In March 2025, I remember attending the opening of Jesus Christ Superstar and was blown away by Michael Paynter’s insane vocals.
Admittedly, I had not really heard of him prior to that musical production. However, to my surprise, Paynter had been in the Australian music scene for almost twenty years. From the early stages of his career in 2007, to his single ‘Love the Fall’, to being on the second season of The Voice Australia, Michael Paynter had still somehow flown under my radar. Ridiculous, right?
Recently, Michael Paynter had been on tour with Jimmy Barnes, stepping in on guitar and backing vocals. If that wasn’t enough for him, in December 2025, Paynter also announced his Great Australian Songbook Tour where he covers some of the most iconic Australian tracks our country has ever produced. Now, in May 2026, Paynter has finally brought his tour to Melbourne. I was privileged to attend the 2nd of three sold out shows at the Athenaeum Two theatre on Saturday the 16th of May.
After tiredly scaling what felt like an infinite number of stairs to reach the Athenaeum Two, I managed to secure a front row seat. The stage was minimal, set with a keyboard to the left, and a stool on the right where Paynter would play on the guitar. He hadn’t even come on stage yet and already the show was feeling intimate.
Michael Paynter’s Great Australian Songbook Tour opened with the sound of a channel flicking radio. The stage went dark and the lighting flickered as the faint sound of recognisable Australian music came over the speakers. With each flash, the song changed from Hoodoo Gurus to Missy Higgins, AC/DC and Midnight Oil, Powderfinger and of course the unofficial national anthem from The Veronicas. The next channel though, would be Paynter himself.
Stepping onto the Melbourne stage, he grabbed a microphone and opened with a stunning and heartwarming acapella rendition of The Seekers’ patriotic ballad, ‘I Am Australian’. Right away, I was in awe of Paynter’s voice and he had barely started the show!
Following a rapturous applause from the Melbourne audience, Paynter took seat at the keyboard and started to play. From the first few notes, the song was instantly recognisable as national treasure Jimmy Barnes’ ‘Working Class Man’. The performance was raw and unfiltered, Paynter on the keys and incredible voice, putting his unique spin to the famous track while still honouring the original. I was blown away, shaking my head in disbelief at how good it sounded.
Again, after another deafening applause, Paynter introduced the concept behind the tour. Funnily enough, the idea came as he was on tour with the legend himself, Jimmy Barnes, in celebration of the 40th Anniversary of ‘Working Class Man’. Paynter spoke of his genuine love and adoration for Barnes, the kinship he had formed with him over the years, and the generosity and support that Barnes showed for his tour, even to the point of extending accommodation and car rental, so that Paynter could kickstart his own tour.
I recall from seeing his performance in Jesus Christ Superstar, I couldn’t shake the feeling that he sounded like John Farnham. This is by no means a bad thing because Farnham has some of the most insane vocals Australia has ever heard.
Recently, Michael Paynter was announced to play the legendary John Peter Farnham AO in a brand-new musical set to have its world premiere in Sydney this November – Whispering Jack. So, it makes perfect sense to throw some Farnham tracks into the mix with easily one of my favourite John Farnham numbers, ‘Age of Reason’. Again, sat at the piano, this version was heartfelt and vocally powerful. Later in the set, Paynter covers another Farnham classic with a stunning haunting and beautiful acoustic version of ‘Angels’. But it isn’t all John Farnham songs, although possibly an idea for another tour.
The Great Australian Songbook Tour is more than just covers of incredible Aussie music, it is a look back at the life and career of Michael Paynter and how each of these songs have a personal connection. Paynter talks of how he found himself touring with Sydney rock band Icehouse after being dropped by his label and paid tribute to them with his favourite Icehouse song, ‘Crazy’.
Michael Paynter is an excellent storyteller. Every song has a story, like Newcastle rock band Silverchair’s ‘Straight Lines’ that Paynter confessed he was so captivated by, copped a red-light ticket. Paynter also warmly reminisced how when he was a child, his mother would put on a record whilst they cleaned the house and how they wouldn’t stop cleaning until the record finished. I connected with this tale, as my own mum also put on music when she cleaned. Although, for her, it was usually Celine Dion and every time I hear one of those songs, I’m transported back to the Sunday’s cleaning the house.
