hearaldsun.com.au
HOW amazing was George Michael's Melbourne show on Wednesday night?
Amazing enough to forgive him calling us 'Sydney'.
Three times
Michael's well-documented recreational activities may have robbed him of his short-term and geographical memory, but it certainly hasn't hurt his performance.
George Michael hasn't played live in Melbourne since 1988.
He made up for lost time as 47,000 fans had their patience rewarded with a spectacular sold out show at Etihad Stadium.
It constantly reminded you that beyond the headlines George Michael is a true superstar and one of the finest songwriters and performers of our generation.
To think the poxy NAB Cup almost caused this tour to bypass Melbourne is now ludicrous.
Especially considering Melbourne is the last stop on his four-year greatest hits world tour.
"Melbourne you are definitely the last show,'' Michael said, correcting his earlier glitch.
"114 shows and you have the last show. I can't think of a better place to have done this show.''
The singer - who had a teleprompter with lyrics to jog his memory if needed - also joked about his media reputation as a stoner.
"I'm doing well for a drug addict,'' Michael said. "If I'm a functioning drug addict I'm the best functioning drug addict you'll ever meet.''
Back on his last visit 22 years ago, George Michael was a sex symbol wooing women and enjoying the peak of his fame with the million-selling Faith album.
In 2010 the women realise they're no longer in with a chance.
So does Michael - in the Wham! classic Everything She Wants (one of the few tracks from his hetero period) the superstar laughs "yeah right'' after singing "I guess I must have loved you because I said you were the perfect girl for me.''
Michael's songs have endured - and endeared - for over 25 years.
This lengthy concert saw Michael move from classy ballads (Father Figure, One More Try) to the dance anthems Flawless, Too Funky and Outside and even Wham!'s pop gem I'm Your Man.
The man sweats classic songs (Careless Whisper, Fastlove, Freedom 90, Faith, Amazing) and even joked about the weather that left Etihad's roof open: "For an Englishman this is hot.''
The star even finds time for other people's songs - a jazzy take on the Police's Roxanne and the vocal showcase of Nina Simone's Feeling Good - when fans could instantly name 15 of his own songs he could have played instead.
If the rumours are true and Michael will no longer tour at stadium level, Melbourne was left with an example of how it should be done
The Age
47,000 have faith for George's final world tour show
March 4, 2010
GEORGE MICHAEL
Etihad Stadium, last night
IT WAS worth the wait. That seemed the audible verdict of the sold-out crowd of 47,000 that filled Etihad Stadium last night for the return of pop superstar George Michael.
He has only toured Australia once as a solo artist, in 1988, and in 1985 as part of Wham! with Andrew Ridgely.
In an energetic, hit-laden show, Michael worked his way through his extraordinary back catalogue. At 46, his voice remains distinctive and powerful, evoking hedonistic clubs, teenage discos and rollerskating rinks for the nostalgic crowd.
During the excellent opening, Fastlove, Michael made the most dreaded faux pas an international musician can make - imploring ''Sydney'' to sing along with him.
The crowd quickly shrugged it off as he launched into the 1980s classics I'm Your Man and Father Figure.
When he again called for Sydney's help, twice, the crowd almost turned. A parochial chant for Melbourne went up, but he was able to placate them. ''I'm sorry to keep you waiting,'' he said.
''But after 114 shows you definitely have the last show [of the world tour]. I can't think of a better place to do this.''
An elongated catwalk that snaked through half the arena on the stadium floor ensured the energetic Michael worked all angles of the crowd.
Bizarrely, midway through the show, he launched a scathing, vitriolic attack on media baron Rupert Murdoch.
He also insisted he did not need to get on television and defend himself every time there was anegative tabloid report written about him.
''I haven't missed one performance and haven't had one bad review,'' he said. ''Not bad for a functioning drug addict!''
After brilliant performances of One More Try and Too Funky, the show had a 20-minute interval.
This break was concluded in the most emphatic fashion, with the evocative, organ-led opening strains of Faith.
Soon after, he played up his 1998 arrest in Los Angeles, wearing a police uniform for Outside.
Yet perhaps the highlight of the night was his most celebrated ballad, Careless Whisper. It was, like most of the show, stadium pop done right.
He has only toured Australia once as a solo artist, in 1988, and in 1985 as part of Wham! with Andrew Ridgely.
In an energetic, hit-laden show, Michael worked his way through his extraordinary back catalogue. At 46, his voice remains distinctive and powerful, evoking hedonistic clubs, teenage discos and rollerskating rinks for the nostalgic crowd.
During the excellent opening, Fastlove, Michael made the most dreaded faux pas an international musician can make - imploring ''Sydney'' to sing along with him.
The crowd quickly shrugged it off as he launched into the 1980s classics I'm Your Man and Father Figure.
When he again called for Sydney's help, twice, the crowd almost turned. A parochial chant for Melbourne went up, but he was able to placate them. ''I'm sorry to keep you waiting,'' he said.
''But after 114 shows you definitely have the last show [of the world tour]. I can't think of a better place to do this.''
An elongated catwalk that snaked through half the arena on the stadium floor ensured the energetic Michael worked all angles of the crowd.
Bizarrely, midway through the show, he launched a scathing, vitriolic attack on media baron Rupert Murdoch.
He also insisted he did not need to get on television and defend himself every time there was anegative tabloid report written about him.
''I haven't missed one performance and haven't had one bad review,'' he said. ''Not bad for a functioning drug addict!''
After brilliant performances of One More Try and Too Funky, the show had a 20-minute interval.
This break was concluded in the most emphatic fashion, with the evocative, organ-led opening strains of Faith.
Soon after, he played up his 1998 arrest in Los Angeles, wearing a police uniform for Outside.
Yet perhaps the highlight of the night was his most celebrated ballad, Careless Whisper. It was, like most of the show, stadium pop done right.
