–by Ashley Cox

–photos by Sean Derrick/Thyrd Eye Photography

Cute couples and girl’s-night-out squads lined up to see Micheal Bublé’s Higher tour on Friday night at the Enterprise Center in downtown Saint Louis. I was a little concerned for the woman I saw in the satin spaghetti strap LBD but luckily Enterprise wasn’t freezing cold right now since hockey season hasn’t started yet.

Side note to those who don’t often visit the Enterprise center, an excessively long line always builds at the entrance by the parking garage. If you just walk around the corner of the building, the security lines by Will Call are almost always non-existent. If you ended up waiting in the long line, that is okay as the tour did not have an opener. For those that came early, they could watch Bublé’s TikTok clips on the large screens on either side of the stage or grab a signed program from the merch stand.

The curtain rose to reveal a live orchestra with string and brass echoing the bandstands of the era that most inspired Michael. When he started singing, I almost thought it was a recording. He sounds identical to his albums, his baritone voice smooth and even.

After singing his intro songs of “Feeling Good” and “Haven’t Met You Yet,” before he could do the normal “Hello, Saint Louis” spiel that start all concerts, the crowd broke out into a spontaneous and very uncoordinated rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The singer said there was no other place he would rather be on his 47th birthday than with his fans but a part of me wondered if he would rather be with his wife and four children. His wife’s presence could be felt in the show as he frequently spoke in Spanish and his newer music showcased more Latin rhythms likely influenced by the Argentine model and actress. The two are a real-life version of Colin Firth’s Love Actually storyline. Neither knew each other’s language upon first meeting. 

While the venue was filled to the brim, it maintained a small venue feel as Bublé made sure to recognize the hometown talent in his band and greet other birthday celebrants in the crowd. Five-year-old Savannah had a birthday to be remembered when Bublé read off her sign and autographed it. His crowd work and humor (glimpsed in his sparkling water commercials which my parents can’t stop making jokes about) were a delight throughout the evening. The man does a stellar Kermit the Frog impression.

The orchestra was brilliant and the trumpet section killed it during “Sway”. The pianist was the only accompaniment during “Smile” and I could hear sniffles from all around me. A smaller portion of the band joined Bublé downstage for an Elvis medley. Priscilla Presley is an avid fan of the singer and asked him to record the posthumous duet of “Fever” with The King.

I felt like Bublé was speaking right to me when he said, “… you thought this was just going to be some Christmas shit” and indeed, I had forgotten the death grip that he had on rom-com soundtracks as he sang a mix of classics and originals. Bublé promised one date night couple that he and the band were there to “put air in the tires so you can go home and ride that bicycle all night.” Judging reactions to his new single “Higher” I can say he probably made true on that promise. 

Michael Bublé Setlist:

Feeling Good

I Haven’t Met You Yet

L-O-V-E

Such a Night

Sway

When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You)

Home

Everything

Higher

To Love Somebody

Hold On

Smile

I’ll Never Not Love You

Fever

One Night With You

All Shook Up

You’re The First, the Last, My Everything

It’s a Beautiful Day

Bring It on Home to Me

Encore:

Save the Last Dance for Me

How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)

Cry Me a River