On June 30th, Nick Murphy fka Chet Faker brought his Run Fast Sleep Naked tour to the Danforth Music Hall in Toronto for the second of two exciting nights. The night opened with Beacon, a two person electronic band with a stark, captivating black and white set up featuring keyboards, hazy vocals, and various electronic equipment. Their dark, hypnotic sound was reflected in equally mesmerizing black and white abstract geometric visuals projected onto a giant screen at the back of the stage. Their sound was just as huge as they filled the venue with their heavy beats and captivating synths.
Then, after much anticipation, out walked Nicky Murphy and his four band mates for a dynamic, eclectic, high energy performance of songs from Nick Murphy’s latest album Run Fast Sleep Naked, a few old favourites from his Chet Faker days, and even a track from his collaboration with Marcus Marr.
Nick Murphy has found an unforgettable place between huge and intimate in his live performance.
The intimacy was found in the heart and passion poured into every note. The vocals were especially moving, with their powerful, expressive qualities amplified live even more so than on the recorded versions. It was also in the bohemian stage design with flowers and plants and torn mesh covering the various keyboards, and the sparing use of the gigantic video screen covering the back wall of the music hall. When visuals were used it was only to project Nick Murphy and the band larger.
The energy was higher than you’d expect with the generally more subdued vibes of Nick Murphy’s music. I could not stop dancing the entire night. And neither could Murphy for that matter, working the stage from each and every side, moving however the tunes happened to move him. There is something about watching someone be themselves on stage in such an open manner that is so freeing and not only encourages an intimate and exciting environment, but also reminds you to take that energy with you into other parts of your life.
The sound was huge with five members on stage all surrounded in gear so that just in case they wanted to have three shakers at once or if a song called for three guitars, they were ready. They had flute, they had sax, and they even had Nick Murphy playing the electric guitar with a violin bow for a few tracks.
All of his music’s wide influences were on display. A sensitive solo piano version of Dangerous turned into a jazzy version of Talk Is Cheap, the crowd immediately on board when the iconic sax line was played. The hooky electro-pop Trouble With Us was also a hit, and Medication showed off his rock vibes.
The songs were rarely played exactly as heard on the albums which kept the audience on their toes. There was plenty of space to jam and experiment between tracks, which made it feel like the show was something not to miss out on for any fan of Nick Murphy’s music. It was like getting completely new and unique content. Everything about the concert was full of passion and care, and as a fan it hit both the comfort of the familiar and the excitement of the new. With its dynamic nature anyone could find something to love about the show, and I left feeling like I had been a part of something truly special.
Nick Murphy has tour dates lined up through the US and Europe until the end of October, you can find more info at his website here so you don’t miss out!
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