By Leah Victoria

Artist: Michael Bolton

Date / Venue: Tuesday June 19th, 2018 - Civic Theatre, Auckland

Michael Bolton has been a household name for over four decades, known for his romantic lyrics and power ballads. Having performed with some of the worlds top artists including Luciano Pavarotti, Ray Charles and BB king, he’s responsiblefor handfuls of today’s most recognised songs.

The Civic Theatre was buzzing with fans of all ages eagerly awaiting his appearance, showing their excitement with bursts of song accompanied by a few iconic 80’s style wigs, proving that he’s still as relevant as ever in today’s music.

Taking the stage before him was Auckland’s full Philharmonic Orchestra lead by Conductor Jessica Gethin, greeting the audience and quietly taking their places and filling the entire stage with their impressive array of instruments.

After much anticipation Michael joins them upfront, appearing smart but casual in a pair of jeans teamed with a crisp white shirt open at the neck and a sharp black velvet jacket, he mirrors the image of the guitar draped across him. He advises his crowd that he has only one rule for the evening, and that is to take all the photos you want.

Queue the music. Michael and his music makers introduce the 90 min show with “Stand By Me”, and iconic number originally penned and performed by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King, accompanied by a seriously impressive sax.

Tonight’s set was less about Michael’s own greatest hits and more about the celebration of the history of music composition and those gone but not forgotten musicians that have inspired his career over the years.

His raspy rock n roll voice with soulful and sweet undertones is as powerful as ever, and he chose the perfect partner in Silvie Paladino to add a quality worthy of a Disney soundtrack to his duet recital.

Beautiful, perfectly timed and emotion fuelled music, teamed with popular well-versed lyrics and a hint of comedy ensured the audience were kept on the edge of their seats the entire set. We listened intently to numbers by Adele, Marvin Gaye, Leonard Cohen and his rendition of Nessun Dorma by Luciano Pavarotti which he absolutely nailed!

With the loud demand for an encore, Michael stepped off the stage and joined the audience from the aisle and performed “When A Man Loves A Women” proving his appreciation to the large number of fans that had stepped out to visit him. Closing the show with “Soul Provider” the end had clearly arrived too soon with a very well deserved standing ovation.

I arrived at the venue thinking I might get a bit bored. I left feeling uplifted and fulfilled and anything but bored. I could have listed to him all night long. The smiles on every face around me confirmed that there wasn’t a soul in the house that hadn’t enjoyed their evening.

Michael’s Orchestral tour is a must see for all the family! Don’t miss it!

Set List

Stand By Me

To Love Somebody

The Dock Of The Bay

I Said I Loved You But I Lied

You Don’t Know Me

That’s Life

Make You Feel My Love

How Am I Supposed to Live Without You

The Prayer

Nessun Dorma

Georgia On My Mind

When A Man Loves A Woman

How Can We Be Lovers

Steel Bars

Time And Tenderness

Soul Provider

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL MICHAEL BOLTON GALLERY BY SARAH KIDD (COURTESY OF AMBIENT LIGHT)