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Who's Bad

The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience

22 - 24 May 2026

Athenaeum Theatre 1

Who’s Bad’s live performance is an unrivaled celebration of pop music’s one true King.

Their power-packed performance of Michael Jackson’s expansive catalog has ignited crowds on every continent and can only be described as a jaw-dropping, musical must-see. As the longest-running Michael Jackson tribute band, and the only one to predate his untimely passing, Who’s Bad has awed even the skeptics, selling out nearly 50 venues in the United Kingdom including London’s O2 in December of 2010, the venue where the King of Pop was slated to end his career with a 50-show “This Is It” concert series. Beyond this unparalleled achievement, Who’s Bad has checked some of the world’s most famous pavilions off their ‘to-do’ list, selling out their first tour of China with stops at Ningbo’s Grand Theatre and Hunan Grand Theatre in Chengsha. Never neglecting Michael’s U.S. fans, Who’s Bad has packed The House of Blues in Houston, Dallas, and New Orleans; rocked DC’s 930 Club and returned to their native Chapel Hill, NC boasting larger, more eagerly-awaited performances with every romp around the globe. Sold-out shows from Colorado’s Bluebird Theatre  and LA’s Gibson Amphitheatre and Romania’s Sala Palatalui to Teatro do Bourbon Country (Porto Alegre, Brazil) tell the story: no corner of the earth is safe from this infectious party production.

Who’s Bad has earned its name by paying studious attention to Michael Jackson’s every original groove and gravity-defying dance move, boasting over 100 years of professional experience and a team of dancers with resumes that include Broadway productions such as Phantom of the Opera. Vamsi Tadepalli (Who’s Bad founder, composer, and saxophonist) assembled a cast of North Carolina’s premiere musicians and, from Who’s Bad’s inception, believed in the band’s boundless possibilities.  The velvety vocals and pinpoint choreography of frontmen Joseph Bell and Taalib York’s combined with the six-piece band’s synchronized dance routines, blaring horns and down-deep rhythms, results in a performance delivered with soul and precision superseded by no one but the King himself.  They’ve shared stages with the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, The Backstreet Boys, The Four Tops, Boys II Men, and hip hop superstar, Pitbull. Captivated fans include LIVENATION’s Anthony Nicolaidis who calls Who’s Bad, “the real deal,” and Michael Jackson’s longtime friend and manager Frank DiLeo who proclaimed after Who’s Bad show in Nashville, TN, “the show was great….Michael would have been proud!”

Whether you idolized the Jackson 5, fell in love to Human Nature, or learned to moonwalk to Billie Jean, Who’s Bad is THE ULTIMATE music-and-dance driven Michael Jackson homage. This band of professionals relentlessly elevate the legacy of pop music’s King, always pushing themselves to be more precise, to raise the level of excitement and awe, while  embodying Michael Jackson’s mission to bring people together of all races, genders, and  cultures through music. As the curtain opens on a Who’s Bad performance, every MJ fan feels the adrenaline, screams at the sight of that unmistakable silhouette, and succumbs to a surefire Michael Jackson sing-along. The energy is purely magnetic, the musicianship is first-rate, the dance moves deftly inspired. Who’s Bad is a tribute befitting a King and their high-octane execution of MJ’s music and dance has catapulted them to the exclusive rank of Ultimate!

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Dates

Dates

22 - 24 May 2026

Running Time

Presented by

Information

FAQs

Parking

The closest parking is located in Flinders Lane - Wilson Parking (Flinders Gate). Evening parking can be pre-booked online through https://bookabay.wilsonparking.com.au/

Alternatively Council House Car Park in Royal Lane is located off Little Collins St

How early should I arrive before the performance?

The main doors and box office open 90 mins prior to the start of each performance. The doors to enter the auditorium usually open 30 mins prior to the performance

What happens if I’m running late to a performance?

Due to the nature of live performance, trying to find your way to your seat once a show has started can disrupt both the audience and the performers on stage. Therefore, most performances have a lockout period which restricts anybody from entering the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance. Depending on the performance, you may not be able to be seated in your original seat.

Can I take food and drinks inside the auditorium?

Packaged foods and cold drinks purchased at any of our theatre bars can be taken into the auditorium during the performance.

Hot drinks, glass and unpackaged foods will not be admitted into the auditorium.


Does the Atheneaum have a cloak room?

No, unfortunately not. Therefore we recommend that patrons do not bring bags larger than a regular sized handbag or small backpack to the theatre.

Accessible Seating

We have a small number of accessible seating available in the stalls - to book, please call the Box Office on 03 9650 1500

Please note there is no elevator access to the Dress Circle & Upper Circle. Access to Athenaeum 2 is via our vintage lift which can only accomodate standard width wheelchairs.

Where can I buy tickets for upcoming events?

Online

www.ticketmaster.com.au

Telephone Ticket Sales

Theatre Booking Line - 03 9650 1500

Monday – Friday 9am – 4:30pm

In Person

The Box Office in the Athenaeum Theatre Main Foyer is open Monday - Friday 9am - 4:30pm and opens one and a half hours prior to all performances. “Door Sales” and collection of tickets at the Venue may be done then.

What is the Theatre's email address?

For ticketing inquires, please email: boxoffice@athenaeumtheatre.com.au

For venue hire inquires, please email: boxoffice@athenaeumtheatre.com.au

What is the Theatre's phone number?

03 9650 1500

Where is the Theatre located?

188 Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

Can I pre-order interval drinks?

No, interval drinks can not be pre-ordered.

What happens if my performance is cancelled or postponed?

If the performance or event that you were scheduled to attend is cancelled or postponed, we will be in touch at the earliest opportunity.

In the event of a cancellation, you will be given the option to either exchange your tickets to an alternative performance or the option for a full refund.

Should your event be rescheduled, your booking will automatically be valid for the new date and time. If you’re unable to attend, you will be given the option to either exchange your tickets to an alternative performance (if applicable), the option to receive a full refund.

Do you have a dress code?

There is no dress code. Casual attire is acceptable.

What are the running times for shows/concerts?

Running times for shows are available on the show information pages. Concerts & individual events may not be able to supply this information in advance.