Entertainment
29 August, 2025
Pairing up for engaging act
SOMETHING a little different is coming to BAR36 – though Hugh Scott Murray is no stranger to The Reef Hotel Casino, having played BAR36 and Vertigo stages with his Stompin’ Ivories Piano shows.
This time he’s back with powerhouse vocalist and duet partner Grace Hickey, fresh from performing their song ‘Up Armidale Road’ to 22,000 people at Allianz Stadium, where it was hailed by Channel 9 as a new anthem.
Come hear it live on Friday, Saturday and Sunday (August 29-31) along with a souled-up mix of their road-honed originals and classics from the legendary acts you love, drawing on influences from soul, country, blues and rock.
Between them, they’ve often been noted as the festival director’s pick of Australia’s biggest roots festivals and recorded their debut album between Sydney and Nashville, with co-writes from Don Walker (Cold Chisel) and Bones Hillman (Midnight Oil).
When Grace sings, it’s part-confession, part-celebration, alongside Hugh’s own New Orleans-inspired piano-style that’s backed some of the biggest artists in the world.
The first time Grace heard Hugh sing, he was standing on a table in a packed venue, boots wedged between half-drunk bottles, bringing the crowd to its feet with songs he’d written alongside members of Fleetwood Mac, Midnight Oil, INXS, The Angels, Keith Urban, Lou Rawls and more.
Since teaming up, the pair have travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres across Australia’s highways and backroads, hauling their scarred but loved upright piano.
Just back from the USA, this journey has again gone global.
Together, they are one of Australia’s most engaging touring acts.
Grace and Hugh, live at Bar36, Friday and Saturday at 7.30pm followed by Funhouse, and on Sunday at 5.30pm. It’s a free, non-ticketed event.
