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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 was at the show.. He was NOT drunk you idiots! That’s his mannerisms! He sounded amazing and entertained, as well as engaged the audience! I can’t believe, for a nation of an easy going sense of humour, you fools can’t even take a joke! Grow up and use your time to spread positivity around the world! At the end of the day, he’s an international superstar while you are all talentless insiginificant people who blog in order to feel powerful.. I seriously pity you!
Wow. I’ve got to admit I didn’t expect this sort of reaction when I wrote this review, particularly when so many people initially backed me up. I wrote nothing but the truth and I stand by my claims. It was the way I experienced the concert, my husband experienced the concert, and my parents experienced the concert. It was the way several other fans who’ve commented experienced the concert. You know what they say about smoke and fire, right?
Some of you clearly had a great time. Perhaps you were much further away from the stage than me. Perhaps you don’t expect as much from your performers as I do … having seen Michael Bublé several times before I feel I have some idea of what he can deliver and what I saw was way below par. The way it improved through the night leaves no doubt in mind that excuses like illness or jetlag are just that – excuses.
I’m glad others enjoyed the concert more than me. Trust me, I’d have liked to gain as much from seeing one of my favourite performers as well. But I don’t like people coming in here calling my education into question and questioning my motives for blogging. I blog because I love music. And I blog because I’m a serious writer. And that, my friends, is why I presented the truth about this gig rather than pretending everything was hunky-dory. To simply gloss over the terrible first half would have been bad journalism, not the article I wrote.
I was also at the concert on 31.5.08. Absolutely loved it. Yeah, I noticed he was a little off on the first couple of songs, but I don’t see why everyone is suddenly jumping to the “substance abuse” conclusion – or is it just the favourite way to bring down any celebrity these days? There are tonnes of other things that can make one go off like that – nervousness, tiredness, allergies, sickness etc.
He interacted with the crowd, getting quite close with them, so you’d think that if he really was as soused as reported, someone would have smelt the alcohol and cried wolf.
And honestly, I loved his jokes and his antics – he really is quite a funny, charismatic guy.
In fact I loved it so much that I will be going again to his June 22nd show, and sure, maybe I don’t expect as much from performers as others here seem to, but at least I don’t expect too much out of them.
Amanda my comments definitely weren’t made as an easy way to tear down an artist. As I’ve said before, I’m a massive fan and that’s the last thing I want to do. But Michael made several references to alcohol on the night, including saying specifically he’d be drinking vodka before the show. I just put two and two together. Others have heard things he’s said about drug use in the past, but I definitely wouldn’t guess it was about anything other than what he revealed to us on the night.
All I expect from him is what I’ve seen him deliver before. I don’t think that’s too much at all.
Lkatulka has every right to express her opinion in relation to a bad experience, perceived or otherwise. Whatever the reason for Michael’s bad performance, he has let down his fans and disappointed a great deal of people.
Sick for months? Cancel the concert!
As a performer, he has a responsibility to deliver a product which is an experience for his fans and if he’s not up to it for whatever reason, then he deserves whatever criticism that is delivered to him. If you put crap ‘in’…you’re going to get crap ‘out’.
If this were a restaurant meal, it’s the equivalent of getting food poisoning from your fav neighbourhood place where you regularly dine and I’d feel wary about eating there again. At the very least, I’d feel mightily entitled to express my opinion and write an honest review.
The overly familiar thread of ‘we know what Michael would and wouldn’t do’ amongst the fans on this thread is a little disturbing. He is human and capable of f&*king up. Sounds like that’s exactly what he did. Call a spade a spade.
I HAVE SEEN MB THREE TIMES IN CONCERT, HAD A FEW WITH HIM, AND I CAN SAY HE DOES LIKE HIS DRINK….BUT THIS WAS “AFTER” A SHOW! I DID SEE THE VIDS AND PICTURES OF HIM (MY BUD OVER THE POND) AND I HAVE TO SAY…HE DOES LOOK “BUZZED”. I LOVE THE GUY, ALWAYS WILL…..WHAT CAN I SAY….MB IS HUMAN.
Here here Labradoryte!
Very true, I’m pleased you took the time to write.
Wow, I’m shocked at the comments here. I have an Australian friend; I only wish some of you were half as intelligent as he is.
Since I live in the US, I did a little reading and research before I posted. I was pleased to learn that Australia also has libel laws. In fact, internet lawsuits HAVE occurred in Oz. What does that mean? It means that if Michael wants to sue over this; he could. I think he should. You see, you didn’t speak with Michael and you certainly didn’t give him a drug test. So you don’t know for a fact that he was under the influence of anything, yet you state AS A FACT that he was. You didn’t even write that he seemed drunk, which would still be libelous, but you wrote that he was drunk. This could easily damage his reputation. As this is the internet, the negative image you have created is spread on an international level. You put in writing that he was drunk and you can not prove that. It’s really important to remember that what you write on a board is legally actionable. You don’t legally have the right to attack someone’s character and make statements you have no verifiable evidence of.
