George Michael at Birmingham LG Arena - review and pictures
The road to Birmingham has been a long and troubled one for George Michael. From the prison cell to the hospital ward, there have been more than a few bumps along the way.
But last night, he proved to a sell-out crowd at the LG Arena that he was definitely worth the wait. "Birmingham," he yelled. "I'm back!" It was a pertinent statement. This show had been postponed from December, when Michael came close to death with acute pneumonia.
But, almost a year on, he is fighting fit once again – and clearly loving life and music.
His Symphonica tour sees him perform with an orchestra supported by a sprawling screen featuring stunning special effects and short films featuring everyone from Princess Diana to Dita Von Teese.
And of course there was dancing. Lots of dancing. Dressed in a Cadbury-purple suit, George won screams and shrieks from the crowd with his moves.
"I may be 70 but I can still do it," joked the 49-year-old.
Songs on the night were varied and expertly executed. George proved why he is one of the finest voices and songwriters of a generation with Father Figure, You Have Been Loved and an encore of Freedom. Highlights though were his version of New Order's True Faith and Let Her Down Easy by Terence Trent D'Arby.
But Michael could have been singing a Domino's menu and the audience would still have loved him for it.
By Elizabeth Joyce
