Here is the Montreal Official Road Reporter review from Josh's Straight To You Tour by CostantzaV! Want to enter to win for a chance to be Josh's Official Road Reporter? Get all the contest details HERE.

I will forever remember July 23th as a magical day. Even the weather was great for the event. I had some stressful moment before the show when it was time to collect the ticket. First, the guy didn’t know where I was supposed to get them. So I went to the principal box office (not the one indicated in the email I received) to see if they had my ticket. They said that I should return to where I went before ‘cause it was them who got the tickets and that I shouldn’t worry about the guy as he was probably only a waiter there! But when I was talking to the clerk (who was very nice), I heard the sound of a piano. I stopped talking for a second than I heard that – oh so recognizable voice filling the air! There he was doing the sound check. I didn’t want to go, but I made me anyway. So I got back to the first place, but this time there were some people waiting to get their tickets, so I waited with them. When I finally receive the illusive ticket, I was told that I needed to go at the box office to get my m&g pass. You can say that I got a real workout out of it! But finally, all went for the best.

When I arrived at the designed spot for the m&g, I didn’t expect that many people – we were about 80 – so Darren said! We were told by the imposing but always sympathetic Darren that we couldn’t kiss, hug (… so that Josh wouldn’t get sick) or, and I am paraphrasing “… not to pin anything on Josh because we don’t want him to be blinded”! As I waited my turn, Tim Curle passed in front of us so I smiled and waved at him and he smiled back. He looked so happy to be here. After a short wait, Josh arrived and we all applauded him. Shyly, he smiled and waved at us. Then it was my turn to meet Josh. Somehow, I didn’t feel as nervous as I thought I would be. When I told him that one of my favourite song was Au Jardin des Sans-Pourquoi, he told me that I was lucky because he would sing it later. I got him to sing my Illuminations album. Oh, and I almost forgot, he spoke a little bit in French to me. Then it was time for the picture. I remember (and always will) the feeling of his arm around me. OK, I got to confess something. Normally, I rarely smile when taking picture, but when Josh said ‘Fromage’ (cheese), I completely lost it and laughed. That’s when his assistant took the picture! Than it was time for me to find my seat and to prepare for the whirl of emotions that this beautiful show would bring.

And if you read this paragraph, I have to thank Sarah, Josh and all the team of WBR who made this contest possible in the first place. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, I’ll never forget this moment!

After a short wait, the light dimmed and Elew came out from the back of the stage. He spoke briefly to us before starting to pounce on the keyboard. He was amazing. To be honest, I didn’t know if I would enjoy him but the guy is so talented and even more passionate that soon I put my doubt away and enjoyed the show. His music is so eclectic passing from a soft ballad to a rock song. He played the theme of the Rest & Beautiful to Sweet Home Alabama without effort. He was and excellent first act.

Finally, it was time for Josh to make his sneaky entrance. He took everyone by surprise when he came from the back to the satellite scene. He was greated by loud screams and applauds. He began the show with the song Changing Colours by the Canadian band Great Lake Swimmers. I know that he sang this song at every concert but oddly it seemed a propos that he did it here. He continued with the melancholic February Song. This time, the lyrics hit me directly and I found myself tearing up – that never happens! And to cheer me up, he sang You Are Loved with new arrangements. It was beautiful and I wish it was recorded somewhere. In the middle of the song, he walked to the main stage, clapping hands all the way there. Between songs, he joked that the people from Montreal were so polite and that a poutine (French fries with brown sauce and cheese, for the unfamiliar) was waiting for him and that he would like to share with us.

When he introduced the song Alejate, he told us that David Foster said to him that since he liked to sing in different languages and the song was already sung by so many that he should record it in Spanish. Josh also said that the title meant literally ‘go the hell away’ while he gave a kick in the air! One of the clue of the night was the introduction of Voce Existe Em Mim with the three drums jam. I can’t believe how talented he is, not only he can sing, but can also play the piano and the drums. Unbelievable. I adore this song with its melody, lyrics, even if I don’t know Portuguese. I am moved by its poetry and rhythm.

Josh told us about his special connexion he had with Montreal and Canada. He listed a couple of names: Céline Dion (“You may have heard of her. She will have a great career in the future”), Thomas Salter, etc. He, then, told us the touching story of the song Au Jardin des Sans-Pourquoi and how honoured he was that he could have this song on his album.

About in the middle of the show came one of my favourite part: the Q&A. I don’t remember everything but he got a question about Sweeney and he said that there wasn’t a bush in Canada that Sweeney hadn’t peed in it! He also said that he was his only friend and started to ‘talk’ to him in French. It was hilarious! After, he made a wicked impression of Axel Rose. The last question was from a girl name Maude who ask Josh to sing the song To Where You Are. It was truly a beautiful moment as Josh was surprised by her voice. After, he jokingly asked if there was a record contract ready for her to sign. You can’t get a better compliment than that!

He sang another one of my favourite, Weeping. I loved when he sang “… my friend, he said…” while pointed directly at Tariq. It showed how much he considers his musicians. They’re more than that, they’re his friends and family on the tour.

Another fun part of the night was when he invited a long-time couple and two women to come on the stage with him. His crew brought couches, wine and milk on the stage for them. When Josh asked to one of the women, who her husband had stay in his seat, “What do you want to say to your husband?” She thrusted her fist in the air, smiling and answered enthusiastically “YES!”. The reaction of Josh was so funny, he took a step back and said “I think the drive back home would be a little… awkward!” And he told them “Good luck with the therapy” and after sang to them a song about cheating, Broken Vow followed by Per Te.

For the encore, Josh came back to the scene and played a song from Neil Diamond that I didn’t hear before. I loved the interpretation. He finished this unforgettable concert with a sing-along You Raise Me Up. After the show, I decided to stay and tried to catch him at the buses. We were about twenty to wait. After a while, Darren came to us to tell that unfortunately Josh wouldn’t be signing for security reasons. It was somewhat disappointing but I value far more his health and I’m sure I will have another chance to meet him sooner or later. But please, made it sooner rather than later, Josh!

I had a blast during the concert. He sounded even better than on his album. Everyone, Josh, his musicians, seemed to have a fun night and that made it an even better night for us. It was contagious. You can feel that he is breathing music. I hope that he’ll come back in Montreal soon. I’ll make everything possible to see another show when he comes back in Montreal.

Thanks Josh for all the memories that I’ll keep with me for a long, long time.