I’ve never seen so many things gotten wrong and misinterpreted ever. Now for some more facts. For those of you who say they are familiar with Michael but are complaining about his being unshaven… you obviously aren’t all that familiar with Michael or with fashion. The couple of days growth is a specific style. It’s called “scruff.” Michael is certainly not the only man who wears this style. And it is not a new style for Michael. I first met Michael when his very first album had just dropped in 2003. Michael wore scruff even then. So those of you who think this is a change in Michael, you’re just plain wrong. Of course, any visit to his website or board would expose you to lots of pics with Michael and his scruff.
As for the vodka nonsense, a little more reading about Michael would have made you aware that Michael’s tour is sponsored by Ketel One VODKA. They sponsor the tour, so in each and every show he jokes about drinking, about how the audience looks better to him after drinking, etc.etc. Basically the same jokes in every single show. Most people are smart enough to realize they’re jokes. Michael has a lot of preplanned jokes and most of them are naughty. And they have always been naughty. For five years at least. If you thought his jokes weren’t naughty before, you just weren’t paying attention. As for the movements, Michael has a sloped stage that showcases and emphasizes his unique signature style of dancing. I can’t believe anyone who has ever seen Michael live or on a dvd would ever comment on the perspiration. Michael has always perspired in concert. Always. That’s why he has a sweaty towel that he can throw into the audience: because he sweats. Alot. That anyone would now think this is a sign of alcohol or drugs is just laughable.
As for his improving as the show went on, you can’t know that was because he “sobered up” or assume that if he was sick he would have gotten worse. I KNOW that isn’t true. Earlier in the year Michael was very ill. Then he seemed to recover. I saw the San Diego show and a week later, the 2 shows in Santa Barbara. When I talked to him in San Diego, he seemed fine on and offstage. The shows were all fabulous. The next night was Anaheim, the last show of the US tour. I was able to speak with Michael privately face to face before the show, and he told me he was so ill that he had wanted to cancel in Santa Barbara but he didn’t. I could tell he was ill when we spoke. When he went on stage, for the first couple of songs, I could see he was still under the weather. But quite miraculously, as the show progressed, Michael was able to fight through the illness and put on a helluva show.
It’s one thing to not be informed or not understand Michael’s sense of humor, but to state things based on ignorance or misunderstanding or that you can’t prove is beyond what is acceptable. Especially when people try and explain the background of things to you and you refuse to even consider that you may have misinterpreted what you saw. I doubt you would like it if someone posted on the internet something untrue, like that you slept with half the band or some such thing, and then others joined in to back it up. True or not, the damage has been done. Michael is one of the kindest and most polite people I’ve ever met. I’m certain Michael would NEVER publicly demean any of you in the way you have done here. I know he deserves the benefit of the doubt and certainly deserves more respect than most of you have given him.
I actually find it extremely amusing that you think Michael was drunk. Not only was the poor guy suffering from jetlag and possibly an illness, but working in the music industry for many years I have been exposed to many performers and Michael Buble is about as professional and clean as they come. Sure, he looked tired, but after constantly touring for a year and spending 17 hours flying to give Australians all these shows we should be appreciative of him, not critical of him.
I definitely think alot of people don’t get his sense of humour and expect a lounge type act with the music he sings – well you won’t get that at a Michael Buble concert so don’t expect it. He goes way above and beyond and I am sure all the fans like myself who saw him come outside backstage afterwards to sign many autographs saw this too. As for the vodka comments during the shows – if he had been drinking and was an alcholic – do you really think he would be telling an audience of thousands especially when he sees children attending? I think not…
I also find it laughable that people are critising his stubble – don’t you think maybe he is trying to grow a beard or likes the unshaven look which alot of men are sporting at the moment? As for the sweating – I have never been to a concert (and I have been to hundreds) where the performer doesn’t sweat under those hot stage lights.
So to all you knockers out there – maybe you should get your facts straight before you make accusations of people because their show is a little different to what you expected. Michael Buble is human and everyone from Bono to Mick Jagger have their off nights where they are not feeling 100%.
Well put Vegi!!
The thing that annoys me the most about this whole debate, is that a review posted by someone on the internet, expressing only THEIR personal point of view (which they have a right to do) has been reported as ‘fact’ in the Australian media. People who read the papers, and see the story, which mind you, only references this website as their source, may get the wrong idea about Michael Buble and his performances. I guess as celebrities they have to deal with this quite a bit, and personally I never really pay much attention to gossip magazines. But when I see stories like this about someone I really respect, I feel compelled to write and try and stick up for them a bit. Maybe we should just let this be, and stop trying to bring someone down when none of us really know the facts. The Daily Telegraph should remove the story they have written, and only report such things when they have the evidence to support their claims. If you read the comments associated with that particular story, and the majority of the comments on this website, you will see most people who attended the concert do NOT agree with lkatulka’s review of the concert. Maybe next time, a review would be best focused on the performance/concert itself. If you didn’t think he performed to your expectations, then so be it. But don’t start insinuating as to why this may be the case (drunk, drugs or illness) without evidence to support your claims…and i’m sorry, a few vodka and Amy Winehouse gags, do not constitute compelling evidence in my books.
