Matt Corby’s Tragic Magic Tour left me feeling all the magic (and not at all tragic)...

The final stop of the Tragic Magic tour brought together two of Australia’s most captivating artists to the Fortitude Musical Hall, with Gretta Ray opening the evening before Matt Corby delivered a powerful and deeply moving headline set.

Gretta Ray eased into the night with “Dear 17”, a heartfelt reflection addressed to her younger self and the fears that come with growing older. Bathed in a spotlight, she stepped onto the stage with an effortless warmth, immediately winning over the crowd through her charismatic stage presence and easy conversation. Hanging lightbulbs stretched across the stage, giving glimpses of the visual masterpiece that was yet to come.

Drawing from across her ten-year career, Gretta revisited songs from her earlier folk-inspired releases. Her guitar carried a quiet conviction, perfectly complementing the warmth and richness of her vocals. Between songs, she spoke about recording her upcoming album and enlisting Matt Corby and Gabriel Strum (known as Japanese Wallpaper) as co-producers, offering a glimpse into her creative process and incoming body of work.

One of the most charming moments came when she shared how she first discovered Matt Corby’s music, recalling a flash mob performance of “Brother” at Melbourne’s Federation Square when she was just 16 years old. The story added a personal layer to the evening and highlighted the full-circle nature of the tour.

Her cover of “Drops of Jupiter” had the audience singing along from the opening notes, with the crowd swaying beneath cool blue lighting, particularly during the iconic “na na” refrain. She also introduced her latest single, “Swimming, Crying”, a song exploring grief through imagery of the ocean, delivering it with honesty and vulnerability.

Expressing her gratitude for being back on the road after taking time away to focus on her health, Gretta closed her set with “Drive”, the breakout single that won her Triple J Unearthed High in 2016. It was a fitting end to a set that felt both reflective and joyful.

As anticipation buzzed through the venue, Matt Corby and his band entered the stage. The set began with smooth, soulful guitar lines from Corby before drums, synths and bass gradually joined in, building “Everything’s Fine” into an expansive opening jam that established the tone for the evening. The hanging bulbs flickered in perfect time with the music, creating a dynamic visual accompaniment throughout the performance.

Matt addressed the crowd after his first song, his nonchalant chat leaving us hanging before launching into “Big Ideas” from his latest record. “No Ordinary Life” followed, with tiny lights scattered across the backdrop creating the illusion of a star-filled sky while Corby moved to the synthesiser. The three-part harmonies that emerged felt cosmic and immersive, lending themselves to the night sky scene that glimmered behind the musicians.

“Reelin” brought the spotlight onto the drums, driven by a relentless backbeat before Corby returned to guitar and showcased the remarkable range of his voice. A triple spotlight illuminated him during “Monday” from his 2016 album "Telluric”, one of the most vulnerable tracks from the evening. Backed delicately by the band, he delivered the song with raw emotion, drawing the audience into lines such as, “I was never lost, I only chose to never go home.” It’s impressive to witness an artist whose lyricism retains its potency even ten years following its release.

The visual production continued to evolve throughout the set. During “Resolution”, the entire stage glowed as the hanging bulbs pulsed alongside the bass drum hits, while a deep red backdrop intensified the song’s dramatic build. “Know It All” featured a standout moment for the keyboard player, opening with gliding glissando before Gretta Ray joined on backing vocals. Her voice blended beautifully with Corby’s deep, warm tone.

What stood out most throughout the night was the audience’s attentiveness. The crowd was all there for the right reasons, bringing reverence to the venue to enjoy the powerful resonance of Matt’s vocals and their healing powers. His vocalisations bring together something spiritual and deeply moving that felt so connected and otherworldly all at once.

Pink lighting washed over the stage during “Maker”, while “All Fired Up” saw the bulbs glowing once again against a backdrop that resembled a starry night sky. Corby also treated fans to his recent Triple J Like A Version cover of Tame Impala’s “Dracula”, reimagined through his own lens and extended with a jam-heavy rock guitar outro.

Songs from the latest album continued with “War to Love”, which was warmly received beneath blue and pink lighting that blended into a dreamy purple haze. “Locked In” became one of the night's most uplifting moments, with its infectious bassline inspiring couples in the audience to hold each other close and sway along to the groove.

Throwbacks like “Souls Afire” brought a welcome burst of rock energy, highlighting Corby’s ability to effortlessly balance heartfelt songwriting, groove-driven arrangements and powerful musicianship. “Miracle Love” prompted one of the evening’s loudest singalongs, with audience voices carrying through the stripped-back drum and bass sections before the full band surged back in.

When the set came to an end, the crowd made it clear they weren’t ready to leave. Hands clapped in unison and cheers echoed around the room until the band returned for an encore.

Before the final tracks, Corby shared a story about recording music as a child and the recent uncovering of these recordings by his dad who encouraged him to share them onstage during this tour. Corby then performed “Amazing Grace” alongside a recording of his younger self singing, creating one of the most memorable and emotional moments of the night as his young 10-year-old voice melded with his harmonies now as a 35 year old. The combination of past and present felt incredibly powerful, drawing full-body goosebumps from many in the audience, myself included.

With two final songs, Corby delivered one last showcase of the expansive vocals that had carried the audience through the evening. The night closed with “Brother”, the song that first introduced so many fans to his music. As the crowd sang every word back to him, it felt like the perfect ending to a tour built on connection, reflection and shared experience.