# The Faith Tour

The Faith Tour was the first solo concert tour by English singer-songwriter George Michael, launched in support of his multi-million selling debut solo album Faith. The tour spanned nine months between February and October 1988 with three final shows in the summer of 1989 comprising 109 shows across sixteen countries. It was choreographed by Paula Abdul.

## Overview

On 30 October 1987, George Michael released his debut solo studio album, Faith. After receiving a 1988 Brit Award for "Best British Male" at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Michael embarked on a massive sold out world tour which would occupy most of that year. It started in Tokyo's Budokan indoor arena in February and ended at Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida. Most of the set list was based on the Faith track listing with a couple of songs from Wham! ("Everything She Wants" and "I'm Your Man"). Michael also paid a tribute to artists that he had been influenced by such as "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle, Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music" and Stevie Wonder's "Love's in Need of Love Today". When Michael performed at Birmingham's NEC Arena, former Wham! bandmate Andrew Ridgeley joined him briefly onstage for a performance of "I'm Your Man". With already two US number ones, new singles continued to be released while on tour, with "One More Try" and "Monkey" reaching number 1 in late May and August 1988 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
On 11 June 1988, Michael performed three songs including Gladys Knight's "If You Were My Woman" for the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium. Michael used the concert as preparation for a show later the same day at London's Earls Court.
For the first five months, Michael had consulted eight doctors in a variety of countries for throat pain which had caused some concert cancellations. Eventually in London he was diagnosed with a cyst in the throat. The demanding schedule took a pause for Michael to recuperate. In August 1988, Michael toured the United States beginning in Landover, Maryland and closing late October in Pensacola, Florida. In August, in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Michael was joined on stage by Aretha Franklin for a duet on "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)". The 43-date American tour alone grossed a total of $15 million (about $38.6 million in today's dollars), performing to over 750,000 fans. Michael also topped the Billboard Year-End of 1988 charts in the US with Faith and single of the same title. According to RIAA, he was the top-selling artist of the year 1988 in the United States.

### Last shows (1989)

In early July 1989, nine months after the tour ended, Michael performed three special concerts (shows in Spain had been previously cancelled) at Madrid's Las Ventas, La Rosaleda Stadium, Málaga and Sarrià Stadium in Barcelona.

## Broadcast and recordings

The concert on 16 April 1988 in Rotterdam was professionally recorded for a commercial release of the tour. No DVD has been released.
The concert on 31 May 1988 in Paris was officially recorded as audio and 11 tracks from that show were broadcast on several radio stations in several countries.
The concert on 1 July 1989 in Madrid was recorded and broadcast live on the television channel TVE1 in Spain and various European and Latin American countries.

## Opening acts

* Deon Estus (North America, selected dates)
* The Bangles (North America, selected dates)
* Johnny Clegg & Savuka (Toronto)