I attended three shows in the US – in California and he did the same skit about the Vodka there too in all three of them. Remember – his tour sponsor is Kettel One – they make Vodka. So it seems fitting to make a joke about it in some way, since Michael likes to joke so much. I had great floor seats and could tell that was part of the skit. He is very good at impersonations and acting. I can’t speak about the rest of the show, but I can tell you the comments about the Vodka at the beginning of the show are part of the show. As a matter of fact, one of the security guards was nice enough to give me a print out of the itinerary for the show that Michael’s staff provides to local security. The skits are planned after certain songs and they are even labeled on the night’s itinerary as a skit. Hopefully you will reconsider your thoughts about Michael being drunk in light of the Vodka skit being part of the show.
Vegi, you’re absolutely right that Michael Buble could sue. Whether he’d win any case is another thing. I’m no lawyer, but I’d guess that it’s doubtful considering he himself claimed to be drunk – whether it was intended as a joke or not those are the words that came out of his mouth. If a person claims to be drunk and I report this as a journalist, I can’t see what I’m actually doing wrong.
Similarly, I can’t see what I’m doing wrong in criticising a performance which I felt was far below par for the reasons I’ve outlined.
As a writer I have a professional obligation to review things honestly. That’s not always going to be to everyone’s liking. It’s going to mean there are good reviews and bad reviews. I’m not about to sacrifice my professional integrity to write the sort of reviews which might appeal to the celebrities I write about. At the same time I’d hope that doesn’t land me in the courts. However if it does, so be it. As I read my review I believe it to be fair and accurate, a far cry from the things I’ve been accused of by some.
Let me tell you all something – I’ve seen Michael Bublé drinking with my own eyes. I cover a lot of award shows here in Canada and was on television covering the Juno Awards last month.
The things he did and said backstage and before the cameras were on him would make everyone more than blush.
I believe this article because I’ve seen it with my own eyes.
Lauren, you present yourself as a journalist. Well then, that sets you up for an even higher standard of behavior. It also means you need to be quite aware of the laws regarding libel. You said he was “blind drunk”, etc etc. You didn’t write he appeared to be drunk, or qualify your statement in any way. You presented it as a fact without subject to interpretation. But yet, you have no actual evidence. None. Without that, you have no business stating it as fact. If you were writing for a legitimate news source, they would want expect some fact checking. Did you give him a breath test? no. Did you give him a drug test? no. Did you speak with him personally and smell alcohol on his breath? no. Witnesses saying they saw Michael smashed offstage before the show? no. In fact, do you have any sources at all that would be in a position to know his blood alcohol level? Of course you don’t. All you have is your own interpretation based on your assumptions. Things such as being “unshaven” which has already been demonstrated to be the way he wears his facial hair these days. I’ve got probably 600 pictures taken from the Southern California leg of the tour with his unshaven face. From most reports, he doesn’t actually say he is “drunk” but tells the same old jokes about the audience looking better… the same jokes that he has been telling for many months. In fact, you wouldn’t even have to go to a show to know he wears his beard this way or tells these jokes as they have been widely reported on the net. If you are such a professional journalist, I have to wonder why you didn’t do your homework. From a purely logical standpoint, if he were “blind drunk” as you say, it would be next to impossible to perform as he does on stage, running around in a full suit under hot stage lights on a sloping stage. Let alone remember the same jokes he does night after night and the set list. He’d most likely collapse from the exertion alone.
You’re entitled to not like the show. People’s tastes vary. Maybe the humor is too grown-up for you. Or maybe it’s over your head. The bottom line on the jokes is that Michael has been touring for quite some time, to many thousands of fans each night. So of the literally hundreds of thousands of fans that have seen this show, it appears that you are in the very small minority that didn’t understand the jokes about drinking that he tells EVERY SINGLE NIGHT. As I said, you don’t have to like the show or Michael. However, you don’t have the legal right to state something as a fact that you can’t prove.. or even have any information about whatsoever. What I find most disturbing is that in spite of being presented with facts about his appearance, set jokes, etc, you still won’t even admit you could have misinterpreted anything. You talk about professional integrity, but making such a serious statement without any factual, verifiable evidence demonstrates a very serious lack of journalistic ethics. The least you could do is admit that you do not know for a fact that Michael was drunk; that it was based on assumptions. As I said, you don’t have to like the show, but stating Michael was blind drunk is libelous and you should correct your remarks. Like they say in the States, stick to the facts.
You know what they say Vegi. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s a duck. If he hadn’t told an arena of 10, 000 people he was drunk I’m sure I would have put those safe words like “allegedly” and “perhaps” in my article. But he didn’t. He said flat out that he was drunk, which firmed up all those assumptions I had already made.
I don’t care if Michael makes these “jokes” every night or not. Maybe he’s drunk every night. Maybe he’s drunk some of these nights and not others. I am just writing about what I saw on my particular show. A set joke is hardly evidence that he never drinks. For the record though, singling out a member of the audience and saying she’s gone from a 6 to an 11 isn’t funny. It’s not humour too mature for me. It’s just plain rude.
I also mentioned he was unshaven not as evidence of drunkeness, but to point out that he was not the clean cut man I was expecting to see. It was just another thing that added to the whole unkempt image he projected, nothing more, nothing less.
The funny thing is, I’m seeing plenty of reviews online for shows all around the world which are in a similar vein to mine. Perhaps this sort of behaviour isn’t so out of the ordinary after all.
