WE WILL ROCK YOU mini-diary
After a hugely successful reprisal of 'Stacee Jaxx' in ROCK OF AGES - MANILA, MiG returns to the stage to reprise his role as 'Galileo Figaro' for the WE WILL ROCK YOU 10th ANNIVERSARY WORLD ARENA TOUR. In the upcoming weeks this new page on mig-music will be updated with pictures, video, mini-diary entries, as well as other WE WILL ROCK YOU mini-diary mig-music exclusives. In the meantime, click here to visit the MiG IN MANILA page for a look back on MiG's time in the Philippines...
WE WILL ROCK YOU 10th ANNIVERSARY WORLD ARENA TOUR COMPANY
WE WILL ROCK YOU mini-diary sneak peek's
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 18: Back in the UK: SHEFFIELD MOTORPOINT!
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 17: CROATION CREATION VACATION
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 16: SOFIA, SO GOOD!
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 15: AIN'T NO ISTANBUL ABOUT IT!
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 14: CZECH ONE TWO
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 13: DeLUXEMBOURGer - WITH THE LOT THANKS...HOLD THE PICKLES
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 12: I THINK, THEREFORE I AMSTERDAM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 11: WWRY DOUBLIN' DUBLIN
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 10: THE SHERIFFS OF NOTTINGHAM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 9: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE HORSENS FORUM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 8: WONDERFUL WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 7: AALBORG - GREAT DANES!
WWRY - WEMBLEY (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 6: HIGHWAY TO HELSINKI
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 5: WWRY TURKU
WWRY - LH2 (Slideshow)
WWRY - Sitzprobe (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 4: Wembley
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 3: WWRY LH2
WWRY REHEARSALS - 3 Mills, London (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 2: SITZPROBE
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 1: Rehearsals at 3 Mills
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 17: CROATION CREATION VACATION
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 16: SOFIA, SO GOOD!
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 15: AIN'T NO ISTANBUL ABOUT IT!
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 14: CZECH ONE TWO
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 13: DeLUXEMBOURGer - WITH THE LOT THANKS...HOLD THE PICKLES
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 12: I THINK, THEREFORE I AMSTERDAM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 11: WWRY DOUBLIN' DUBLIN
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 10: THE SHERIFFS OF NOTTINGHAM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 9: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE HORSENS FORUM
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 8: WONDERFUL WONDERFUL COPENHAGEN
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 7: AALBORG - GREAT DANES!
WWRY - WEMBLEY (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 6: HIGHWAY TO HELSINKI
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 5: WWRY TURKU
WWRY - LH2 (Slideshow)
WWRY - Sitzprobe (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 4: Wembley
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 3: WWRY LH2
WWRY REHEARSALS - 3 Mills, London (Slideshow)
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 2: SITZPROBE
WWRY WORLD ARENA TOUR: Episode 1: Rehearsals at 3 Mills
WE WILL ROCK YOU mini-diary entries
15 June 2013 BELFASTEN YOUR SEATBELTS! It's time to take this bad boy all the way home. Last show in Belfast, last show in the UK, last show of the WE WILL ROCK YOU World Arena Tour!! It's been the experience of a lifetime and I have loved every second of it. I will miss every single person who has been a part of this journey and I take you home in my heart... Xxx
4 June 2013 June 4, 2013 Well, I have to say it's been a long time since I have written an entry into this journal. So much has happened in so little time, I scarcely had the time (and internet reliability!) to post anything substantial. But as we are drawing close to the end of this amazing tour, let me fill you in on what's been going on since I last wrote from Istanbul...
After Turkey, we found ourselves in Sofia, Bulgaria. I had visited there once before on a promotional tour, but this time we were here for business and we were in for the biggest surprise of the tour. The local promoters in Sofia really had done their homework, and the results were evident of their brilliant and enthusiastic work. The crowds in Sofia were large and so appreciative, to the point that we thought we could crowd surf, even in the matinees! The Bulgarians LOVE their rock, and so wanting to show us their appreciation. Some of our biggest performances were here. Sofia itself, is a beautiful city, with so much evidence still there from the communist days. The people are warm and friendly and so wanting to show us a good time. They have a fantastic standard of living...the restaurants and cafes and bars were so cool and beautiful, and it was clear that Bulgaria was still on its way up, and was definitely going places. It was one of the most surprising delights of the tour.
