Josh Pyke is already well into his ‘Lone Wolf’ Australian tour, which has seen one of the country’s most successful artists demonstrate his commitment to his regional supporters as he travels deep into the heart of Australia.
For those eager for a little more insight into the day-to-day realities of regional touring, Josh Pyke is graciously documenting his travels, in words and pictures, exclusively for Music Feeds readers in his Lone Wolf Tour Diary.
Here in part two of the diary, Josh Pyke lets us in on the picturesque places he’s spotted across regional Australia, the people he’s met, how he spends his down time and the very talented crew members travelling with him.
Friday, 13th June – Fannie Bay Gaol, Darwin
Friday the 13th, a full moon, and playing a show in a purportedly haunted jail in Darwin, sounded promising! As usual the day started with the travel, a fairly long flight, broken up for me by catching up on mixing some songs from a psychedelic stoner-rock side project I’ve been working on.
It sounds sufficiently whacky, and whilst I perfect my compression ratios, Dave (tour manager) perfects his Rubix’s Cubing.
https://vimeo.com/98393778
We finally arrive at the venue to see what we’re dealing with. And as anticipated it’s a haunted jail. My green room turns out to be the gallows room, where the last person hung in Australia graced the rope here in the ’60s. Seems like such a crazy notion to take someones life at all, but hanging seems a particularly archaic method to employ.
Needless to say it was a creepy vibe.
It was an awesome show, beautiful crowd, and such a blessing to play a sold out gig in Darwin. Stunning weather and no direct contact with ghosts (which was actually a little disappointing).
Photos: Elise Derwin
Big ups to the awesome folk who got the dancing started and maintained the vibe for the whole show! I met up with the punters as usual after the show, and as always was struck by how supportive and enthusiastic they were. It’s massively appreciated!
Photos: Elise Derwin
Saturday, 14th June
Today we were headed for Broome. I was excited since I’ve never been there before. The notable change in the landscape as we travelled back over to Western Australia was striking.
We arrived at our accommodation and since the show wasn’t until the following night, I hired a push bike and rode around a bit. Hit the amazing Cable Beach, saw the camels doing their thing (grumpy walking and spitting). Sunset at Cable Beach is truly beautiful, I was feeling pretty exhausted but happy to have finally made it over to Broome.
Sunday, 15th June – Divers Tavern, Broome WA
Today was show day, but with load-in not until 4pm, I had the whole day to do sight seeing. I checked out the famous Matsos Brewery for breakfast (excluding the beers at that point), and then mooched around the markets, before heading out to Gantheaume Point to check out the lighthouse. It was too high tide for viewing the dinosaur footprints out there, but low tide gave me a good chance to drive along the beach for a while, narrowly avoiding getting myself bogged.
I cruised around the town of Broome itself, and it just really hit me what a tiny place it is, the population being around 12000 people in the wet season, and up to 70000 in the dry. It definitely has a compelling vibe, interesting ethnic mix, fascinating history, and stunning natural beauty.
I snuck in one more swim, and then it was time to get to work.
The show was great fun tonight! It was definitely one of the rowdiest crowds I’d played to in a while, but all in the right ways. It was, again, an incredible feeling to travel to a town I’d never been to and to play to so many lovely people, all singing my songs back to me. It will never cease to amaze me and make me feel bloody lucky!
Met all the folks after the show and then stumbled into bed to get ready for the 12 hour journey back to Sydney the next day!
Next leg we start up in QLD, working our way back down the coast. See you all out there!
JP xx
Josh Pyke continues his Lone Wolf tour at Empire Church Theatre in Toowoomba this Friday, see the rest of the tour dates below.
Read Part 1 of Josh Pyke’s Lone Wolf Tour Diary here!
Watch: Josh Pyke – The Beginning And The End Of Everything
Josh Pyke’s The Lone Wolf Solo Tour
Presented by Music Feeds
Friday, 6th June 2014
Montrose Town Centre, Montrose, Victoria (All Ages)
Saturday, 7th June 2014
The Memo, Healesville, Victoria (All Ages)
Tix: Via Yarra Ranges | 03 5966 4500
Friday, 13th June 2014
Fannie Bay Gaol, Darwin NT (Special guests Mike Meston and Ward Hancock)
Sunday, 15th June 2014
Divers Tavern, Broome WA (Special guests TBC)
Tix: Via Moshtix | 1300 GET TIX
Friday, 20th June 2014
Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba QLD (All Ages)
Tix: Via Empire Theatre | 1300 655 299
Saturday, 21st June 2014
Majestic Theatre, Pomona QLD (All Ages)
Tix: Via Majestic Theatre | 07 5485 2330
Sunday, 22nd June 2014
Byron Theatre, Byron Bay NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via Byron Centre | 02 6685 6807
Wednesday, 25th June 2014
Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via Jetty Theatre | 02 6652 8088
Thursday, 26th June 2014
Pier One @ Panthers, Port Macquarie NSW
Tix: Via Oztix | 1300 762 545
Friday, 27th June 2014
Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via QTCC | 02 6552 5699
Saturday, 28th June 2014
Cessnock Performing Arts Centre, Cessnock NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via Cessnock | 02 4990 7134
Friday, 4th July 2014 — NEW SHOW!
Milton Theatre, Milton NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via Milton Theatre | 02 4455 3056
Saturday, 5th July 2014 — LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE
Milton Theatre, Milton NSW (All Ages)
Tix: Via Milton Theatre | 02 4455 3056