“The concert felt like a house party in a really big, well-lit house”. - -New Orleans Times
Picayune
“Sometimes beauty, in and of itself, can be both motive and reward. And regardless of the context you're coming from, it can be pretty inspirational, too.” - -Houston Press
“Groban has boyish charm that belies his big voice. If you want to dismiss him as popera, be my guest; but do take a moment to listen to his voice sometime, just for its qualities and tone, and tell me it doesn’t draw you in.” - -Dallas Voice
"Groban's genuine boy next door demeanor in the midst of violins, french horns, percussion, cello, piano, guitars, bass and drums makes him and his music all the more endearing. He appears truly comfortable performing, like it's his second home." – The
Dallas Morning News
“Impeccable vocals, wit, make Groban concert memorable. Groban proved to be quite the showman, but his vocals truly made the show memorable. He managed to belt powerful and enunciated lyrics, then quickly switch to a soothing falsetto. Few performers have the ability to perform that way live without a hitch”. – Wichita Eagle
“That had been one of the purposes of the stage set created for his "Straight to You" tour - to allow for more interaction between Groban and his fans, whether it be answering questions audience members could text in before the show or getting down among the adoring. But it's simply the case of a talented artist putting his instrument to its best and most effective use. And Groban sings with such obvious emotion and sincerity - not to mention skill - that it's difficult not to be won over.” – Tulsa World
"On Tuesday night, Josh Groban made an arena feel like a little theater. ....Groban has a voice that goes far beyond being simply “good.” Like Céline Dion or Andrea Bocelli, the guy's voice has sheer power." – Omaha World Leader
Josh Groban's 'Straight to You' Tour: How Every Musician Should Approach Their Shows
– Yahoo Music
Mr. Groban displayed a light-on-his feet sense of humor throughout and interacted nicely with the audience. He began on a separate small stage near the back of the arena, with his own piano, while the rest of his terrific band was on the main stage. His soothing, soaring voice (an amazingly impressive instrument) provided comfort and wonder through a consistently great performance – Iowa City Dispatch-Argus
But the minute he bounded onto the stage Saturday night, with a sport coat over a white T-shirt, blue casual slacks and sneakers, the formality went out the window. He entered to a small stage at the back of the arena floor, seated himself in front of an upright piano and launched into a two-hour show that was as impressive for Groban’s humor and rapport with the audience as it was for his stellar vocals. The staging was one of the most creative I’ve seen in any genre, with a combination back alley brick look and a broken arch that also served for graphics that added to the show without overpowering it. The stage was configured so he could exit at at least four points into the audience and where band members could sit for solos. – Quad City Times
The 30-year old pop/classical singer's neo-operatic voice is a force of nature and he used it to power through his sweeping, anthemic material for two full hours. But it was
Groban's constant effort between songs to be an all-around entertainer - cracking jokes at his own expense, interacting with fans on the arena floor, answering questions he'd received via text message and even facilitating a marriage proposal- that made the show a winner. – St. Louis Post Dispatch
Groban nailed it. As I’d realize before night’s end, he always does. – Buffalo News
When you think of singer Josh Groban, you may think of his tremendous vocal range, or of his silky tone.After Friday night's concert at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena, a few more of us will think of him as a first-rate entertainer: He was funny, worked the crowd and did everything but take himself too seriously. He had the crowd laughing several times – Charlotte Observer
Josh Groban performed in Richmond Tuesday night like an artist taking nothing, especially his fans, for granted.” -Richmond Times Dispatch
Groban truly rocked out, filling the Giant Center arena with the sweeping sounds of an orchestra that could make a person cry one moment during “War at Home” and mosh the next in “Machine.” But a Groban concert is so much more than just a musical performance, it is a one-man comedy routine too – Patriot News
The opera boy next door is really a rock star without a top 40 portfolio. And a standup comic without a gig, a mimic, an impressionist, a fast-talking and fast-thinking improviser and an all-around charmer. – Minneapolis Star Tribune
Josh Groban shares and enchanted evening with fans – Twin Cities Pioneer Press
Groban delivered– and then some – during an utterly charming and impeccable twohour performance Saturday at the Resch Center that felt more like “The Josh Groban
Variety Hour’’ than mere concert. – Green Bay Press Gazette
Josh Groban is all about breaking down barriers.But however he may be perceived, the genial Los Angeles native went out of his way during his 20-song set to make his show fun, interesting, interactive and intimate – Toronto Star
Groban gives powerful and playful performance - Toronto Sun
Sweet and slyly subversive – Josh Groban makes middlebrow edgy – Globe and Mail
