Illy brings the Good-er Life Tour to Port Macquarie

AUSSIE hip-hop heavyweight Illy is bringing his The Good-er Life show to town in August as part of a 27-date regional tour.

“It’s going to be a whole lotta fun,” Illy, whose real name is Alasdair David George Murray, told News Of The Area.

“We’re bringing the energy, and the vibes, and anyone that’s seen one of my shows before, you know.

“We’ve won ARIA awards for our live show so we don’t play around.

“We’re there to have a good time.”

Fresh off the back of his major capital city Good Life tour earlier this year celebrating his #1 ARIA Australian Album of the same name, this tour follows the release of the Good Life Deluxe Edition, which features new tracks and acoustic versions of favourites Kids and Good Life.

With popular singles like Tightrope and Papercuts on the cards, the multi-platinum, ARIA Award-winning artist promises to deliver his well-known tunes along with brand new tracks.

“The album Good Life came out last November and I haven’t been back up since it came out so we’re playing that album and then we’re playing a lot of the classics, I guess you could say, from the back catalogue,” said Illy.

Support acts can be expected however are yet to be confirmed.

“At the moment we’re still trying to lock that in,” said Illy.

“We’re cutting that a little fine, but I think we should have something by the end of the week.”

Born and raised in Frankston, Victoria, Illy knows all too well the special nature of a regional town being given access to musical acts like his.

Port Macquarie holds a special place as the very first regional town to reach capacity during his The Long Way Round Tour back in 2023.

“Port Mac was the first show to sell out last tour and it was awesome,” said Illy.

“It was a chaotic night, and it was a whole lotta fun.

“Port Mac was always going to be on the list to come back.”

Fans who have followed Illy’s journey will remember his iconic Like A Version Ausmusic medley from 11 years ago.

That song wasn’t originally in the plans for Port Macquarie, but with the set list not being finalised until Monday, Illy said “never say never!”

Good Life is Illy’s sixth studio album, and explores a new layer of storytelling, melody and musicality that push the traditional boundaries of hip-hop.

From the core concept of overcoming challenges and finding contentment, the album encapsulated where he was at in life during the album’s creation.

From this experience, Illy feels that the secret to the good life, or at least, his good life, is a balance of fulfilment and the constant pursuit to set new goals.

“It is kind of a balance between being content and being at peace with where you’re at and if you have regrets, not letting them consume you,” he said.

“But also, always pushing yourself to do what’s next and to keep striving and trying to set new goals and reach for them.

“So, it’s kind of like this balancing act between being comfortable with where you’re at and happy with what you’ve got, and always driving yourself forward at the same time.

“I think that’s what I’m trying to practice… I think that’s a good approach for life in general.”

That pursuit for pushing ahead has led Illy to toe the line creatively, the law graduate-turned-hip-hop headliner believing that there is great reward in his creative risks.

“You stay interested, and I guess, for me, you stay interesting,” he said.

“I’m not impressed by people who make the same album over and over again, particularly not in rap.

“They think that’s very easy to do and then very easy to claim that that’s keeping it real, but it’s not, it’s just keeping it boring, it’s not ambitious.”

Paying homage to his long-standing fans who have been there from the beginning, Illy is quick to add that although his perspective and attitudes might change slightly or grow up and mature over time, he will always give a nod to his signature sound.

“I don’t want to lose that,” he said.

“I love who I am, and I want the people who have supported me for a long time to still feel that,” he said.

Something else Illy loves is a good pie, and he admits he is likely to sample the local bakeries during his visit.

“Depending on the severity of the hangover, it’s a steak and mushroom pie, that’s an essential.

“Potentially [also] a steak, cheese and bacon pie, potentially a sausage roll, and potentially a cheesymite scroll.

“One of those and a Bundaberg ginger beer.”

Illy is open to recommendations so if you want to nominate your favourite bakery in town, head over to @illyal on Instagram, give him a like, and shoot through those tasty recommendations.

The Good-er Life tour comes to Finnian’s on Friday, 8 August.

The show is over-18s only, but Illy isn’t ruling out the possibility of an under 18s show in the future.

“I don’t know what festivals there are around Port Mac but if they’re all-age festivals, then that would probably be the best shout,” he said.

By Rikki WALLER