a background visual began to play with overwhelming TV static and blaring lights. Faker then emerged alone onstage, surrounded by keyboards, mixers, guitars and microphones.
Jumping from 'Oh Me Oh My', the opening track of his latest album 2021's 'Hotel Surrender', into the recognisable '1998', the atmosphere was set perfectly for the now upright audience. Silhouetted lights rarely showed the performer's face onstage, creating an ethereal and euphoric presence for the crowd to bask in.
Throughout the set there were times where it was just Faker playing the keyboard alone, and that's all you needed. You were hooked, unable to move, only waiting for the next note, and the next note after that. It felt magical.
Like myself, it seemed many others in the crowd had either grown up on Faker's music, or had been around long enough to witness the ten-year journey. Newer tracks sat perfectly in the mix, while older classics aged like fine wine and scratched the nostalgic itch many were clearly feeling. Some standout tracks were clearly 'Drop The Game' and 'Talk Is Cheap'.
Similar to close friend and peer Flume, Faker played most of his set live and alone on stage, moving between instruments and playing around to seamlessly flow between each track.
It's amazing to see artists really taking control of their live sets and finding creative ways to present it in an engaging manner. Through floating sonic trips or slower soaring lulls, it was easy to just lay back and enjoy the experience.
Only after 'No Diggity' did Faker introduce two accompanying musicians onstage to assist in three slower numbers, before bursting into the crowd pleaser, 'Gold'.
Finishing with an encore that presented a brand new song, that Chet said is still in the works, it was then an opportunity for one final dance to his most recent hit, 'Low'.
Chet Faker showed the Naarm crowd a return to artistry, where incredible talent and incredible production meet, creating a truly extraordinary experience.
The show had moments of dance, moments of quiet and moments of refrain, where the captive audience could truly indulge in the bliss of live music. We can only wait in patient eagerness for what Faker brings us next.
