“Aberdeen, Scotland – there are not even words to tell you how much it means to me and my family so far from home to have such a reception,” said Michael Buble as he was welcomed to P&J Live by thousands of adoring fans.
There may be a preconception that Buble fans only “defrost” him every winter to listen to his crooning covers of Christmas classics, but he soon proved he’s more than just our festive favourite.
Packed with charm and charisma, swing and sway – and a cheeky hint of comedic genius – his performance was a true showcase of magic musical talent.
The Canadian superstar took to the stage with pizzazz, with an array of backing singers, dancers and musicians.
One thing was sure, on that stage there was a mass of orchestral skill.
The 44-year-old Grammy award winner soon had the packed audience swooning at his perfect voice.
Although he started a few minutes late, it only added to the gleeful anticipation. He did not disappoint.
Kicking off with an extraordinarily powerful version of Feeling Good, his voice was astounding to hear in person.
Kissing the stage after his classic Haven’t Met You Yet, it appeared he was experiencing a bit of Transatlantic confusion over the name of the venue – believing P&J stood for a sandwich filling popular in north America rather than the Press and Journal.
He said: “We’ve just finished off a tour in Germany and it’s not nearly the same reception there – but tonight welcome to the ‘peanut butter and jelly arena’.
“My taxi driver told me it wasn’t really called that, and that it’s the media here.”
Buble also made mention of passing “a tonne of sheep” on his way to the stunning new arena at Bucksburn.
Garnering much laughter and applause, Buble truly wooed the crowd.
He said: “Tonight I bring you my love and passion – as well as these incredible musicians – and I hope by the end we’ve brought you value cause they’re expensive tickets.”
Singing his Grandpa Mitch’s favourite song, around a year since his death, he lit up the whole arena – showing a clear connection to the Lazy River.
He was soon signing a cardboard cut-out of himself, edited to be wearing a kilt.
But the shock of the evening came when the Canadian offered someone the chance to sing with him – Susan Calgan from Dundee belted out Moon River and was delighted to be holding hands with the man himself.
The rest of the show passed in a blur.
Before leaving the stage in tears, Buble finished with Always On My Mind, made famous by Elvis Presley, saying: “Vancouver, my home town, I played it once. Aberdeen – twice.”
There will be a second show tomorrow night.
