Machine Gun Kelly is an enigmatic performer who seems to have lived a thousand lives by the age of 35, commencing his career as a rapper and producer before pivoting into punk rock in the last five years, gaining a whole new level of fans while also perhaps polarising some of his older audience. This meant that the crowd in Qudos Bank Arena was a mix of people who had followed MGK along the way and newer fans, all of whom eagerly awaited the singer’s return to Australia after eight years.

Arriving in a dramatic entrance, the pop star opened with his new song “starman”, which samples “Semi-Charmed Life” in a nod to his punk rock direction and it was a hugely energetic start to the night that immediately signalled MGK’s new stylings to the crowd.

“Turn on the lights, let me see what my first sold out concert in Sydney looks like,” he said.

While the concert was not quite sold out, with much of the upper bowl roped off, the fervour on display was still nothing short of incredible throughout the show, with chants of “MGK, MGK, MGK” pulsing through the room. The singer also revealed himself to be a generous performer, with constant reflections on his gratitude for the support he had received that extended beyond the usual platitudes, as well as special moments where he invited fans onto the stage. He further endeared himself to the crowd with an attempted Australian accent and although it sounded more like an Irish accent, it was still well received, with the audience appreciating the effort nonetheless.

As the set continued, MGK moved into some of his rap material before blending it with his newer work, including a mashup featuring “maybe”, “Wild Boy” and “El Diablo”, as well as his collaboration with The Kid LAROI, “F**K YOU, GOODBYE”. One of the highlights of the night came from a rocking cover of Paramore’s “Misery Business”, which showed off his voice and stage presence, bringing a new edge to an already moody track.

He then fully leaned into the punk rock side of his catalogue, performing tracks like “title track” and “drunk face”, reinforcing the sense that this was the style he was always meant to pursue. While MGK has always had strong stage presence as a rapper, with a guitar in hand he transformed into a raspy, gritty rock frontman with complete control over his presence and execution of the performance. It is striking to think that it has been eight years since his last Sydney show at the Enmore Theatre and even more so that he has undergone such a complete artistic shift in that time.

He followed this with a B-stage set that showcased a more tender side, including a rendition of “Free Fallin’” as he reflected on more difficult periods in his life. As is customary, he asked the crowd to raise their lights before returning to the main stage for a passionate close to the set, removing his shirt to reveal his tattooed torso as the energy lifted once again. A performance of “my ex’s best friend” was a clear crowd favourite, followed by “jawbreaker”, which he joked was about cocaine to laughter from the audience.

“That might be the most fun I’ve ever had jamming on that stage,” said MGK of the B-stage set.

He continued with a high-octane finish, including “papercuts” complete with a flaming guitar, before closing out the night with a run of fan favourites in “cliché”, “sweet coraline”, and “vampire diaries” to cap off a lengthy two-hour set. The production values were extremely high on this show, with an imposing set centrepiece and a strong band that supported both the rap and punk elements of the show seamlessly. Less effective, however, were the faux YouTube streamer videos played on the screen critiquing his stylistic evolution before turning into unadulterated praise, which quickly became repetitive and unnecessary given the authenticity already present in the performance.

Overall, this was a compelling show that highlighted MGK’s evolution across genres. His rap remains strong, but his punk rock persona is where he truly thrives, revealing a presence that would not have been as apparent even five years ago. While the 33-song setlist pushed the limits of overkill, the energy and commitment on stage meant that it rarely dragged, with the two hours passing quickly. As he left the stage, MGK promised it would not be another eight years before he returned, and based on the reception that he received, the Sydney crowd will be expecting him to keep that promise.

Rating: ★★★★1/2

MGK – Qudos Bank Arena – 14 April 2026