Class Act

Jimmy Barnes' show Working Class Boy won Best Cabaret Award at the 2016 Sydney Theatre Awards. Photo/file

Most people associate Australia's original working class boy, Jimmy Barnes, with the exceptional power of his voice.

He is in the city next week with a different kind of power, that of an emotional rawness some fans won't be familiar with.

He released his book Working Class Boy last year, and the special live show he will perform is a companion piece to the first volume of his memoirs.

He bares his heart on stage through song and stories with a show that is funny, theatrical and transformative, according to reviewers.

The Daily Telegraph describes the show as "A powerful, deeply emotional and transformative production". It tells how his family escaped the poverty of Scotland, only to endure violence and abuse as an immigrant in the suburbs of Adelaide.

Jimmy shares stories from his troubled childhood and delinquent adolescence. It will also see him accompanied by his musical companions, delivering intimate performances of some key songs drawn from his earliest years. This tour will be a treat with lots of storytelling providing a real insight into the events that shaped Jimmy's life and his music.

"You know you've been to a pretty good gig when the songs of your youth are redefined.

That is just what this old Cold Chisel fan is feeling right now after spending a wonderful 150 minutes listening to Australian rock great Jimmy Barnes tell his life story with yarns and song" - The West Australian.

Barnes is touring New Zealand with the show, performing in 10 special venues around the country.

the fine print
What: Jimmy Barnes
Where: ASB Arena
When: Thursday, February 16
Tickets: 0800 111 999 or ticketmaster.co.nz