Josh Pyke has embarked on a nation-wide ‘Lone Wolf’ tour, taking his entire catalogue of tunes, including those of his latest record ‘The Beginning And The End Of Everything’ to city and regional supporters alike, as he travels deep into the heart of Australia.
For those eager for a little more insight into the day-to-day realities of 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 three of the diary, Josh Pyke reveals behind the scenes pictures and experiences of his Queensland shows in Toowoomba and Pomona and his return to Byron Bay.
Friday, 20th June – Empire Church Theatre, Toowoomba
Running a little late this morning, but scraped into the airport just in time. I’d just endured a twenty minute cab ride with a driver who explained to me in lengthy detail exactly why he hated musicians so much. It was laughably uncomfortable!
Made it into Brisbane, where we found Jack Carty loitering at the baggage carousel. Loaded up the car and we were away to Toowoomba. I’d been really looking forward to this gig. I’d heard good things about the venue, and it didn’t disappoint. A beautiful deconsecrated church, complete with stained glass windows.
It was a pretty hectic day of air travel, driving and setting up. Kinda the meat and potatoes element of touring, that is of course necessary but not terribly romantic.
Went through the traditional killing of time between sound check and the gig, and finally it was time to have some fun.
I loved playing tonight. Sometimes a gig just comes together, and this was one of those. Beautiful crowd, and lovely to meet everyone after the show. We were treated to some home made biscuits too…always a nice touch!
Saturday, 21st June – Majestic Theatre, Pomona
Woke up the next day and got some takeaway brekky from the much recommended Ortem Cafe, and hit the road. It’s beautiful country in this part of the world. Lush green rolling hills, pockets of rainforest, glimpses of the ocean. Tunes on and windows down.
We arrived at the venue, and it was exactly what I’d been hoping for. A beautiful little wooden theatre, that still plays silent films to this day. It’s staffed by a passionate group of volunteers, and we were all looking forward to the night as the show was sold out.
Photo by Katherine O’Malley
The beautiful Katie Noonan swung by to join Jack for a song, and then I decided to grab Jack for a song with me. He’s a good sport, as I hadn’t warned him, and we’d not rehearsed at all. Lucky he knew the words!
Photos by Katherine O’Malley
The gig was great, and the crowd was lovely. It’s such a pleasure to play in places like these theatres where you can feel the history and creativity that’s passed through the halls. Afterward I was struck by how many families have been coming to the shows. I’ve made a real effort to play a lot of All Ages gigs on this tour, and it’s definitely reflected in the audience.
It’s really beautiful to see whole families out for the night, though I’ve gotta say, it’s confronting hearing that someone’s been listening to your music since they were ten years old, when you’re talking to an adult. I can’t quite believe it’s been almost ten years since I released my first record!!
Sunday, 22nd June – Byron Theatre, Byron Bay
Another pretty long drive down to Byron today. I don’t mind driving so much, but the three to four hour drives every day means you don’t get to do much else. But you know, life ain’t all beer and skittles! It’s the funny thing about touring. Sometimes you literally have 8 hours of down time before a show, where you can catch a film, check out the surrounds, go to the beach, sleep, whatever.
This leg, and I suspect the next leg, is more like three-four hours of driving, two-three hours of setting up and sound checking and then the pay off – playing to lovely people, a meet and greet, and then pack down and drive to accommodation. So you’re looking at a 12-14 hour day by the time you hit the hay.
Anyway, I’m not complaining, it’s all swings and round-a-bouts, and the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
Arrived in beautiful Byron Bay and had an excellent lunch at the Roadhouse Cafe, and then went to check out the venue. I’ve spent a lot of time in Byron over the years. Playing shows, but also holidaying there. I really love it, and it was such a pleasure to play at a venue that had somehow thus far escaped my notice.
It’s a great little space, kinda set up like an amphitheater, with great acoustics and a beautiful, intimate vibe.
I drove down to the beach after sound check to just have some fresh air and a bit of quiet, and was treated to a beautiful sunset.
The show tonight was great! The crowd was a lovely mix of attentive and conversational (with me, as opposed to with each other). As always it was lovely to meet you all afterward. Jack and I left a portrait for the greenroom wall, care of Jack’s partner Tash, who’s an excellent artist.
After so much driving and not much downtime we decided to head out for some beers, to decompress after the show, at the classic Great Northern hotel, where I have played an stayed many a time. On the way back to the hotel, I had a flash back to getting my first tattoo when I was 19 at this classic joint, Sharkeys tattoo. Oh the folly of youth 😉
Back home now for a couple of nights and then on to the next leg on Wednesday! See you all there and thanks for an amazing tour so far!
JP x
Josh Pyke continues his Lone Wolf tour at the Jetty Memorial Theatre in Coffs Harbour this Wednesday. 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