I think this is absolute RUBBISH. I was there on the night and he was NOT drunk at all. He was FANTASTIC. For your information, he has been doing the Amy Whinehouse act every show. I think it is very rude of the writer of the piece to start such rubbish without having any solid proof behind it. It is people like you that put down fantastic entertainers like Buble. Imagine having to perform exactly the same show every night in thirty different countries for a year- Doesn’t sound like much fun after a while, does it? Buble should be congratulated on keeping this type of music alive in a generation where we are surrounded by offensive and repulsive music.
I was at the 1st Brisbane show where he said how uppity he finds Sydney people and how they made him so nervous he had to have 4 shots of vodka to get out on stage down there. The reviewer may very well have been correct!
The reviewer of this show writes what she sees. It’s her job. You don’t have to agree with it and she doesn’t have to agree with you. An opinion … just that that. Play nicely kids!
OUR GUY IS TIRED, LONELY, AND AS MY DAUGHTER COMMENTED A LITTLE SAD. I GIVE ALL PROPS TO MB, HE IS A GREAT PERFORMER.
I have watched the videos that Daryl downloaded and I can’t imagine how you could see that performance and not agree that Buble was under the influence. As a professional singer, I know that if you were sick or jetlagged to the point that you would give a performance like that, you would CANCEL. And a professional wouldn’t make a tasteless joke like faking being drunk, lying about being drunk, and then gradually pretending to sober up. Those of you who maintain that position have clearly not seen the videos or the concert, or you are making those statements based on how you FEEL about Buble, not on truth.
Ikatulka. You say you are a huge Michael Buble` fan. If you really are a fan and have seen many of his concerts, you should know Michael was JOKING when he said he was drunk. He has a very dry sense of humour, which is part of his charm. As Aussies, we should grasp this with ease as our sense of humour is similar. Obviously not yours though.
As far as his singing goes, when vocal chords are strained by repeated concerts, it takes 3, 4 or 5 songs to warm up and sound half decent. That’s why he sounded better in the second half of his show not because he was sobering up. And remember, Micael Buble` is only human. After a long and exhaustive concert tour we cannot expect his voice to always sound CD quality. We should appreciate the effort he makes compared to many other performers. Lighten up and read “How to spot a Dry sense of humour 101″. It may put things in perspective for you.
SupremeDiva….
First, the people who have posted have not only seen those videos, they have been to the concerts of late.
Secondly, Michael has been very ill. He does not cancel concerts. I actually think he’d have to be forced by his management, before he’d disappoint the fans. It’s also a bit hard to reschedule a 10,000 person venue, in a country one hasn’t performed in, in 3 years. He does not want to let the fans down. I think it would be much more a disappointment if he canceled, than taking a few songs to warm up. What seems quite aparent to me, is that a lot of you lack a of sense of humor. This is the “act” on this tour. Can’t say it clearer. He’s not doing the smooth, crooner thing. He’s doing, as he calls it… “his bad boy” routine. There is no way he would come on stage drunk. Maybe other performers you go to see do, and it’s a normal to experience for you. That’s not the case with Bublé. He is a consummate professional.
I want to add something else. As Vegi mentioned above, he was extremely ill at the last US concert. Came out on stage, thanked kettle one and took a drink of “water”…. ha,ha….. joke… get it? We all got it. And yes, he told the same joke about the audience looking better, yada, yada. Then he proceeded to the next couple songs. He coughed a few times, wiped his nose a couple… looked feverish, as he does in the videos, here. But, by mid concert his “instrument” was performing in such an amazing way, I was taken aback. The command he has over his voice, constantly astounds me. Did I or anyone else mind that he had a bit of rough start? Not for one minute. You see, we were there to have a great time. Not to sit back and decide that since it wasn’t the concert of 3 years ago, I’ll just trash the whole thing. I can hang my hat on what he came out and said. The actual, joke he made that from what I’m hearing, most of the audience “got”.
Journalism…… Seems to me when I took that course in high school, we had specific criteria that were part of creating an article of any kind. Unfortunately, we don’t see that today. One can print whatever they want and damage people, whenever they please. There are rarely consequences to these writers. No corroboration is necessary… just say it… Let a newspaper take the lie and run with it and spread it through the whole world. Still, with no corroboration. I remember being taught that you need to confirm and confirm, again. That is not done today.
True journalism is dead.
SupremeDiva….
First, the people who have posted have not only seen those videos, they have been to the concerts of late. Secondly, he has been very ill. He does not cancel concerts. Hard to reschedule 10,000 person venue in a country he hasn’t performed in, in 3 years. He does not want to let the fans down. I think it would be much more a disappointment if he canceled, than taking a few songs to warm up. The problem seems to be more than anything else… that a lot of you lack any form of sense of humor. This is the act on this tour. Can’t say it clearer. He’s not doing the smooth, crooner thing. He’s doing, as he calls it… his bad boy routine. This in no way means he would come on stage drunk. He is a consummate professional. Like the concert or not, this is who he is.
I want to add something else. As Vegi mentioned above, he was extremely ill at the last US concert. Came out on stage, thanked kettle one and took a drink of “water”…. ha,ha….. joke… get it? Then proceeded to the next couple songs. He coughed a few times, wiped his nose a couple… looked feverish, as he does in the videos, here. But, by mid concert his “instrument” was performing an amazing concert. Did I or anyone else mind that he had a bit of rough start? Not for one minute. You see, we were there to have a great time. Not to sit back and decide that since it wasn’t the concert of 3 years ago, I’ll just trash the whole thing.
