Phil Collins has announced his live return, confirming a five-show stay at London’s Royal Albert Hall for 2017, as well as French and German gigs.
News of the ‘Not Dead Yet Live’ tour was announced at a press conference held at the venue, which featured a Q&A hosted by Jools Holland.
Collins retired from playing live in 2002, citing injuries to his back and arms caused by years of playing drums. He went on a brief reunion tour with Genesis in 2007, but has since been absent from performing concerts.
Now Collins has confirmed a five night stay at the Royal Albert Hall for next June. He will also play two shows at Cologne’s Lanxess Arena and Paris’ Accors Hotel Arena. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday (October 21).
Phil Collins will play the following shows:
London, Royal Albert Hall (June 4, 5, 7, 8, 9)
Cologne, Lanxess Arena (11, 12)
Paris, Accors Hotel Arena (18, 19)
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GettyCollins said at the press conference: “I’ll play these shows and then I’ll have a lie-down. I’m old-school. Touring used to be like going to war: it went on so long, you didn’t know when you’d come back. But now, I can do it all in three weeks.”
The singer admitted he will only be well enough to sing, with his 15-year-old son Nicholas taking his place on the drums.
Collins said: “I play with my fingers, and that’s where the dexterity has gone. They’ve clammed up, and I’m hoping to get the strength back in them. I hope I’ll be able to play ‘In The Air Tonight’, as I should do that song.”
Asked about Genesis, Collins said their 2007 reunion tour was supposed to be their chance to say goodbye. But he added that writing his autobiography had reminded him of their friendship. He said: “I wouldn’t want to do anything that lasted six months or a long time. But I wouldn’t rule out doing something.”
Collins added he’d be interested in working with a new generation of admirers, who include Adele, Pharrell, Kanye West and Beyoncé. He said: “My daughter Lily got me Pharrell’s number, but I don’t know what to say. ‘Hi man, I love your music.’ I would be interested but it’d have to be a proper collaboration. I don’t just want to be the ornament on someone else’s cake.”
Collins announced in October 2015 that he was coming out of retirement to play shows. He said that his sons Nicholas and Matthew were aged 14 and 10, and wanted to see their father play shows. Collins commented: “They were in nappies when I was last on the road. They love my music, and I’d love to take them out on the road.”
Since that announcement, Collins has only performed at a handful of charity shows. His last album of new music was ‘Testify’ in 2002, when he announced he was retiring before the album’s accompanying tour, which was called ‘My First Farewell Tour’.
Collins releases his autobiography, Not Dead Yet, this week (October 20).