Pete Murray

I was pretty much expecting a cushy day of unperturbed leisurely song and wine. Wrest Point delivered quite nicely. Kim and Dave from Sea FM introduced the day by announcing the success of music ‘On The Point’ being a sellout concert. People were obviously familiar with Tasmania's unpredictable weather and showed up armed with beanies, hats, coats, thermals, deck chairs, picnic rugs, good food and chatter.

Required to leave cameras in the car, the audience were relying on memory (or mobile phone pictures) to retain the enjoyable afternoon. So, as wine bottles began to open and people attempted to get comfortable on the blankets inundating the grass or tiled mats spread over the large tennis court area, the music started.

First band on the stage was a trio from Winnipeg in Canada named 9 Mile. It was explained that the cool chilly Tasmanian breeze was no problem for the 3 musicians hailing from a regular -30 degree climate, made obvious by the singer/guitarist beginning the set wearing a T-shirt. The relaxing afternoon began with a chilled out clean cut reggae style, very groovy and creating a laid back atmosphere. The trio included a vocalist/guitarist, bass player and percussionist who played his rhythms on a Peruvian box drum called a Cujon. Their new record is out on Monday.

As the rain threatened, the stage was taken by Donovan Frankenreiter, whose name, as it asks for, was duly taken and screamed out syllable by syllable by the audience. As Frankenreiter’s new quartet launched into some smooth grooves with his blues/jazz guitar, backed up with some creamy harmonies, the rain came down. This hairy Canadian, whose second album Move By Yourself is soon to be released, loves Tasmania and played wonderfully for an appreciative audience.

It became a good opportunity to get to know your neighbors during the band breaks whilst snuggling under blankets in order to escape the rain and stay dry.

The final name on stage was the highlight of the day; the Queensland singer/guitarist, Pete Murray. With raindrops still falling from the canopy over his head, Pete Murray sang the rain away. As the weather warmed up the mood and festivities continued. Murray impressed with his humble and almost intimate stage presence, his ruggedness and mellow tones embellished by the backdrop of fluffy clouds and a rainbow. The atmosphere started hotting up as people weaved there way through the maze of blankets and feet on the way to the dance floor. With his band, including a Rhodes player and a 3 piece brass section, Pete’s funky style was eagerly absorbed by his audience. As the afternoon wore to a close the wine started to trickle and the coffees became more abundant, turning the relaxed day into a chilled out evening.

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