He's playing stadiums this summer - including the new Wembley, where he'll be the first act to play there.

Michael concert a first for Wembley Sunday March 4, 07:51 PM
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Popstar George Michael will play the first concert at the new Wembley Stadium.

The singer, who performed on a number of occasions at the old Wembley Stadium, will take to the stage at the new venue on June 9 as part of his British and European stadium tour.

The tour kicks off at Aarhus Stadium in Denmark on May 18 and will visit Manchester, Glasgow, Plymouth and Norwich as well as France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Holland and Hungary.

Michael will be the first artist to play at the 90,000 capacity venue, the opening of which has been beset by repeated delays and financial wrangling.

Last year, rock band Bon Jovi were booked to open the new stadium but they, along with the Rolling Stones, Robbie Williams and Take That, were forced to move venue when building work overran.

Michael played some of his most memorable gigs at the old Wembley Stadium.

He performed in Live Aid in 1985, Wham's farewell concert with Andrew Ridgeley in 1986, the Nelson Mandela concert in 1988, the Freddie Mercury tribute concert in 1992 and Net Aid in 1999.

Alex Horne, managing director of Wembley Stadium, said: "It's fantastic news that George Michael is to play Wembley Stadium's opening concert.

"He's no stranger to this great stage having performed at the old stadium both with Wham! at Live Aid and also as a solo artist, so this is a fitting first gig in the new stadium. I'm sure this will be a very hot ticket and we are looking forward to putting the stadium back on the world map as a major music destination."

The UK dates for the tour are: Saturday June 9 - Wembley Stadium, London; Tuesday June 12 - Carrow Road, Norwich; Friday June 15 - City Of Manchester Stadium, Manchester; Sunday June 17 - Hampden Park, Glasgow; Tuesday June 19 - Home Park, Plymouth.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/...mbley.html

I wished he came here to Portugal.

No America once again...

ABeautifulOne said:

Rumoured to be a US tour starting in September.

YES! A far better person to open the stadium than fucking Muse.

Ellie said:

I couldn't have put it better myself. Fancy calling yourselves "Muse" when you inspire no one.

I thought he was doing a Wham! reunion

I hope he comes here to the US

SoulAlive said:

andrew, shirley and pepsi did a couple of his shows last year...but i dont think they were every planning a legit tour.

sosgemini said:

No, they didn't. George asked Andrew to join him on stage, but he refused, saying he'd be too petrified. He didn't even go to see George at Wembley. Pepsi and Shirley were in the audience at Wembley and the Roundhouse.

Shapeshifter said:

Don't toy with me!

For real..?

Shapeshifter said:

waaaa? i thought folks talked about it here...it never happend. didn't they announce it?

Shapeshifter said:

I can only hope. I remember when he was here way back when and simply not understanding the big deal. Maybe it wasn't back then, but nearly a decade and a half of not coming out this way I cannot wait for that tour.

sosgemini said:

There was a thread about Andrew backing out.

superspaceboy said:

well pull my finger. oh well.

JasonStar said:

The operative word is "rumoured". I think there's a strong possibility that he'll come stateside this year.

sosgemini said:

Yes, and no. There were tabloid rumours that George was going to reconvene Wham for a portion of the gigs. Andrew, Pepsi and Shirley would appear with George and play three or four Wham songs. That was the idea. Pepsi and Shirley were up for it, but Andrew didn't want to do it. I don't really blame him. He hasn't been on stage for close to twenty years, has retired from music, and is quietly getting on with his life in Cornwall ... then he has to appear in front of thousands of screaming fans again.

I have a friend who works at Home Park in Plymouth, and is pretty high up. Chances are I'll be able to meet George. Which will be awesome!

Singingboy said:

Lucky!!!!

The bitch needs to come to the US so I can go see him

bboy87 said:

Yeah! What bboy87 said!

Shapeshifter said:

Forget a rumor, I can't wait any longer!

Looks like his 25 Live Tour really ignited a fire within.

Glad the old boy is having fun again.

Now if only he'd pop out a new album.

amit1234 said:

He never rushes an album, much like Sade he has a perfect catalogue, not a dud studio album insight.

twink69 said:

sosgemini said:

Well Patience wasn't a "dud" so to speak, but I think it wasn't nearly as good as Older and certainly not as good as LWP or Faith.

Shapeshifter said:

Don't touch the band! They are gods of rock!

Funny thing is, for those few that know me in the real world, you have seen me on TV heavily involved with the Wembley promotion, but I won't get to see George opening the stadium because I booked my holday that week so I could be back for the Muse "opening night" the week after!

SquirrelMeat said:

Bollocks they are! I won't touch them, I'll kick them out of the door. Lukewarm, beige, soulless, derivative crap. If they had brains they'd be Oasis,