George Michael's Long-Lost Concert Film Set for Global Release This Year
In a major announcement for music enthusiasts, a previously unseen concert film capturing George Michael at the peak of his fame during his landmark 1988 Faith Tour will finally be released to cinemas worldwide later this year. This remarkable footage, filmed over two nights in Paris and preserved on 35mm film, has remained hidden from public view for decades until now.
Rediscovered Footage from a Career-Defining Moment
The film documents Michael performing at Paris's Bercy Arena during his first solo tour, which followed the phenomenal success of his debut solo album Faith. Captured by fourteen cameras during performances on May 30 and 31, 1988, the footage shows the artist fresh from releasing what would become one of the best-selling albums of all time.
While footage from Rotterdam and Madrid concerts was broadcast at the time, the Paris recordings have never been publicly released. The film's restoration and remastering have been overseen by Michael's long-time collaborators Andy Morahan and David Austin, who confirmed the cinematic release would coincide with the tenth anniversary of the singer's passing.
Comprehensive Accompanying Release Package
The cinematic experience, titled George Michael: The Faith Tour, will be accompanied by an eighteen-track live album featuring recordings from the Faith Tour. This collection includes both live performances and previously unreleased material from both Michael's solo career and his time with Wham!
Additionally, a short film created by photographer Mary McCartney—daughter of Paul McCartney—will premiere alongside the concert footage. This supplementary film incorporates never-before-seen photographs of Michael taken by renowned photographer Herb Ritts, combined with audio from a previously unheard interview with the pop icon.
Historical Context of the Faith Era
Following Wham!'s dissolution in 1986, George Michael embarked on his solo career with the release of Faith in 1987. The album proved to be a monumental success, spawning four number-one singles including the title track and "Father Figure." It earned Michael the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the Brit Award for Best British Male Artist.
The subsequent Faith Tour represented Michael's first venture as a solo performer, encompassing 109 shows across the globe between February 1988 and July 1989. This period marked a transformative chapter in his artistic journey, establishing him as a formidable solo act independent of his Wham! origins.
Legacy and Personal Reflections
George Michael passed away on Christmas Day 2016 at age 53. His partner Fadi Fawaz discovered him, with a coroner later determining natural causes—specifically dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis and fatty liver disease—as the cause of death.
Reflecting on Michael's creative process, guitarist Hugh Burns, who performed on the 1984 hit "Careless Whisper," shared insights with The Independent in 2024. "The thing about George that was exceptional—and I've worked with a lot of wonderful singers—is that he had all his ideas in his head," Burns recalled. "Very often he would sing it to you, to give you an idea. He was very strict on detail, and he had a remarkable talent for getting the feel just right."
This year's release serves as both a celebration of Michael's artistic legacy and a poignant reminder of his meticulous approach to music-making, offering fans new perspectives on one of pop music's most influential figures during his career-defining moment.
