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Singer
George Michael is to play the first concert at the new Wembley
Stadium, it has been announced.
The pop star
will perform at the 90,000-capacity venue on 9 June as part of a
British and European stadium tour.
Michael, 43,
played several key gigs at the old stadium, including Live Aid
in 1985 and Wham's farewell concert in 1986 with ex-bandmate
Andrew Ridgeley.
The tour
starts in Denmark in May and the UK leg will also call at
Norwich, Manchester, Glasgow and Plymouth.
'Fitting
first gig'
Wembley
Stadium managing director Alex Horne said it was "fantastic
news" that Michael would perform the first concert at the
new venue.
"He's
no stranger to this great stage having performed at the old
stadium with both Wham at Live Aid and as a solo artist,"
he said.
"This
is a fitting first gig in the new stadium. We are looking
forward to putting the stadium back on the world map as a major
music destination."
Tickets for
all UK dates will go on sale at 1000 GMT on Thursday.
The pop star
will also visit France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Slovakia, the
Czech Republic, Sweden, Holland and Hungary as part of the 25
Live Stadium Tour.
In December,
rock group Muse announced they would be the first band to play
at the revamped London stadium on 16 June.
The £757m
venue was due to reopen in August 2005, but a series of hold-ups
led to a number of musical and sporting events being postponed.
Last year,
Bon Jovi, Robbie Williams and the Rolling Stones changed venues
because of the delays.
Wembley is
expected to officially open with the FA Cup final on 19 May. |
