I’m a little biased, but I think Australia has produced some of the world’s greatest songs. Our artists are diverse, with strong, unique voices that tell our stories. So when Michael Paynter announced his shows paying tribute to that music, and a matinee show at Avoca Beach Theatre was amongst them, I jumped at the chance to see him solo for the first time.
I’m incredibly biased towards Avoca Beach Theatre, but it was really the perfect venue for Michael’s Great Australian Songbook show. The audience is always so attentive, just what you want for a show with a musician who wants to share stories about the songs he’s performing. We hung on his every word, whether he was sharing those tales or delivering fantastic Aussie songs that had a special place in his heart.
The set list was brilliant, celebrating classics and newer additions to the “great Australian songbook.” Michael says he regularly changes the set, but I imagine the biggies like “Working Class Man” and “Flame Trees” are fixtures. However, Michael’s not afraid to move away from the predictable pub standards. I expected I might hear a few John Farnham tracks given his recent casting in Whispering Jack, but I didn’t anticipate the criminally underrated “Angels” among them. I also didn’t expect him to deliver Sia’s “Chandelier,” Wolfmother’s “Joker and the Thief,” or Silverchair’s “Straight Lines.” These modern classics are so demanding and an acoustic set leaves nowhere to hide. I always knew his vocals were next level, but I was in awe!
I knew Michael could have standout moments playing alongside Icehouse and Jimmy Barnes, but it was exciting to see the way he could command a room for nearly two hours. The time flew by as he delivered flawless songs on the piano and acoustic guitar. He didn’t need any support, but it was a thrill to see him performing alongside young Ruby Rodgers, the 16-year-old daughter of Mahalia Barnes and Jimmy Barnes’ guitarist Ben Rodgers. She’s certainly inherited her family’s music chops. Her voice was haunting on Gotye and Kimbra’s “Somebody That I Used to Know,” delicate and earnest on Leonardo Bride’s “Even When I’m Sleeping.” Michael said that in five or ten years, we’d look back and remember what a special moment we shared, seeing her so early in her career. He’s probably right.
Michael Paynter’s Great Australian Songbook concerts are a beautiful celebration of the diverse music that makes this country great. They’re selling out all over the place, and I expect demand will only increase as more people see them and tell all their friends. Here are all the remaining dates.
22 April 2026 – The Foundry, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
23 April 2026 – The Foundry, Eora/Sydney (SOLD OUT)
24 April 2026 – The Regent Theatre, Eora/Sydney
2 May 2026 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
3 May 2026 – Lefty’s Music Hall, Meeanjin/Brisbane (SOLD OUT)
8 May 2026 – Playhouse Theatre, Ngambri/Canberra
15 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
16 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
17 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 2, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
29 May 2026 – Athenaeum Theatre 1, Naarm/Melbourne (SOLD OUT)
3 June 2026 – Astor Theatre, Boorloo/Perth
13 June 2026 – Story House Theatre, Djilang/Geelong (SOLD OUT)
10 July 2026 – Festival of Voices @ Theatre Royal, Nipaluna/Hobart
11 July 2026 – Festival of Voices @ Burnie Arts Centre, Pataway/Burnie
Photo credit: Lauren Katulka