Remember, when your dreams have ended. Time can be transcended. I live forever. Remember me.
Josh Groban sang an operatic version of Linkin Park’s ’My December’. I cannot think of a more powerful statement to begin with. It was absolutely amazing to hear this song from a completely different genre that seemed right at home coming from the lips of Groban, who is often dubbed as ’pop opera’.
I cannot go further without first describing the stage setup. One large video screen stretching across the back of the stage. Reaching halfway up to the ceiling. A platform running the length of it with three sets of staircases, two on each side curved slightly inward and one coming down the center. On the right, nestled between two sets of staircases was his small orchestra. In the left nook, his band complete with drums and electric guitars. An amazing, amazing violinist named Lucia Micarelli was predominant throughout the show.
He started with ’Oceano’, the giant video screen behind the stage showing ocean water slowing rushing by. Then, as he took to the top of the platform, finishing the verse and hitting the chorus, the water on the screen began racing by at an accelerated speed and the wall panels behind the musicians on each side lit up with the same images; crystal blue ocean shooting by. It was visually inspiring. The only other show opening I think could compare would be when I saw Duran Duran in 1994 and they opened with flaming showers of sparks as they leapt on the stage singing ’Too Much Information’.
He continued on with ’Per Te’ and a third song in Spanish that amidst all the continued excitement throughout the night I forgot. He then spoke to the audience for a brief moment, showing a bit of the boyishness within him that seems shocking since his voice seemed like it was birthed from the ages. He sang ’To Where You Are’ after talking about what an influx of letters he got concerning it’s correlation to Sept 11th for so many people.
All the while during the show, the video screens displayed colors and images accompanying each song. Lucia Micarelli started up with the first chords of ’Mi Mancherai (Il Postino)’ which is one of the two songs I had hoped to hear. He sang it a bit more rushed than what is on the CD, but it was still incredible to hear live. In fact, like Rufus Wainwright, Josh Groban’s voice is equal, if not most of the time, surpassing the quality on CD.
Every song he sings is so moving. No matter what he sings. Whether it be in English, French or Italian, or as I learned tonight, if he takes a Linkin Park song and sings it as his own. Absolutely mesmerizing.
During his costume change he gave the stage to his violinist. Lucia Micarelli began playing a very familiar piece I just could not place and it transitioned into a song only the youngest audience members probably didn’t know. I never thought Queen’s ’Bohemian Rhapsody’ on a violin could give a person goosebumps. It was hilarious and impressive. More so than a person would think it too be since it sounds so goofy.
Then the highlight of the show came for me. He started talking about a song he recently recorded for a movie, female screams breaking out sporadically and he made a joke about Brad Pitt. Then it started up, the backtrack of Tanja Tzarovska wailing in that haunting, ancient tone. The screens behind the stage shining bright and slowing lowering down on the walls of Troy as he began with the opening words ’Remember, I will still be here....’. My skin began leaping off my body and I could not help but be transfixed in a place just outside of reality. He sang the song with such amazing power. It was the entire reason I had spent so much on the tickets. One nondescript day I had my headphones on and I listened to ’Remember Me’ for the ump-teenth time and realized I had to hear the song live. Even if it was the riskiest of bets that he’d sing it.
Battles scenes. The huge fleet of Greek ships so familiar in the trailer. Larger than life and racing behind Groban as he belted the song out from deep within his chest. I regret that I’ll never be able to rewind the moment and relive it because for those four minutes I thought of no unhappiness or stress or worry. I only heard him singing and saw that expensive Hollywood rendition of ancient Troy panning by on those video screens. I don’t think I blinked the entire time.
He did all the crowd pleasers like ’You Raise Me Up’ that everyone seems to know because of the Superbowl. He played the piano himself on that one. During another song he played a drum solo. For an encore he came out alone and played a Simon and Garfunkel song called ’America’ and then finished with the stirring ’Never Let Go’.
At that point they let several of the front rows run up to the stage, and his boyishness showed through again as he tried to balance singing and shaking the hands of those reaching up towards him. I was envious that they could be that close to hear that voice emerging from him. His voice is incomparable to anything I have heard.
Our seats were amazing as well. We were center stage, fourteen rows back. We could see everything perfectly. I would pay the same price again to see the show from that distance. Come to think of it, no, I’d have paid an extra two hundred to see it even closer. The audience around us was mostly women, and their ages were generally about 40 and up. Although, there were two older gay couples in the two rows directly in front of us and two rows behind and to the right were to younger homos... a skinny twink and a chubby one. One could say the community was well represented there.
It was by far the most pleasant concert atmosphere I’ve ever encountered. No annoying, screaming little girls shouting and yapping during songs. Everyone sat there, listened and enjoyed the experience. It was fantastic. One of the best shows I have ever seen and the best audiences I have ever seen one with.
I just have to go back again to his rendition of ’My December’. It was incredible. I have a feeling I was one of the few people in any of the front sections that actually knew the real song. When he finished my shout was one of the few in the auditorium to ring out amongst the clapping. I am going on a quest to find a copy online somewhere. I know he’s a fan of Linkin Park. I’d love to hear what they would have to say if they heard it.
Zoid seemed to be filled with Yay over the whole experience. We were both so charged by it all that we sang Evita most of the way home. Only slightly embarrassing as he wanted to drive through Boystown doing so with the windows down and the stereo all the way up. Yes, we’re gay. And, what a great feeling to expose someone to new music too.
