Last week we played another sell-out show at Humph Hall in Sydney, a benefit for the earthquake victims in Myanmar. The gig was part of the “stories and songs” format that I have been doing, supported by DC playing acoustic guitars, particularly a 100 year old dobro slide guitar that I found at my Uncle Reg’s house. Our set was 12 original songs, totally acoustic, no mics or amps allowed in an old church hall with beautiful acoustics. There was standing room only and the crowd were fantastic. A big thanks to Caroline West Mick Dobrevovich and Brigitte Handley for fantastic tunes in support.

The 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar in April 2025 destroyed 90% of all houses and buildings in the area around Mandalay. Donations for the victims, with tax deductible receipts, can be provided through this link https://emergency-relief-burma.raiselysite.com

I will be playing a show of original songs and stories next Sunday 4th May at 4pm-6pm at Humph Hall, 85 Allambie Rd, Allambie Heights. The show is totally acoustic, no microphones or amplifiers, just the stories, songs voices and guitars. I will be accompanied by DC, one of Australia’s best guitar players, on a 100 year old dobro slide guitar. The support act is Caroline West, a well known local singer songwriter, doctor and human rights activist. It’s around $25 a ticket and all proceeds to the earthquake victims in Myanmar. I think it’s going to be a great show so come along. Details, booking etc are here. See you there!

https://events.humanitix.com/myanmar-earthquake-fundraiser-humph-hall
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The 7.7 earthquake in Myanmar in April 2025 destroyed 90% of all houses and buildings in the area around Mandalay. Donations for the victims, with tax deductible receipts, can be provided through this link https://emergency-relief-burma.raiselysite.com

This week I am in Aceh, northern Sumatra and yesterday I gave a training to the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission. For 30 years the Acehnese suffered a devastating conflict, seeking greater autonomy and a fair share of the area’s oil and natural gas from the national Indonesian government.  As if the conflict was not enough, the 2004 tsunami killed more than 140,000 Acehnese in a single day, leading to the signing of a Peace Agreement in Helsinki.  Here is a historical photo of inspirational Acehnese women calling for peace and one taken yesterday of myself with the Commissioners and staff. The Commission’s job is to help strengthen sustainable peace by investigating the truth, promoting justice for perpetrators of mass crimes and assisting victims.

Yesterday I had the chance to speak and then play a gig in Chiang Mai, Thailand, alongside fantastic Burmese and Thai musicians at the global conference on Burma, attended by 650 human rights advocates and academics from around the world. We were asked to play at the first day closing in the foyer of the conference centre, to a great crowd of inspirational young and not so young rights activists. The backdrop for the music was AJAR’s exhibition of ‘quilts of memory and hope’: cloth patches of the stories of Rohingya women refugees, sewn together for the quilts.
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Next live performance will be at 6pm TODAY Sunday 4th August at the Uniserv CMU, Chiang Mai, Thailand

I’ve just returned from a speaking tour in Europe, meeting with the UN, EU and governments. My main message was “Don’t forget the Asia Pacific region.” We need to urgently deal with the crises in Palestine and Ukraine, but let’s not forget the Burmese struggling to regain their democracy from the brutal military junta. Let’s not forget the millions of Afghan women whose right to equality and freedom have been stolen by the Taliban. Across Asia-Pacific region victims and human rights defenders are standing up to face dictators and despots. They inspire us and we need to defend and support them. I took a photo of this simple wooden wall message in the International Criminal Court in The Hague and met Ghandi in the park…

The new single, The King of Jakarta is now on Spotify! Have a listen here: https://tinyurl.com/PatrickBurgessSpotify

All proceeds from the sales of the single will be donated to the human rights programs of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR.)

Show your Support on BANDCAMP: https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

‘The King of Jakarta’ is a celebration of the richness and diversity of the city, told through the eyes of an ‘ojek’ motorcycle taxi driver, the “emperor of the alleys” who floats through the tiny lanes, backyards and gaps in the gridlocked traffic.

The new single is OUT NOW on Bandcamp! https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

The new single, The King of Jakarta is now on Spotify! Listen to it here: https://tinyurl.com/PatrickBurgessSpotify

All proceeds from the sales of the single will be donated to the human rights programs of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR.)

Show your Support on BANDCAMP: https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

‘The King of Jakarta’ is a celebration of the richness and diversity of the city, told through the eyes of an ‘ojek’ motorcycle taxi driver, the “emperor of the alleys” who floats through the tiny lanes, backyards and gaps in the gridlocked traffic.

The new single is OUT NOW on Bandcamp! https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

JOIN US this Saturday 22nd June for the online PREMIERE of the
NEW MUSIC VIDEO for ‘The King of Jakarta’
the new single about an ‘ojek’ motorcycle taxi driver
by singer-songwriter, human rights activist, PATRICK BURGESS…
JOIN US HERE: https://youtu.be/LJ20P1Mbquk
Premieres on YouTube this Sat 22 June 3:30pm AEST

Hear it first on BANDCAMP: https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

All proceeds from the sales of the single will be donated to the human rights programs of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR.)

Patrick Burgess’s new single about an ‘ojek’ driver, ‘The King of Jakarta’ releases TODAY on Bandcamp!

‘The King of Jakarta’ is a celebration of the richness and diversity of the city, told through the eyes of an ‘ojek’ motorcycle taxi driver, the “emperor of the alleys” who floats through the tiny lanes, backyards and gaps in the gridlocked traffic.

The new single is OUT NOW on Bandcamp! 

‘The King of Jakarta’ will be also launched in Jakarta TONIGHT with a live performance of original songs at ‘Rights Night’ at the Star Kemang restaurant and music club, Jakarta on Saturday June 1, 2024. Doors open at 6pm, music from 7pm.  The evening will commence with Usman Hamid and the Black Stones, followed by an acoustic set from Patrick Burgess, the launch of the single ‘The King of Jakarta’ and rocking ‘til closing time with the Jakarta legends of the Jaya Blues Band.

All proceeds from the night and future sales of the single will be donated to the human rights programs of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR.)

https://patburgess.bandcamp.com/track/the-king-of-jakarta

Patrick Burgess’s new single about an ‘ojek’ driver, ‘The King of Jakarta’ will be launched with a live performance of original songs at ‘Rights Night’ at the Star Kemang restaurant and music club, Jakarta on Saturday June 1, 2024. Doors open at 6pm, music from 7pm.  All proceeds from the night and future sales of the single will be donated to the human rights programs of Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR.)

The evening will commence with Usman Hamid and the Black Stones, followed by an acoustic set from Patrick Burgess, the launch of the single ‘The King of Jakarta’ and rocking ‘til closing time with the Jakarta legends of the Jaya Blues Band.

‘The King of Jakarta’ is a celebration of the richness and diversity of the city, told through the eyes of a motorcycle taxi driver, the “emperor of the alleys” who floats through the tiny lanes, backyards and gaps in the gridlocked traffic.

The new single will be available on Bandcamp 01.06.24! https://patburgess.bandcamp.com