Journalism…… Seems to me when I took that course in high school, we had specific criteria that were part of creating an article of any kind. Unfortunately, we don’t see that today. One can print whatever they want and damage people, whenever they please. There are rarely consequences to these writers. No corroboration is necessary… just say it… Let a newspaper take the lie and run with it and spread it through the whole world. Still, with no corroboration. I remember being taught that you need to confirm and confirm, again.
Sorry… this didn’t get in…
JOURNALISM IS DEAD
Sorry all…. this took longer for the people at OzMusic to review than I thought and it got posted twice.
D
Daryl, as I have stated many times above, this wasn’t a matter of taking a few songs to warm up, or a man appearing otherwise sober but making a joke that was taken out of context. This was a man staggering around, slurring, and repeatedly talking about how much he’d had to drink. It doesn’t take a hard hitting journalist to add two and two and come up with four.
It astounds me that you can fault Supremdiva for drawing her conclusions from the videos, yet you can decide what went on at a concert you didn’t attend. It’s also interesting to me that she feels he’s drunk based on the videos from the part of the concert where I thought he had improved immensely. Oh if only there was some footage out there of the first half of the show. Perhaps you’d see what I was talking about.
Personally, I’d have preferred the show was cancelled. As I stated, I would have left had I not been with other people. You say Michael wouldn’t want to disappoint his fans, but judging by some of the comments I have received it seems like he did just that.
So sorry you were disappointed, but there have been many posts here who were up front and saw the same show and didn’t see what you and some other seemed to have seen.
Maybe, in the future you should skip his shows.
D
Daryl Di Stefano….
)
You crack me up!!!!
I love the guy, my husband and family think i have michael ocd, i was at his first brisbane concert, and when he came out on stage my heart sunk!! As soon as the camera man had put that close up shot of michael on the big screen i freaked out-my first thought was oh my god he is sick! Then i thought oh my god, is he smashed? Then i thought Is he going to make it through the 1st song let alone the whole concert?!!! I was truely concerned for his well being and the mother in me came out in those first few minute of laying eyes on him. It was worrying me the way he kept scratching at his stubble, and rubbing his nose. I felt sad. Anyway, a few songs in he seemed to have either warmed up or pulled it together, and gave us an awesome show. There was no way on earth i wasnt going to enjoy it, i waited for that moment for months and months!
Any way, thats my opinion,(and my friends and family who were there with me, 3 metres from the stage) and he is only human, so we cant expect perfection as we see it in the media, but for his sake i hope he takes a huge break and has a long awaited rest. I also must note that my devotion has not waivered
As for you Daryl Di Stefano – You are one passionate fan and michael needs someone like you on his publicity team!!!!
Lizzie – hope you read this – this is for you. Please fill us in more on the details of the afterparty! That is fantastic that you got to spend time with Michael after the show! Did you get to chat with him? What did you talk about? Did he stay long? Did you get to chat with the band? Which ones? How many fans were invited? How/when did you get invited? Did he sign anything for you or did you get any pics? I think that is so great that you got personal time with Michael and his band.
Fill us in!!!!
Daryl, believe me I’m strongly considering it. How sad though that I should feel like I should miss seeing one of my favourite singers, who had previously delivered such wonderful shows, to avoid an experience like that.
Lauren, I took the time to look at your c.v. Since you apparently have absolutely NO background in music, perhaps you ought to find the time to get some training and education in that area. Music is a far cry from motorcycles. I note that your degree isn’t in music and it also isn’t in science, physiology, etc. Nothing that would make you an expert on someone’s alcohol level by sight. If you’re going to make those judgments, you ought to get some training that actually qualifies you to state with certainty about someone’s sobriety.
You also state repeatedly that Michael said he was drunk. Several people have said that he didn’t say that at all. Saying you’ve had a couple of drinks certainly does not mean you are drunk. As someone who uses language in their “career” you should know that. Lots of people have told you he was joking and you insist he should be taken literally. Logic would follow then that when Michael does his skit about being jealous of the attention the band receives and storms off stage, that should be taken literally too. It’s just absurd and extremely poor reasoning. The fact that you won’t concede that there is even a chance that you are wrong demonstrates a serious lack of ethics. Try getting and keeping a job with the legitimate Aussie press. I think it would be an eye opener for you.
Vegi, I did study popular music and other music related courses as part of my degree. Not that you need qualifications to have an interest or passion for music, but there it is.
Michael Buble used the term “hammered” during the show to describe his condition, so again no liberties were taken there. I’m not claming to be an expert by any means, but the comments he made combined with his actions allow me to form an informed opinion which I have presented to you. I was there, and you weren’t, so I figure I’d be more qualified to make that judgement than yourself.
I have worked for “legitimate Aussie press” in the past. I now choose to freelance. Thanks for taking an interest in my career though.
Again, you didn’t respond to my point: Did you take all his other jokes literally too?
When Michael walked off stage in a mock tantrum, I laughed. I understood he wasn’t serious and I could see that was a joke. If he really seemed mad, as he really seemed drunk, I wouldn’t have taken that as a joke either.
