“A big shout out to my teachers, especially my arts education teachers because they were the first ones to give me my voice.” “This is the first arena I’ve ever played at that’s done that for me,” he marveled.

Groban revealed that Van Andel Arena had made a significant donation to his Find Your Light Foundation, which is dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to a quality arts education. That topic sparked the most touching moment of the night. On the Big Screen: Groban made the arena feel cozy. The operatic pop singer managed to make the sprawling arena seem intimate, bantering frequently with fans and talking openly about things near and dear to his heart: how to stay in love with someone, the conversation that needs to take place surrounding mental health, and keeping arts education in our schools so children can learn to express themselves. Groban, 38, got a boost at the show from a massive backing orchestra of Michigan musicians whose talent permeated the set - most truly felt on “Pure Imagination” and during an immense sweeping instrumental break in “Oceana.” Special moments including Groban performing a litany of “extra” songs, including a cover he’d never performed before in his career, Charles Aznavour’s “She,” and reintroducing his own “February Song” to the set simply because a fan at the pre-show meet-and-greet sported a tattoo of the lyrics.ĪN ORCHESTRAL BOOST AND A SHOUT-OUT FOR ARTS EDUCATION Groban then proceeded to prove his affection by treating Grand Rapids to a unique set of songs during the West Michigan stop on his “Bridges” tour, a show saturated with personal touches.

Everywhere I went the people were so nice, the food was so good, and the beer was incredible, oh my God.” “I love it here, ‘Pure Michigan,’ ” he told fans. Josh Groban followed and wasted little time before expressing his heartfelt gratitude to the city of Grand Rapids. A student of the great jazz masters, the Grammy Award-winning trumpeter and his band delivered an unforgettable set that included a ripping drum solo by percussionist Lee Pearson and one-of-a-kind vocalist Sy Smith crooning the Frank Sinatra classics “In The Wee Small Hours of the Morning” and “Embraceable You.” (Photo/Anthony Norkus)īut that inter-generational attraction was far from the only thing that stood out on Tuesday.Ĭhris Botti and his band got the arena hopping early. Making It All Seem Intimate: Groban on stage Tuesday.

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