Michael Bublé unveils new backstage tribute to The ’21 Club’ at The O2

Multi-platinum selling global superstar Michael Bublé has unveiled a new tribute to the ‘21 Club’ at The O2, with a permanent wall installation which honours all of the artists and performers who have played 21 or more dates at the venue.

The 21 Club was launched following Prince’s record-breaking 21 consecutive, sold-out shows at The O2in 2007. Since then, only seven other artists or performers have been inducted into the 21 Club and given keys to the venue, including: Michael Bublé, Take That, One Direction, Drake, Young Voices, Micky Flanagan and Michael McIntyre.

Each artist in the 21 Club has been presented with a bespoke ‘key to the venue’ to mark this impressive milestone of reaching 21 shows at the world’s most popular music, leisure and entertainment venue. These keys have been specially designed and engraved for each artist and have now been immortalised in a wall display backstage at The O2for all future performers to see on their walk to stage. The wall has been unveiled for the very first time by 21 Club member Michael Bublé, who returns to The O2this week as part of his ‘Higher’ tour.

Michael Bublé said: “I’m so happy to be back in the UK and at The O2for this latest tour. Being a part of The O2’s 21 Club is such an honour – to be one of only eight artists to have reached this milestone is truly special, and I’m so grateful to all of the fans who have supported me along the way.”

Michael Bublé first performed at The O2in 2008 as part of his “Irresponsible” tour, later returning in 2010 for two nights with his “Crazy Love” tour. In 2013, Bublé’s “To Be Loved” tour saw the artist perform for a further 10 nights, whilst later returning in 2014 for two shows and 2018 for one show. Prior to his ‘Higher’ tour, Michael last performed a headline show at The O2in 2019 for his “An Evening with Michael Bublé” tour which saw him join the venue’s 21 Club. Michael is the solo music artist who has performed the most shows ever at The O2.

Emma Bownes (VP of Venue Programming – Europe, at The O₂) said: “We’re so excited to welcome Michael back to The O2as part of his latest tour and are honoured that he’s unveiling our special tribute to our 21 Club artists for the very first time. Reaching 21 shows at The O2is a huge achievement and something only a handful of artists have reached, and so it felt right to create a permanent tribute which celebrates this backstage at The O2. Congratulations to Michael, and all of the other artists in our 21 Club, on this huge milestone – we can’t wait to welcome even more artists to the 21 Club later this year.”

2023 is set to be a stellar year at The O₂ – fresh off the back of being crowned ‘Venue of the Year’ at the inaugural LIVE Awards, the arena will host headline performances from Elton John, Shania Twain, Madonna, Micky Flanagan, Blink-182, S Club 7, and a monthly residency with Peter Kay. An ever-evolving, day out destination, The O₂ is also home to the roofwalk experience Up at The O₂, Outlet Shopping with over 60 designer brands at up to 70% off RRP, London’s largest Cineworld, over 30 bars and restaurants and much more.