But I’m not really sure where the humour is in saying you’re drunk. I’m not sure where the humour is in saying a woman has become more attractive thanks to alcohol. I’m not sure where the humour is in telling a crowd how uppity Sydney was and how you had to have four shots of vodka to deal with them. Even if you’re completely sober, I’m not sure exactly how any of these things are funny. Care to explain it to me?
Given that, I’m not sure exactly how to answer your question. You seem to be referring to certain comments as jokes, which I don’t because they’re just not funny on any level.
I had a friend who went last night and messaged me asking if Michael was drunk at the performance I went to. I went to the first Sydney performance which was fantastic. I wouldn’t have thought he would be so unprofessional to act like this, but if it happens more than once then I suppose you have to wonder what’s going on. I would’ve been quite angry driving back to Newcastle late Friday night if we had been given a poor performance.
Thanks for weighing in Jodette. I’m glad you got to see a great show … and sorry your friend wasn’t quite so lucky. My parents also came from Newcastle, and my husband and I came from the Coast, so as you can imagine – it was a very long car trip home!
my friends and I were there on the 31st May concert and it was AWESOME, we had great time and we didn’t find anything wrong with michael’s performance. The vodka was obviously a joke, same with other jokes that he pulled. Can’t believe someone who claiming him/herself as a reporter, reporting things that is not even the fact. If you can’t take a joke you then it is your own problem, but it’s totally wrong if you start reporting it as if it is the real fact!
Hi, me again.
Just reading through other comments – people (including yourself Ikatulka – I know it really sounds like I’m trying to pick a fight with you, but I’m not, damn the internet and it’s lack of emotive expressive qualities) have complained about him singling a woman in the audience out and commenting on how alcohol makes a woman look more attractive, however, as I remember it, SHE heckled HIM first, so really she was (or should have been) expecting a response.
He made the first vodka crack – “…makes me sound better, makes you guys look better… not that you aren’t a good looking bunch of people but you know…”
Which was when the female audience member called out – “No! I don’t!”
So, in response (interacting with the audience here) he said – “Okay well let me explain it to you…say right now you’re a 6/10….with a couple of these you’re an 11…(and here’s the important part) and I’m looking at you, SIR (if this comment box could underline or italicise, I would, but caps will have to do). Rawr” – he made the joke, but not about the woman, but about the man sitting next to her.
That’s how I remember it anyway…
About the Brisbane crack about Sydney people – come on, he also said at the second Sydney show that he threw the first Sydney show and that he ripped a bunch of people off. Jokes about previous crowds is common at gigs to warm up the crowd and get them ‘on side’. I’ll bet he’d say exactly the same thing in Melbourne, simply because Sydney-siders seem to have some ‘rivalry’ thing going with Brisbane and Melbourne and, in a previous interview (yes, I do have just a LITTLE too much time on my hands =P) he mentioned that wherever he went, he would do a little research on the local culture there and try to tailor some jokes to fit the audience. He obviously must have picked up on the between-city ‘rivalry’, and probably tried to play on that (of course not knowing Buble personally, as much fun as that would probably be, I can’t DEFINITELY say so, but this is also me putting 2 and 2 together). Maybe he was a little off the mark, but it’s not like any of us have never made an inappropriate comment accidentally.
Also (I guess this is also speculation, but just throwing it out there), it seems to me that the part where he runs off stage in the middle of the show may have been deliberately placed. All of Buble’s shows are carefully scripted before the tour. We know that he’s been sick for a while (and yes, I agree, he should have cancelled or postponed like Mary J. Blige has done – I would honestly rather he rest and recuperate than entertain a bunch of people who, for the most part, see him as a piece of sexy man meat) but we also know that he hates cancelling shows. My theory (but I do acknowledge that it is mostly speculation) is that the break may have been used as an out in case he felt like he did need meds or the steroids (the legal kind) to help his voice, which could also explain the noticeable improvement that you commented on in the second half, Ikatulka. But yeah, it’s just a stupid theory/idea I’m tossing out there….
I didn’t say easy, Ikatulka, I said favourite, and I wasn’t actually targetting you specifically (although I know it really sounds like it) – I just mean in general. Whenever a celebrity comes up a little under par or dishevelled, somehow the media at large always jumps to substance abuse. Can’t a guy just have a bad day?
And SupremeDiva – (I’m sorry if I really come off bitchy here, but I don’t like it when people think they can dictate how I think): You weren’t there, so you really can’t speak of knowing the ‘truth’. I don’t think any of us, unless Michael Buble himself decided to comment here, can. We, like Ikatulka, are commenting on what we saw. We just happen to differ on that. I (and others) saw a good show and am supporting Buble, Ikatulka saw a bad show. So please, don’t talk on feelings and truth like you know it better than any of us.
I went to the four shows, two Sydney and two Brisbane and thought they were all fabulous. I was backstage with Michael before the first Brisbane show and have three photos of him just before the show. I can assure you he was alert and quick witted and looked great. It must have been something to do with the lighting effects because there was nothing wrong with his appearance close up.
