Article King George

[George Michael]

GEORGE MICHAEL made a belting return to live music this weekend with a barnstorming sell-out gig - his first in 15 years - and a healthy whiff of controversy.

In a show that celebrated his solo work and Wham! years, it was his pointed rendition of Shoot The Dog - the anti Bush and Blair track that effectively destroyed his career in the US - that drew the loudest cheers of the night.

As a 50ft blow-up doll of a cigar-chomping US president appeared on stage, George unzipped the leader of the free world's fly to reveal a Union flag waist coated British bulldog nuzzling Bush's groin, wagging its tail.

Before walking out to the cheers of 18,000 fans in Barcelona's Palau Sant Jordi stadium on Saturday night, George had revealed: "It will be magical to stand in front of my own audience again.

"It will feel very intense to have thousands of people who've all paid to see me. "I've forgotten what that feels like and I'm really excited."

Strolling on stage to the strains of Waiting with a spectacular backdrop of 3D stars falling from an immense curved screen, the 43-year-old kept his recent promise about his 25 Live tour that marks a quarter of a century in the music industry.

He vowed: "As much as I'm going to disappoint those people who want to see more of my bottom, I'm going to be less of a showman and more of a singer."

With no backing singers or musicians sharing the stage, all eyes were on George. And if he was nervous he was not showing it. To rapturous applause, he launched into Flawless, interrupting the song to tell fans: "You're beautiful... thanks for coming."

Next the crowd joined in with the better known Fast Love as a huge virtual glitter ball hovered over George's coiffed head. Among highlights of the night a disciplined George tore through Faith and switched between anthems and ballads to mesmerising effect.

If there were any fears that his voice had been damaged by his love of dope ("I'm still a tenor. Some of the falsetto may have gone, but my voice in general sounds pretty much the same as ever", he says) they were put to rest by the stunning Father Figure, and his voice was pitch-perfect throughout the two-and-a-half-hour set.

The inclusion of Wham! classics Everything She Wants, I'm Your Man and Careless Whisper, as well as the haunting Jesus To A Child, cheeky Outside and crowd-pleaser Freedom showed talent and versatility the likes of Robbie Williams would kill for.

Before the first of two encores, he walked on stage, beaming from ear to ear and declaring: "I've been waiting for this moment." You and us both, George.

George's Live 25 tour hits UK shores on November 17. Visit georgemichael.com for details.

George's set list....

Waiting (reprise); Flawless; Fast Love; Father Figure; Star People; The First Time Ever; Praying For Time; Too Funky; You Have Been Loved; Everything She Wants; My Mother Had A Brother; Shoot The Dog; Faith; Spinning The Wheel; Jesus To A Child; Easier Affair; A Different Corner; Amazing; I'm Your Man; Outside; Encore: Careless Whisper; Freedom '90