Paynter also covers some songs that wouldn’t normally be played acoustically, such as ‘Joker and the Thief’ from Sydney rock band, Wolfmother. This is a track that I learnt how to play myself back in the day; Drop D, and heavy on the grunge. Paynter, with his acoustic guitar, also in Drop D, and loop pedal at his feet, played a version I never thought I’d hear, and it was wonderful. Plus, in a version that is arguably better than its original, Michael made Sia’s ‘Chandelier’ soar.
Humbled to be doing something he loves as a career, Michael expressed sincere gratitude for his life, that he’s privileged to play these songs night after night and the delight he has to share the stage with some of his closest friends as special guests. For the Saturday Melbourne show, lucky patrons were treated to the vocal wonders of Melbourne’s own Bonnie Anderson. Together, they performed two stunning duets Sam Sparro’s ‘Black and Gold’ where Paynter cleverly setup a beat on the loop pedal before sitting down at the keys, the other was ‘Torn’, a song originally created by American band Ednaswap but made globally famous but Australia’s Natalie Imbruglia. Together, Paynter and Anderson were a harmonious delight.
Other covers of the evening include the lyrically exquisite ‘Even When I’m Sleeping’ on the keys, originally by Sydney pop band Leonardo’s Bride, and an acoustic guitar version of Melbourne rock band, Little River Band’s ‘Playing to Win’, also covered and made more popular by one John Farnham. It is easy to see why Paynter has been cast for the upcoming Whispering Jack musical. He is vocally matched to the Australian icon and has a passion for these tracks unlike anyone else.
With the song, ‘Buses and Trains’ by pop-rock duo Bachelor Girl, Paynter joked how when he was younger, he didn’t understand what the lyrics meant. That was, until he started dating and then it all made complete sense. The show appeared to conclude with a fun cover of Sydney songwriter Alex Lloyd’s ‘Amazing’ but knowing concerts, the final song never really is the last song.
Michael quickly returned for a two-song encore, laughing that walking off and back on stage is “in the contract”. Sitting back down at the keys, he shared the honour of performing at The Music Producer and Engineers’ Guild (MPEG Awards) with the induction of Queensland’s Mike Chapman OAM. A legend in the industry, Chapman has written and produced for many artists including The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Blondie, Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Tyler. Without announcing the song title, Paynter began to play the recognisable hit, The Divinyls’ ‘Pleasure and Pain’.
The final song, originally by Adelaide pub rock band Cold Chisel, was ‘Flame Trees’, is arguably one of the most stunning and well-written Aussie anthems of all time. If by some strange incident the original was no longer available to listen to, Michael Paynter’s version would be next in line to take up the mantle. It was the perfect end to a perfect concert, again showcasing Paynter’s phenomenal vocal prowess, expertly making each Australian song his own, whilst still maintaining the heart and soul of that’s present in the original.
Michael Paynter’s Great Australian Songbook Tour is a gift to both live music and theatre. It’s easy to see why these shows are selling out! The genuine love and admiration that Michael Paynter has for Australian music, Aussie artists and Australian songwriters is easily matched by the audience’s adoration for *him*. What I witnessed on Saturday evening was a truly magical experience, passionately filled with entertaining personal stories and jaw-dropping covers of great Australian music that would make your heart sing.
Michael Paynter’s Great Australian Songbook Tour 2026 is currently touring nationally with three shows at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Two on Friday May 15th, Saturday May 16th and Sunday May 17th. The show then returns to the main theatre at the Athenaeum on Friday May 29th. All Melbourne shows are sold out. The tour continues on to Geelong and Perth in June, Hobart and Burnie in July in Tasmania, before concluding in Sydney in this August. For the purpose of this review, we attended on Saturday May 16th with Bonnie Anderson appearing as the special guest.
For more details and ticketing, visit:
https://michaelpaynter.com/see-michael-live
https://www.athenaeumtheatre.com.au/shows/michael-paynter
https://www.instagram.com/michaelpaynter
Photography by Grant Alexander.
