Josh Pyke mesmerises …

- Who: Josh Pyke – Fans First tour
- Where: Beetle Bar, Brisbane
- When: Fri 24 June

The Venue – and Support

The Beetle Bar is funky. They feature a mix of local, upcoming and established musicians. It’s an intimate little venue – very dimly lit, warm and cosy. Perfect for what the night had in stall for us.

Jackson McLaren took to the stage and warmed the crowd up nicely with his melodic tunes.  He’s a talented young singer songwriter from Warrnambool who has supported Josh before. Josh has also produced some of his work.

Josh on stage

Soon both levels of the Beetle Bar fill up, with punters seriously vying for a good posy from which to see the main event – Josh Pyke.

The wait wasn’t long before Josh came on stage to huge applause. His cheeky antics and banter with the crowd started straight away, showing his music isn’t the only story telling he likes to do.

Photo: FunkyMuzic ©

Josh delighted us with a good mix of older songs (like ‘Forever Song’, ‘Make You Happy’, ‘Memories & Dust’, ‘Beg Your Pardon’, ‘Private Education’) which the crowd sang veraciously word for word.

But the basis of his “Fans First” tour, was introducing some new songs from the upcoming album, Only Sparrows, including his “favouritest” off the new album (of which he had a couple). Playing them live for the first time to his faithful fans, those who have supported him from the start. Without who, he praised, he wouldn’t be where he is today. 

Argh, bless!

Profits from the Fans First tour will be donated to Busking For Change, the event Josh holds annually to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. A gig each in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide & Melbourne – all of which sold out in the Fan pre-sales.

When he played his new song – ‘Noone Wants a Lover’ – the single released only last week, Josh should have been chuffed to see that some  of the crowd were already singing along to that one too!

The crowd then continued singing along to ‘The Summer’, ‘Lines on Palms’ and ‘Sew My Name’.

Josh announced that was his last song. Thanks and goodnight.

“Alright. I’d do an encore but I can’t hide behind the only other thing on stage, that box. And I’m far too lazy to walk up the stairs and come back down again… so…”

He continues with his songs… ‘You Don’t Scare Me’

Josh building beats - © FunkyMuzic

Second last song, Josh built up the beat for ‘Middle of the Hill’, finally.  The crowd exploded into raptous clapping, off beat singing and cheering. Especially given, when one punter had called out that request half way through the evening, he quickly announced, then created a song called “he’s not a f***in jukebox”. All in good humour of course!

Finishing “controversially” (he says) on a new song. His favourite from the new album, ‘Love Lives’.

Your show – your call Josh!

A great show! I loved the sound of the new songs and look forward to the album.

Josh is so comfortable on stage. Not surprising, given apparently his first gig (age 12) was in front of a crowd larger than this.  But he also clearly enjoys what he’s doing – and has fun with it.

My love for his poetic story-telling lyrics, amaaa-zing voice and boyish cheekiness was re-ignited.

I loved the honesty of this stripped back solo & acoustic set, which is reminiscent of the first time I saw him live, at the Troubadour in Brisbane quite a few years ago. I’ve been a fan since Feeding the Wolves, so if I want to indulge myself, I could say tonight was all about me, a big Josh fan

Josh Pyke’s new singles, EPs & Albums

• Noone Wants a Lover (single)
• Only Sparrows – out 19 August. Pre-order a signed copy from JB HiFi
• Recordings 2003-2005 :
• Feeding The Wolves (EP) :
• Memories & Dust :
• Chimney’s Afire :

Upcoming tour

Josh is about to embark on his Only Sparrows tour, this time with band members in tow. Check out ticket details via that link.