I really think people are misinterpreting Michael’s performance style. The songs in which people are saying he was drunk were his new songs and that’s the way he always performs them….it’s his interpretation of the passion and feeling he wants to put into them. It’s a shame some of you don’t like the way he’s doing them but a lot of people do. And just because you don’t like his style doesn’t justify attacking his character and his career. If you don’t like him you don’t have to come again but no need to attack him. I guarantee there will be no shortage of people wanting to buy tickets to his future shows.
(Sorry about the super long comment above…guess I got a little carried away)
But just adding on from my last thought – I would (like many fans, I imagine) also like to know the truth (if there is any truth to know).
If Mr Buble admits that he was drunk on stage, I would accept that I was mistaken, but until he does (if at all, which I don’t believe he won’t because I don’t believe he was), I will maintain that I did not see any evidence of inebriation in his performance, which again, is only based on what I personally saw and experienced at the concert.
*if at all, which I don’t believe he will…
Amanda, thanks for your comments and for pointing out that you’re not trying to attack me. I’ve definitely felt a bit attacked of late! It’s funny. I just write a little blog on the net about the Australian music scene. I thought Michael seemed drunk from the first song, and his comments solidified that opinion in my mind. Yes it’s my opinion, not a fact, but at the end of the day that’s what blogging is all about. But it’s an informed opinion given the actions I witnessed, and given his comments isn’t going to get me into any legal trouble (yes I’ve checked!). It was a part of my concert experience, and so I needed to write about it. Not to slander Michael or upset anyone, but just to report honestly on the night I had.
It amazes me that it’s all come to this flamewar. I guess that’s what happens when a couple of newspapers pick up your story.
I stand by my opinions of the show, and I understand the other people who felt he wasn’t drunk (including those who weren’t there!) stand by theirs. No one’s going to change anyone’s minds so I’m not really sure why there’s still so much back and forth about this.
LIstening to Alan Jones on 2GB this week was informative on this issue.
Firstly Jones is a huge Buble fan and he claims on air that he was with Buble in the dressingroom for a full half hour on the night in question.
He says that he saw no indication of Buble drinking anything alcoholic nor that Buble looked or sounded drunk.
He also says that the jokes about other cities audience is a set joke used by Buble. Hell I have seen everyone from bands to comedians to Apex guest speakers use this very same tactic to win over an audience.
Lauren I would suggest that you either did not get the jokes involving alcohol, that you dislike drinking culture and that you had a bee in your bonnet from the start as he didn’t fit the pre-conceived image of what YOU think he should have looked and behaved like.
So you spat the dummy as YOU did not get the show that you wanted and demanded.
My advice is to listen to others that were there as well, who may have a different sense of humour and got the jokes, and to listen to people who were with Buble before the show and state clearly that he was not drunk and that it was all part of the act and show.
I guess that’s what happens when you get in the way of the crazy fangirls, who seem to believe that he is totally infallible, like you know “OMG HE’S MICHAEL BUBLE” =P
But yeah, I do find it a little ironic that people are attacking you for making negative conclusions about Buble and his performance based on what you saw, and yet are jumping to similarly negative conclusions about you based on what you write!
As another poster commented above, it was quite disturbing seeing the ‘It’s Michael Buble, he just doesn’t/wouldn’t do that!’ undercurrent of thought in a lot of forums, especially from those who hadn’t attended the concerts.
I mean, I love the guy and his music, but I can also see that being a fan of Buble doesn’t equate to him being some infallible, supernatural being. He’s human, after all, and like I’ve said above, I am willing to accept the fact that he may have been drunk, if he ever says he was, just as, I hope, you would be willing to accept the fact that he wasn’t if, hypothetically, a blood or alcohol test taken before or after the concert showed that he had no alcohol in his system? (of course, this is all hypothetical – I mean what are the chances of either happening, aye?)
As OnTheBus has mentioned, however (and I did hear that Alan Jones spot), there seems to be evidence from others to the contrary.
I guess at this point it’s all a bit he-said-she-said, isn’t it? =)
Shit haha, I’ve just realised I’ve been totally calling you by the wrong name, sorry LKatulka >< I mistook the little l in your name for a capital I (which, upon reflection, was actually quite a stupid mistake) =P
Okay, I HAVE to speak here. I’m so unbelievably amazed at some of you people.
1. You ask for a “professional musician’s opinion” over Lauren’s “non-professional musician’s opinion”. You get one, from SupremDIVA, and THAT’S NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOU.
(For what it’s worth, I thought the same thing when I looked at the videos yesterday morning. I told Lauren that, and she was surprised, because she said that’s when she felt he “got better”. I too wish there were footage from earlier in the show.)
2. You bash Lauren for not being a professional journalist, and talk about “getting a real job with mainstream media”. She’s had one. She made the personal choice to freelance after having had that experience in “mainstream media”. While you’re all sitting here whining about what a mockery “mainstream media” has made of true journalism – you’re telling her to go work for them? MAKE UP YOUR MINDS.
3. There’s this little, gnawing thing that’s really bugging me here. Some of you are all about trying to prove how much smarter and more observant you are than Lauren, however you can’t even see that her username here is the lowercase version of LKATULKA – not IKATULKA or Ikatulka. It’s lkatulka. This particular font the site’s written in makes a very clear distinction between a capital I and a lowercase “L” (l) and you’re supposedly so much better than Lauren, but you can’t even get a letter correct?
