Matt Corby Returns to TV Live Performance After 19 Years

The singer-songwriter performed on ABC's New Year's Eve celebrations in 2023, marking his first live TV appearance since Australian Idol in 2007.

"I swore to myself I would never put myself in that position again. I couldn't really handle the negativity and ridicule."

Matt Corby's hiatus from live television ended on a high note. Having finished runner-up on Australian Idol as a 16-year-old in 2007, he declined a major label contract and spent nearly two decades avoiding the very format that launched his career. He accepted the ABC invitation because he liked the network.

The Performance

Corby showcased a mix of original material alongside two covers:

• INXS's "Never Tear Us Apart"
• Olivia Dean's "Man I Need"

Both covers are Hottest 100 toppers.

'Tragic Magic' – A Deeply Personal Album

'Tragic Magic' is Corby's fourth consecutive top-10 album on the ARIA charts. A testament to his musical independence, Corby played nearly all instruments on the record.

Key collaborators include producers Chris Collins and songwriter Nat Dunn. He co-wrote "Burn It Down" with Meg Mac.

The Meaning Behind the Title

"Life is always going to end in tragedy. But there's moments along the way where we get to think and feel and experience good and bad. That's the magical part."

Song Inspiration

"Know It All" addresses the death of his stepmother from pancreatic cancer at age 68.

Early Career: A "Big Mistake"

Corby has been candid about his origins in reality television, describing it as a "big fing mistake."* The experience left him wary of public scrutiny and live performance for years.

The Story of 'Brother'

His breakout anthem "Brother" (2012) was written "almost out of spite" after his manager requested an upbeat song. The track went on to win 2012 APRA Song of the Year and established Corby as a multi-ARIA-winning, platinum-selling artist.

Current Tour

Corby is currently on tour across Australia, with dates through June 14, 2024:

• Melbourne
• Newcastle
• Sydney
• Brisbane

Now a husband and father of two, Corby has reconciled with his past. His return to live television signals a new chapter for an artist who spent nearly two decades reclaiming his own story on his own terms.