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Last night Michael Bublé performed in Sydney as part of his Call Me Irresponsible tour.
I never imagined how appropriate that name would be. But before I get into that nasty business, it’d be remiss of me not to talk about Michael’s brilliant support act, Naturally 7. I’d never heard of this seven-piece vocal act from New York, but they made such a massive impression on us all.
There were the angelic harmonies we’re accustomed to from bands of this ilk, but what set them apart was what they termed “vocal play.” Rather than simply using their voices to sing, the members of the band also mimicked instruments. Think beatboxing taken to a whole new level. They mimed along to the drums, violins, electric and bass guitars, and brass section they created, and it was utterly mesmerising.
Naturally 7 performed a set rich with originals and some brilliant songs inspired by “Broken Wings” and “In the Air Tonight.” I have never seen a support act get a standing ovation before, but theirs was well deserved.
Then we had Michael Bublé. Let me start by telling you that I love Michael Bublé. I’ve seen him perform on every Australian tour he’s embarked upon. I’ve bought every album. And I’m not a wowser by any means. But when he stumbled onto the stage at the Sydney Entertainment Centre blind drunk, I lost a lot of respect for him.
The show started with his cover of Leonard Cohen’s “I’m Your Man,” yet we could barely listen to the song because we were gossiping about his condition. He was unsteady on his feet, slurring his words, and looking the worse for wear with his unshaven face and bleary eyes.
The next song, “It Had Better Be Tonight,” was if anything, worse. In his drunken state he simply couldn’t match the energy of the album version. It required him to move around the stage, which only highlighted just how hammered he was.
He owned up after that song, confirming what most of us already knew. But rather than seem sheepish and apologetic, he appeared boastful. He sang a little of Amy Winehouse’s “Rehab” and joked around, but it seemed most of us weren’t laughing.
The first half of the show was terrible. He slurred. He fell off notes and couldn’t sustain others. He encouraged us to sing the lyrics, an act that seemed more about filling in for him than encouraging participation. He staggered and stumbled. He made smutty tasteless jokes, a far cry from the clever sexy banter I’ve seen at previous shows. He butchered song after song after song. Had I not been with my family, I would have left.
To be fair, he managed to pull it together in the second half. His simple performance of “Always on my Mind” was a turning point. From there things seemed to go relatively smoothly. He began to sing well again and win us over. The Sydney images on the big screens during “Home” didn’t hurt either.
By the end of the night we were all on our feet dancing to upbeat covers of “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “How Sweet It Is,” and “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” We were then all touched by his parting gift, a raw and emotional performance of Donnie Hathaway’s “Song for You.”
Yet despite all his best measures at the end, I still left the venue with a bad taste in my mouth. As I say, I love a drink as much as the next guy. But if you’re drinking to levels that affect how you do your job, then there’s a problem. To get up on stage in such an obnoxiously inebriated state that your performance suffers is simply disrespectful to your fans. Calling Michael Bublé irresponsible after last night’s efforts is an understatement.
Image source: Newscom
The opinions expressed in this articles are of Lauren Katulka and based on her experiences alone.
I’m so saddened by this that I don’t even know what to say
Take that feeling and multiply it and you’ll have some idea what it was like to be there. My husband likened it to being a kid at Disneyland, and seeing Mickey Mouse take his head off, and then seeing him puke in it. I couldn’t have put it better myself!
I really like Michael Buble’s music and was so excited to go to the concert. I felt sick when he came out appearing intoxicated/stoned/rubbing his nose a lot – you can only guess why. He looked terrible and had little respect for the audience until the end, it seems. His ‘jokes’ were almost evidence of contempt, and tasteless. I agree, the band and crowd singing was propping him up. He also did manage to improve in the second half, and that had patches of glorious moments vs shocking sound. I won’t be going again, and have lost so much respect for him. It left a very sour taste in the mouth, and I’m sorry. Clearly, he needs help.
what a shame we didn’t even get to hear maybe because he would have fallen over with all the swaying.
i did not see as much as the drunkenness as we were far up but in no means did we feel he was the same as he always is, it was like he wasn’t even enjoying anything but his own company.