MiG and the chartered WE WILL ROCK YOU jet, en route to Zagreb, Croatia, while on the tarmac in Sofia, Bulgaria
Then Zagreb itself, was another wonderful surprise. The audiences lapped up everything we did! They totally got all the humour and jokes and were quick to respond to everything that we were hoping for. Some of our most memorable shows were in Zagreb. The Croatians are amazing, beautiful people and I was so impressed with my whole Croatian experience. I am SO coming back for a proper holiday next time. It was way too short a time to spend in such a beautiful country.
MiG on the rooftop bar of a hotel in Sofia, Bulgaria with the majestic Alexander Nevski Church in the background
Then we hop on board our chartered jet to Zagreb, Croatia, where upon arrival I flew to the magical city of Dubrovnik, where only by coincidence, my parents were holidaying! So I spent a few days traveling with their tour group around Dubrovnik and over the border to Montenegro. Despite some absolutely drenching heavy rain, the scenery was breathtaking, and walking the streets and the walls of the old towns was unforgettable. I truly want to go back to the Croatian coast when it gets warmer to really appreciate the beauty of it all.
MiG and the chartered WE WILL ROCK YOU jet, en route to Zagreb, Croatia, while on the tarmac in Sofia, Bulgaria
Then Zagreb itself, was another wonderful surprise. The audiences lapped up everything we did! They totally got all the humour and jokes and were quick to respond to everything that we were hoping for. Some of our most memorable shows were in Zagreb. The Croatians are amazing, beautiful people and I was so impressed with my whole Croatian experience. I am SO coming back for a proper holiday next time. It was way too short a time to spend in such a beautiful country.
MiG on the wall of the old town of Dubrovnik, Croatia
So that ends the European mainland part of the tour. Our next stop is back in the UK. Sheffield. We are taking WE WILL ROCK YOU home for its final weeks. Every show counts...yikes!! xxx
7 May 2013 ISTANBULIEVABLE So we find ourselves in incredible and insane Istanbul! The pulse of this city is electric and crazy, and also deeply spiritual. The history screams from every cobblestone, every wall and every mosque...literally...five times a day!! The city is breathtakingly beautiful, as are the people. So friendly, so humble, so willing to go out of their way to make sure you are having a good time. We visited the Blue Mosque, the New Mosque, the Aya Sofia (or the Hagia Sophia), the Grand Bazaar, the Spice markets...and that was just one day! So much more to see. We have a pretty grueling performance and promo schedule, so we need to pace ourselves, but when in Turkey...xxx
MiG in front of The Blue Mosque, Istanbul, Turkey
28 April 2013 PRAGUE, CZECH ONE-TWO!! So here we are in possibly the most beautiful city I have ever seen...Prague. I have always dreamed of coming here and have been looking forward to this leg of the tour since it was first confirmed. We were actually supposed to have 3 days off here, but the promoters decided to send us to Ostrava for one show only. This is all fine and good, as we had a fine time in Ostrava, but the charm and magic of Prague is hard to compete with. Prague has even exceeded my very high expectations, and is more spectacular than I have imagined. I think I am getting arthritis in my over-active shutter trigger finger...I need to get a new external drive to store all my shots!!
The crew have been stretched to the limit this week with a load-in, load-out, travel day and more load-ins and outs every day...yet they do so with a smile and a song and tell me that it's what they love to do. I am so in awe of this group of people as they have a mammoth task and do it with such expertise and professionalism and with good humour and enthusiasm. This week definitely belongs to them.
