Michael Buble was in fine form in Newcastle on Monday, immediately getting his captive audience on side, after arriving on stage over half an hour later than billed.
The Canadian singer is known for his suave and slick shows and his Higher tour is no different. Michael is the prime example of someONE with that certain je ne sais quoi. Whatever 'it' is, he has it in abundance, with undeniable talent, star quality and boat loads of charm and charisma.
Opening his account on night one of two at the Utilita Arena with the sizzling Feeling Good, which while, of course, isn't one of his own compositions, is very much one of his calling cards and has been for years now. Michael is often pigeon holed as a 'crooner,' but while it perhaps is on the jazz classics in his repertoire that he particularly excels, he can also bring the party in abundance, with the still insanely catchy and totally joyful Haven't Met You Yet an early highlight of the evening, swiftly followed by the equally crowd pleasing L.O.V.E and Sway.
READ MORE: Michael Buble has encounter with drunken Newcastle revellers on Bank Holiday Sunday
The tempo of the concert was far from predictable with genuinely emotional moments like Smile, a tribute to his late grandad, heartwarming singalong standard Home and the angst filled sucker punch ballad Hold On, rubbing shoulders with more upbeat numbers like radio smash I'll Never Not Love You and the sexy and scintillating Higher.
The arena was bathed in a sea of confetti as the man of the hour ended a fantastic Elvis medley with Can't Help Falling in Love, before having the Geordie faithful eating out the palm of his hands with Barry White anthem You're The First, My Last, My Everything.
For me, Michael's take on Cry Me A River has to be one of the best covers ever recorded. With its dramatic and menacing Bond soundtrack esque opening, it gives him the springboard to be at his very best, ending with a fantastic crescendo, that is like the musical equivalent of a mass explosion of pyrotechnics.
You got a real sense that Michael was having the time of his life on stage in Newcastle, with him even waxing lyrical about the fun he'd had encountering some drunken revellers in the city, having gone out for a meal on Bank Holiday Sunday.
Michael Buble is as charismatic as they come and if Monday night was a first date, there is no doubt that everyone there would be straight on the phone hastily arranging a second.
Newcastle was well and truly seduced by the Canadian showman and, while he might have been late to kick things off, he was well worth the wait.
*Sign up to get the latest TV and showbiz news straight to your inbox with the Chronicle TV and celebs newsletter. If you can't see the form below, click HERE
READ NEXT:
