Legendary English singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Phil Collins is returning down under in January and February next year for his 'Not Dead Yet: Live!' tour. He will first perform at Perth's RAC Arena then will go to Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium before treating Sydney fans to a three-night concert at the Qudos Bank Arena. He will also stop by at the Adelaide Oval before concluding the Aussie leg with back-to-back shows at Melbourne's AAMI Park. Following the AU dates, Collins will fly to New Zealand for shows at the Christchurch Stadium and Mission Estate Winery in Napier.
Titled after Collins' 2016 memoir of the same name, 'Not Dead Yet: Live!' is a celebration of his life's work. The tour began in the UK and Europe in June, with his 5-night show at Royal Albert Hall in London selling out within 15 seconds. He also sold out all five arena shows in Germany and another five arena shows in France, along with successfully headlining a 65,000-capacity show at Hyde Park. With the South and Central American leg just completed and a North American tour scheduled for October 2018, 'Not Dead Yet: Live!' has basked in praises from fans and critics alike, with The Guardian saying, "Collins' voice slips into gear, and a run of great songs sets the hall alight with excitement", while Irish Independent exclaimed "…pop legend Phil Collins proved he could still deliver…", and The Sheffield Star reported, "…he started with a standing ovation and finished with one that almost brought the house down."
The hitmaker's backing band will feature longtime touring members—guitarist Daryl Stuermer (his former touring mate in Genesis), keyboardist Brad Cole, bassist Leland Sklar and percussionist Luis Conte, along with a horn section and backup vocalists. Completing the band lineup is Collins' 16-year old drummer son, Nicolas.
"I thought I would retire quietly," says Phil of his return, "But thanks to the fans, my family and support from some extraordinary artists I have rediscovered my passion for music and performing. It’s time to do it all again and I’m excited. It just feels right."
Starting out as a drummer-turned-reluctant-frontman in the 1970s, Phil Collins took Genesis from beloved rock group to one of the biggest bands in the world. He made a smashing debut as a solo artist in 1981 with the album 'Face Value' and its hit single 'In The Air Tonight'—both of which topped the charts worldwide and went multi-platinum in Australia. He followed this with multiple chart-topping hits and seven Top 10 Australian singles including 'You Can’t Hurry Love', 'Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)', 'One More Night' and 'A Groovy Kind Of Love'.
Phil Collins is definitely a generational icon and cultural legend whose work continues to influence and inspire fans, critics and fellow artists such as Adele, Lorde, Pharrell, and Beyoncé. Throughout his almost five-decade career, he has sold over 280 million records, has won seven Grammy Awards and an Oscar among other numerous accolades, has had more UK Top 40 singles than any other artist of the 1980s and has released 20 Platinum albums.
Grab your tickets and catch the legendary Phil Collins live next year!
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