Australians love Bubes. Ever since Michael Buble started coming to Australia (in 2002) he has charmed the audience and built his fan-base.
Last night’s performance at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena wasn’t like a concert. It was more like one big party.
Buble was entertaining, he was funny and he was one hell of a performer. Early into the show, he invited a lady to come forward and get her sign signed. “Look what I wrote,” he said when she returned to her seat. “It says ‘I’m your slut’”. That pretty much set the tone of the night. It was a good time to be had by all.
Buble isn’t about image. In fact, he has often stated, even in his Undercover interview, how the media just don’t get him … and he is right. A Buble concert is not a Rat Pack covers show. Sure Buble interprets some of the great songs of Frank Sinatra or Bobby Darin but he has also reinvented and paid tribute to some more contemporary artists like the Eagles (Heartache Tonight), Van Morrison (Crazy Love) and Leon Russell (A Song For You).
Michael Buble is also an accomplished songwriter. He wrote ‘Haven’t Met You Yet’ with his musical director Alan Chang. The audience knew every word. ‘Home’ and ‘Hollywood’ are also Buble originals. It will only a matter of time before Buble releases an album of all-originals and it will be good.
Buble doesn’t shy about saying what people think. “I’m not gay,” he said “but if I was I’d have you” he said pointing to a guy in the front row. “I would shower with all of you,” he later told the audience. “If you sound this good in a big room imagine how good you’d sound in the shower”.
Michael Buble performs with a big band and each one of them gets acknowledged during the show. These are world-class musicians.
We learn a lot about Michael. For starters, he is a huge Michael Jackson fan. “Anyone born in 1975 grew up with him,” he said before launching into a moonwalk and ‘Billie Jean’.
You cannot fault a Michael Buble show. It aims for perfection and delivers.
Michael Buble setlist:
Cry Me A River (from Crazy Love, 2009)
All Of Me (from Crazy Love, 2009)
At This Moment (from Crazy Love, 2009)
Mack The Knife
Everything
(Band intro – instrumental)
World On A String (from Call Me Irresponsible, 2007)
Crazy Love (from Crazy Love, 2009)
Georgia On My Mind (from Crazy Love, 2009)
For Once In My Life (from Michael Buble, 2003)
Michael Jackson tribute – Billie Jean
Twist & Shout
All I Do
Wonderful
Home (from It’s Time, 2005)
Hollywood (from Hollywood EP, 2010)
Heartache Tonight (from Crazy Love, 2009)
Haven’t Me You Yet (from Crazy Love, 2009)
Feeling Good (from It’s Time, 2005)
Me & Mrs Jones (from Call Me Irresponsible, 2007)
A Song For You (from It’s Time, 2005)
Remaining dates:
Feb 23, 25, 26, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
Feb 28, March 1, Adelaide, Entertainment Centre
Mar 4, 5, Perth, Sandalford Estate, Swan Valley
Mar 6, Perth, Sandalford Estate, Margaret River
VIDEO: Michael Buble, watch the Undercover video interview with Michael Buble:
