One of my favorites, George Michael, has just announced a brief tour of Australia for 2010. Long rumored, the dates are GM’s first Australian shows in over 20 years… since the Faith tour back in 1988!

I had a chance to see him on the U.S. leg of the 25 Live tour last July in Dallas. One of the best shows I’ve ever been to… for Australian fans of 80s music, George Michael or just damn good live vocals, you should definitely look into attending one (or both) of these shows!

The two dates:

Saturday, February 20th – Perth, Members Equity Stadium
Friday, February 26th – Sydney Football Stadium

George Michael is set to have a good holiday season as well. On December 13th, he will release his new single – “December Song,” and a week earlier on December 8th, his “Live In London” DVD hits store shelves. On 12/3 it will have an extremely limited engagement in theaters. It’s a good time to be a George Michael fan!

Here’s the official press release:

It’s confirmed! After months of rumour and speculation, legendary superstar GEORGE MICHAEL has officially announced that he will be performing live in Australia for the first time since 1988!

GEORGE MICHAEL will perform 2 special event stadium shows in Australia in February 2010: the first one in Perth at Members Equity Stadium on Saturday 20 February, before heading to Sydney to perform at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 26 February.

Australian promoter Paul Dainty said “It is thrilling to bring George Michael to Australia again, he last toured here on the Faith tour in 1988. He is a consummate performer and will deliver a stunning show to his fans who have waited 22 years to see him perform in Australia.”

George will perform material taken from the entire span of his career, including classic Wham! tracks.

When George first announced his 25 Live Tour in 2007 tickets, were snapped up in minutes. The critically acclaimed tour saw George perform in front of over 2 million people worldwide with a 49 date 25 Live Arena Tour and a 30 date 25 Live Stadium Tour. In summer 2008, George took his 25 Live Tour to arenas across North America touring North America for the first time in 20 years. In London alone, 350,000 people collectively watched him performing in Earls Court, Wembley Arena, The Roundhouse and the newly renovated Wembley Stadium, where he made musical history as the first artist to perform at the momentous venue in June 2007.

George Michael has enjoyed one of the most successful and enduring careers in the history of pop music, selling more than 100 million records globally and encompassing six US No. 1 singles, a Grammy award, three American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and two prestigious Ivor Novello awards for songwriting. His record “Faith” has sold over 20 million copies alone. In addition, Michael has garnered 11 British No. 1 singles and eight British No. 1 albums. He recently was declared the most played British artist on radio over the course of the last 20 years.

His exceptional performances in the UK, Europe and North America received unprecedented praise from both critics and fans across the globe.

“George proved he is simply one of the best vocalists this country has ever produced.” — The Sun

“King George still reigns supreme” — Mail on Sunday

“A masterclass in pop genius” — The Observer

“A tremendous singer, a complete showman. All George Michael needs is a mic, his songs, and the magic on stage is instaneous” — La Parisien

“As he closed with the still stirring ‘Freedom,’ his hands raised high, testifying like an evangelist for self-determination. Then he was on his knees, giving the ‘I’m not worthy’ bow several times towards his fans. His crowds roared back, still dancing to the music, suggesting that maybe he was.” — Rolling Stone

It was in 2006 that George broke the all-time record for both tickets sales and gross income at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen, a record that was formerly held by international rock group U2.

Australian promoter Paul Dainty said “It is thrilling to bring George Michael to Australia again, he last toured here on the Faith tour in 1988. He is a consummate performer and will deliver a stunning show to his fans who have waited 22 years to see him perform in Australia.”

George will perform material taken from the entire span of his career, including classic Wham! tracks.

When George first announced his 25 Live Tour in 2007 tickets, were snapped up in minutes. The critically acclaimed tour saw George perform in front of over 2 million people worldwide with a 49 date 25 Live Arena Tour and a 30 date 25 Live Stadium Tour. In summer 2008, George took his 25 Live Tour to arenas across North America touring North America for the first time in 20 years. In London alone, 350,000 people collectively watched him performing in Earls Court, Wembley Arena, The Roundhouse and the newly renovated Wembley Stadium, where he made musical history as the first artist to perform at the momentous venue in June 2007.

George Michael has enjoyed one of the most successful and enduring careers in the history of pop music, selling more than 100 million records globally and encompassing six US No. 1 singles, a Grammy award, three American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and two prestigious Ivor Novello awards for songwriting. His record “Faith” has sold over 20 million copies alone. In addition, Michael has garnered 11 British No. 1 singles and eight British No. 1 albums. He recently was declared the most played British artist on radio over the course of the last 20 years.

His exceptional performances in the UK, Europe and North America received unprecedented praise from both critics and fans across the globe.

“George proved he is simply one of the best vocalists this country has ever produced.” — The Sun

“King George still reigns supreme” — Mail on Sunday

“A masterclass in pop genius” — The Observer

“A tremendous singer, a complete showman. All George Michael needs is a mic, his songs, and the magic on stage is instaneous” — La Parisien

“As he closed with the still stirring ‘Freedom,’ his hands raised high, testifying like an evangelist for self-determination. Then he was on his knees, giving the ‘I’m not worthy’ bow several times towards his fans. His crowds roared back, still dancing to the music, suggesting that maybe he was.” — Rolling Stone

It was in 2006 that George broke the all-time record for both tickets sales and gross income at the Parken stadium in Copenhagen, a record that was formerly held by international rock group U2.

For more info, please check out GeorgeMichael.com. Enjoy!