The Hyde Park stage will feature two of Genesis’ three members. Paging Tony Banks!
(Update Feb. 27): Collins tour, originally scheduled to open with five shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall, added a new first date today, announcing that he’ll be playing Liverpool’s Echo Arena on June 2. Tickets go on sale this Wednesday, March 1, at 9 a.m. No word yet on opening acts.
Our earlier item…
It’s a far cry from the full-fledged Genesis reunion that their fans have been longing for since their 2007 tour. But the possibility of such an occurrence–though still unlikely–took a step closer with today’s (Jan. 30) announcement that Mike + the Mechanics would be among the opening acts when Phil Collins headlines London’s BST Hyde Park concert on June 30. [Mike Rutherford’s band is also opening for Collins on June 25 in Dublin.] That leaves Tony Banks as the solo member of Genesis not involved. For now.
Collins had signed on for the event on November 8. Word broke yesterday that Blondie would open for him. Earlier today, on Collins’ 66th birthday, came news that Genesis bandmate Mike Rutherford’s longtime side project would also be on the bill. (Starsailor completes the lineup.)
Last October 17, Collins held a press conference where he announced a batch of June dates for his Not Dead Yet Live! tour in London, Paris and Cologne, Germany. Two months later, he added a single date in Dublin, Ireland for June 25.
Collins underwent back surgery in 2015 and at the press conference last fall, he walked onto the stage with a cane. On August 29, Collins tested the waters when he performed two songs – “In the Air Tonight” and “Easy Lover” – at the opening night ceremonies of the 2016 U.S. (Tennis) Open. It was his first public performance since last March 11 when he sang eight songs for his charitable foundation’s annual fundraiser at The Fillmore Miami Beach.
Collins’ last tour as a solo artist was in 2004-5; he reunited with Genesis bandmates Michael Rutherford and Tony Banks for a 2007 tour.
Collins’ new tour takes its name from his memoir, Not Dead Yet, which was published on October 25. The musician’s solo catalog received a significant overhaul from Rhino in 2016.
Genesis’ Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford celebrating Collins’ 65th birthday in London on January 30, 2016
A Genesis reunion is one of classic rock’s most sought-after.
At the October press event, he was asked if Genesis were finished. “Doing the book, I was reminded just how good friends we are. Quite often I would return to the fold and we’d do something. That changed when I moved to Switzerland because of the distance. Mike [Rutherford] said ‘Our kids have grown up; we’ll come to you.’”
Rutherford’s Mike + the Mechanics have a U.K. tour from February 11 – March 28.
Phil Collins Not Dead Yet Live 2017 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here.)
June 2 – Liverpool, England – Echo Arena
June 4-5. 7-8-9 – London, England – Royal Albert Hall
June 11-12, 14-15-16 – Cologne, Germany – Lanxess Arena
June 18-19-20, 22-23 – Paris, France – Accor Hotels Arena
June 25 – Dublin, Ireland – Aviva Stadium (with Blondie, Mike + the Mechanics)
June 30 – London, England – BST Hyde Park with Blondie, Mike + the Mechanics)
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