## Set list

1988
1989

## Shows

List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, tickets sold, number of available tickets, and amount of gross revenue :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Gross |
| Asia ||||||
| 19 February 1988 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | | |
| 20 February 1988 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | | |
| 21 February 1988 | Tokyo | Japan | Nippon Budokan | | |
| 23 February 1988 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka-Jo Hall | | |
| 24 February 1988 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka-Jo Hall | | |
| 26 February 1988 | Nagoya | Japan | Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium | | |
| Oceania ||||||
| 4 March 1988 | Auckland | New Zealand | Western Springs Stadium | | |
| 8 March 1988 | Auckland | New Zealand | Western Springs Stadium | | |
| 9 March 1988 | Perth | Australia | Perth Entertainment Centre | | |
| 11 March 1988 | Adelaide | Australia | Memorial Drive Park | | |
| 12 March 1988 | Adelaide | Australia | Memorial Drive Park | | |
| 13 March 1988 | Canberra | Australia | Bruce Stadium | | |
| 14 March 1988 | Canberra | Australia | Bruce Stadium | | |
| 17 March 1988 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre | | |
| 18 March 1988 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre | | |
| 19 March 1988 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre | | |
| 24 March 1988 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | | |
| 26 March 1988 | Melbourne | Australia | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | | |
| 27 March 1988 | Melbourne | Australia | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | | |
| 28 March 1988 | Melbourne | Australia | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | | |
| 2 April 1988 | Melbourne | Australia | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | | |
| North America ||||||
| 5 April 1988 | Honolulu | United States | Blaisdell Arena | 14,799 / 14,799 | $320,108 |
| 6 April 1988 | Honolulu | United States | Blaisdell Arena | 14,799 / 14,799 | $320,108 |
| Europe ||||||
| 12 April 1988 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy | | |
| 13 April 1988 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy | | |
| 14 April 1988 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy | | |
| 16 April 1988 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy | | |
| 18 April 1988 | Paris | France | Zénith de Paris | | |
| 21 April 1988 | Oslo | Norway | Drammenshallen | | |
| 22 April 1988 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Scandinavium | | |
| 23 April 1988 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Scandinavium | | |
| 9 May 1988 | Frankfurt | West Germany | Festhalle | | |
| 11 May 1988 | Munich | West Germany | Olympiahalle | | |
| 12 May 1988 | Vienna | Austria | Wiener Stadthalle | | |
| 16 May 1988 | Milan | Italy | Milan Arena | | |
| 17 May 1988 | Milan | Italy | Milan Arena | | |
| 20 May 1988 | Rome | Italy | Palazzo dello Sport | | |
| 21 May 1988 | Verona | Italy | Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi | | |
| 23 May 1988 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | | |
| 24 May 1988 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | | |
| 26 May 1988 | Lyon | France | Palais des Sports de Gerland | | |
| 27 May 1988 | Montpellier | France | Le Zénith | | |
| 30 May 1988 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy | | |
| 31 May 1988 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy | | |
| 2 June 1988 | Hamburg | West Germany | Sporthalle Hamburg | | |
| 3 June 1988 | Hamburg | West Germany | Sporthalle Hamburg | | |
| 10 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 11 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 12 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 14 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 15 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 16 June 1988 | London | England | Earls Court | | |
| 18 June 1988 | Glasgow | Scotland | SECC Hall 4 | | |
| 19 June 1988 | Glasgow | Scotland | SECC Hall 4 | | |
| 23 June 1988 | Birmingham | England | NEC Arena | | |
| 24 June 1988 | Birmingham | England | NEC Arena | | |
| 25 June 1988 | Birmingham | England | NEC Arena | | |
| North America ||||||
| 6 August 1988 | Landover | United States | Capital Centre | 29,331 / 29,331 | $586,620 |
| 7 August 1988 | Landover | United States | Capital Centre | 29,331 / 29,331 | $586,620 |
| 9 August 1988 | Philadelphia | United States | The Spectrum | 31,725 / 31,725 | $611,612 |
| 10 August 1988 | Philadelphia | United States | The Spectrum | 31,725 / 31,725 | $611,612 |
| 11 August 1988 | Hartford | United States | Hartford Civic Center | | |
| 14 August 1988 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden | 51,312 / 51,312 | $1,129,905 |
| 15 August 1988 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden | 51,312 / 51,312 | $1,129,905 |
| 16 August 1988 | New York City | United States | Madison Square Garden | 51,312 / 51,312 | $1,129,905 |
| 19 August 1988 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center | | |
| 20 August 1988 | Mansfield | United States | Great Woods Center | | |
| 21 August 1988 | East Rutherford | United States | Brendan Byrne Arena | 18,704 / 18,704 | $360,961 |
| 23 August 1988 | Montreal | Canada | Stade Olympique | 21,640 / 35,000 | $520,701 |
| 25 August 1988 | Ottawa | Canada | CCE | | |
| 27 August 1988 | Toronto | Canada | CNE Stadium | 45,289 / 45,289 | $996,287 |
| 29 August 1988 | Auburn Hills | United States | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 33,822 / 33,822 | $676,440 |
| 30 August 1988 | Auburn Hills | United States | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 33,822 / 33,822 | $676,440 |
| 1 September 1988 | Pittsburgh | United States | Civic Arena | 14,189 / 14,189 | $252,001 |
| 2 September 1988 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum | 23,984 / 23,984 | $479,680 |
| 3 September 1988 | Richfield | United States | Richfield Coliseum | 23,984 / 23,984 | $479,680 |
| 6 September 1988 | Rosemont | United States | Rosemont Horizon | 28,724 / 28,724 | $646,290 |
| 7 September 1988 | Rosemont | United States | Rosemont Horizon | 28,724 / 28,724 | $646,290 |
| 9 September 1988 | East Troy | United States | Alpine Valley Music Theatre | 20,302 / 20,302 | $388,944 |
| 11 September 1988 | Lexington | United States | Rupp Arena | 17,674 / 17,674 | $353,480 |
| 13 September 1988 | Saint Paul | United States | St. Paul Civic Center | 15,678 / 15,678 | $305,721 |
| 17 September 1988 | Greenwood Village | United States | Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre | 28,386 / 36,000 | $515,607 |
| 18 September 1988 | Greenwood Village | United States | Fiddler's Green Amphitheatre | 28,386 / 36,000 | $515,607 |
| 22 September 1988 | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome | 45,240 / 45,240 | $891,900 |
| 23 September 1988 | Tacoma | United States | Tacoma Dome | 45,240 / 45,240 | $891,900 |
| 25 September 1988 | Vancouver | Canada | Pacific Coliseum | 13,596 / 13,596 | $320,403 |
| 27 September 1988 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre | 40,606 / 42,952 | $735,710 |
| 28 September 1988 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre | 40,606 / 42,952 | $735,710 |
| 29 September 1988 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre | 40,606 / 42,952 | $735,710 |
| 2 October 1988 | Inglewood | United States | The Forum | 42,382 / 42,382 | $902,768 |
| 3 October 1988 | Inglewood | United States | The Forum | 42,382 / 42,382 | $902,768 |
| 4 October 1988 | Inglewood | United States | The Forum | 42,382 / 42,382 | $902,768 |
| 7 October 1988 | Irvine | United States | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre | 43,936 / 45,000 | $1,007,600 |
| 8 October 1988 | Irvine | United States | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre | 43,936 / 45,000 | $1,007,600 |
| 9 October 1988 | Irvine | United States | Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre | 43,936 / 45,000 | $1,007,600 |
| 11 October 1988 | San Diego | United States | San Diego Sports Arena | 11,700 / 11,700 | $247,659 |
| 14 October 1988 | Irving | United States | Texas Stadium | 38,564 / 41,000 | $846,923 |
| 16 October 1988 | Houston | United States | The Summit | 13,256 / 15,000 | $308,893 |
| 18 October 1988 | New Orleans | United States | Louisiana Superdome | 24,000 / 30,000 | $450,555 |
| 20 October 1988 | Atlanta | United States | Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium | | |
| 23 October 1988 | Orlando | United States | Citrus Bowl | 34,547 / 35,000 | $667,840 |
| 26 October 1988 | Tampa | United States | Expo Hall | 10,288 / 10,288 | $223,322 |
| 29 October 1988 | Miami | United States | Orange Bowl | 34,439 / 35,000 | $663,400 |
| 31 October 1988 | Pensacola | United States | Pensacola Civic Center | 9,274 / 9,274 | $178,386 |
| Europe ||||||
| 1 July 1989 | Madrid | Spain | Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas | | |
| 4 July 1989 | Málaga | Spain | Estadio La Rosaleda | | |
| 6 July 1989 | Barcelona | Spain | Estadi de Sarrià | | |