You certainly get your money’s worth with Groban. He has one of the most beautiful baritone voices in all pop, one that just doesn’t quit, is an inexhaustible performer, is just so damn likable, and doesn’t do the usual arena rock show. Groban’s made it safe to do crossover pop again. – Ottawa Sun
His latest tour is dubbed Straight To You, and the show is exactly what the name implies: a direct, no-frills performance that delivered the music and the man without any big budget special effects – Orange County Register
Josh Groban's heart is, quite obviously, as big as his powerful baritone. The 30-year-old operatic pop singer can make you laugh with a few zingers just as easily as he can tug on your heartstrings through song, something that has played a big role in his enduring popularity. Groban didn't miss a single opportunity to use his wit as much as his incredible set of pipes, mixing comedy and drama without skipping a beat, much to the delight of his fans. – Vancouver Sun
It was Groban's show, of course, full of goofiness and powerful numbers like Oceano and You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) ... and, of course, You Raise Me Up. Modern opera too often these days tries to cross over with pop culture themes and cornball slapstick. I certainly like this a lot better. – Edmonton Journal
At the MTS Centre Sunday night, Josh Groban firmly established himself as a modernday Renaissance man. The 30-year-old multi-platinum superstar not only has a lovely and astonishingly flexible baritone voice, but is a songwriter, skilful drummer and philanthropist. Charming the crowd with his familiar hits and friendly, self-effacing patter, Groban offered up a fast-paced show complete with audience participation –
Winnipeg Sun
“Remember all of those skeptics that came to the show simply to humor their girlfriend/wife/significant other? Not a one of them moved a muscle when the last note sounded.Seems the Josh Groban doubters had gotten religion…” – Tuscon Examiner
“A fiery gusto Josh Groban from the beginning offered a varied musical repertoire.
Groban captivated audiences with his carpe diem-presence” – KPN News Agency,
Denmark
“Groban is a star at your fingertips” – Berliner Morgenpost (Germany)
“At the same time he is without doubt an effortless entertainer one that will keep him and have "staying power" because he is so free as a performer” - Bergensavisen
(Bergen, Norway)
The music and the song is what matters. He gives us romance, humorous chat and seductive music. The playful, unpretentious, free and relaxed, a young man who loves his job, You see him enjoying himself and it's infectious. – Aftenposten, Oslo Norway
“His boldest, best and most interesting” - Svenska Dagbladet (Stockholm, Sweden)
“He is an outstanding entertainer, charming with the exuberant spirit and above all honest” - Sueddeutsche (Munich, Germany)
“Eclectic influence of genres that means Josh can appeal to almost anyone and gives his audience an exhilarating performance that seems to fly through the night. Tragically the night had to end but not without his trademark wit and humour which makes us all feel like he has welcomed us into his amazing global family” - Manchester Evening News
(Manchester, UK)
“It was like this all night: Goofy, then grandiose, witty, then weepy. Groban made small talk with a 9-year-old fan, then eased into Alejate, a slice of Spanish queso too melodramatic for a telenovela. He cracked wise about stopping at an I-4 truck stop for turkey jerky, then sang War at Home, a somber tribute to the troops. The hammer didn't drop often, but when it did: Oh, heavens. The gigantic, tribal Alla Luce del Sole filled every square inch of the arena. And the delicate, chimelike Bells of New York City, a love letter to Groban's adopted hometown, was a tearjerker.” (St. Petersburg Times)
“With relatively few visual gimmicks “The show was carried by the flexibility and force of
Groban’s voice. His range is impressive, dipping deep into baritone range and then soaring into a high falsetto in “Higher Window,” one of his winning pop songs. He accompanied himself on piano as part of big arrangements on that song and the lovely
“Bells of New York City.” (Orlando Sentinel)
“Backed by an exceptional 13-piece band, the charming Groban delivered an impassioned show of elite musicianship, spontaneity and fan interaction.” (Naples Daily
News)
“The three-hour-long Straight toYou world tour was beautiful, unpredictable and often humorous – definitely worth the “paying out the wazoo.” (Metromix, Tampa)
“Not so familiar with his recordings and concert work, I went there prepared to snicker at what I assumed would be cheesy, sugary, and tacky. Within three songs, he'd won me over. Groban's gracious manner and vocal range were unexpectedly entertaining and uplifting. I left with an enhanced respect and admiration for the guy. He had great pipes
and a corny but his warm sense of humor and high level of fan appreciation were just as impressive.” (Charleston City Paper)
“Most admirably, Groban and his band played to an arena of thousands as if it were a coffee house jam” (Newport News Daily Press)
“Not many performers who’ve come of age in the past decade can rightly call themselves all-around entertainers, but Josh Groban has a legitimate claim to the title”
(Daily Variety) inordinately charming stage presence...crystalline baritone...Mr Groban was a rock star to the Garden crowd... ballads swelled with lovely, intuitive grandiosity...Mr Groban's elegant voice...his vocals: gorgeous “Mr. Groban was a rock star to the Garden crowd”
(New York Times)