Review and photos by Luke Matthews

It’s so good to be back watching concerts again.

That was the sentiment echoed by both concert goers and the man on stage Friday night at Wells Fargo Arena. Michael Bublé made his first appearance in Des Moines in a decade to an arena filled with either vaccinated or covid-negative fans. The mandate was announced nearly two weeks prior to the show. Officials with Wells Fargo Arena said that only a handful of people were turned away because they were unable to prove their vaccination status or a recent test. Most of those were from out of town.

The crowd’s health made for a comfortable night inside Wells Fargo Arena. Bublé took the stage a bit late in order to accommodate the extra time fans needed to get into the venue. The first song “Feeling Good” seemed to fit the mood of the evening perfectly.

Bublé worked through many of his well known covers as well as several of his biggest hits like “Home” and “Haven’t Met You Yet” while interjecting funny stories that put him on par with some of the most humorous singers out there today. Bublé described being excited to be back out on the road so he could pay for his increasingly large Amazon bills. He went so far as to show the doormat from his front porch which reads “Please hide packages from husband.”

When he wasn’t crooning songs from Dean Martin (“Sway”), The Bee Gees (“To Love Somebody”), and Chuck Berry (“You Never Can Tell”), Bublé was being a prince to his loyal fans in the crowd.

One lucky fan who identified herself as Holly from Ankeny, got to join Bublé in a duet of Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” using a microphone on a long pole that Bublé says he “Macgyvered.” Props to Holly’s wonderful singing voice that impressed everyone in the crowd.

Bublé also took the time to autograph signs for fans, including Rose who held a sign saying “Best Birthday Ever.” Bublé lead the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday to You” for Rose.

Bublé also celebrated the 21st birthday of another concert goer by asking his crew to get him a bottle of alcohol and a couple of shot glasses. Even multi-millionaire singers can be unprepared for such events as the crew was only able to find a few red Solo cups for the occasion. The drink, which appeared to be scotch or whiskey, was given a generous pour from Bublé as he saluted the new 21-year-old.

Bublé also took time to pay homage to his jazz club days by bringing part of his large orchestra to the end of the catwalk to play songs like Louis Prima’s “Buona Sera” and Leo Reisman’s “Just a Gigolo.”

Michael Bublé is a fantastic entertainer from top to bottom. His songs can be appreciated by all types of music fans. He sings songs you know that do and don’t belong to him and has an endless supply of humorous stories that keeps the audience laughing throughout the night. He can be upbeat and downright danceable as well as charming and sentimental like on “Forever Now.”

PHOTOS: MICHAEL BUBLÉ AT WELLS FARGO ARENA

A concert during a world-wide pandemic still feels a bit strange. However, the feeling of being back inside of an arena with thousands of cheering fans and great music reminds us of just one of the great things that await us all on the other side of the stressful times we’re in today. Michael Bublé reminded us all of what it was like to gather together again and enjoy life. It really felt like we were back… home.

Michael Bublé Setlist:

Feeling Good (Anthony Newley cover)
Haven’t Met You Yet
My Funny Valentine (Rodgers & Hart cover)
I Only Have Eyes for You (Harry Warren cover)
Sway (Dean Martin cover)
Such a Night (Clyde McPhatter & The Drifters cover)
Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words) (Kaye Ballard cover)
When You’re Smiling (The Whole World Smiles With You) (Seger Ellis cover)
L.O.V.E. (Nat King Cole cover)
You’re Nobody Till Somebody Loves You (Russ Morgan and His Orchestra cover)
When I Fall in Love (Jeri Southern cover)
To Love Somebody (Bee Gees cover)
Forever Now
Home
Buona sera (Louis Prima cover)
Just a Gigolo (Leo Reisman & His Orchestra cover)
You Never Can Tell (Chuck Berry cover)
Nobody but Me
Cry Me a River (Julie London cover)
Encore:
Where or When (Rodgers & Hart cover)
Everything
You Were Always on My Mind