One of the highlights of seeing Sam Fischer supporting Guy Sebastian last month was witnessing him premiering his new single “A Heart Doesn’t Hurt Itself.” It was so good that I was desperate for you all to hear it, and now it’s out in the world and you can. Sam’s emotional vocals and honest lyrics exploring heartbreak make this one of the best power-pop ballads I’ve heard in some time.
“I blamed myself pretty heavily for the erosion of a relationship I thought was unbreakable,” Sam said of the song’s inspiration. “It shattered my self-worth when it ended and it’s taken a few years of reflection to realise that maybe I didn’t do that to myself. I hope that if anyone sees themselves in ‘A Heart Doesn’t Hurt Itself’, they can find the strength to realise that your self-worth should always come from within and never be tied to someone else’s approval of you.”
Sam has a few more shows supporting Guy Sebastian before he steps up as the headliner for a very special hometown show. After witnessing how good he is live last month, I can assure you it’s worth grabbing a ticket anywhere you can!
I could feel the excitement in the air as Guy Sebastian kicked off his 100 Times Around the Sun tour in Mulubinba/Newcastle last night. Fans posed for photos next to posters outside the venue and quickly changed into their new merch, showing the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for big global artists. It’s been a long time since I’ve been around that kind of buzz, and it really set the scene for one of the most memorable concerts of 2025.
Sam Fischer’s backdrop reminded us that he is “the guy who sings This City,” and he drilled that point home by starting and finishing his support slot with that global smash. However, he’s so much more than that. He’s a charismatic performer with one of the best voices I’ve ever heard live. When you can impress someone like Guy Sebastian with your vocal chops, you know you’re doing something right. He’s also an incredible songwriter who used his time to introduce us to several new tracks. It takes a special artist to capture an audience there to see someone else with songs they don’t know, but I barely heard a murmur as Sam delivered his fantastic music. He told us he’d never visited our city before, but after such a warm reception, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s planning a return visit.
It’s been around three and a half years since Guy toured the country, and from the moment he graced the stage, I could tell how much he’s missed it. He opened with new songs “Get It Done” and “100 Times Around the Sun,” noting how thrilled he was to share this material with fans. While the new tracks clearly meant a lot to him, he struck that delicate balance. Although the night celebrated 100 Times Around the Sun, older tracks like “Who’s That Girl” and “Battle Scars” provided early sing-along moments for anyone not yet familiar with the 2025 album.
I relished hearing the new material, because I’m convinced Guy’s songwriting is only getting better. It benefits from the wisdom that comes from finding love, experiencing loss, and living life with all its highs and lows. Smart arrangements with Guy sitting at the piano or strumming a guitar ensured we could hear and appreciate every lyric. His backup singers, including the exceptionally talented Gary Pinto, Carmen Smith, and Vince Harder, complemented his incredible voice perfectly. I got goosebumps listening to them harmonise.
Guy told us he was throwing everything at this first show, and he really wasn’t kidding. He welcomed Sam Fischer back to the stage for “Antidote,” which they wrote together for Guy’s 100 Times Around the Sun album. These two talented vocalists put on a masterclass. Guy probably panicked a few security guards when he made the impromptu decision to come down to the audience and take some personal requests, but it proved to be one of the show’s many highlights. While the band wasn’t familiar with Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses,” Guy performed a little a capella version for a couple who danced to this country hit at their wedding. I’m not sure there was a dry eye in the house after Guy performed “Unchained Melody” for a woman still grieving the loss of her partner.
Guy tugged at the heartstrings again when he invited his young son Archie up to sing. Guy told him he might want to perform something easy for his first time in front of a large audience, but he fearlessly threw himself into “I Have Nothing.” What a beautiful, pure voice Archie has. The look of pride on Guy’s face as he joined his son in Whitney Houston’s classic was something I’ll never forget.
Through his 23 years in the business, Guy has released 10 studio albums and 61 singles, including 23 top 20 hits. That’s a lot of ground to cover, and likely why this show ran so long that Guy repeatedly thanked us for sticking with him. However, even though it was a weeknight, none of us were in a rush to go home. Instead, we were excited to party with Guy for as long as he was willing. A medley of “Don’t Worry Be Happy,” “Like It Like That,” “Like a Drum,” and “Come Home With Me” was a smart choice for pre-encore, giving fans another opportunity to sing along and see Guy bust some moves.
But of course, we weren’t done. “Before I Go” was powerful and haunting, an impactful choice before Guy took things right back to where it all began. “Angels Brought Me Here” sounded a little different with its ’90s boy-band-inspired makeover, but I ate it up. With one more song in the tank, Guy invited us to stand and have a dance. We all soaked up the moment, clapping and singing along to “Choir,” our voices joining in appreciation for this special show.
Guy Sebastian’s 100 Times Around the Sun tour continues through April and May. Tickets for the remaining dates are available from the links below.
Sam Fischer’s homecoming tour is just around the corner. Now based in Los Angeles, there just aren’t enough opportunities to see this local success story in our backyard. He’s back on our shores to promote his fabulous debut album I Love You, Please Don’t Hate Me, which I’ve had on repeat for the last week on so.
If you haven’t already taken a listen, make sure you do. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better pop album released in recent years. It features some fantastic collaborations with Demi Lovato, Meghan Trainor, and Amy Shark and some incredible solo material. The title track and “Watching My World Fall Apart” have become firm favourites for me.
You can almost guarantee that Sam won’t be playing such small intimate venues next time he’s in town. Take the opportunity to see him up close and personal while you can and snap up one of the last remaining tickets for these shows:
I’m not quite where I was when Aussie expat Sam Fischer dropped his track “This City” last year, but I’m glad the remix didn’t pass me. This fresh new take, remixed by Luca Shreiner, might be my favourite version. I usually prefer hearing songs in their simplest form, but the beats really add some depth to “This City.” I’m vibing it.
He’s not a household name yet, but it’s only a matter of time. Sam supported Lewis Capaldi on his North American tour which put this track all over Tik Tok.
Now I think it’s time people older than my niece knew about it though. Are you feeling it?