We were very disappointed that he didn’t play his signature song Sway possibly because he would have fallen over with all the swaying. Going to a Buble’ concert with no ’sway’ is like going to a Knacks concert without ‘my sherona.’ We were highly disappointed and even though we could not see as much of the swaggering as we were high up we were upset by the effort. It seemed he didnt enjoy anyone else’s company than his own. I wonder if ‘brendan’ could smell the alcohol on his breath.
upset and wanting my money back or a sober show. i didn’t pay to see Amy Winehouse so i shouldn’t get a male version of her.
but naturally seven on the other hand were amazing they are awesome we truly enjoyed them.
I agree about your comment about the jokes Kasey. I was really taken aback when Michael accused us of being stiff! Just because we don’t condone someone we’ve paid money to see drinking to the point of foolishness certainly doesn’t make us stiff.
Sarah and Teresa – I don’t think you missed anything being a bit further back. I was in the 15th row on the floor and it was just making me sad to see him like that. I had hoped to be romanced by that whole debonair personality he shows off in the media, but what I saw was so far from sexy it wasn’t funny.
My parents the Wednesday night concert in Canberra describe a completely different performer and evening to the one we experienced. At least they had a fabulous night. They couldn’t speak highly enough of his singing and performance. Wonder if we’ll hear about Michael taking some sort of ‘flu medication’ as an excuse.Sadly, today I discovered there are other accounts of similar concerts and tv performances on the net, so I assume there really is a problem. Makes it that much sadder that someone with so much going for him can be self-destructive, and so publicly. He still has a huge number of concerts to go. Let’s hope someone in his camp is listening and hearing! We hired a babysitter, drove a long way and it cost us a lot in money to see him. I wish we hadn’t, to at least keep the illusion of a fun, gifted singer alive.
I agree with the above reviews. My mum, sisters and I still had a great night, but it was no thanks to Michael’s disappointing performance. Naturally 7 was a lot of fun and Buble’s own band was great and definitely “propping”. It was embarrassing to watch. I can only hope this isn’t another talent wasted.
Wow, My husband and I were WAYYYY back in section 27 or something like that, row P, and we missed 99% of this! We knew he looked ‘tired’ but thought it was because this was the 30th stop on his tour. (or something like that.)
I’m really dissapointed to hear all of the comments – I expected better from Mr Buble’! we really love him and have waited years to see him.
I’m now expecting him to come out in the media and admit he has a drug/alcohol problem and do the rehab rounds!
The trend continued in Brisbane. After purchasing the tickets more then 6 months ago the evening came last night for our concert. Within 5 mins of being on stage the audience knew something was horribly wrong. Michael was slurring and slipping all over the stage, He was completely out of time witht he music and his own band had to slow down in an attempt to keep the show going. The constant scratching of his face and skeezy jokes were a real let down, a FAR cry from the wonderfuly swave Michael we all know and love. None the less as was in Sydney the show picked up in the end and we were all dancing in the iles. Although the sticking point was the tears welling in his eyes during Lost. Has there been a split in the last few weeks???
My husband and i went on the 30th May, and he wad just brilliant. We both went home very satisfied. As others have mentioned, my big disappointment also was Michael not singing Sway. Naturally 7, were fantastic as well. I’m very saddened to hear that he was drunk, at the May 31st performance. I would not expect that from him.
Thanks for your comments Parris. My friend was actually at the Brisbane show last night and she said it was brilliant … it’s sad that people are willing to accept him however he comes. That definitely seems to be the case sticking my head in to some Michael Buble forums. I must admit, the question of a break-up crossed my mind as well. I haven’t heard anything in the press so I’m not sure!
I’m glad at least you had a sober show Grace! We certainly didn’t expect what we saw either.
Wow… talk about people totally missing the point. FYI lkatulka – he’s in showbiz. It’s an act. It’s supposed to be funny – laugh with him! Google “Dean Martin” if you’re still puzzled as to what his act was about.
The point is Djeep that Michael Buble cannot deliver a decent performance with that amount of alcohol in his system. He could not sustain the notes. He was falling off others. He wasn’t singing with the band. I’ve seen him several times in the past and he was never like this.
I’ve seen plenty of people who drink on stage. After all, Hunter Valley winery gigs are some of my favourites. But those people still manage to sing well. Michael Buble didn’t until halfway through when he’d sobered up a little.
If Michael Buble’s decided now that he wants to replicate the old style crooners, alcoholism and all, he can go ahead. But I certainly won’t be spending my money to see him deliver only half a decent show.
