Concert review of George Michael’s performance at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey, USA on August 21, 1988 during his Faith Tour. Written by Robert Santelli and published in Asbury Park Press on August 22, 1988.
There are a couple of things a mature music fan might gripe about when it comes to superstar George Michael, but Michael’s insistence on re-defining the parameters of pop can’t be one of them. Nor will too many listeners find fault with Michael’s ability to deliver a commanding concert performance, as was evidenced last night at the Meadowlands Arena.
One might frown on the way Michael coats some of his songs with a puppy pop gloss. One might even consider his sexy swaggers a bit much, especially when he plays up to the young girls in the audience.
But when George Michael gets serious and really unleashes his vocal talents, few contemporary pop singers can touch him. That, too, was evident last night at the Meadowlands.
From the moment the name of his most recent album, “Faith,” appeared in shimmering purple across Music Review the huge stage drapes, it was clear this show was going to be full of elaborate production strategies and visual excitement, something akin to what that “other Michael,” Michael Jackson, would give his fans.
In fact, it’s easy to put these two pop performers in a class by, themselves. Both are big on massive stage productions. Both use delightful dance steps and clever choreography to heighten their music. Both know the secret of capturing a sold-out house from start to finish.
Michael opened with a twisting, rousing version of “I Want Your Sex” off “Faith” and, essentially, stuck with the familiar hits-“One More Try,” “Father Figure,” the album’s title song, and “I’m Your Man,” among others. With the exception of “Careless Whisper,” Michael steered clear of any songs from his Wham! days. No one seemed to mind that he has closed the door on that part of his career.
Everything about the concert, from the mesmerizing light show which almost always added another dimension to the music, to Michael’s expert 7-piece back-up band and the absolutely smart pace of the show-was about as good as it gets in arena pop concerts.
Michael is a master when it comes to singing to his female audience, making certain each and every fan feels as if the superstar is singing straight at her. Even though the nearly two hour show had it share of ballads, Michael made sure the audience’s enthusiasm or energy level didn’t fade.
What George Michael has done with his “Faith,” his multi-platinum album and this, the support tour, is restore a bit of faith in mainstream pop music. Michael proves the music form doesn’t have to be mushy or Mickey Mouse, and it doesn’t have to compromise too much in order to sell records. In the hands of such a skillful performer and vocalist as Michael, contemporary pop music almost sounds as good as it did in the mid-60s, its golden era.
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- George Michael’s Oprah Winfrey Show Interview (2004)
- Graham Norton Interview with George Michael (2003)
- George Michael: The Lone Star State Interview on Q Magazine (June 1988)