George Michael’s show in Sofia unfolded at Lokomotiv stadium on a giant eighty-ton stage, fixed with equipment that was transported to the Bulgarian capital with a fleet of 36 TIR vehicles.
A mature and politically engaged George Michael took the stage in Sofia Monday evening, 28th May, in support of the plight of the five Bulgarian nurses jailed in Libya. Widely described as the most impatiently awaited gig of the year in Bulgaria, the concert was part of George Michael’s “25 Live” concert tour, his first in over fifteen years. The British pop star cancelled a concert in Germany to come to Bulgaria and embrace the campaign “You are not alone”, which aims to raise the international profile of the nurses, sentenced to death in Libya on bogus charges of intentionally infecting 426 children with AIDS.
“The very special reason for being here tonight is to support the “You are not alone” campaign and free the five nurses and a Palestinian doctor jailed in Libya! And do it now!,” George Michael said to an exalted audience of fifteen thousand fans packed at Lokomotiv stadium.
The huge scene and impressive visual effects of the show were something unseen in Bulgaria so far. Three big video walls - one if them tongue-shaped and slipping out into the audience - showed the star performing on stage and video clips in combination with impressive light effects and massive sound that offered the fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience and proved that high-quality remains George Michael trade mark. “Freedom”, one of his best written, produced and sung songs, put a logical end to the show with a plea for the release of the Bulgarian women. “This song is especially for the Bulgarian nurses sentenced to death in Libya. I dedicate this song to them - let’s cry out Freedom together, so that the whole world hears us. Freedom is what they need most! What a terrible injustice,” said the Megastar, without hiding his happiness that the proceeds of his mega concert will go to the association Freedom for the Nurses, founded by their relatives.
