Nick Murphy Makes a Name for Himself in Ogden

The second show of The 2019 Ogden Twilight: Summer Concert Series was a bit more low-key than those of the past. Maybe it was the slightly chilly weather, the confusion that comes with an abandoning his stage name mid-career, or maybe it was just Nick Murphy’s laid-back personality leaking into the Ogden Amphitheatre with authenticity. 

This is Murphy’s first return to Utah since 2016, and the only time he arrives, truly, as Nick Murphy. The Australian singer began his career back in 2011 as Chet Faker, a name paying homage to one of his jazz favorites, Chet Baker. In 2016, Murphy decided it was time to release music under his own name almost half a decade later; Murphy wrote on his Facebook, “There’s an evolution happening and I wanted to let you know where it’s going. The next record will be under my own name, Nick Murphy. Chet Faker will always be a part of the music. This is next.”

Ogden native David Moon and the Brooklyn-based band Beacon kicked off the show at 6:00 p.m. sharp, warming the crowd up for Murphy’s arrival. Once it was his time, Murphy opened with “Hear It Now,” track one off his new album, an airy, exciting melody tied back to his jazz roots and setting the soulful ambiance for the night. Through performing primarily music he’s released under Nick Murphy, as he is touring in support of his new album, Run Fast Sleep Naked, Murphy was sure to weave some Chet Faker classics into the set list, including “Gold,” “1998,” and “Talk Is Cheap.” 

Murphy, who swears he’s “never really played the same show more than twice,” is clearly a fan of improvising on stage. His unique combination of electronic, jazz, and rock genres brings a distinct energy to the stage as he performs alongside five musicians playing an array of instruments, which are dependent on the current song. Murphy teased his encore as he ended “Sanity,” but, of course, returned to the stage for two more (“Believe” and “Medication”) before finally making his final exit off the stage. 

Though there is some confusion and struggle as Nick Murphy tries to kill off his retired persona Chet Faker, Murphy has certainly made a name for himself in Utah. 

2019 Ogden Twilight Concert Series:

• June 6 –Dillon Francis
• June 20 –Nick Murphy
• July 12 – Washed Out/ Deerhunter
• July 18 – Flaming Lips
• August 2 –Matt and Kim
• August 17 – Phantogram
• August 21 – Iron & Wine/ Calexico
• September 5 – The National
• September 17 – Of Monsters and Men
• September 27 – RÜFÜS DU SOL

Tickets can be purchased atwww.24tix.com/twilight and all Graywhale Entertainment locations.

All images were taken by Erin Sleater. 

• concert
• music
• Salt Lake City
• summer