I’m sorry – but what I see in this post is an observance and an opinion. I see no reason to suggest legal damages, because frankly, Michael said it himself (joke or not) first. If I were to go up on a stage somewhere and scream, “I’m an alcoholic!” and then someone were to put on their site that they felt I was acting drunk and said I was an alcoholic, I’d have no cause or right to sue… regardless of my celebrity status or lack thereof.
A few final notes:
- Ketel One has sponsored Michael for YEARS. Not just this tour. So the argument that he was purposely “acting” drunk to give a shoutout to K1 is complete lunacy. If YOU had seen his shows before (like Lauren and myself and many others have) you’d have known this.
- Some of you seem to think that “Call Me Irresponsible” is an “act” or a “theme”. Tell me when you ever saw Frank Sinatra (the man who made the song famous in the first place) act like this. IF in fact you’re right, then someone in Mike’s marketing department fugged up royally.
- Illness is cause to REST and GET BETTER. Not go out on stage after getting pumped up with medication and shots of steroids into your vocal chords (which can have long term, permanent, negative effects later on). Which none of YOU really know whether or not is the truth, anymore than anyone here can prove knowledge of his alcohol consumption other than by taking visual and audible stock in his appearance. In fact, it’s easier to say someone’s been drinking than it is to say he took Benadryl. So your assumptions are in fact WORSE.
The man’s been touring and recording NONSTOP for the past several years. He’s here in my area like clockwork every year on or within a day or two of my birthday, which proves that he’s constantly working. He’s bound to get burned out, and he’s bound to turn to something to make it all “better”. For all we know, Emily dumped him that day and that’s why he was such a sobbing mess. But again, no one knows anything but what they personally witnessed. Bashing on Lauren because of her opinions is absolutely absurd. I haven’t seen her bash on ANY SINGLE ONE OF YOU, despite your coming here and giving her a thrashing. THAT to me, is what’s called professionalism. And as far as I’m concerned you can all take your judgments on her, place them firmly up your rear ends, and rotate.
So Lara what you are saying is that Alan Jones went on air and lied?
LARA…..OUT OF ALL THE COMMENTS I HAVE READ, INDEED, YOURS WAS WORTH READING. GOD BLESS YOU….AND EVERYONE ELSE TOO….INCLUDING OUR GUY MB!!
To be fair, I don’t think Lara said anything of the kind. If I read your post right Lara, you were mostly setting people, who were attacking lkatulka ad hominem, right, weren’t you?
Although, I see a BIT of a contradiction in what you’ve written. Just a little one and it’s mostly on a personal level so I’m not trying to have a go at you or anything. Your third point expressed the fact that some of us (including myself I freely admit) have spelt lkatulka’s name wrong, mistaking the lowercase l for the uppercase I. My previous comment here, before tonight, was a few days ago, so you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t remember the poster’s name, and when I checked back for a reply, I read the content and glanced at the username quickly when writing a comment directed towards her, hence leading to my mistake, which I realised afterwards, and apologised for.
However, my intention was not (as you seem to assume) to prove that I was any smarter or better than her. She has presented her opinions, observations and speculations in her article and replies to posts (some of which, I agree with you, are needlessly nasty) and I have tried to present mine in my comments, nowhere claiming that I was doing anything but expressing my opinions, observations and speculations. So I guess if you’re going to tell us not to have a go at her personally, don’t have a go at us personally?
And I know this is somewhat damaging to the Buble-was-not-drunk camp, of which I am part, but I suppose it has to be said some time – given Alan Jones’ history of shooting off the mouth and taking quite liberal interpretations of facts, sometimes to suit his own, or his listeners’ points of view (remembering that a lot of his listeners are middle-class, older Australians, who also form a large part of Buble’s audience demographic), can we (as much as I would like to) really depend on him as a credible source? Surely, his account adds some strength to our ‘case’ but unfortunately his reputation doesn’t.
“But when he stumbled onto the stage at the Sydney Entertainment Centre blind drunk, I lost a lot of respect for him”
This is the opening comment of the review. Speaks for itself. Point to make, Michael doesn’t walk out on stage at the opening number. He’s standing in the dark, when the lights come up.
I do agree with one thing here. I think he should cancel the remainder of the Australian leg of the tour and rest and get well.
Want to make one point about reviews. I have no problem with a critical review of the show. Criticize away. But don’t make claims because the whole family had expected one kind of concert and got another.
Just one point for the books about Sinatra, he had an ongoing battle with the press in Australia for years. What a surprise
D
Daryl: I was thinking that I didn’t remember him doing that (stumbling on stage), because I’m fairly sure he opened with “Feeling Good”, with the huge build-up intro and the dramatic curtain pull and everything. Thanks for that.
Even if he did cancel the rest of his Australian tour, he still has the UK to go, and I’m thinking, even if he wanted to cancel the rest of his tour, the fallout would not be pretty.
I guess what makes me sad is that this tour may get marred or remembered by these bad instances (not putting personal fault on lkatulka here, the media have a way of really overinflating the hype) rather than the fantastic performances that most of his fans will remember this tour by (obviously, my and other fans’ expressed opinions only)
And man, I feel like I’m writing so much here >< I’m treating it like a chat room almost – I’m guessing that’s not healthy.