Joe McElderry did George Michasel incredibly proud when he honoured the late and great singer with a barnstorming performance at the O2 City Hall Newcastle on Sunday night on his Freedom tour.
The South Shields star, who won X Factor an incredible 13 years ago, is currently on the road with a show packed full of hits from the back catalogue of a man whose music continues to live on after his death at the end of 20-16. Former Wham star George might have gone too soon but, thanks to his music, he will never be forgotten and Joe's Freedom concert celebrates the legend in the best possible way.
As well as being a tribute to the superb tracks George had in his locker, the Freedom tour allows Joe to showcase the fantastic vocals with captured the votes of the nation back in 2009, with his voice maturing like a fine wine, meaning often overlooked George Michael tracks like Amazing and Jesus To A Child are the perfect springboard for his talents.
Joe's Freedom tour sees him flanked by a small but highly effective band, including Jen Stevens on the keys, who is given a well deserved turn in the spotlight to be the Aretha Franklin to Joe's George on a fantastic duet of the pair's hit I Knew You Were Waiting For Me.
George Michael is an artist with so many brilliant songs to his name so having to whittle them down for a tour setlist would have been an unenviable task for Joe, but his selections are spot on, helping the Freedom show to have plenty of light and shade. You could hear a pin drop as he delivered a spine-tingling rendition of I Can't Make You Love Me, while Praying for Time and Father Figure sound just as fresh as they did on first release.
Newcastle crowds are known for needing little encouragement to get up out of their seats, with them jumping at the chance to do some dancing early doors to Fast Love, before as Wham medley threatened to lift the roof off the City Hall. But, the stand out moment of the whole shebang has to be Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me.
Joe made everyone stand up and pay attention when he performed the track on one of The X Factor live shows, before the 'pinch yourself' moment of getting to sing it with George in the final. And there wasn't an arm without a goosebump on it as he performed it in Newcastle on Sunday night, with the reaction in the room speaking volumes.
A great show by a great singer and a terrific tribute to a man who was one of the best in the business.
*Joe's Freedom tour runs until October 30, calling at Nottingham and Stockton, before ending in Llandudno. Head to Ticketmaster for tickets and more information.
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