By AIDAN KNIGHT
BLAIKE Murphy has been vying for an Australian Idol audition for two years.
The Westbury-based musician was thrilled to have the opportunity this year, after he appeared on the 11th season of the program last week (Wednesday, February 3).
To celebrate securing airtime on national TV, Murphy collaborated with Peninsula Cinemas in Warragul to host a live show in the theatre on the night of the audition’s airing.
This isn’t the first time he’s collaborated with a local business, having played shows previously at Moe’s Sumo Skate Shop, Traralgon’s Goodland Brewery, and is currently in talks for a similar event at Future Flicks, Moe video rental later in the year.
This is a personal commitment he’s made, as an independent local artist, to try and benefit local and independent businesses, especially those considered a bit more niche or rare in 2026.
“Working with smaller businesses and struggling industries is an interesting one, because I think right now almost everything is a struggling industry,” he told the Express.
“I want to start doing more collabs with small businesses, so say a retail store opens late for business, we come and play (a set) and get a heap of visuals and content done while there, and everybody cross-promote each other.”
For Murphy, the idea to play inside a cinema was as much about passion as it was practicality.
“The idea came about simply because I thought it’d be cool,” he said.
“In the day and age of streaming, everyone’s at home, and they should support local cinema because, honestly, cinema is really cool.”
The gamble paid off. The event sold far more tickets than Murphy expected, with around half the cinema filled on the night.
The audience reflected the broad appeal he has built locally, with families, young fans and older listeners all turning out. Cinema seats were occupied by mums nursing babies alongside retirees, sitting among Murphy’s core fanbase of teenagers and 20-somethings.
“We sold way more seats than I ever could have imagined,” Murphy said after the show, which he admitted to being half-shocked was allowed to go ahead.
Murphy’s surprising high-register performance of Akon’s Lonely may not have got him through to the next round with the judges, but for Murphy, it’s about the small advancements that make the difference.
The comedic garage-rocker has lived in Gippsland his whole life, and has toured the country supporting a range of Triple J-promoted indie outfits and festivals.
He has announced plans for 52 releases this year – publishing new music every Friday. This grand scheme isn’t limited to lone singles either, with the first release of the calendar year being a three-track EP titled GROM – a reference to his passion for skating outside of music.
The 26-year-old Latrobe Valley local won’t be returning to Australian Idol this season, but isn’t ruling out a comeback on the Channel 7 screens at any time in the future.
For now, Murphy’s focus remains firmly local – building audiences one unconventional venue at a time.
