Michael Buble
W/ Naturally 7
January 24, 2008
Air Canada Centre

Despite the fact that going to this concert officially makes me uncool for anyone of my age group, seeing Michael Buble was a great start to anyone’s year. Being as big as he is, he truly knows how to entertain and boy, can he sing.

The night started off a little awkward for everyone. I was feeling out of place with families and elderly couples and they were probably a little awkward with openers Naturally 7. These guys are probably a lot better and a lot cooler than can be shown to this crowd, but generally Naturally 7 come across a little like Boyz II Men. The catch is the seven of them all do their own instruments, through beat-boxing etc. It was fun to watch, but I’m not sure most of the crowd could grasp what beat-boxing was. Luckily they were doing covers such as a Simon & Garfunkel medley and Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight,” so whether they got it or not they could sing along.

Then after a brief intermission came the man, Mr. Buble. Of course the women went mad to him appearing on stage. I was already a closet fan, but during the opener
“I’m Your Man” I was completely sold on his ability to sing and entertain. The stage was set up to allow him to easily glide across it in his suit giving his vibe even more credibility. He swung through track “Fever,” “Call Me Irresponsible” and “I’ve Got The World On A String” with grace and what seemed like very little effort.

Those who were dragged their by their parents or wives hopefully got a lot more than they bargained for because Buble is charming, adorable and funny even in a venue as huge as the ACC. Chatting with little girls near the front of the stage with a cheeky “If I didn’t have cute little nine year olds in the crowd, I’d turn out like Amy Winehouse” and jumping off stage to take pictures with them shows that he is not some larger than life artist. I’m not sure how much of his act is set up (because some of it felt planned), but regardless for a first time Buble audience member he was great. The crowd laughing along, but seemed much more subdued then even I had expected. Perhaps it was because they were all seated, but even the women were tame. Halfway through he had most of the non-believers including the teenage boys in my section singing along, which has to give him bonus points.

Like on his albums, the songs that really shone were his originals. “Lost,” “Home” and “My Everything” were played in that order and stood out as the best and most heartfelt. No matter how great the covers are, hopefully as his popularity grows and he continues to write we will see more of that.

As the end of the night drew near, Buble had a call of action for the crowd to get up and dance, beginning with a little “Y.M.C.A.” to get them in the mood. So he somehow got this fairly stiff crowd out of their seats and rushing the stage of the ACC for “Save The Last Dance” and “How Sweet It Is.” Even though the energy boost was a great end to the night it is funny to see women on people’s shoulders at a Buble show. “That’s Life” perfectly ended the set.

Of course he did return to the stage for another thank you and an encore, but it seemed almost anticlimactic at that point. Luckily he ended the night officially by singing without a microphone and still filling the ACC (or at least as far back as I was) with that incredible voice.

So call me a loser, but I have been won over. I am officially a Michael Buble fan, and I don’t care who knows it. He gives you a show where you don’t have to be afraid to sing along at the top of your lungs and dance like a dork. What more can a girl ask for?

- Stephanie Joudrey