Isn’t it funny though that he would do the exact same thing in Brisbane? Namely, behave rather drunk for 2 songs, do an Amy Winehouse joke, and proceed to deliver a stellar performance. I don’t know about you, but my money is on his sense of humour just being different from yours. And how dare he not sing Sway? I mean, he’s on the road for probably something like 300 days a year – surely he must live to sing the exact show every night?
Supposing the first two songs were an act, why butcher them? He is, after all, a singer and they weren’t comedic songs. That is far from funny, no matter the sense of humour. And it doesn’t explain why the rest of the show was so erratic and vocally lacking. There wasn’t a switch after those first two songs that flicked on. The whole performance was patchy at best, the band and sound engineers were having trouble keeping up. The concert we saw was anything but a stellar performance.
This site has finally established what I thought about Saturday night with Michael Buble. I have been to every concert tour he has come out for and again he did not disappoint. What did disappoint me was that instead of the “real” fans who followed him when he wasn’t a commercial, popular success, we had a stadium full of “ring ins” who have only jumped on the band wagon and don’t “get” him. People too unsophisticated to see a show like his. People who need cue cards to be told what is entertaining and what isn’t. Call me a snob but eight out of the ten thousand people shouldn’t have been there.And that means some of the people before me who have written these ridiculous reviews. But I guess you have all made him rich.
I am beyond blazing hot in response to this reviewer.
First, I want to say that Michael has been sick on and off for months, but still performs. He also has problems with allergies, and asthma, but still performs. I suppose he could be like so many other performers today, who cancel concerts on a broken fingernail, but Michael does everything he can do, not to cancel performances. I believe he has only done it once and that was due to bad weather in ABQ.
The one thing he is, is a professional. He would never and I repeat never, come out onto a stage drunk, or impared by anything!
How dare you slander this dedicated performer. You have no facts to base your printed opinion upon, but that didn’t stop you. You can write anything you want to write and there are no consequences.
This is what journalism has come to in this day and age. It’s no wonder I don’t take the paper anymore, I’d have to read garbage like this reviewers venom each day.
Daryl
Wow, this is a tough room. I have seen Buble’ 7 times and went to his performance on Jay Leno. All my live shows were on this tour and he has been great at each show. Some shows he was tired and looked it. He did something like 145 dates so far and well 14 hours can put some circles under the prettiest eyes. I think jetlag, allergies, and a cold could be the cause of some of this. I would guess that over drunkeness anyday of the week. He prides himself on giving fans the best performance he can.
Several shows in the US were almost cancelled because of his vocal problems but he pushed through it.
All I can say is I am sorry you all feel that way. His singing, his humor and his playfulness with the audience is what I love the most about him.
I know I’m gonna get slammed for saying this, but….
I’ve seen Michael 8 times over the last 2 1/2 months and I can almost certainly say that he was not drunk. He drinks water on stage most nights, at least lately, because since before Easter he has been terribly sick. So sick that he has had to have steriods shots just so he could have a voice to sing with. On top of a non-stop schedule and being sick, he has terrible allergies and asthma.
I am truly sorry for those that have had disappointing experiences, but I just felt the need to defend Michael.
I agree Kasey. Djeep, we didn’t get a decent show until midway through the concert. It wasn’t just a simple case of two songs being a bit off … although I agree that butchering any songs deliberately would be a questionable artistic move anyway.
What gets me as I read around the Michael Buble forums is that people seem so willing to overlook a poor performance simply because it’s Michael Buble. And it’s exactly that blind adoration which gives him no motivation to shape up and deliver the sort of concert I expect from an artist of his calibre.
Daryl, my views and the views of others stand because Michael himself told us he was drunk. He told us this after “It Had Better Be Tonight,” and then made other comments about how he thought we were all hard drinking Aussies and how we needed to loosen up. I certainly don’t make a habit of making up things to liven up a review. Trust me, I’d have much rather had more positive things to report about my experience.
If he’s suffering from allergies and asthma then he should know that any amount of alcohol may have a much more serious affect because of the drugs.
Denise, for you to suggest that the people here have simply jumped on the Michael Buble bandwagon and didn’t know what to expect is insulting. I noted that I’ve seen him on every other Australian tour, bought the albums …it honestly pains me to have a had a less than stellar night.
lkatulka,
His saying “he’s a drunk” is a joke. Don’t you get the humor? Michael rarely drinks and certainly not before a show.
