Tag: Michael Paynter

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Paynter @ Avoca Beach Theatre – Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 12 April 2026

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Paynter Tours Long Awaited Debut Album

Michael Paynter has long been one of the hardest working singer-songwriters in the country, but it took his stint on The Voice for him to really hit the big time. It took that exposure for Michael to finally release his debut album Weary Stars a couple of days ago.

He wrote the album shortly after parting ways with Sony Music, and he said he’s thrilled for the public to finally hear it. It comes with a clip recorded in just one day in Avalon, Victoria, with the health of Pete Seamons from EPIK Films.

“I’ve loved his work with The Paper Kites, New Empire and Simple Plan, so I was incredibility excited to work with Pete,” Michael said. “ We went down to scope out the location with one idea and as soon as we stepped out of the car, all these new concepts started floating to our heads … the location kinda told us what it wanted to say.”

Michael will promote the album with some solo shows, as well as a couple of gigs with his old buddies from Icehouse.

12 February 2014 – Black Bear Lodge, Brisbane
13 February 2014 – The Toff In Town, Melbourne
14 February 2014 – The Basement, Sydney
20 February 2014 – Brass Monkey, Cronulla
21 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Dee Why
22 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Kincumber
23 February 2014 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
7 March 2014 – Forest Edge Music Festival, Neerim East
19 March 2014 – Belmont Sailing Club, Belmont (with Icehouse)
20 March 2014 – Rooty Hill RSL, Rooty Hill (with Icehouse)
22 March 2014 – The Astor Theatre, Perth
27 March 2014 – Jive, Adelaide

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Paynter Teams Up With The Veronicas for “Love The Fall”

Here’s one for all the Michael Paynter fans out there. The Aussie singer-songwriter has just released his new single “Love The Fall’ and he’s roped his old pals The Veronicas in.

The music video is suitably brooding and mysterious, but as always with Michael Paynter I’m most impressed by the song and his awesome vocals. It starts out as pretty standard pop-rock fare before building into something truly epic. The Veronicas star power might just be what Michael needs to break into the mainstream consciousness. I’m crossing my fingers.

“Love The Fall” is the title track from Michael Paynter’s new EP, which can be pre-ordered now ahead of its July 9 release.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Veronicas Duet with Michael Paynter

I love it when people write to tell me the artists I simply must hear. This afternoon I received one of these lovely e-mails pointing me to this video, and introducing me to the exceptional talents of Michael Paynter.

This vid was filmed last week when Lisa and Jess Origliasso of The Veronicas joined Michael on stage for his song “Novocaine.” What an incredible track, and a sign of things to come it seems because Michael will release his debut album later this year through Sony.

If you like what you hear and are lucky enough to live in Melbourne make sure you check out Michael’s set every Wednesday night this month at Revolver. I don’t think you’re going to be disappointed!