Why Michael Buble won Melbourne’s heart
Michael Buble wowed Victorians with his big hits, silky smooth tone and a cheeky comment about what we got up to in lockdown.
Confidential
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Michael Buble began his latest visit to Melbourne pitching for a desk job to spruik the city’s delights.
“Thinking about working for Tourism Melbourne because I can’t say enough great things about this beautiful place,” the Canadian crooner tweeted ahead of his Rod Laver Arena shows.
While Buble offered to sell Melbourne; on Friday night, at the first of two concerts, the stadium was clearly sold on him: the cheeky charm, self-deprecating humour, big band swag, and that silky smooth tone wrapped around hits including Haven’t Met You Yet, Home, and Everything.
Buble is a master interpreter of song and he’s been pleasing audiences here across 21 years.
Accordingly, his latest tour pulses with covers, including the explosive opener Feeling Good, and the sultry seduction of Barry White’s loving listicle, You’re The First, My Last, My Everything.
He’s acutely aware that Covid wreaked havoc on his previous plans and is all about repaying the fans.
“What’s up Melbourne? My family, my home away from home,” Buble said.
“Ladies and gentlemen it has been too long. I know so many of you had tickets to a concert that was supposed to happen a longtime ago.
“ … the fact you still came to see me after all of that means a lot. We went through a lot, Covid and lockdowns and we sat in our apartments alone, we did our Zoom calls alone and we had sex alone – but not tonight.
“It’s not a concert, it’s not a show, this is a celebration of life.”
Buble plays a second show on Saturday, hopeful of getting some airconditioning – “it’s hot as shit up here” – but ever smiling knowing he’s creating more memorable moments.
If he needs another gig on Monday, Visit Victoria has a vacancy.
“It’s a beautiful day when one of the world’s most iconic artists comes knocking for a job to promote our city,” the tourism agency’s acting CEO, Kelly Dickson, said.
“We’ve got a desk ready for Michael – we just haven’t met him yet.”
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