Michael Bublé, the Canadian Crooner, Woos Crowd in Oakland

Michael Bublé made a grand entrance last night in Oakland, as he took the stage of the Oracle Arena with Bond-like charisma and the laid back cool of Frank Sinatra, as part of a 27-city U.S. tour.

It kicked off a set that left his audience smitten from start to finish as he took everyone on a magical musical journey across time and place.

The setlist started strong with a one-two punch of a pair of his biggest hits to date, “Feeling Good” and “Haven’t Met You Yet.” The man with the golden pipes looked great and showed his appreciation for the 15,000 fans that had shown up for the performance, by taking breaks between songs to thank his fans for all the support throughout the years. The genuine act was greeted with warm applause by welcoming crowd.

The stage allowed for some to get an up-close and personal with their idol, all behind a stunning backdrop of moonshots, eclipses and various other gorgeous cinematic visuals.

The show was both large (it included an epic big band ensemble strategically placed in a grid-like format behind the man) yet remained intimate with Bublé taking every opportunity to connect with his audience. So much so that one point, in what almost seemed to have been staged (we’re told it’s not), he handed the mic to one of the venue’s security officers who sang “At Last” like a seasoned pro.

But that’s just the kind of man Bublé is. And aside from being humble he’s also witty, sexy, suave and debonair, capturing an old world charm that is rarely seen today. His vocals were polished yet alive, and the song choices offered some interesting re-interpretations of old Jazz standards, including an ominous version of “My Funny Valentine,” which was one of the highlights for me.

Check out some photos of the unforgettable night below and be sure to check the tour out when it comes to your town. Because, let’s face it, everyone needs a little Bublé in their day.

Photos by Louis Raphael