Tickets now on sale: George Michael

HE'S a biggie, and he's coming to Liverpool.

This summer George Michael makes his eagerly awaited return to the stage with Symphonica: The Orchestral Tour, his first European dates since 2008. 

"Several of the venues have been specially chosen for their architectural beauty, their quality of sound and their cultural history," we are told.

Ah yes..The Opera House in Prague, the Royal Albert Hall in London... the Echo Arena.

The former Young Gun will perform not only a carefully chosen selection of his own songs, spanning all his remarkable, near 30-year career (that would be all his slowies then?), but he will cover some of his favourite songs from other artists (their slowies too).

The music will be re-worked and re-arranged for the orchestra which will accompany George at each location.

"This new classical setting will give each song added layers and new nuances. It's unmistakeably George Michael, but not as we've ever known him," it says here.

"Symphonica will be both a new musical direction for George, fulfilling a long-cherished artistic ambition and a significant cultural exchange, not least since many of the concerts will take place in specially selected venues - the first time George has played such settings - in countries including Denmark, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Germany, Ireland and the UK."

*George Michael, Symphonics, Echo Arena Liverpool. Tickets on sale, Monday May 16, 10am, from usual outlets.