Australia has seen its fair share of disappointing comeback tours of late. There was lip-synching, lacklustre Britney. There was Whitney, who probably should have used a backing track. But on Friday night, George Michael bucked the trend to deliver one of the most entertaining concerts I’ve seen.

This was the concert I’ve waited my entire life for. He promised us early that he’d try to make up for lost time, and his greatest hits set was the perfect way to make amends for a 22-year absence. This wasn’t lip service; George Michael is a man who embraces both his past and present. He doesn’t shy away from Wham classics, performed in their original campy pop glory, or those early hits from the Faith album. As an 80s tragic I was on my feet to the energetic rendition of “I’m Your Man” and breathless at some of my favourite ballads, “A Different Corner,” “One More Try,” and “Father Figure.” I didn’t expect that they’d all make the set, let alone the first half of the show, and couldn’t wait to see what came after intermission.

The second half was generally more upbeat than the first, a celebration that seemed almost like a warm-up to Mardi Gras. George showed us that he’s got all the energy of a much younger man as he strutted the catwalk in cheeky police garb during “Outside.” “Amazing,” his dance tribute to partner Kenny Goss, was another highlight, as was the amped up version of “Spinning the Wheel.”

The encores were the perfect way to cap off an incredible night. Hearing him perform “Careless Whisper,” with its familiar saxophone riff and the lyrics I’ve sung into a hairbrush a thousand times, was one of the coolest moments of my life. “Freedom ’90” was a fitting closer, a number that saw us all singing loudly and waving our arms in the air in appreciation.

In comparison to other big name acts like Madonna and U2, George Michael’s show was remarkably low-key. There were no back-up dancers or pyrotechnics. The images projected onto big screens were simple. But the fact is, George doesn’t need any of that flash. His voice is still sublime. He oozes charm. And his back catalogue is incredibly strong. Sydney’s Football Stadium is a massive venue, but George managed to entertain every person inside it. George promised us early that he’d try to make up for lost time, and he did just that.