This is how the day goes. Sound check is usually from 3-4 approx. after that the caterers bring in the guys dinner. They eat and usually he goes and rests before the show.
There is no way he would ever come on stage in a challenged state. He’s way too respectful of his audience. Can he off? Yes, I’ve seen him that way. His last concert here in the states, he was still fighting a cold and it took about 3 songs for him to warm up. Did he look feverish? Yes, he did and probably was.
I am not beyond criticizing Michael when he gives less than a “great” performance, but he’s way too professional to ever come on the stage in the state you described.
Daryl
Daryl, I wasnt aware that you knew Michael personally. I myself was greatly dissapointed in his performance. What ever the reason was it was a less then stellar perfromance on his behalf. I am a huge fan and will probably continue to buy his CDs but I wasnt happy with his performance and as a consumer I have the right to not be happy and talk about it. The reason I left a comment was to express my DISSAPOINTMENT not my HATRED or DISGUST. Until Monday night I too would have been a steadfast supporter as you are and fought to the death for his professionalism. I would never have believed it unless I saw it. This is why I am upset. I have done nothing but spread the word about how wonderful he is since I first saw him years back in the Lyric theater. Im disspointed, that will not change and for what ever the reason was I hope he can get it together and continue on his way as a great singer and wonderful performer.
Daryl
It’s a bit hard to get any humour from a situation where someone definitely appears drunk. If he wasn’t drunk I do wonder why there was such a marked improvement in his performance in all aspects towards the end of the night. I’m not just talking a three song warm up … I’m talking around an hour or so into his set.
Before I saw this show I also believed he’d respect his audience more than to drink excessively before greeting them. But I know what I witnessed. I know there were several comments made by him that confirmed he’d been drinking. And I would honestly not report these things if I wasn’t positive they were true. I have too much respect for him as an artist, regardless of what others might say, to do that.
In fact, when my mother (who also attended the show) read my review she said that she thought I was perhaps a little too generous!
I was at the Sydney show on Saturday night and thought Michael was unreal! He is one of a kind and I feel priviledged that I got to see him perform again! I have followed his career from the beginning and his irreverence and cheeky charm is part of his show PLEASE he was drinking water! Obviously some of you didnt grasp it. For those that did, i am sure you will agree Michael Buble was fantastic and so was the lighting and show!!
I have had the pleasure of seeing Michael Bublé perform 13 times on this tour, and never once did I walk away feeling dissatisfied! At times during his tour he has been very sick, to the point that he should have cancelled his show, but he didn’t, he came out on top. He takes his job of “putting on a great show” very seriously, even though he has alot of humor in his act. He cares deeply about putting on a great show that I know he would NEVER do anything, on purpose, to jeapordize the out come of his show, or the integrity of his act/band. It could very well be that he had a “off” night, maybe jet lag? Maybe the fact that he is working his ass off? But to ASSume that he was performing drunk is just plain crazy. Actually it is gossip and you should be ashamed at such a remark!
Jennifer Robinson
Parris,
I can certainly understand your disappointment, if he was having a bad night. That happens and I’ve actually experienced him not being in great voice. I’m truly sorry that this was less than you expected. Believe me, Michael is his own worst critic and would be the first one to admit that he was possibly “terrible”. I can only believe that he probably should have canceled if in fact he was feeling that badly. I know in Santa Barbara, he literally had a doctor come to see him and do what was necessary for him to sing that night.
lkatulka,
Perception is one thing. Stating it as fact is quite another. This casual, unshaven (though I don’t like that) irresponsible conception is this tours theme. Michael is much more lay back.
If that means he slides down the ramp and rambles around the stage… yeah… that’s what it is. This is the style of the show. That’s why it’s called Call Me Irresponsible. The theme is just that. He also spends time spotting a child in the audience, jumping off stage and taking pics with the kid, thus the Amy Winehouse remark. It’s all part of the show.
I think maybe, you expected him to come out, stand there and sing for 90 minutes, with a few moments of banter. That’s not this show.
If, with time, I turn out to be totally wrong, I will apologize. But, the one thing Michael is, is a professional.