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| 29 February 1988 | Yokohama, Japan | Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium | Cancelled |
| 21 March 1988 | Sydney, Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre | Cancelled |
| 23 March 1988 | Brisbane, Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Cancelled |
| 30, 31 March 1988 | Melbourne, Australia | Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre | Cancelled |
| 25 April 1988 | Helsinki, Finland | Jäähalli | Cancelled |
| 27, 28 April 1988 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Valby-Hallen | Cancelled |
| 29, 30 April 1988 | Hamburg, West Germany | Sporthalle Hamburg | Cancelled |
| 2 May 1988 | West Berlin, West Germany | Deutschlandhalle | Cancelled |
| 4 May 1988 | Dortmund, West Germany | Westfalenhalle | Cancelled |
| 6 May 1988 | Frankfurt, West Germany | Festhalle | Cancelled |
| 7 May 1988 | Stuttgart, West Germany | Schleyer-Halle | Cancelled |
| 14 May 1988 | Verona, Italy | Verona Arena | Cancelled. Concert rescheduled to 21 May 1988 |
| 18 May 1988 | Genova, Italy | PalaSport | Cancelled |
| 1 June 1988 | Paris, France | Palais des Sports | Cancelled |
| 5 June 1988 | Dortmund, West Germany | Westfalenhalle | Cancelled |
| 6 June 1988 | Stuttgart, West Germany | Schleyer-Halle | Cancelled |
| 29 June 1988 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | King's Hall | Cancelled |
| 1 July 1988 | Dublin, Ireland | Royal Dublin Society | Cancelled |
| 8 July 1988 | Copenhagen, Denmark | Valby-Hallen | Cancelled |
| 10 July 1988 | Leysin, Switzerland | Leysin Rock Festival | Cancelled |
| 12 July 1988 | Antwerp, Belgium | Sportpaleis | Cancelled |
| 15 July 1988 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | Feijenoord Stadion | Cancelled |
| 18 July 1988 | Viareggio, Italy | Sports Stadium | Cancelled |
| 20, 21 July 1988 | Fréjus, France | Arènes de Fréjus | Cancelled |
| 23 July 1988 | Barcelona, Spain | Estadi de Sarrià | Cancelled. Concert rescheduled to 6 July 1989 |
| 27, 28 July 1988 | Madrid, Spain | Plaza de Toros de Las Ventas | Cancelled. Concert rescheduled to 1 July 1989 |

## Personnel

As printed in the official tour programme: