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The first of George Michael's two sold-out London megashows on Sunday was big on bling but low on spark. Billed as the Final Two in knowing reference to Wham!'s 1986 Wembley Stadium swansong, the Final, these back-to-back concerts mark the culmination of two years and 100-plus dates in Michael's tour to promote his 2006 greatest hits collection, Twenty Five. Backed by a crack team of session musicians, lurking discreetly in the shadows on stacked platforms at the rear of the stage, the 45-year-old singer has had ample time to polish these songs to clinical perfection.
Perched on a spectacular supersized video screen that folded across the stage like a waterfall, Michael wore smoked-glass shades and an understated brown blazer for most of the two-hours-plus set. He still has that Rolls-Royce singing voice, fluid yet powerful, even if he looks more like a wholesome daytime TV presenter than a raunchy soul-pop singer these days. Despite wiggling his hips suggestively, this performance was more Cliff than Elvis.
Unlike many stars with 100 million album sales behind them, Michael has a warm and self-deprecating stage manner. Barely 15 minutes into Sunday's set, he was joking about his notorious 1998 arrest for a “lewd act” in a Beverly Hills public toilet. Later, he donned an LAPD uniform to re-enact the witty video for Outside, his inspired and defiant musical riposte to the arrest. Just last year, the singer sportingly appeared alongside Ricky Gervais in the Extras Christmas special, spoofing the incident once more.
Sadly, such playful touches were rare on Sunday. Michael's humour and charm rarely came across in his songs, which remain confined by the 1980s rulebook of soulful sophistication, all manicured jazz-funk and monochrome sincerity. While contemporaries such as Madonna and U2 have overhauled their sound and stage presentation, Michael continues to resist reinvention. Consequently much of this set had a distinctly dated feel, as if preserved in aspic from 15 or 20 years ago.
Admittedly Michael played half a dozen flawless classics, from the lush ballads Father Figure and Different Corner to the rousing, roof-raising anthem Freedom 90. But he virtually ignored his Wham! back catalogue, opting instead for large helpings of his more recent, blandly faceless funk-pop. He clearly still has the talent and charisma of a major pop star, but nothing is naffer than yesterday's stifling notions of good taste.
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George was Amazing - the reporter clearly not a fan, very few stars these days can actually sing - was like listening to his CD. Superb visuals, and every concert he gives 100% . Saw him at wembey, hampden park ( the best by far ) dublin and earls court . A true performer - Flawless........
alyson rankin, aberdeen,
This reporter is clearly not a George fan & is obviously clueless where live music is concerned! I went to the Monday night show, which was my 4th time on this tour & was totally blown away by his performance! So blown away that i flew out to Copenhagen on Saturday for the Final One. 'AMAZING'!
Maxine Sellars, Nottingham, England
Came to the G.M. concert Sunday. Have seen him twice in Denmark - it's always a joy and pleasure but this concert just blew us away!
Awesome! The best ever!
Thanks ever so George - Lars and Lida from Denmark:-)
Lida, Horsens, Denmark
I was there on Monday night. It was my 3rd time of seeing him and he just blew the crowd away. I was still begging for more when it had finished. He gives his heart and Soul to every performance he gives. Thank you George for a fantastic night. Don't know what concert your reporter was at !!!
Clare Merrick, Knottingley, West Yorkshire , UK
i went to both nights at Earls Court,in fact it was my 5th time of seeing him on his 25 Live tour. GM was absolutely fantastic, and utterly amazing. I didn't want either night to end. That reporter was obviously not at the same concert as the rest of us. Can't wait to see the DVD.
sarah freeman, norwich, norfolk
I was at the concert on the 24th and was absolutely blown away. It was he first time I had seen George and would do anything to repeat the experience. Fabulous voice , lovely man who encouraged the audience to join him throughout. Can't be beaten. What is your reporter talking about???
Sandra, Birmingham,
I was there with my husband on the 25th. It was the 4th time I saw him live and again it was fantastic (5 star rating). He has the most beautiful voice and his songs are from the heart. He made the crowd sing and dance and I enjoyed every minute of the show. George thank you so much, you're amazing
Karin van Beusekom, Heythuysen, The Netherlands
We went to the show on Monday night and as always George was amazing, we didn't want the night to end. Thank you for 25 years George, long may you continue.
Kirsty, Haverhill, Suffolk
Te second time that I have seen Geroge the first being Wembly where the producers messed up the sound but his voice was still fantastic. Monday's performance was amazing the place was electric throughout the concert.
It was the best live concert I have ever been too.
Well done George. Love you x
Jan Harvey, Trowbridge,
Oh my god George Michael was fantastic, went to concert on Monday and it was truly AMAZING we didn't want it to end. was at the Wham! final, Earls court last year ,wembley, drove to plymouth to see him again, but this time it was like being at a party. PLEASE George we want more.
Patricia Toohey, London,
Yes, I agree with Claire Robinson, Stephen which concert did you go to? You have to be a fan to appreciate George's immense talent and charisma. This was my fourth time I saw him and to me he was 'Flawless'!
Nishi Chauhan, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Went to Monday's show & even though I have been a GM fan since his Wham! days, this was the first time I had seen him live - words cannot express how absolutely "Amazing" he was!! His voice is the best I have ever heard live and the crowd / atmosphere was undeniably electric. Reporter - you sad man!
Kellie, Durham, England
Having seen George three times on this tour I think Sunday night was by far the best gig. It was exciting, electric and well worth the visit. George has a great voice and he is a cool performer. His stage prescence is overwhelming.
Lets hope this is not the last we see of him
Lynn Crooks, Norwich, Norfolk
Stephen I'm not sure you were at the same concert as me!
What I saw on sunday was a great performance, exactly what I and thousand of others had come to see. Thankfully nothing like Cliff or Elvis but George Michael at his fabulous best!
Claire Robinson, Leigh-on-sea, England
Saw Monday's concert which was absolutely fabulous and the best of the three i have seen.
My friend and I travelled down from Edinburgh and were not disappointed as the atmosphere was great and GM's voice as perfect as ever-wonderful night!
Gillian Sidey, Edinburgh, Scotland
Earls Court performance on Monday was absolutely fantastic and the atmosphere electric. We have been to see him previously in Dublin and Glasgow and each time have been totally overwhelmed by his amazing voice and stage presence. Desperately hope that he continues to tour as we will be there.
Dee, Edinburgh, Scotland
I went to Mondays concert and thoroughly enjoyed every single minute. George was amazing and gave his fans his very best.
I've seen him five times since his 25Live tour started and twice in the past, please George don't give up touring your fans need you.
Debs, Doncaster, UK
FINAL 2 - GEORGE MICHAEL ' the concert of a lifetime' on Sunday evening, 6 of us travelled up from Bournemouth. George Michael was fantastic his voice was perfect, I felt like I had participated in the largest 'party' during 'Spin the Wheel', my arms are still aching from waving them around! Dawnx
Dawn Maughan, Bournemouth, United Kingdom
This is the 4th time ive seen him and it has to be without doubt his best night yet. We flew from Glasgow and got dressed in Pink 80's gear for it and we were not let down. He looked great and sounded amazing. I wish I had got tickets for both nights. Cant wait for the dvd or his new single on Xmas!
sharon , fife, Scotland
Were you at the same concert as me?? He was fantastic if he had played half of his back catalogue I would still be there now!!! (Not that I would have minded in the least!)
Jo , Hemel Hempstead, England
The show was the best ever ;) Will be better when the dvd comes out in the shops
Paul James, Newbury , UK
George surely has to continue performing live! He is in a class of his own and sunday's performance at Earl's court was flawless.
An amazing iconic voice that has to heard live. So please don't stop touring George - smaller venues if you must but you are amazing live and much loved!
susan, london, uk
I took my wife to see this show - I'm not abig fan but I recognise class - and this man has it too excess - a great show and spectacle - form is temporary (Amy etc.) but class is permanent!
john, manchester, uk
George Michael was awesome on Sunday night! His performance was immaculate. He connected with every single person, which all helped achieve a fantastic and virbrant atmosphere. I for one wouldn't want to see him revamp such a winning performance style, perfect.
Julie Gibbison, Mansfield, Notts.
george was out of this world on sunday his live singing sounded even better than his records it was the first time my wife and i had seen george now we know what we have missed all these years even if i have been a george michael fan since his wham days steve
steve st john , portsmouth, england
conversation and was so excited that they had to express to me their feelings about the concert. George is wonderful, he is kind, he is warm, HAVE YOU HEARD "LAST CHRISTMAS," "DIFFERENT CORNER" etc... his voice is sooo dreamy...and to hear it live..that first note of "Waiting"..my heart melted..
Anita, Knoxville Tennessee, USA
BLAND!! what are you talking about? far from it. The concert was faultless....how anyone can say otherwise....!!! the repoter must must have been somewhere else!!! It was worth every penny for the tickets.
jan, chertsey, surrey
I went to the show on Monday night.
It was fabulous. George was on top form and his backing singers are brilliant, as are his band.
Everyone around me was having a great time and loving the electric atmosphere. ten out of ten!! Ive been to see him 5 times now and this show was the best yet!
Diane Berry, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
iIwent to George Michael's concert on sunday the 24th august and it was fantastic, your reporter who has done this article clearly not a george michael fan and was just there to do his job.
george gave his fans what they wanted, which was songs old and new, he was fantastic and definatly not bland.
judith bullingham, hertford, hertfordshire