For over two decades Michael Paynter has been a trailblazer across the Australian music industry. He quickly rose to national attention in 2004 after signing with Sony Music and delivering multiple Top 20 singles.
Michael is a gifted singer, musician and writer and has toured nationally and internationally, supporting artists such as Miley Cyrus, The Script, Seal, and performing alongside icons including John Farnham, Hall & Oates, Vanessa Amorosi and Shannon Noll. He is also a full-time member of both ICEHOUSE and Jimmy Barnes’ touring band.
Throughout 2024 and 2025 Michael played the role of Jesus in the national tour of Jesus Christ Superstar alongside Reuben Kaye and Mahalia Barnes. Now, at this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Michael is reuniting with the incredible cast of Jesus Christ Superstar for a very special one-night-only performance: What’s The Buzz? In concert and conversation with the cast of ‘Superstar’.
Michael spoke to Glam Adelaide about What’s The Buzz?, touring with Jesus Christ Superstar, his songwriting and whether he always knew the music industry was for him.
“I sang with my family in the car ever since I was a kid – music’s always been a part of our family’s life. In terms of doing it as a job, I did go to law school. I studied law for a couple of years. I was pulled out of that law degree by promoter Michael Gudinski who asked me to play guitar for his daughter on the road. So there was a time where I thought that music might be one of my great loves but not necessarily what would put food on the table. Then all of a sudden that changed when I was about 18 and I got signed to Sony. Here I am 23 years later, and I’m still loving it.“
Over the past 15 years, he has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted and successful contemporary songwriters and producers. He is a multiple ARIA Award and Golden Guitar Award winner who divides his time between Australia and Nashville, and is consistently sought after by major artists and labels. His writing and production credits span Aloe Blacc, Jimmy Barnes, Kaylee Bell, Cooper Alan, Casey Barnes, James Johnston, TKay Maidza, Tina Arena, Mason Ramsey, and many others.
We asked Michael if he has a particular format he follows when it comes to songwriting.
“When you rely on songwriting as a day job, you can’t always rely on inspiration to just strike. It is lovely when you sort of have an idea in the shower or while you’re boiling your kettle or whatever, but usually it’s when you’re writing with other people, you just sort of get together and have a chat about what’s on your co-writer’s minds and what’s going on in their lives. So it sort of starts organically from there. I’ve always got voice memos on my phone full of ideas that I can draw on when needed. That’s part of a songwriter’s life: to always be cataloguing ideas and thoughts.”
Through 2024 and 2025 Michael was part of the incredible national tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash-hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar.
“I was not drawn to the show out of a love for it, to be honest. I was brought into the show by Mahalia Barnes, who was cast as Mary before anybody else was cast. They were looking for a Jesus, and she suggested me for the role. I’d never done theatre before, so it’s not something that had ever been on my radar. I didn’t know much about the show outside of John Farnham’s version of Gethsemane. So I really just took it incredibly naively, I think that it was a happy accident, I’m very glad that I did it in the end. When I got the role, I threw myself into studying past versions of it and really becoming acquainted with the musical and the songs.”
Performing loves the connection you have with yourself and the audience when he’s on stage.
“I think depending on which environment I’m performing in, they can feel really different. Playing a blisteringly loud electric guitar next to Jimmy Barnes in the middle of one of his songs is like gripping onto a freight train with your bare knuckles and holding on for dear life, which is a thrill. But then there are moments, like in the middle of Gethsemane where I had this feeling that I just sort of knew that I was not meant to be anywhere else doing anything else than exactly what I was doing in that moment. I was very privileged and lucky to be there. I think the beauty about performing is that it always gives you something different. If you can find truth in performance and do something that connects with you deeply, it’ll always satisfy a deep part of your soul that not much else in life ever could.”
On Saturday 6th June, Michael will be performing alongside the cast of Jesus Christ Superstarat the Adelaide Cabaret Festival in What’s The Buzz? In concert and conversation with the cast of ‘Superstar’.
What’s The Buzz? is your backstage pass to the smash-hit musical. Experience the legendary score like never before as the stars strip back the spectacle to share the songs you love, interspersed with untold stories and secrets from life on the road.
“I think we’re all just going to be holding on for the mental ride that will be Reuben Kaye’s creative brain. I think we’re there to sort of supplement his vision. Jesus Christ Superstar obviously didn’t get over to Adelaide for many reasons, which I know people were pretty disappointed about, so this is a chance to at least sing some of the songs for South Australia. The good thing about this show is you’ll get so many behind-the-scenes stories and funny tidbits that we haven’t really been able to share on any platform so far. If you’re a fan of the show and if you’re a fan of the people in the show, I think that it’ll be a really hilarious, wild and hopefully super entertaining evening.”
From the earth-shaking high notes to the candid backstage gossip, this is a rare chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s musical theatre royalty. Enter ready, leave utterly converted – this is the gospel truth according to the cast.
What’s The Buzz?
In concert and conversation with the cast of ‘Superstar’
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Adelaide Festival Theatre
6th June 2026
7.30pm
https://cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/whats-the-buzz?
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
