David Gray is loved all around the world and his recent two night run at Sydney’s iconic State Theatre offered a powerful testament to his enduring appeal especially in Australia. The audience at the State Theatre was packed for both nights which was reflective of his charm and popularity as he performed a 2.5 hour set. 

The show opened with a short but beautiful set from Australian singer-songwriter Gordi, whose voice and instrumentation carried a similarly introspective vibe to Gray. Gordi shared personal songs about COVID, loss, and survival, creating an emotional connection with the audience, many of whom arrived early to see her perform.

When Gray took the stage, the crowd went rapturous as he launched into a set that traversed his 30-year musical journey. The performance stretched to 2.5 hours, which while quite long, allowed the audience to sink into the full breadth of his artistry. He leaned heavily on material from his new album, Dear Life, including “I Saw Love,” which emerged as an early highlight. However he also played all his hits such as tracks from his iconic White Ladder album, with the title track coming quite early in the set to much delight from the audience. 

Gray is not only a gifted musician but also a captivating storyteller. Before many songs, he offered lengthy, heartfelt backstories about his life, his creative process and his emotional connection to each piece. One of the most touching moments came when he invited Gordi back on stage for a performance of “Plus & Minus”. Even though they didn’t interact too much, their voices blended beautifully creating a poignant moment for the Australian crowd.

Though his newer songs were largely well-received, it was the older classics that truly lit up the room. His rendition of “Please Forgive Me” was raw and moving, especially during its powerful chorus, eliciting strong emotional responses from the audience who sung along as the sound reverberated through the beautiful State Theatre. 

Gray also played some songs for the first time on this tour, including “Nemesis.” During the song, he had to restart a few times but it only made the performance more heartfelt and endearing. Before performing “After the Harvest,” he joked, “I just forgot half the f***ing song … too much Vegemite” which drew laughter and applause from the crowd. These little slips didn’t detract at all rather they made the show feel more intimate and authentic, which was very much in keeping with the ambiance at the State Theatre.

As the evening continued, there were a few hecklers urging Gray to “play the hits” but he was largely unmoved as he continued to work through his set. It was only when he reached the end of the set when he pulled out his biggest hits, weaving a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Just Can’t Get Enough” into “Babylon”, which had the whole crowd singing along with joy, passion and nostalgia. For the encore, Gray read the room perfectly, with a beautiful cover of Soft Cell’s “Say Hello, Wave Goodbye”, followed by “Sail Away”, closing out the night on a deeply emotional note. 

Overall, it was a masterful performance  which showcased Gray’s command over piano, guitar and vocals, proving to be a wonderfully satisfying night for music lovers and fans alike. Given the fervour of the audience and the love in the room for Gray, it surely won’t be too long before he returns. 

Rating: ★★★★

David Gray – State Theatre – 12 November 2025