Former Gunnedah singer-songwriter Dan Murphy says this year’s Tamworth Country Music Festival was “the best ever”.
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The musician and his band were playing to full houses, with gigs at eight venues including South Tamworth Bowling Club and Wests.
“In previous years, one or two gigs would be bigger and you’d have a flat spot during the week but every show I’ve done… there’s not a spare seat in the house and they stay to the end,” he said.
“The gigs have been off the scale, in a good way. Just record crowds.
“The crowds seem to be bigger this year and especially earlier in the week.”
“Every gig we’ve done has been chokers. At Diggers [on Thursday], the place was full before we started. If one person left, one person took their spot,” he said.
“The positive energy we got back from them was incredible. The whole room seemed to breathe in unison, like-minded people.”
Dan said there were so many people at one of his South Bowlo gigs that his own friends couldn’t get in.
“I got there 5:30 for a 6 o’clock and it was a full house and they had to lock the doors,” he said.
“It’s a really nice problem to have. Totally unexpected and really appreciative of everyone turning up.”
The musician said there seemed to be a new crowd following his band during the festival.
“I do a survey every gig of who hasn’t seen us before,” he said.
“A third hadn’t been to one of our gigs before.
“They stayed, and bought albums, which for a singer-songwriter, that’s the best compliment of the lot.”
Dan has been playing at the festival for more than 12 years and said this year was a stand-out.
“It’s just a really positive vibe all over town,” he said.
“All the venues are seeing big numbers, right through the week. Even Monday, Tuesday, when it’s normally a bit of a flat spot, it’s been busy.
“We’re running out of time [at gigs] - it’s just effortless.
“Rather than, it’s hard work and you’re crawling to the finish line, this year, we’re sad we have to stop because we’re having so much fun.”
Dan is increasingly performing his original songs backed by his band.
“We’re getting encores everywhere,” he said.
“People are coming up and saying our show is the best show they’ve seen all festival. There’s so much quality entertainment here all week, to hear that is incredible.
“It’s only taken me about six years to believe in my originals but now I’m really telling my stories and singing my songs and the crowds are really giving the love back to me and it really bodes well for the future and I’m just in a happy place.”
Dan said his band had been an “incredible” support to him at the festival.
“They’re putting in 110 per cent,” he said.
“They’re making my dream a reality for me.”