D
After attending Michael’s Brisbane performance last night, I did a search this morning on “Buble, Drunk” and found this thread. Needless to say I most definitely agree that there was something amiss with Michael last night. As soon as he hit the stage it was very obvious that he was under the weather…he looked puffy in the face, was sweating and just looked downright scruffy. Certainly not the clean-cut, fresh faced image I’m used to seeing on TV. He just didn’t seem to be connecting with the audience or the songs, and it seemed as if he was going to topple over at any moment. The look on his face was pretty much vacant. The other members of my group completely agreed, and after the show an elderly couple actually asked us whether we thought he was drunk – so we certainly weren’t alone in our summation of the situation. Despite this I absolutely loved the concert and had a great time…but like other posters, I was quite disappointed. By the way, Naturally7 were absolutely amazing…
I appreciate all Michael’s fans coming here to support him. But I think you’ve got to also realise the Aussies who weighed in were actually at the show. We know what we saw, and the way it appeared.
If in fact there were other reasons that his behaviour and performance seemed erratic, perhaps he should have rethought the jokes. From where we sat here’s a man stumbling around, singing poorly, and claiming to be hammered. If you were in that audience would you just assume it’s all part of the act, or believe him to be as he says he is?
Daryl, what I’d hoped for what a performance in a similar vein to those I’d seen before. He joked around in the past, but I’d never seen him insult the audience or be as vulgar as he was this time. If this is the “new Michael” I simply don’t like it.
If what you say turns out to be the case, then I would expect nothing less than a very heartfelt apology from Michael to the people of Brisbane.
Will do some homework here.
D
Sorry… my brain is a little bit mushy tonight…. Sydney
D
The following was another fans take on the night.
Agreed, I was there both Friday and Saturday night…and yes he made a joke, someone brought a drink out to him and he said it was alcoholic, that it makes him sing better, but then he said is was just a joke…he is to much of a gentleman to go out onto stage drunk..
These are videos of both nights. I see nothing that would lead anyone to think he was not in control.
I also want to say something in regards to his timing and the bands being not in sync. I see not earpieces on Michael and rarely do the venues put out monitors. Unless a singer can hear themselves, the music would sound somewhat distorted. I don’t know if this was the case, but if it was, then the sound would be off.
Not making any excuses, just observations from one who has sung.
D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33N1asS5_2c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nngkHoOiZTk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8k3Hk3ODKU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLqDHcPIDTc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkkUlUuw6e0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuULVlX8XHQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K89L_z1NJPc
__________________
I don’t recall Michael saying he was just joking at that point. He also made another comment about how he thought we were all hard drinking Aussies, and that we needed to loosen up, so it certainly wasn’t an isolated throwaway comment.
To me the biggest giveaway that this is more than just “part of the act” or merely symptomatic of illness is the way the concert improved towards the end. If he was just sick I would have expected the show to have gotten worse as time wore on, not better. If it was just the “call me irresponsible routine” I would have expected the show to have the same tone throughout. From everything we saw, and the comments Michael himself made, it really appears that he came out drunk and managed to sober up enough to deliver a good gig at the end.
I’m sure we could go on all night… but I’ll leave you with a response from an Australian fan…
D
In response to that ozmusicscene review and message board:
NO NO NO!!! There’s something wrong here! I was at all those four shows….2 Sydney and 2 Brisbane and that’s NOT the way things went down! I know what drunk is and Michael was NOT drunk. There’s no way someone could do what he does if they were drunk. Sure he has great backing but out front he’s a one man show. He has to remember what to say do and sing every second he’s up there and all under the pressure of 10,000 people watching…..and he did it.
I don’t remember him saying anything about being drunk and I was hanging on his every word.
Just after the first Sydney show started he did a joke about how there would be critics in the audience seeing whether he could carry off an arena show. To do this joke he switched into an Australian accent and you could hear the men laugh so loud. I think an Australian accent must be hard to do because most people are hopeless at it but Michael is great. Think of the voice control and concentration required to carry that off. You couldn’t do it if you were slurring your words as some people said he was.
I don’t feel like I have to describe Michael’s performing style to you because you all already know how he performs….lets talk about audience reaction…..they were screaming, clapping, cheering, laughing. My seats weren’t close to the front. I was in the tiers where I could see the whole audience. Where were all these people who weren’t enjoying the show?????…. I couldn’t see them. When the audience clapped everyone was clapping with their hands high in the air. Michael knows that. He would have seen it all himself.
And what about his perceptiveness of the audience. He’s in tune with what’s going on around him more than anyone I’ve ever seen. You have to have an alert mind for that
I went to the Brisbane Meet and Greet……Michael was fresh as a daisy, bright as a button and looked gorgeous.
When we were leaving the arena in Brisbane we were jam packed in this crowd of people walking slowly towards the doors and could hear people talking all around me. Without exception everyone was saying how great Michael was. I didn’t hear one negative comment. Where were all these people who were dissappointed with the show???…I don’t know.
After the first Brisbane shows Michael told security to let the 10 of us who waited in to see him because if was raining a bit. He wouldn’t have bothered if he was under the weather.
I’m intending to write more about my experiences of the last few days. I haven’t had time yet. But I hope what I’ve said here clears up any doubts people may have about his last four shows.
Thanks for that Daryl. It’s interesting to me that there has been all these people disagreeing with me after I had so much support initially for what I said. To me, as a person sitting somewhere towards the front it seemed obvious. It still does … I feel I also know what drunk looks like and that’s it. I’m not a person who wants to find fault with Michael at all, but what I saw left me little choice.
But at the end of the day, blogging is all about presenting your impressions and opinions. That’s all I’ve done, and I stand by what I’ve said. People can disagree with me and they’re well within their rights to do so. But knowing some people saw what I saw let’s me know that my experience at this show was far from an isolated one.
I am sorry I was at the Saturday concert and Sydney and if he wasn’t drunk then he was stoned. I am not sure where you were sitting but everyone in my row said the same thing. While I still enjoyed the show after about half way through I will have to seriously think about parting with my money again to see him live.
He didn’t say that he was drunk but he told us that he has been drinking Vodka before the show, at that point a stage hand bought him out a drink which he told us was Vodka and him that it didn’t taste that nice.
Just speaking for myself but he was drunk or somthing and if he was using that to cover up the fact that he was sickt hen shame on him everyone would have been more then understanding had he simply said he was sick ( I still don’t believe that though?
For all the people who say “Michael would never,” bear in mind that in interviews, he has boasted about his use of marijuana, an addictive substance. Whether he was stoned, drunk or affected by other illicit substances, it doesn’t matter does it? the effect was still the same. If he’s sick he needs a doctor. If he has a substance problem, he needs professional help. Excuses like being sick for months doesn’t cut it. A number of his concerts have been less than stellar, it seems, again, suggestive of a problem. Everyone in our section was discussing the behaviour and vowed not to go again. This behaviour is only hurting his career. Clearly not to the die-hard go-to-all-his-concerts-fans, but to a significant portion of his fan-base. That should be concerning him and his managerial team, even if the incentive for making him go on under par was financial.
Hi everyone,
I don’t agree with this review at all. I went to both Michael’s Sydney shows and his first Australian concert in Canberra. At every concert I strongly believe that he gave everything he had resulting in a fantastic performance. Each time, his performance was similar and after watching many videos on youtube and on DVD prior to this, my conclusion is that it is just his style. He loves his fans, and I agree with Daryl, that he would not insult us by appearing on stage half-pissed. He did look a little tired and scruffy, but with his demanding schedule, anyone would (personally, I think the stubble is quite spunky!). I am only going to mention the following in order to defend Michael Buble, and not to blow my own trumpet, but I was lucky enough to be invited to the after-party in Canberra, where my friend and I had a couple of drinks with the band. Michael came down at about 1am and proceeded to walk around the party and introduce himself to everyone. After arriving from the other side of the world just the day before, media interviews and putting on an amazing and energetic concert, he could have been excused if he just wanted to sit quietly with his friends, or not come at all…but he didn’t. That is the wonderful kind of guy he is, and the reason he has become so successful. I was at the party for a couple of hours, and in that time only saw him drink a couple of bottles of Coopers beer. Obviously he isn’t a heavy drinker (he has said so himself) otherwise he would have been on the hard stuff! This personal experience, and my experiences at 3 of his concerts, is why I find it so hard to agree with this performance review. I still have the utmost respect for Michael Buble and his entire crew who work so hard to give us, his fans, everything we ask of him.
Liz
Daryl,
I viewed the videos the first day they were posted on Michael’s official website, and I think that he appeared to be upset. I noticed he seemed somewhat choked up while singing “Lost” and “Always on my mind”.
I was concerned that he may have been having health issues. Almost wished I could have emailed someone to alert them that something just didn’t seem right.
I hope whatever the case may be, he is well. My family and I are fans, and nothing would change the way we view Michael. We think he is a wonderful person and fantastic entertainer. My 84 year old mother says he’s better then Sinatra, and he was her favorite until she heard Michael’s voice. We only wish Michael good health and happiness, and hope that he continues to bless all of us with his wonderful voice.
T
you know what?? it seems to me that as aussies we have lost our sense of humour which greatly saddens me…micheal is a joker…nothing he says can be taken seriously, except for everything he says about his fans, how much he loves them and how much he loves what he does. and as for that ‘pot’ comment…he said he tried it when he was a teenager, as most of them do…
Michael has worked to damn hard to get where he is to just throw it all away…he never is a pompous arrogant prick like most of hollywood who seem to forget that it was the audience who took them to where they are or were…he has all the time in the world for the people who believed in him and got him to the places he is now. it was a well known fact that on the leg of his american tour he was very sick, and unfortuanatley that got him some very bad reviews…it seems the poor guy cant win, he’s sick and he still shows up and does a fantastic job for his audience and still gets a bad review for it…at least he is better than amy winehouse who didnt even tell her fans that she had been admitted to rehab, offered no apology and those fans who did get their money back still havent seen her perform, or christina aguilera who cut her tour short because she was 3 months pregnant, or celine dion who cancelled two of her shows because of a throat infection…and you know what? come rain, hail or shine, even if he is on his death bed or dying, michael still gets up and delivers a brilliant show to his audiences even if he is sick with the flu…
now tell me that that isnt dedication.
and someone remarked about him sliding up and down he satge or something…im not sure if u noticed but since it was raised and it was slippery you could slid up and down it…something which michael found quite amusing he loved that part of the stage, and he was dancing around and having a good time…so if that makes him drunk, then i mustve been plastered…
I also was at that concert on Friday 31/05/08 and was a little disappointed by this performance. I saw him last perform at the forecourt of the Opera House in 2005 and was very impressed my his vocals and showmanship. I also think that this recent performance was a little beige and washed out. It also sounded like he had transposed all his songs down at least two semitones, artists usually do this when they can’t replicate live their vocals like on their studio albums. I personally just thought he was a little under the weather and just couldn’t perform as well as he would’ve liked to. Props to Michael though for still doing it live, some artists will just lip sync their ‘live’ shows when their voice is not up to scratch. I just hope that the flu is all that hindered his performance and nothing more sinister….
His stage is *purposely sloped* – I had front row tickets and his stool is glued to the sloping stage so that he could slide down it. So that destroys one foolish claim.
I was at Michaels Canberra concert and could not believe how terrible he looked. He was very bloated and looked extremely hung over. I hope he pulls himself together soon because he is such a great talent.
Anyone who was not entertained and thought old Bubbles was drunk, must not have been to the same concert we were on Saturday night. If the bloke was as smashed as you all thought he was then how the hell did he manage to get through the entire thing without falling or slipping over on his ‘purposely’ designed stage. Or going down like a bag of s..t when he jumped from the stage to have his photo taken with a 10 yr old kid. As for the Amy Winehouse thing, that was funny as, because she’s a twit.
He’s a cracker and we, probably, along with most of the other people who didn’t have their head up their arse,had a great time and would still go and see him again.
Old mate in the green shirt on the floor seating, in the fifth row who damn near sang and danced the whole thing with him would be livid right now. ( You know who you are ).
My sister, my mum, my auntie and my self attended his Friday Night concert (30th May) in Sydney and he was just as charming and even more than the Michael Buble we see and hear of in the Media. We adored his singing, his entertaining and his JOKES! He was fantastic and i cannot believe that he was drunk for a concert and i think people need to think carefully of what they are accussing him of doing.
Anyone who did not think Michael Buble’s concert on 31.5.08 was anything less than sensational needs to seriously take a long hard look at themselves. He was the consumate performer, in every sense of the word. His voice was beautiful, his sense of humour engaging and his showmanship and interaction with the audience a delight. I have not enjoyed myself so much ever at a concert. I am going to two more. And I hope more people start denouncing the press for defaming innocent people, famous or not. The garbage printed in the media these days puts so called journalists down there with politicians and used car salesmen for creditability. Print the real truth and not unsubstanciated lies for a change and regain the respect of the public. We really are more educated than you.