Party Like it's 1985

I wouldn't say I'm his biggest fan, but for a few years now, I have hoped that George Michael would tour again, release some new music and generally not turn into a drug-addled recluse. Well, at least one of those hopes is coming true, since he has announced a U.S. tour this summer, which will bring him to Chicago in July. Again, I'm not an obsessive fan, but I will pay more than I'd pay for an ordinary old concert ticket to see him, since it's been, oh, I don't know, 20 years since he has toured around these parts?



Also on my list of concerts that I am either definitely seeing or hoping to see in the months to come are Yaz at the Chicago Theatre, Duran Duran at the Rosemont Theatre, Cyndi Lauper and the B-52s doing that HRC benefit thing (as well as, I hope, individual, lower-priced shows), and well, there is always the possibility of a Morrissey tour later in the year, now that he has released (yet another) Greatest Hits album. And who knows who the White Sox will get to play at their '80s night game this summer and what we will see at the Whole Foods Flavor Fest this year, as well (last year it was Naked Eyes and A Flock of Seagulls, the year before it was the Fixx). When you throw into the mix the only other show I've seen this year has been two-thirds of The Jam at the Abbey Pub, it's like I've gotten into my Delorean and have gone back in time, music-wise. Now, if Bananarama were to announce a reunion tour, I'd go completely mad.