Josh Groban

Live Nation presents… Josh Groban with special guest ELEW on September 4, 2011

To end off the North American leg of Josh Groban’s ‘Straight To You Tour’, he managed to nearly fill up MTS Centre in downtown Winnipeg. Opening for Josh, was world renowned pianist, ELEW.

After a wave to the audience, ELEW went straight to the piano and into his own version of a passionate, Mr. Brightside by The Killers. Not using any vocals, ELEW showed great compassion, standing up the entire time while prancing on the keys. Covering a large variety of music, from U2, and Lynard Skynard to Breaking Benjamin… ELEW must have been one of the best pianists I’ve seen to date, putting all he had into each song, leaving himself breathless afterwards.

After a half hour break, out came Josh Groban himself. Along with a roman themed main stage, Groban had a smaller stage, in the middle of the arena at the soundboard which he spent some time at near the beginning. Now Josh, being an opera singer, wouldn’t be one who you would think would be joking around frequently throughout the show. However, that was very much the opposite. Groban has to be one of the funniest artists I have seen up on stage. Being very interactive with the audience, Josh mingled with husbands and children, as well as had a Q&A section where he had been invited for a sleepover by 9 year olds, and brought a fan/trained singer up on stage to sing as well!

With Josh’s powerful voice, singing in multiple languages throughout the show, he also showed his talents on the drums. He was invited back for an encore of course, and resulted in doing a Neil Young inspired piece, and ending off with his song that made him who he is today, You Raise Me Up. The tour travels with a full band to give the fans the ultimate experience.

Overall, the women in awe, and the husbands and children who were dragged along to the event, left the night inspired of Josh’s efforts to end of an amazing tour. The tour is now continuing in Europe and you can see the dates at http://www.joshgroban.com/tour.