Michael Paynter has spent the past two decades working alongside some of the biggest names in Australian music, and last year had the honour of playing Jesus in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Now he’s stepping into one of the most iconic roles in the country’s musical history.

The acclaimed singer, songwriter and producer is currently touring the nation with The Great Australian Songbook Tour, celebrating the songs that have shaped Australia’s musical identity. At the same time, Paynter is preparing to portray John Farnham in the upcoming theatre production Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical, set to premiere in November 2026.

He caught up with Leah and Dan on Brekky, sharing that it’s an exciting season that connects his deep love for Australian music with a career milestone.

Celebrating Australia’s Greatest Songs

The Great Australian Songbook Tour began as a small run of intimate shows. But the response has been overwhelming, with many concerts selling out and additional dates added around the country.

“We started with seven tiny shows in venues that held about 200 people,” Paynter said. “A couple of months later we suddenly had more than 20 shows, some in rooms close to a thousand people, and most of them sold out. It’s been shocking in the best possible way.”

The show brings together iconic Australian songs from across generations, performed acoustically with personal stories from Paynter’s own career.

“I just tried to pick songs that really meant something to me,” he explained. “Songs where I remember where I was when I first heard them, or songs connected to moments in my life.”

The tour also includes stories from his time collaborating with Australian music legends including Tina Arena, Delta Goodrem and Jimmy Barnes.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with or know many of the artists whose songs are in the show. Sharing those stories makes it feel really personal for audiences.”

Reimagining Aussie Classics

During the tour, Paynter performs fresh interpretations of classic tracks, including a striking acoustic version of Joker and the Thief by Wolfmother. Originally a high-energy rock anthem, Paynter has transformed the song into a reflective acoustic ballad.

“I was looking for a particular groove for the set,” he said. “Then I heard Joker and the Thief playing in a café and thought, ‘That’s it.’ I went back to my hotel room with a guitar and turned it into something completely different.”

Each performance highlights the depth and diversity of Australian songwriting.

“When I’ve lived overseas, I love playing a game with people where I list artists and ask them to guess where they’re from. When they realise they’re all Australian, they’re shocked,” Paynter said.

“We have an incredible legacy of music in this country.”

Raw and Real: The Great Australian Songbook EPs

Responding to fan demand, Paynter has also released a series of companion EPs titled The Great Australian Songbook. The recordings intentionally avoid heavy studio production, focusing instead on authentic performances.

“There’s no tuning and only three takes maximum,” he said. “If we didn’t get it in three takes, we moved on. It’s just me, a guitar or piano, and the song.”

The approach is a deliberate contrast to the polished perfection often heard in modern music production. “In the age of AI and perfect edits, I wanted something really real.”

The latest EP includes new versions of songs such as To the Moon and Back, Flame Trees and Buses and Trains.

Stepping Into the Role of a Lifetime

Alongside the tour, Paynter is preparing to play John Farnham in the highly anticipated stage production Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical.

The show will premiere with Sydney Theatre Company in association with producer Michael Cassel and Farnham’s longtime manager Gaynor Wheatley. For Paynter, the opportunity is deeply personal.

“To be asked to help tell the story of the greatest voice this country has ever produced is an honour that’s very hard to put into words,” he said.

“For me, John Farnham is the absolute zenith of male singers in history – the gold standard I’ve spent my entire life learning from.”

Paynter previously earned widespread acclaim for his performance as Jesus in the 2025 production of Jesus Christ Superstar, and the Farnham role is expected to be one of the most talked-about performances in Australian theatre.

A Career Spanning the Biggest Stages

Michael Paynter’s career includes writing and producing for some of Australia’s most successful artists and touring internationally with acts such as Miley Cyrus.

He has also performed alongside Robbie Williams at the 2022 AFL Grand Final and continues to tour with Jimmy Barnes.

In 2022, he received an ARIA Award for Best Country Album for co-writing and producing Casey Barnes’ album Light It Up.

Touring Australia in 2026

With many shows already sold out, The Great Australian Songbook Tour continues to travel across Australia throughout 2026, including upcoming performances in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and here in Perth.

For Paynter, the tour is about celebrating the songs that have shaped the nation’s cultural soundtrack. “It’s an honour to celebrate Australian music this way,” he said. “Every night we get to relive songs that mean something to people – and that’s pretty special.”

You can listen to Leah & dan’s full chat with Michael Paynter, and hear his cover of Wolfmother’s Joker and the Thief, below.