*sigh* What a night to remember.

What a night.

What an awesome night.

I was left speechless & begging for him to come back.

When Syl and I got to the concert theatre, it was already packed with people (I have to say, the average age of people there was about 40). We realised that the merchandise counter was packed as well so we rushed to get in line - the queue was damn long and there were only 2 people at the counter. We finished buying our merchandise just in time to get in and hear Katie Noonan (Aussie singer) start the show. She's the opening act for all 11 of Josh's Aus concerts (the lucky chick). She's actually not bad. I love her voice but I think she needs to sing nicer songs *lol*. Anyways she's quite nice cuz after she finished singing for half an hour, she said that she would be at the merchandise counter during the interval if anyone wanted to get some CDs signed or just say hi.

Our own Sweeney beanine

My "Awake" World Tour poster (blurry cuz I took this pic whilst the poster was on the wall *lol*)

They were selling autographed Sweeneys for around AUS$90!! I can't believe it...I know some of the fans have been saying that the tour merchandise is expensive...but the money goes to the Josh Groban foundation anyways. The Grobanites are excellent when it comes to charity work. Find them here: http://www.grobanitesforcharity.org/

And silly me saw people carrying copies of the concert guide or whatever they call it...where it looks like a magazine where they introduce Josh & his band etc. and I thought they were giving it out...you know, like whoever goes to the concert gets one? But nooooo...you have to BUY them and it's AUS$30 for ONE. I was shocked because almost everyone had a copy in their hand!!

I was so anxious during the interval that I nearly threw up. Anyway it started sharp at 9pm on the dot (I love punctuality) with his first single from "Awake", "You are loved". It was awesome. His vocals as always were awesome. His corny jokes were so funny. His band was EXCEPTIONAL. I love his 6-piece band. They are sensational - the best musicians ever. I had the best time of my life - the music was awesome. His violinist, Lucia Micarelli, was so uber hot tonight in her sexy dress with a new hairstyle - she had her own solo segment & she literally played her ass off. I need her new CD. When she plays & Josh sings, it's like a love duet. Why don't they just hook up already. Watch this awesome vid of her play at the concert:

His guitarist Tariquh Akoni jamming it - he looked like he was at a rock concert

At one point Josh walked in from the back of the concert hall and was standing just behind my row. I didn't realise it until Syl started whacking me and gesturing to this tall guy at the back...IT WAS HIM. JOSH GROBAN IN THE FLESH. OH MY GAWD. I was so stunned that it took awhile for it to sink in. I probably should have reached out to touch him. Oh well. Seeing him up-close was more than enough. He is so tall man. And SOOOO gorgeous. And he was singing "In her eyes" whilst he walked around and mingled with the audience and posed for pictures. *sigh*

Which reminds me. I'm SOOOO damn pissed that they didn't allow us to take pictures in the theatre. When Syl tried to take a picture, the security asked her to put her camera away. But I kept seeing flashes going off in the front rows. Damnnit.

But here are some pics courtesy of some fans at the official Josh Groban site:

10/10 for the concert!!

That's Joshie's doggie, Sweeney, a Wheaten Terrier. So adorable!!

Josh sang, played the piano whilst singing, played the drums, played the synthesizer....everything! And he sang "Remember when it rained"....live. That is my favourite song EVER. I love watching him play it live on tv and this time it was right in front of my eyes and ears and it was AWESOME. It is like the best song ever written, seriously. I kid you not.

Listening to him live is like listening to his CD...just heaps better. His notes are pitch perfect and I wonder how he can sing for 2 hours and still manage to belt out song after song without getting a sore throat/losing his voice. There is no other word to describe him but "awesome". Maybe "amazing".

He sang every song that I wanted him to sing (except for one). Best songs of the night? SOOOO hard to choose but I'd have to go with "Remember when it rained" and "Machine". They were exceptional.

At one point someone went up to the stage and passed him a goodie bag. He looked down and took it and said "thank you!" and then said "ooohhh what is it?! AL-CO-HOLLLL!!!" in a really kiddy, excited way.

Digging into his goodie bag

Posing with the footy ball that came with his goodie bag

Talking to the soft-toy bird that also came with his goodie bag..."hello! I'm a drunk bird!!" *laughs*

The thing about Josh is that he has had phenomenal sucess & is so super talented but is yet still so grounded. I love people like that (plus 100 points). Everyone who knows him has said that he is one of the nicest, most caring people ever (plus 100 points). And everything is so simple when it comes to Josh. It's just him and music. He's not a materialistic person. And he's giving back too, through his Josh Groban foundation (plus 100 points). And he doesn't smoke (plus 100 points). And don't we all think that guys who are intensely passionate about something are smokin'?? (plus 200 points)

He's such an inspiration to me because he shows me that it doesn't matter even if you're super talented and you're successful, you still have so much more to learn from others.

I have been so blessed to be able to hear him sing. No one else comes close to Josh. I repeat, NO ONE. If only I could bring all of you there to experience what I did...you would agree with me.

This has been the best night of my life. He is now on his way to Sydney, then Brisbane, then back to Melbourne, then Adelaide & finally Perth. Then it's off to the Philipines and that probably concludes his "Awake" tour.

End of the show *sobsob*

If there was anything to complain about, it was how the concert was TOO DAMN SHORT. 2 hours. 2 hours!!! That's shorter than a movie. There should be more interaction with the crowd...his concerts in America were better...he would sit on the stage with a kid and sing and sign autographs...people were standing around him, singing with him etc. It was so much more personal. Aus is too laidback. But it was so cute to see them cuddle and hold hands whilst they swayed to Joshie's love songs. Awwwwww...

At the end of the show he always thanks the audience by putting his right hand over his heart and takes a deep bow

At the end of the show, I saw this lady who declared to her husband loudly, "HE IS THE HOTTEST!!!" :) I couldn't help smiling.

I would give everything up in a heartbeat for him.

All pictures courtesy of: http://asquade.smugmug.com/gallery/3558605#201680036