When turning the final corner of a two-year world tour, it’s tempting for an artist to sail through the rest of the dates with efficient yet uninspiring performances.
That’s simply not Michael Bublé’s style. The crooner kicked off his first of two dates at Dubai International Stadium on Thursday night with a show filled with old-school grandeur and sprinkled with nods to his Canadian heritage.
More impressively, with his Dubai stopover arriving after more than 150 shows into this tour, Bublé made the gig stand out with his witty, off-the-cuff crowd banter.
Strolling on to the stage to a flaming backdrop, the dapper, suited 39-year-old launched into the blues standard Fever; however, it was nearly spoilt by the poor sound mixing, which rendered his vocals mushy.
Fortunately, that was resolved by the following number, the Bublé-co-written single Haven't Met You Yet. The Team Bublé Band appeared from behind the curtains and the rhythm section added enough muscle to offset some of the tune's inherent schmaltz.
Then the show went delightfully off-script, with Bublé regaling the audience about his Instagram interactions with a Dubai-based fan with the handle Anonymous Glen earlier in the day. Glen apparently accepted Bublé’s online challenge to find out which hotel the star was residing in. However, through videos posted on his Instagram account, he was unable to locate Bublé’s digs. He later had the distinction of becoming the first fan to enter the concert venue by convincing security he was “one of Bublé’s dancers”.
Impressed by his bravado, the singer rewarded Glen by offering him front-row tickets to the show and completed the honour by walking over to the crowd barrier to take a selfie with him.
Back on stage, the jazz standards and Bublé-ised pop covers came in a steady supply.
Van Morrison's Moondance found Bublé delivering a few welcome high notes, while the jaunty tropical rhythms of Frank Sinatra's Come Dance with Me managed to offset some of the winter chill.
In his biggest salute to his homeland, Bublé referenced the thinker Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour mastery rule to introduce his cracking band in a style familiar to Canadian hockey television viewers.
Each member had their face flashed on screen with a short profile, as Bublé gave each one a signature pun – the best of which belonged to the horn player John Caze, who’s apparently “so cool that when he sleeps, sheep count him”.
Perhaps acknowledging the show was veering a little too close to parody, Bublé then ditched his showman persona and went into ballad mode.
It was by far the most rewarding part of the show. Standing beside his pianist, with the rest of the band silhouetted against moody blue lighting, Bublé's voice shined as he delicately channelled the yearning of That's All (made famous by Nat King Cole) and Bernice Petkere's Close Your Eyes.
Always with an ear to the crowd, Bublé acquiesced to a couple of requests by doing impromptu versions of another Cole classic, Unforgettable, and the bossa nova staple Quando, Quando, Quando.
The party atmosphere returned soon after; Bublé used his faithful cover of Daft Punk's Get Lucky to venture into the crowd to access a small stage situated deep in the general-admission area. Joining the a cappella group and tour support act Naturally 7, Bublé used the elevated platform to deliver punchy covers of soul classics including The Jackson 5's I Want You Back and The Bee Gees To Love Somebody.
The set reached a climax with a stadium-sized version of All You Need Is Love, and the raining confetti and enthusiasm of the crowd did a good job of disguising the fact it was a painfully pedestrian version of The Beatles classic.
For the encore, Bublé cheekily applied for the presently vacant position of singing the next James Bond theme tune with a dramatic, horn-soaked cover of Arthur Hamilton's Cry Me a River – it was all rather convincing and should give the film's producers some pause for thought.
He closed the show with a heart-warming take on Andy Williams's A Song For You. Bublé delivered the ballad's big finish unplugged and projected his voice as far as it would go into the arena. It was a surprisingly touching moment, and he gave his all to the audience.
sasaeed@thenational.ae
The Penguin
Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz
Creator: Lauren LeFranc
Rating: 4/5
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
Results:
6.30pm: Maiden | US$45,000 (Dirt) | 1,400 metres
Winner: Tabarak, Royston Ffrench (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer)
7.05pm: Handicap | $175,000 (Turf) | 3,200m
Winner: Dubhe, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.40pm: UAE 2000 Guineas Group 3 | $250,000 (D) | 1,600m
Winner: Estihdaaf, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor
8.15pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,800m
Winner: Nordic Lights, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
8.50pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 Group 2 | $450,000 (D) | 1,900m
Winner: North America, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar
9.25pm: Handicap | $175,000 (T) | 1,200m
Winner: Mazzini, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass
10pm: Handicap | $135,000 (T) | 1,400m.
Winner: Mubtasim, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
UK's plans to cut net migration
Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.
Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.
But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.
Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.
Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.
The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
The biog
From: Upper Egypt
Age: 78
Family: a daughter in Egypt; a son in Dubai and his wife, Nabila
Favourite Abu Dhabi activity: walking near to Emirates Palace
Favourite building in Abu Dhabi: Emirates Palace
Pari
Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment
Director: Prosit Roy
Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani
Three stars
Australia men's Test cricket fixtures 2021/22
One-off Test v Afghanistan:
Nov 27-Dec 1: Blundstone Arena, Hobart
The Ashes v England:
Dec 8-12: 1st Test, Gabba, Brisbane
Dec 16-20: 2nd Test, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (day/night)
Dec 26-30: 3rd Test, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne
Jan 5-9, 2022: 4th Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Jan 14-18: 5th Test, Optus Stadium, Perth
The Settlers
Director: Louis Theroux
Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz
Rating: 5/5
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021
Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.
The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.
These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.
“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.
“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.
“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.
“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”
Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.
There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.
“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.
“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.
“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”
