George Michael

When George Michael appeared on Desert Island Discs in 2007, his top record choice (the one he’d keep if seven of his eight discs had to be lost) was Amy Winehouse’s ‘Love is a Losing Game’. As well as clearly appreciating the late singer’s music, it’s hard not to think that in her, Michael saw a kindred spirit. Their various personal problems have played out on front pages around the world; photos of the two caught at moments of vulnerability and disorientation often accompanied speculative stories about matters that shouldn’t be of public interest but still manage to sell newspapers.

George Michael’s musical career has also had its troubles with long gaps between releases, legal confrontations with record labels and, of course, ‘Wham Rap!’. But, despite everything, he continues to perform and record, throwing some surprises into the mix along the way. Michael arrives in Barcelona this month with his Symphonica Tour, featuring orchestral versions of some of his back catalogue. While he isn’t pioneering the idea, his music isn’t the obvious choice for a classical spin. Still, George Michael has proved that he has the stubbornness and determination to do things his way, and is certainly a showman, so this could turn out to be one spectacular evening at the Palau Sant Jordi for 16,000 of his many fans.

Palau Sant Jordi, September 27th, 2011