I am still heavy into my post-concert shock. I will be unable to process the full emotional impact for a day or two. But, I have to say, well worth the money. An irreplaceable experience. I will pay any price to seem him again when he returns.
I cannot go further without first describing the stage setup. One large video screen stretching across the back of the stage. Reaching halfway up to the ceiling. A platform running the length of it with three sets of staircases, two on each side curved slightly inward and one coming down the center. On the right, nestled between two sets of staircases was his small orchestra. In the left nook, his band complete with drums and electric guitars. An amazing, amazing violinist named Lucia Micarelli was predominant throughout the show.
He started with ’Oceano’, the giant video screen behind the stage showing ocean water slowing rushing by. Then, as he took to the top of the platform, finishing the verse and hitting the chorus, the water on the screen began racing by at an accelerated speed and the wall panels behind the musicians on each side lit up with the same images; crystal blue ocean shooting by. It was visually inspiring. The only other show opening I think could compare would be when I saw Duran Duran in 1994 and they opened with flaming showers of sparks as they leapt on the stage singing ’Too Much Information’.
He continued on with ’Per Te’ and a third song in Spanish that amidst all the continued excitement throughout the night I forgot. He then spoke to the audience for a brief moment, showing a bit of the boyishness within him that seems shocking since his voice seemed like it was birthed from the ages. He sang ’To Where You Are’ after talking about what an influx of letters he got concerning it’s correlation to Sept 11th for so many people.
All the while during the show, the video screens displayed colors and images accompanying each song. Lucia Micarelli started up with the first chords of ’Mi Mancherai (Il Postino)’ which is one of the two songs I had hoped to hear. He sang it a bit more rushed than what is on the CD, but it was still incredible to hear live. In fact, like Rufus Wainwright, Josh Groban’s voice is equal, if not most of the time, surpassing the quality on CD.
Every song he sings is so moving. No matter what he sings. Whether it be in English, French or Italian, or as I learned tonight, if he takes a Linkin Park song and sings it as his own. Absolutely mesmerizing.
During his costume change he gave the stage to his violinist. Lucia Micarelli began playing a very familiar piece I just could not place and it transitioned into a song only the youngest audience members probably didn’t know. I never thought Queen’s ’Bohemian Rhapsody’ on a violin could give a person goosebumps. It was hilarious and impressive. More so than a person would think it too be since it sounds so goofy.
Then the highlight of the show came for me. He started talking about a song he recently recorded for a movie, female screams breaking out sporadically and he made a joke about Brad Pitt. Then it started up, the backtrack of Tanja Tzarovska wailing in that haunting, ancient tone. The screens behind the stage shining bright and slowing lowering down on the walls of Troy as he began with the opening words ’Remember, I will still be here....’. My skin began leaping off my body and I could not help but be transfixed in a place just outside of reality. He sang the song with such amazing power. It was the entire reason I had spent so much on the tickets. One nondescript day I had my headphones on and I listened to ’Remember Me’ for the ump-teenth time and realized I had to hear the song live. Even if it was the riskiest of bets that he’d sing it.
Battles scenes. The huge fleet of Greek ships so familiar in the trailer. Larger than life and racing behind Groban as he belted the song out from deep within his chest. I regret that I’ll never be able to rewind the moment and relive it because for those four minutes I thought of no unhappiness or stress or worry. I only heard him singing and saw that expensive Hollywood rendition of ancient Troy panning by on those video screens. I don’t think I blinked the entire time.
He did all the crowd pleasers like ’You Raise Me Up’ that everyone seems to know because of the Superbowl. He played the piano himself on that one. During another song he played a drum solo. For an encore he came out alone and played a Simon and Garfunkel song called ’America’ and then finished with the stirring ’Never Let Go’.
At that point they let several of the front rows run up to the stage, and his boyishness showed through again as he tried to balance singing and shaking the hands of those reaching up towards him. I was envious that they could be that close to hear that voice emerging from him. His voice is incomparable to anything I have heard.
Our seats were amazing as well. We were center stage, fourteen rows back. We could see everything perfectly. I would pay the same price again to see the show from that distance. Come to think of it, no, I’d have paid an extra two hundred to see it even closer. The audience around us was mostly women, and their ages were generally about 40 and up. Although, there were two older gay couples in the two rows directly in front of us and two rows behind and to the right were to younger homos... a skinny twink and a chubby one. One could say the community was well represented there.
It was by far the most pleasant concert atmosphere I’ve ever encountered. No annoying, screaming little girls shouting and yapping during songs. Everyone sat there, listened and enjoyed the experience. It was fantastic. One of the best shows I have ever seen and the best audiences I have ever seen one with.
I just have to go back again to his rendition of ’My December’. It was incredible. I have a feeling I was one of the few people in any of the front sections that actually knew the real song. When he finished my shout was one of the few in the auditorium to ring out amongst the clapping. I am going on a quest to find a copy online somewhere. I know he’s a fan of Linkin Park. I’d love to hear what they would have to say if they heard it.
Zoid seemed to be filled with Yay over the whole experience. We were both so charged by it all that we sang Evita most of the way home. Only slightly embarrassing as he wanted to drive through Boystown doing so with the windows down and the stereo all the way up. Yes, we’re gay. And, what a great feeling to expose someone to new music too.
I am still heavy into my post-concert shock. I will be unable to process the full emotional impact for a day or two. But, I have to say, well worth the money. An irreplaceable experience. I will pay any price to seem him again when he returns.