Luke Escombe is a singer-songwriter, storyteller and comedian who has transformed his three decades of living with a chronic health condition into award-winning art and activism.
He is best known for his one-man show Chronic, a musical comedy inspired by his hospital experiences, and as the creator and frontman of ARIA-nominated Australian children’s band, The Vegetable Plot.
Luke is also the exceedingly humble owner of "Sydney's sexiest man voice", an accolade he won in a phone-in poll on a popular radio station (though he doesn't like to mention this unless absolutely necessary…)
Since the debut of "Chronic" at the 2011 Melbourne Comedy Festival, Luke's honest, insightful and often hilarious perspective on the patient experience has seen him become a sought after keynote speaker and MC at events around the world.
He has spoken on three occasions at Parliament House in Canberra, as well as the New Zealand National Museum in Wellington, and at corporate events in New York, London, Vienna, Chicago, Bangkok, Bali and Miami, earning him standing ovations on four continents.
Luke is a proud ambassador for Crohn's and Colitis Australia, a member of the NSW Arts Advisory Panel and a songwriting mentor with Sydney Children's Hospital's Chronic Illness Peer Support Program.
Meanwhile, the success of The Vegetable Plot has led to Luke becoming a teaching artist with the Sydney Opera House, and realising a lifelong dream in 2022 when he was asked to narrate Peter and the Wolf with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
Luke’s career as an artist has blossomed the more he has embraced the values of honesty, creativity and positivity he learnt from living with his illness. He is the living embodiment of “growth mindset” and brings a depth of humanity, authenticity and fun to any event.
Talking Points
Inspiring Patient Story
Inspiring Patient Story
Understanding the Patient Experience/ Patient Voice
The majority of Luke's MC and keynote work is focussed on his ability to convey his lived experience of chronic illness with humour, insight and humanity.
Understanding the Patient Experience/ Patient Voice
Arts and Health
Luke is most active in helping to guide the integration and implementation of arts in health activities in our health system. His personal story is a testament to the transformative power of arts and creativity in helping an individual living with chronic illness. He has carried that over into his songwriting programs for young people with the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Children's Hospital.
Arts and Health
Video
Meet Luke Escombe - "Hilarious Patient Leader"
We first invited Luke to present his personal experience with Crohn's disease to an audience of health professionals at the National Medicines Symposium 2012. His story, told in such an arti ... keep reading NPS Medicinewise
Luke ran a sensational forum on patient recovery for staff from our Service at RNS Hospital. Staff absolutely LOVED it and feedback included, “Awesome”, “Left beaming”, “Learned a lot about recovery”, “Inspirational and relevant,” “Best presentation ever”. Luke has an amazing ability to change the perceptions of living with a chronic illness as well as inspiring and motivating through music and humour.
Luke Escombe is no ordinary entertainer. I have seen him at two 2014 conferences –NPS Medicinewise (Brisbane) and Consumers Health Forum (Melbourne). He had the whole audience in stitches both times, with new material for each occasion. I have only met Luke upon congratulating him after a show, but I’m delighted to recommend him, because he has twice managed to be the best entertainment I have ever seen at any conference. Book him!
Luke brings a unique perspective to life's challenges and triumphs including dealing with chronic illness and parenthood. His velvety vocals and pithy song writing ability are both engaging and moving. Luke is able to tailor his performance to suit a range of audiences and this makes for riveting entertainment whether you are seeking laughter, tears or simple reflection.
Luke was a real highlight of our National Medicines Awards Dinner – his candid down to earth humour is not only hilariously funny but refreshingly honest and humbling. He is a truly talented individual who has risen above personal adversity to share his experiences and make the world a better place through music and laughter. Luke is a great MC for any occasion.
