September 25, 2006 10:17

George Michael plays first gig for 15 years George Michael Tickets

And gets political

George Michael laid into George W Bush when he played his first gig for 15 years on Saturday (September 23) in Barcelona.

The first night of his Live 25 tour saw the singer courting controversy for during the performance of ’Shoot The Dog’.

The performance featured a 50ft blow up doll of US President George W Bush.

Michael unzipped the president’s flies to reveal a British bulldog nuzzling at Bush’s groin and wagging its tail.

During the start of the gig at the Sant Jordi stadium, Michael also made reference to his recent tabloid scandals.

He told the 18,000 strong audience : "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.”

Michael also commented on the fact that his voice may have been affected by years of smoking marijuana, he said: “I’m still a tenor. Some my falsetto may have gone, but my voice in general sounds pretty much the same as ever.”

He played:

‘Waiting’
‘Flawless’
‘Fastlove’
‘Father Figure’
‘Star People’
‘The First Time That Ever I Saw Your Face’
‘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’
‘Careless Whisper’
‘Freedom '90’

The tour, which is to commemorate the singer’s 25-year anniversary in the music industry, is set to hit the UK at the following locations:

Manchester MEN Arena (November 17/18/21)
Glasgow SECC (22)
London Earls Court (25/26/28/29)
Birmingham NEC (December 2/3/4)
London Wembley Arena (11/12/14/15)

For ticket availability go to NME.COM/Gigs.

A best of compilation, also called '25', is to be released on November 13.