The residency, called This Is It, will begin in July and continue through February. Jackson has said these are the last shows he'll play in London. Last week, he billed the concerts as his "final curtain call."


Initially, 10 dates were announced, but the number has since ballooned to 50. On Friday (March 13), hundreds of people waited outside O2 Arena in London, where the shows will be taking place, to try to score tickets.

"He is a legend and I love his message to the world," Obi, a 19-year-old student, told the AP. "I've been hoping that he would perform live again."

Tickets for the shows cost between $70 and $105. "I have come 150 miles just for this," Lee Middleton said. "We have made some very interesting friends waiting in line. ... People were singing his songs and dancing."

There is speculation that Jackson will eventually go on a world tour. "This is it! I just want to say these will be my final shows, performances in London. ... When I say this is it, it really means this is it," he said at a press conference announcing the shows last week.

Jackson promised to perform "the songs my fans want to hear."