Thriller LIVE

This last week was “Thriller LIVE“-week!

I’d seen the show quite a few times before, first in 2008 in Frankfurt on its first tour in Germany, and I was definitely thrilled from the beginning. After Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, the show got a huge boost and came to Germany more often, played more venues and stayed for several performances. I cannot comment this any differently than with a quote by Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees who said: “If even a small portion of the praise that is bestowed on Michael Jackson now in death was given to him in life, he might well still be with us.”

Well, I definitely don’t blame the show for that because it was here before 2009 and that’s one of the good things about it. The producer, Adrian Grant, has been one of Michael’s most active fans for many many years, leading the “Off the wall”-fanclub, releasing two books, organizing MJ Days, one of which Michael visited himself in 2001, and finally producing “Thriller LIVE”.

The show itself takes the audience through Michael’s career, starting with hits like “I want you back” and “I’ll be there“. I always wonder where the producers get these young talents from that sing the early hits and portrait Michael as part of the “Jackson 5”. Next up are “The Jacksons” with “Shake your body“, “Blame it on the boogie” and “Can you feel it” all the way to Michael’s solo career and his groundbreaking songs and dance moves.

I especially like that the show does not try to copy Michael in every single way. It gives its own interpretation of MJ’s songs and performances – sometimes adapting parts, sometimes staging them completely differently. Yes, there is “Billie Jean” with all its signature moves, there is the gangster party and the lean in “Smooth Criminal“, there is “Thriller” with the zombies – and of course these are the songs and moves that the general public wants to see. But there are also less known songs like “Get on the floor” from the “Off the wall” album, and there are new costumes and new choreographies for many songs – but still everything has that Jackson touch. And that’s probably thanks to Adrian Grant and also LaVelle Smith, one of Michael Jackson’s long-time co-choreographer, who helped stage the show. The musical also does not rely on playback but there is an awesome band in the back and the artists sing themselves. Of course this also gives the songs a new color.

The cast this time is amazing. Many of them are artists in their own right. There is, for example, Tyrone Lee, one of the lead singers, who released his debut album “Invitation” last year. Very souly, very worth listening to! Then there is David Jordan. Some of you might remember him from his album “Set the mood” (2007) and his smash hit “Sun goes down“. He’s the “Solo-Michael” in the musical and does an awesome job. One of the very few impersonators I have ever seen that can almost spin like the King himself. The female lead vocalist is Cleo Higgins. Those who remember the 90s as vividly as I do will definitely know her as the lead singer of the girl group “Cleopatra“. “Cleopatra, comin’ atcha…” – got it? Of course one of their biggest hits was “I want you back“, a Jackson 5 cover. And I remember them talking about Michael basically in every single interview! So no wonder Cleo knows every single phrasing of the Michael Jackson songs by heart! She’s one hell of a singer and dancer with charisma like crazy! But also the maybe less known performers were convincing! For example Jesse Smith, who sings the more rocky MJ songs like “Dirty Diana“, but also has an awesomely gentle and soft voice for “She’s out of my life“.

In comparison to other musicals, the atmosphere in the audience is quite different. Prepare to get to your feet, to clap, dance and sing along and to cheer just because it’s that good. Especially the last part usually has more like a concert atmosphere – well, for me it could be that way the whole show long! I don’t understand how people can quietly sit in their seats hearing and watching THIS! But I guess that’s a matter of socialization or whatever – I was socialized on Michael Jackson concerts so there is no sitting still!

Anyway, I don’t think I have to add that I advise everyone to go and see the show – here in Munich until June 1^st or wherever they go next! Fact is: I now saw the show four times in just a week – I don’t think there can be any better praise!

Michael Bublé – To be loved Tour

The concert started with a highlight even before actually beginning: “Naturally 7” as a supporting act – that’s about as good as it can get. The guys are just awesome. They “play” all instruments of a song with their voices, which is especially impressive live. I enjoyed their version of Coldplay’s “Fix you” most. At the end of their show they had everyone on their feet dancing their little choreography and singing along. Now that’s what I call “heating up the crowd”!

Then it was time for Michael Bublé. He started his show with “Fever” and continued with a string of jazz standards from “You make me feel so young” to “I’ve got the world on a string“. These songs still sound so fresh and new and I’m glad they get a little face-lift now and then from today’s artists. I wish this kind of high-qual, long-lasting songwriting would be done more today. I mean, honestly, listen to most of the new songs on the radio these days and tell me: Which of these melodies and lyrics are really even worth to pass on to future generations?

Anyway, enough rambling. The next part of the show was a slow one with some beautiful ballads, including my favorite original Bublé tune “Home“. I have to mention here that the stage setting, or more specifically the films/images shown on the huge screen were magical. I know this may sound corny, but I really cannot find a better word. Have a look at the pictures and maybe you will get an idea of what I mean.

Up next was the “covers apart from jazz standards”-portion of the show. For that Michael walked through the audience to the B-stage, which was basically at the other end of the arena. Here he was joined by Naturally 7 and together they brought a little Motown back with songs like “Who’s loving you“. Back on the main stage Michael said his first goodbye with “It’s a beautiful day“, which was so much fun to sing and dance along to.

Luckily, he returned for a few encores. The end of the show really gave me goosebumps. Not only is “A song for you” one of those tunes, that has so many different memories attached to it for me, but also because at one point Michael put away the microphone, pulled out his in-ears and just sang completely unplugged inside this big arena. Suddenly you felt even closer, it immediately created this intimate feeling of him singing to… well, the few of us. It kind of took away that natural barrier between audience and artist. I’ve never thought about it that way. The sudden closeness had nothing to do with space, only with that PA, that’s usually transmitting between artist and audience, being taken away. Amazing! I found this video of it on youtube. I don’t think it can really show what I mean – I guess you had to be there. But check it out to get an impression! This end really was the icing on the cake of a perfect concert and somehow left me with the feeling of having caught a very personal glimpse of Michael Bublé.