Press reaction: George Michael's Symphonica

George Michael is preparing to complete his run of ‘Symphonica’ UK tour dates this October, shows which have been by his own admission, some of his “best ever”.
According to the Sheffield Star, George wowed the crowd with his “majestic performance last night”, a performance that his fans have patiently waited for. The crowd in turn roared their approval every time he crisscrossed the stage. His obvious rapport with the audience gave last night’s show an intimacy that belied the fact he was performing to yet another sold out arena.

The rescheduled ‘Symphonica’ tour kicked-off in Vienna in September, the city in which George was hospitalised with pneumonia in 2011, but George’s return to the UK has been particularly special to him, and the crowd response has brought him great happiness.

By the time George finishes at London’s Earls Court on Wednesday 17 October, he will have played an incredible 65 shows in some of the most beautiful opera houses and biggest arenas in Europe.

Having just confirmed he will not visit Australia after advice from his doctors, he has assured fans via his website that he will complete all the shows in the UK.

George Michael was in celebratory mood on his return to the UK - Huffington Post

Michael was in magnificent voice …Women screamed from the moment a curtain dropped and they could locate their idol. The performance was an almost note-perfect display of pop professionalism - Sunday Times Culture

George proved why he is one of the finest voices and songwriters of a generation - Express and Star

His Voice was pitch perfect and the fans delighted in the performance. Inevitably, as the show ended, the fans stamped their feet and called for more and he didn't disappoint, giving them the encore they were screaming for - Touchbase Magazine

Too many magic moments to mention, this tour proves 49 year old George is back, and boy he means business - Manchester Evening News

Vocally He Was In Tip Top Form - Glasgow Herald & Times

A tribute to Whitney Houston

Following the news early on Sunday 12 February that Whitney Houston had passed away, we at Marshall Arts were able to reflect on the two and half decades we had spent working with her across the UK and Europe.

There have been a great many tributes paid to this icon of modern music from those who loved and respected her. We would like to add ours.

Marshall Arts had the great privilege of working with Whitney from the very beginning of her career, starting with her first tour with us in 1986. It was a revelation. She was a very beautiful young woman, with THE most amazing voice. She quite simply stunned everyone who heard her.

Whitney has left an indelible mark on the music world and all those people to whom she gave so much joy. We are proud that we knew her and worked with her in our small way through so many milestones during the past 25 years, and indeed to be a part of her team on the road.

Whitney may be lost to all of us, but we will all remember the unique contribution she made to so many of our lives. Her voice and her spirit will live on. Her music will continue to inspire and move generations to come.

Our hearts go out to her 'treasure' - Bobbi Kristina, to Cissy and all her family, whose love, we know has been so important to her, and their support, a major part of her life's journey.

Whitney, we will all miss you.

SADE RETURNS TO EUROPE THIS AUTUMN

Due to sensational media reviews and stunning audience reactions to the recently completed spring tour, Sade have announced that they will return to Europe this autumn for further live performances, as part of their 2011 world tour.
 
New dates will include: Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, and the band are thrilled to take their show for the first time to Finland, Russia, Poland, Croatia, and Hungary.
 
After such a significant time away from the stage Sade have returned to sell out audiences of over 150,000 people in 21 cities this spring. The band’s unforgettable performances have mixed Sade’s classic sound with the stunning visuals of Sophie Muller, creating a once in a lifetime concert experience.
 
The two hour spell binding set list takes fans on a journey through their collection of timeless hits; from the crowd pleasers of ‘Smooth Operator’ to the sultry blues ballad ‘Jezebel’. This is mixed with material from their post millennial and critically acclaimed album, ‘Soldier of Love’.
 
Sade opened the first date of their 54 date US leg in Baltimore on Thursday 16th June, and have taken America by storm with rave reviews. Their American and Canadian fans are enjoying their first chance to see Sade since the acclaimed 2001 ‘Lovers Live’ Tour, and the press and public reactions have been exceptional.
 
“That luxurious, smoky voice…..is as glorious as ever”
Rolling Stone, USA
 
“Triumphant return to the stage”
USA Today
 
“They’re not gonna get any better than this….the best concert of the year”
Baltimore Sun, USA
 
“One of those shows you’d talk about for years”
Baltimore Sun, USA
 
“Best of all is her voice, by turns sultry and strident, intimate and powerful”
Bloomberg International
 
Worldwide, their last studio album ‘Soldier of Love’ has proven to be a global success, debuting in America at number one where it reigned for three weeks, it has currently sold over two and a half million albums globally, and is now Diamond certificated. Last month Sade followed this up with the release of the best of album ‘The Ultimate Collection’ which includes three never before heard tracks including ‘The Moon and The Sky’ remix featuring JAY-Z, along with 29 classic tracks, and one month after release the album is already certified double platinum.
 
The band have been nominated for American Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and have won four Grammy Awards, first in 1986 for Best New Artist, in 1994 for Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group for “No Ordinary Love”, in 2002 for Best Pop Vocal Album with Lovers Rock, and most recently in 2011 for Best R&B Performance By a Duo or Group for “Soldier of Love”.

Tina Turner promises unforgettable finale to the Tina Live tour in Sheffield

TINA TURNER PROMISES AN UNFORGETABLE FINALE TO THE TINA LIVE TOUR IN SHEFFIELD ON 5 MAY

Tina Turner will be playing the last date of her stunning world tour at the Sheffield Arena on May 5. This show is the conclusion to an astounding 89 dates that started in October 2008 in Kansas City and has had press searching for words to describe this phenomenal tour. Tina will also be playing London on May 3 at The O2 Arena for her final London performance. This will be the last chance to see the legend that is Tina Turner on her comeback tour.

Millions of fans worldwide have been blown away by the megastar’s energetic, powerful, uncompromised and unrivalled two hour set that includes Tina belting out all her much loved hits such as Simply The Best, Private Dancer and the theatrical We Don't Need Another Hero, add to this stunning outfits designed by the renowned Bob Mackie and a show-stopping production making this the must-see tour of the year.

Its not only Tina's stage presence and dancing that has left fans speechless but at the core of it all Tina's soulful voice still remains as strong as it ever was. Demonstrated perfectly in her stripped down part of the set where her bluesy, powerful and soulful vocals proves that she is undoubtedly still the greatest artist of all time.

In a tour that has visited over ten countries and fourteen states in the US it will all culminate at the Sheffield Arena where fans will be able to witness a moment in history as Tina performs the final date on her Tina Live tour.

“A perfect arena show that delivers both spectacle and triumph... This show offers nothing but her hits, and is all the better for it... Tina has energy and a raw power...and a presence that has always moved audiences.” – SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE

“Tina still has the professionalism, enthusiasm and looks for the task...this show was a culmination of every scrap of stagecraft accumulated in a musical lifetime....still every bit the glamorous but down-to-earth soul mama... The show was a visual banquet full of infectious energy” - FINANCIAL TIMES

"The booty-shaking..the climatic finale saw Tina emerge on a contraption lifting her into the bosom of the roaring crowd... Lady T, We salute you!" - DAILY STAR "Tina stood like a ship's captain on the prow of a long gantry that swung into the audience as she cheer-led them through Nutbush City Limits..." - DAILY EXPRESS