I was lucky enough to see George Michael perform live several times in his (sadly) final years, but I never got to experience him at the height of his fame, during the halcyon post-Wham! era. For anyone unfamiliar with that period, it was when he became a bona fide superstar following the release of his debut solo album, Faith. Now it turns out someone had the foresight to record an entire concert back in 1988, despite only needing a few clips for the promotional video for his single Monkey. Although it was never intended to become a concert film, that long-lost, 14-camera, 35mm shoot, captured over two nights in May at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, is now finally hitting the big screen. Enhancing the experience is a short film, Finding Faith, by Mary McCartney, featuring previously unheard interview audio alongside imagery by legendary photographer Herb Ritts.
Together, the films serve as a timely reminder of exactly what made George so special as a performer and why he remains so desperately missed almost a decade after his death.
This is a triumph of archival filmmaking, delivering two hours of outstanding pop music from a singer at the absolute top of his game – and not a mobile phone to be seen.
The 20,000-strong crowd is completely immersed in the moment, holding lighters aloft during the ballads (with not a health and safety officer in sight) and singing along so loudly at times that they almost drown out George himself.
He was just 24 years old but already a seasoned performer thanks to his time in pop powerhouse Wham! He commands the stage with a confidence and charisma far beyond his years.
Of course, the setlist is packed with classics. While many were relatively new chart hits at the time, they have endured to become much-loved staples.
George Michael’s Faith Tour is hitting the big screen almost four decades later (Image: Universal Pictures)
Everything She Wants, I’m Your Man, Faith, Monkey, and the then-controversial I Want Your Sex showcase the breadth of his songwriting, while Careless Whisper hits just as hard now as it did back then, remaining one of the most beloved ballads ever written. Meanwhile, Father Figure has enjoyed something of a resurgence in recent years thanks to its inclusion in Nicole Kidman’s film Babygirl.
George proves he can more than cut it live, doing every song justice without ever appearing breathless, despite dancing, strutting and running around the stage throughout.
His stage presence is undeniable. Although his sexuality would not become public knowledge for another decade, every audience member seems convinced he is flirting directly with them as he bumps and grinds his way through the material.
What makes this such a different big-screen concert experience is that the footage was never intended for public release.
Artists can often become overly conscious of the cameras when they know a performance is being filmed. I was recently at a huge gig by an iconic band whose members were blatantly instructing the crowd on what they wanted them to do for the cameras.
There is none of that here. George performs with complete abandon, seemingly unaware that anything more than a couple of promotional clips will ever emerge from the footage. That makes the experience feel wonderfully spontaneous and gives us an intimate glimpse of a superstar who was simply enjoying being on stage.
The timing of the release is particularly poignant as we approach the tenth anniversary of his death on Christmas Day 2016.
For long-time fans, this will undoubtedly be an emotional experience, offering the chance to revisit a performer whose talent and charisma remain as captivating as ever. For those who have only recently discovered George, it is a wonderful introduction to the magnetism that made him such a dynamic live performer.
And for anyone who simply loves live music, it is a glorious reminder of just how exhilarating a concert can be when an artist of this calibre takes to the stage.
This is a fabulous retrospective that deserves to be seen on the big screen. You will leave the cinema with a huge smile on your face, a renewed appreciation of George Michael and, almost certainly, a few of those much-loved classics still ringing in your ears.
George Michael: The Faith Tour is in cinemas and IMAX on November 6.