We find ourselves at the half-way point of this world tour and we are feeling the change of the seasons from Arctic winters to Mediterranean summers. We are off to Istanbul on Monday, and am so excited, but will miss Prague with all my heart. I am coming back for sure...xxx
11 April 2013 Just finished soundcheck. It's time to rock Holland to the core, Amsterdammit!!!
2 April 2013 You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I'm telling you why...WE WILL ROCK YOU'S coming to town...SOFIA, Bulgaria is ready to ROCK!!! xxx
1 April 2013 LEAVING THE HOOD So we're done with naughty-Nottingham...Robin Hood country! What a week this has been!! It was so cool for the cast to touch base with home, and with loved ones again, and great to have such appreciative and HUGE audiences all week at the Capitol FM Arena here. And on top of all that...The 'Hairy God Of Rock' himself, Brian May came to blow the roof off with us on opening night!! I always have to pinch myself when I perform with Brian. Moments like these just do not get any better. His humble nature and loving spirit accompanied by his incredible talent continues to inspire me. But alas, we move on!! I travel to Sofia, Bulgaria today for a short promo trip and then to Dublin, Ireland for a pint of Guiness...and I might even do a few shows there too... xxxx
MiG, Brian May & Lauren Samuels on the set of WE WILL ROCK YOU in Nottingham, UK
27 March 2013 Just sound checked BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY with Brian May!! Rock n roll fantasies don't get bigger than this!!!
25 March 2013 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE HORSENS FORUM. Finland: Done. Denmark: Done. Nottingham, England, here we come! Two countries, five cities, and we've only just begun. This tour is massive! And loving it...
20 March 2013 So we opened last night in Horsens to roaring response. It has been snowing steadily since we arrived here from Copenhagen and the wintery landscape is breathtaking. Copenhagen was a complete delight. I might even want to move back there one day...when it's warmer. Can't get rid of any jackets and sweaters just yet! But Scandinavia is definitely rocking our world right now!!
Our modest little cottage in Horsens, Denmark
12 March 2013 Opened WWRY in COPENHAGEN tonight!! This place is wonderful, wonderful... And so beautiful in every way...and they know how to ROCK!!! (also the Danish word for "ME" is "MIG") This place has my name all over it!!! xxxxx
7 March 2013 GREAT DANES! So we are in Denmark now, about to open in Aalborg tonight. We have had a chance to re-charge and re-group, ready for another opening, another city, another country. Scandinavia has truly been showing off how beautiful this part of the world is. Now to see how hard they rock!
Aalborg, Denmark in sight, we invade and take no prisoners!
4 March 2013 We are so FINNISHED!!! Goodbye FINLAND!! What an amazing experience you have been! I'll be back...maybe when it's a little warmer...Lookout Denmark, Finland has set the bar very high. Here we come, ready or not...xxx
4 March 2013 So buzzed still from the near capacity crowd last night in Helsinki, which included Queen's very own ROGER TAYLOR... we're in the middle of a 5 show weekend at -8ºC outside, it has been snowing all night, and I cannot wait to get out there to do it all again!!! ROCK ON, FINLAND!!!! xxx
2 March 2013 Time to give 'em HELL, Helsinki!!! City #2 ROCKS HARD!!! Xxxx
27 February 2013 So...Opening night was a huge success! The crowd and producers all very happy. Very proud of the awesome WWRY team!! Despite me cracking my head open early on in Act 2, I managed to finish the show and no-one would have been the wiser, if it weren't for the blood trickling down the back of my head...THE SHOW MUST GO ON!! Paramedics, hospital and then off to the after-party. Now THAT is ROCK'N'ROLL, baby!!!!! xxxx
MiG @the HK Areena, Turku, Finland
26 February 2013 THIS IS IT! We flew into a snow covered Helsinki yesterday and a breathtaking bus ride to Turku gave us at least a quick look at this amazing Northern country called Finland! We are just about to head off to HK Arena for our sound checks and final preparations for our OPENING NIGHT TONIGHT!!! This has been a long-time in the planning and we are finally here. I can't wait to finally perform this amazing show in front of an audience. CHOOKAS everyone, and fasten seat-belts...HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooo.......!!!!
22 February 2013 Loved THE BODYGUARD with Hannah and Bianca @hannahjanefox @heatherheadley...AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU!!
21 February 2013 GOODBYE WEMBLEY We are now at the end of the rehearsal period for WE WILL ROCK YOU. We have been working on getting this monster off the ground, and it's time to let it fly! It has been such a joy working with old friends Tony Edge, Mike Dixon and Giorgia Barberi. The whole process has been a dream from the beginning, and so full of laughter and positivity. Now we have to put all this training into effect. It has always been a dream to play Wembley, and although it was to an empty arena, still, I count that box ticked! Everyone is in such high spirits and are taking the next few days to pack and say goodbye to friends and family. I have in effect, been touring already since early January, but still am taking this time to say goodbye to my beloved London.
