Kylie moves The Voice with Hutchence's funeral song

Kylie Minogue has evoked an emotional performance on The Voice tonight, paying tribute to her former boyfriend and late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.

The pop princess picked the Australian rock band's moving 1991 hit 'By My Side' for her young Queensland artist Robbie Balmer – a track from the era when she dated the troubled Hutchence.

Minogue grinned widely throughout 20-year-old Balmer's performance, which won rapturous applause and the praise of critics online.

"Robbie has captured the subtle charm of By My Side," Australian music writer Cameron Adams tweeted.

Minogue had told Balmer he would "get to shine" with the famous INXS hit, which was one of two of the band's songs played at Hutchence's funeral following his suicide in 1997.

The Australian rock legend returned to the spotlight in Australia this year as the subject of a television mini-series and a documentary.

Minogue, who has recently returned home to be a Coach on The Voice has opened up in interviews saying she still loves Hutchence and that her relationship with the singer was life-changing.

She praised Balmer for his cover during the first night of live performances.

"Your inner rock god was no longer inside you," Minogue said.

Source: The Voice.

Author: Kieran Campbell.