“This is not a concert. It is not a show. This is a party,” Michael Bublé tells a screaming crowd of around 9,000 fans who packed out P&J Live in Aberdeen last night.
The north-east arena knows how to put on a performance, and promising ticketholders “an evening you won’t forget” – event organisers more than delivered.
Two dozen of the “greatest musicians on the planet” – as the entertainer calls them – helped Bublé bring his music alive.
And the only things more polished than the shiniest shoes I’ve ever seen, in which he dazzled with his dance moves, were the brass instruments bringing soul to the stage.
Performing songs from his latest number-one album ‘Higher’, the singer-songwriter took his music to the next level as he unleashed his signature sound supported by a live band.
There’s nothing quite like this modern-day Frank Sinatra, with a boyish charm and velvety voice that boasts the powerfully slick and slightly raspy vocals we love and have missed.
Dressed in a tight, dark suit and with women flocking to the catwalk stage for a close-up glimpse or a grab, he gyrates and thrusts his hips – giving them a flavour of what’s to come.
And the self-described “sex symbol” – who would probably even look good wearing a bin bag – later jokes about his effect on swooning fans who, he claims, have been known to pass out in his presence.
Humour, harmony, casual conversation and cheeky banter
He warns the crowd: “Nine months from now, the population of Aberdeen is going to double. You’re going to go home and make Bublébies.”
This was a night of humour and harmony, with songs separated by casual conversation from the heart and cheeky banter.
And there were unpredictable moments during the intimate “get-together” in which he interacted and mingled with his adoring audience throughout the evening.
In one instance, Lindsay Bartlet from Old Aberdeen, became the star of the show when Bublé singled out the 61-year-old.
He’d chested the singer’s discarded sweaty face cloth to the ground like it was a football as he protectively held onto his beer instead of catching the cloth.
It was the first time ever that the multi-platinum-selling global superstar had seen such a reaction.
And commending Mr Bartlet’s “priorities”, Bublé then called out for staff to bring the man three beers.
‘He got me three pints, I was delighted’
“The reason he chose me was because he threw his face cloth and I didn’t catch it,” Mr Bartlet told The Press and Journal.
“He was very friendly, so I just spoke friendly back to him. And he got me three pints, so I was delighted with that.
“I got one the first time and then he asked, ‘Did you get your third?’ and I said, ‘I’ve only got one pint’ and he said, ‘Get him a couple more’.
“And then he was getting a pint to have a drink with me – a toast type thing.”
It’s been over 20 years since the release of the Canadian crooner’s debut album, a fact that makes me feel very old and rather jealous that only one of us seems to have aged.
For Bublé, his first nationwide arena tour in more than four years is about setting free his frustrated talent, previously put on hold by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Since I saw you last, the world went to s***”, the entertainer remarks, adding: “How much time did we spend in our apartments alone? That all ends tonight”.
Musical magician mesmerised Bublé fans
Song after song, this musical magician mesmerised fans by pulling something special and sometimes unexpected out of the hat.
The stunning rendition of Nat King Col’s ‘Smile’ in a duet with pianist Roy Dunlap captivated the arena, the silence making me feel like the only person in the room being serenaded.
When Bublé picked up a guitar and belted out a medley of iconic covers that he dedicated to “The King” Elvis Presley, I felt transported back in time.
And as for hearing his take on Barry White’s ‘You’re the First, the Last, My Everything’ – that is something not to be missed.
“Sensational,” my other half shouts back at me after I asked him for one word to describe our experience.
The multi-Grammy-winning showman moves on to Newcastle next, followed by Cardiff, Nottingham and then Birmingham.
If you don’t have a ticket, you’ll be losing out on enjoying Bublé’s most-loved hits and his greatest tracks – something you’re likely to regret.
Our photographer Wullie Marr also attended the event to capture the atmosphere and the fans arriving to see the show.
Take a look through our gallery to see if you can spot yourself or your friends and family… and enjoy watching Michael Bublé in action.
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