MICHAEL BUBLE // OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW

Swinging, Swaying, and Swigging - Michael Bublé at Glasgow's OVO Hydro.

★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)

MICHAEL BUBLE PERFORMING AT GLASGOW’S OVO HYDRO
PHOTOCREDIT: CALUM BUCHAN

Michael Bublé shot to stardom in the early 2000s after his breakout self-titled debut. Notorious for his smooth charm and even smoother vocals; he is synonymous with modern swing and swooning fans. Now, as the singer slides close to 50 years old, it's clear his fans are as mad about him as ever and that he needs to do nothing more than cough to receive roaring adoration.

With worldwide acclaim by his second release, the man is a multi-award winner who has reached legendary status. However, it was one winter when he created a lasting impression as a Christmas essential with a festival album which resulted in a running meme that he's a singer that only comes out at Christmas.

Bublé released his nineth studio album "Higher" in January 2022 and is now embarking on a sell-out international tour.

Playing two back-to-back shows in the Scottish city, Bublé filled Glasgow's 13,000 capacity venue with people ready to tap into some feelings.

Although the night was a ball for the vast majority of attendees, anyone who expected to watch a silky perfectionist at Thursday night's show will have left disappointed.

Bublé, to his fans, is comparable to new pyjamas; comforting and safe. Singing with heartfelt emotions, his songs evoke a sense of security and happiness. During his performance in Glasgow, he seemed slightly lost in his way.

Starting the show late, Bublé, stumbled the words throughout his opening number "Feeling Good." He smirked with his band but kept a professional head and still had the crowd ecstatic.

With a big band and incredible supporting vocalists, Bublé sung with all the melting buttery charm that he is known for. He delivered with his standout tracks "Home" and "Just Haven't Met You Yet."

Bublé had the crowd dancing and singing with plenty of covers. Nothing unexpected, but the crowd was kept happy with the Sinatra and the Nat King Cole numbers. He kept the energy high by balancing numbers like Bee Gees "To Love Somebody" close to Eddie Cooley's "Fever."

Despite these emotional numbers, at points Bublé looked strained and his manner was clumsy. There was slight sense of an animal in cage reaching the point of hopelessness.

An incredible stand out moment was new track "Higher" where Bublé seemed to show a genuinely excited side; with his sense of humour coming out as he joked with the crowd about the racy song. He also had a young, Scottish fan on stage for a selfie and dedicated a number of tracks to another attendee Tegan - a superfan who the singer was laughing with over her ninja-like grabbing of a rag that he threw into the crowd.

With definite highs in the night and some small niggling lows, it would be easy to call the show an overall success. However, looking deeper might suggest that Michael Bublé fever might be coming at heavy cost to a man who might be in need of a break.