Galileo MiGaro!!
20 February 2013 MiGalileo Figaro!! Last day at Wembley...Finland, here we come!
19 February 2013 HELLO WEMBLEY!! What a magnificent sight first thing in the morning!!!
15 February 2013 The WWRY boys get their assigned robes and are ready to...ROCK!
14 February 2013 OUT INTO THE NIGHT, DOWN ON THE STREETS We have finished our first day of tech rehearsals on the new set of WWRY. The cast are buzzing with excitement as we put all the elements together: the band, the sound, the lights, the set, the props...It's all coming together so well. This is a sure-fire hit, and we just have to keep bringing our A-game. Four weeks at the picturesque 3 Mills Studios will soon seem a distant memory as we surge forwards to cities around the world. We are all in high spirits and I am confident the show will be AWESOME!! Day 2...here we go...xxx PS: Happy Valentine's Day to all of you!! There's a lot of love in the room....xxxx
MiG in front of 3 Mills Studios, Bromley-By-Bow, London
13 February 2013 1st day on the WWRY set! Tech rehearsals are GO!!
11 February 2013 At sound check at the Hippodrome, about to sing with @TheNathanJames!!
10 February 2013 Back in the studio with Simon Pinto!!
9 February 2013 Last day's rehearsal at 3 Mills Studios for WWRY, with Ben Elton upping the ante and putting lead in our pencils!!
3 February 2013 I am so blown away by the talent at West End Fest tonight!!
29 January 2013 AUSTRALIA DAY We’re well into our third week of rehearsals for the tour. It’s all going incredibly well. Much better than I even hoped. It feels great to be back as ‘Galileo’. He fits me like a nice comfortable pair of jeans. What makes it even better is the great people I am working with. The new cast of this production have surprised me every day with their talent, and unbridled enthusiasm. They are a wonderful group of people and I grow fonder of them every day. I do feel very blessed to be given this opportunity. I was also very fortunate to have been involved in the Australia Day edition of SUNDAY IN THE APARTMENT at Australia House over the weekend. It was such a spectacular venue for a wonderful event. I am sure this weekend’s WEST END FEST will be just as awesome. I just need to get new super cold weather gear for Finland. Within a couple of days last week, I split my jeans, punctured my boots and broke my jacket zipper. There will be no room for wardrobe malfunctions in Turku, where it was -21ºC last week.
27 January 2013 Loving Australia House. Very noice...
18 January 2013 Am in love with everyone on stage at the Dominion Theatre tonight. WWRY just keeps getting BETTER!!
14 January 2013 Starting rehearsals today for WE WILL ROCK YOU and after all this time I am still a MUPPET!! A great, vibrant young cast of rockstars. So thrilled to be a part of this...And the snow is falling thick. Xxx
12 January 2013 Just wanted to say how grateful I am for all the birthday wishes from all over the world! You have made my day. Xxx
11 January 2013 Thank you all so much for all your birthday wishes!! I feel so loved and special today! Thank you from a very happy, yet older man! Always love, MiG X
11 January 2013 January 10, 2013 VIRGIN ATLANTIC ACROSS THE POND Today my journey begins. Today is the beginning of a new chapter. A new volume. A new dawn. A new life. I am on board a Virgin Atlantic flight from JFK to Heathrow, to start rehearsals for the new World Arena Tour of WE WILL ROCK YOU. I start rehearsals on Monday. I am excited and scared at the same time. This tour is massive and there is a lot of pressure to get this right. I have to play all my trump cards. I need to bring my A-Game. A lot is expected. Much is on the line. I have left behind a life I have loved and I look ahead to a life of much upheaval and instability. I am open to the Universe of Possibilities & Abundance. This is an opportunity of a life-time and I plan on giving it everything I’ve got. I do not take this challenge lightly. I have only dreamed of a situation like this and I will give it my all. Here I go again on my own…and I’m feeling good.