Phil Collins Opens South American Tour in Rio

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Following back surgery and with hip issues, Collins performs mostly while seated. He’s pictured in Nottingham, U.K. on November 22, 2017

After testing the waters in 2016 with a couple of brief live performances, Phil Collins announced in October 2016, his Not Dead Yet tour of the U.K. plus five nights each in Paris, France and Cologne, Germany, his first extended time on the road as a solo act since 2004-2005. (The tour name is derived from Collins’ 2016 autobiography, Not Dead Yet.)

The veteran musician began his comeback on June 2, 2017 in Liverpool but after just four dates, he suffered a serious fall in his London hotel room, causing him to postpone several dates at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

The tour resumed last November at Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham, U.K., the kick-off date of Collins’ autumn U.K. tour. On Nov. 27, Collins announced the first dates of his 2018 tour, with stadium concerts in South America, Mexico and Puerto Rico. The Pretenders are serving as the opening act.

The tour began Thursday night, Feb. 22, at Rio de Janeiro’s 75,000+ seat Estadio do Maracana, but not without some drama. When the musician arrived at Rio’s Galeão international airport on Tuesday, he encountered visa issues when Brazilian authorities contended he didn’t have a work visa. Collins was detained three hours before the matter was resolved.

The opening night setlist resembled last year’s concerts, leaning heavily on the musician’s extensive (and hugely successful) solo career–which earned him seven U.S. #1 singles–plus a handful of Genesis hits. (See the complete list below.)

Collins has had back surgery as well as hip issues in recent years and now drums only sparingly. (The 66-year-old now sits throughout most of these performances.) His band includes his son, Nic, on drums, as well as the veteran bassist Leland Sklar.

Watch the evening’s opening number

Watch Genesis’ 1978 breakthrough hit

Watch Collins perform his first solo hit

Watch a Genesis favorite

Collins fans are still waiting for word on North American dates.

Phil Collins, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Estadio do Maracana, February 22, 2018 Setlist

Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Another Day in Paradise
I Missed Again
Hang in Long Enough
Wake Up Call
Throwing It All Away
Follow You Follow Me
Only You Know and I Know
Separate Lives
Something Happened on the Way to Heaven
In the Air Tonight
You Can’t Hurry Love
Dance Into the Light
Invisible Touch
Easy Lover
Sussudio

Encore
Take Me Home

Phil Collins 2018 Tour (Tickets are also available here)

Mar 06 – Monterrey, Mexico – Auditorio Citibanamex
Mar 07 – Guadalajara, Mexico – Arena VFG
Mar 09 – Mexico City, Mexico – Palacio de los Deportes
Mar 10 – Mexico City, Mexico – Palacio de los Deportes
Mar 13 – Lima, Peru – Jockey Club del Peru
Mar 15 – Santiago, Chile – Estadio Nacional
Mar 17 – Montevideo, Uruguay – Estadio Centenario
Mar 19 – Cordoba, Argentina – Estadio Institutu
Mar 20 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Campo Argentino de Polo
Mar 23 – San Juan, Puerto Rico – Coliseo de Puerto Rico

The musician’s solo catalog received a significant overhaul from Rhino in 2016. An 8-CD set was released on November 24, 2017.