Brisbane's QPAC Concert Hall is designed with precision acoustics, decor and seating for maximum audio projection.
High-end stage productions, orchestras and spoken word frequent the stages here. It's designed for maximum aural impact, which means making a mistake is multiplied and expanded across the audience.
Last Saturday (15 November) that didn't happen. The final stop on David Gray's 2025 Australian tour consisted of three sold-out shows over two days, including a matinee and evening session on Sunday (16 November).
A true professional, Gray knows what and how to deliver to his audience. He doesn't do it in spades, he reverses the truck and pours.
As a seated venue, the mood is naturally subdued. The relaxed crowd is eager to take their seats. It isn't why Brisbane has the love it does for David Gray. A mature audience is easily balanced with younger family members and couples.
This reviewer witnessed Gray in 2003 during his White Ladder tour, at the old Festival Hall in Brisbane's CBD. It's a show well placed in my top three concerts and sets a precedent 22 years later. I wonder how many fellow QPAC goers were in the same room back then.
Gordi is Gray's guest for the Australian leg of his Past And Present tour. She holds the audience captivated as she moves delicately through five wonderfully constructed tracks. Her unique, well-rounded voice soothes those already in their seats and welcomes those attempting to slink in unnoticed.
Gordi - image © Chris Searles
Gordi, the stage name for Australian multi-instrumentalist Sophie Peyton, engages with touching back stories of songs and personal experiences through the COVID-19 lockdowns in Victoria.
Her medical career during this time provided insights to enable her to write the beautiful 'PVC Divide' and 'Lunch At Dune', both from her recent album 'Like Plasticine. Live sample looping and lush keys build sonic landscapes and deliver a fresh set of fans.
A quick reset sets the stage for Gray and co. An uproarious cheer is acoustically well-balanced as drummer Craig McClune (affectionately known as 'Clune') leads three other band members through the blue light.
He's book-ended by the name on the poster, David Gray. Dressed in a wide-legged, tailored black suit, Gray quickly leads the band into 'After The Harvest' from this year's 'Dear Life'. The song is a perfect opener, immediately reminding fans that Gray isn't afraid to push his ideas.
Lovely acoustic guitar is woven between modern syncopated beats, with Gray singing portions in rapid fire. Overall, it has the trademark David Gray signatures and composition, pleasing those who may not have yet ventured into his new territory.
David Gray - image © Chris Searles
'White Ladder' immediately follows, creating a tone of familiarity thanks to its namesake album, the immensely successful 1998 record 'White Ladder'. This beloved collection of tracks continues to capture new fans to this day.
Fans sing the words and cheer at every opportunity. It's becoming clear that many in the room were probably at the same Festival Hall gig back in '03. From the same album, 'My Oh My' is next. Fans sing every inflection and annunciation – "DEF-in-IT!".
At this point, keys player Ben De Vries commences switching between guitars, keys and harmonium. He's precise and impressively never misses a beat as the tech switches his instruments. Tim Bradshaw is fantastic on piano and synth, providing the precious depth to Gray's compositions.
Dubbed The Past And Present tour, the set delivers an excellent cross-section of between albums. The beautiful 'Be Mine' from 2002's 'A New Day At Midnight' glitters before 'Kangaroo'and 'The Other Side' follow.
David Gray - image © Chris Searles
Gray seamlessly switches between piano and guitar while bantering with the audience. Rooted in Manchester, injected with Welsh and dotted with London, his British accent is a natural storyteller. Maturity flavours his art – lyrically, musically and vocally.
His new material is painted with layers, tension, light and shade. New tracks 'Fighting Talk' and 'Plus & Minus' are excellent examples of this. The latter as a duet with Gordi, who is obviously pinching herself due to childhood memories of 'White Ladder' being on high-rotation during numerous summer holidays.
The new tracks are beautifully balanced with quick returns to familiar greats such as the electric 'Please Forgive Me'. A crowd favourite, it launches posteriors off seats and 1,000 hands clapping. This track has a voodoo to it that enraptures anyone within listening distance to participate.
Clune, drummer extraordinaire, is almost superhuman throughout the show. Without Clune, Gray's rhythm section would most likely present an entirely different dynamic. His speed, funk and pinpoint timing is something to behold. On top of this, Clune has an energy that lifts crowds into participation. He loves this band and it translates to the audience.
David Gray - image © Chris Searles
Gray performs a beautiful cover of Fairport Convention's 'Who Knows Where The Time Goes?'. It could have easily been written by Gray himself, as he soulfully gifts its reflective themes to the room.
'You're The World To Me' and 'The One I Love' pep the crowd with their joyous lyrics of affection. It's reasonable to assume these would have been played at countless weddings over the years. Gray's signature head-wobble finally finds its groove and some in the audience cheer, as if it's been the moment they bought tickets for.
'Babylon', the 1999 track that launched Gray into the stratosphere, closes the main set. A quarter of a century later, the track is as clean and meaningful as it was on day one. It remains a timeless, 'oh yeah I know that song' piece of art that should be part of the school music curriculum.
Only a very brief break was needed to have Gray and the band back onstage. The three song close-out started in the distant past. 'Shine', from Gray's 1993 debut record 'A Century Ends', reminds fans of his simple past.
His early recordings sound like a nightly performer in an Irish Pub – all voice, story and pain. His voice is a combination of Them-era Van Morrison and Randy Newman. It can't be anyone BUT David Gray.
David Gray - image © Chris Searles
The immaculate 'This Year's Love' is tear-inducing wonderful. It's hard to comprehend this was written in an era where Britpop was king and boy-girl pop groups fought for global chart domination.
The night closes with 'Sail Away', a perfect comedown from the ride we've just been taken on. A room full of voices singing along with Gray never gets old.
If it's 1 or all 13 David Gray studio albums on your shelf, there's a song there for you. Whistle, croon or belt them out to your hearts content. This is why he writes – to sing to.
Gray delivers every track to the fullest of his heart, inviting his audience to join in. What a master of his class David Gray is. A night where the lights change from red to green. If you want it, come and get it.
