Chet Faker returns to Australia for first headline performances since 2015

Chet Faker, one of Australia’s hottest musical exports, is playing his first hometown gigs since 2015 this week. Here’s where you can see him.

ARIA-award winning artist Chet Faker (Nick Murphy). Picture: Jake Nowakowski/The Daily Telegraph.

Chet Faker is back.

Nick Murphy, 35, is the man behind the moniker that has been one of Australia’s top musical exports for the past decade.

The ARIA Award-winning electronic artist is playing his first run of headline Australian shows since 2015, and he’s drinking a lemon ginger tea using Zoom on the family computer when he answers Confidential’s call.

His mum stops to ask if he’d like any juice and biscuits.

“I’m excited this time, which is funny because in the past I’ve always been pretty nervous,” the New York-based muso said.

Nick Murphy, 35, is the man behind the Chet Faker moniker that has been one of Australia’s top musical exports for the past decade. Picture: Jake Nowakowski/The Daily Telegraph.

“Most artists tend to agree, it feels difficult playing at home because all your friends and family are there. These people here know you for you, before everything.”

Faker last performed in his home country at a sold-out Sydney Opera House forecourt show and a run of five Melbourne shows eight years ago.

In addition to a concert at Enmore Theatre on Tuesday night, Faker will appear at the Yours & Owls music festival this weekend. He’ll perform at the University of Wollongong alongside Pendulum, Earl Sweatshirt, Hilltop Hoods, Ocean Alley, Golden Features and many more.

Chet Faker is performing at Yours & Owls music festival on October 14 and 15 at the University of Wollongong.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Hilltop Hoods, I loved them when I was kid,” Murphy said.

“I love festivals, I find them a lot more energy oriented. Theatre shows can be more spiritual, but sometimes if a crowd is unruly there’s this natural part of me that doesn’t want to share my most vulnerable feelings with them.”

Faker last released an album in 2021 when Hotel Surrender reached the top 20 of the ARIA Albums Chart.

This week will be the first time Aussies hear it live, courtesy of the pandemic.

Chet Faker is bringing his 2021 album Hotel Surrender back home to Australia for his first headline shows since 2015. Picture: Jake Nowakowski/The Daily Telegraph.

Murphy retired the Faker project after 2014, and went on to release two very different albums under his own name.

“I like to explore what names mean and the relationship of a brand versus the artist,” he reflected.

“The Chet stuff felt like a brand, at least originally. I wanted to take it away and see what would happen. Now I’ve come back to it in a really new way of understanding myself.”

“I like pop, but I also like weird sound noise records. I’ve always been honest with both. I’m not going to deny one just because people can’t get it.

“ I’ll put it out and leave it for people to make up their mind, and they do. It’s very annoying but that’s just the world. And it’s that, or I don’t make music.”