At almost 38 years of age, Josh Groban has been in the music industry for half his lifetime and has sold over 25 million albums worldwide. He has toured throughout the United States and overseas, often selling out venues. For any artist, New York City is an especially coveted location to conquer and for many, the pinnacle of success is selling out Madison Square Garden in the heart of Manhattan. On November 18, 2018, Groban brought his Bridges Tour to that iconic venue and the sold out concert was recorded live. On February 12, 2019, for one night only the concert will be playing in select theaters throughout the country.
With a mix of new material and classic favorites, Groban enraptures his audience in an evening of fine music and cute antidotes while staying true to himself. He begins with a new song off the critically acclaimed Bridges album, Bigger Than Us. He follows this with fan favorites. You are Loved (Don't Give Up) and then another new song, Won't Look Back. This sets the tone for the next approximately hour and a half as Groban peppers some of his bests hits in between songs off his latest album.
Groban does take time to speak with the audience, telling fun little stories giving insight into himself or to champion causes close to his heart. Before launching into River; another new song; Groban offers a brief glimpse into his own bouts of depression garnering sympathy from the audience. He also makes an impassioned plea for arts education citing his own experience at LAHSA then sings Granted as a video of current students plays behind him. Groban also recounts the past few years that have seen him star in a Broadway musical, earning a Tony Nomination for his performance, Co-hosting the Tonys and playing Tony (Caruso, Jr.) on Netflix's The Good Cop.
Part way through the Concert Groban pops up on a smaller stage at the other end of the arena, much to the delights of the fans seated nearby. He then pays tribute to one of the greats…a Madison Square Garden "resident", Billy Joel… by covering the classic hit She's Always a Woman which he recorded for the Bridges Album. Next Groban is joined on the smaller stage by opening act Idina Menzel and the two immense talents duet on Lullaby off his Awake Album and Falling Slowly from the musical Once.
Getting up close and personal, Groban runs through the audience back to the main stage and after a brief "costume change", (he takes off the blue velvet jacket he was wearing for a maroon one with a slightly different style). Next comes another duet, this time with Jennifer Nettles, singing the sure to be wedding song classic, 99 years. Both women match Groban's vocals beautifully and their voices blend as smoothly with the star's in the same way his fine velvet ensembles fit him. Groban then closes out the show with the ever-popular You Raise Me Up only to return for an encore of To Where You Are and Bridge Over Troubled Water.
Sweeping camera angles and close-up moments offer the viewer the feeling of actually being in the Garden without relying on fancy gimmicks to distract. Views of the audience reveal an eclectic mix of young and old alike and every ethnic background possible. Groban's golden vocals permeate the air backed by a thirteen-piece orchestra, his five-piece band and even the Sacred Heart University Choir on occasion. Showing a few days before Valentine 's Day, this is a perfect early present for the Grobanite in your life or as a precursor to a loving holiday only a few days away. I am willing to bet more than one couple will become engaged in movie theaters across the country that night.
A terrific evening of music by a talented artist, this is the next best thing to seeing Josh Groban live.
Grade: A-
Tickets for Josh Groban Bridges From Madison Square Garden are on sale now at JoshGrobaninCinemas.com or at participating theater box offices.
