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  • Cleveland Show Review - By Road Reporter Lauren!

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


    “CLEVELAND!!!!!!! Let’s do a show!” – Josh Groban (Twitter)

    My mom and I left the “Q” Saturday night, June 4, walked across the street to the parking garage and waited in a small crowd of people gathered around the elevator. Most of us seemed to be in a similar state: post-Josh Groban speech failure. None of us could form a coherent sentence that didn’t contain “wow,” “uh,” “amazing,” or “oh my gosh,” so we just didn’t say anything at all, took in the warm air, city lights, and listened to the lingering sounds of the sidewalk street musicians. An older couple stood next to me, chatting away about the concert. The woman turned to her husband and said: “I told you you’d like him!”

    The whole experience was just surreal. I really had a hard time putting it into words, because part of me is still in disbelief. Think about it. Friday I went to work, and Saturday I met Josh Groban? Does that make any sense? No. But alas, some time has passed, and it seems everything really did happen! So here is a recount of the night from my perspective, to the best of my ability.

    First, I have to say that everyone from the Josh Groban crew was so friendly. From his security team to his PR people – they were all so warm and welcoming from the moment we walked into the arena. It was a great feeling, one you wouldn’t usually expect in such a large venue.

    The best part of my night, of course, was meeting Josh. I would be remiss if I didn’t say that he is truly, truly incredible. I tried to contain my star-struck excitement, to keep myself from losing my cool and sounding like a dork. But it was okay. Meeting Josh, for me, was really more like meeting your big brother. He is so down-to-earth. He’s such a sweetheart. You can tell he genuinely cares about his fans – truly. It is one of the many, many things that sets him apart from all other artists out there. It is one of the many reasons why his fans love him so much. The opportunity to meet him was a dream and an experience I will always cherish.

    But here’s the great thing: you didn’t need a “meet and greet” to feel a connection to Josh at this concert. I really believe he accomplished his goal to make this tour more interactive. He walked up and down the aisles, braved the seas of crazy screaming women (you have to give him some credit for that, no?). He talked to people in the audience, brought them on stage. He found a way to reach everyone in the arena, via “Grobanite Access Points,” text messages, and the like. It was remarkable.

    For as big and grand and spectacular as it was, the concert was also intimate. He made the show personal. He really made the show for Cleveland and his Cleveland fans. For me, that made it all the more special. The improvisation, spontaneity, and laughter – this wasn’t a repeat of yesterday’s show, and wasn’t a practice run for tomorrow’s. This was really a unique night. We will all remember the amazing music, the awesome effects. I thought I’d focus on a few of the moments I felt really made the Cleveland show memorable.
    Fireworks: “So…how long do they win for?”

    As Josh was preparing to introduce “War At Home,” he was interrupted by a loud rumbling noise. At first, he didn’t know what it was, nor did I, but the audience yelled out “fireworks.” “So does that mean the Indians won?” he asked, pulling out his watch. He held up the mike and hushed the audience. “So…how long do they win for?” As the distraction roared on, Josh joked about setting himself on fire and jumping in front of the Indians’ bus after the show. “That will go down in history as one of the most interesting things that’s ever happen to me,” he said (of the fireworks). Fortunately, the fireworks made great sound effects for “War At Home.” Ironically, the Indians actually lost that night.

    Singing with Josh
    One of Josh’s text message questions came from Laura S, a 23-year-old music teacher from New Philadelphia, OH who asked Josh if she could sing a song with him. He said “bring it,” and she definitely did. They sang a verse of “The Prayer,” a song which Laura chose. She surprised everyone with what Josh called “a really, sincerely, excellent voice.” Everyone cheered from her first note. You go girl!
    Cleveland: Home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

    At the beginning of the show, Josh “rocked” out a line from “February Song (“I never want to let you down”), in reference to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” “That is the first and last time you will ever hear that,” he commented afterwards, to laughter and applause. “We have an amazing time here,” he said. “It’s such a culturally, musically enriched city. It’s obviously got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but we’ve just enjoyed always coming here to sing some great live music, so we thank you for letting us be that for you tonight.”

    You’re from where?
    While walking through the aisles, Josh stopped and asked a woman where she was from. She hesitantly answered “Pittsburgh.” The arena burst into loud “boos.” Josh burst into laughter. Then, realizing her now-awkward situation, he apologized profusely and offered her use of his security team. Oops.

    Being the road reporter for this show gave me the opportunity to meet some great people, other die-hard fans like Danette and her daughter Rachel, who sat next to us. I think I can safely speak for both of them when I say that the four of us had a blast. We savored every sweet note and ad lib. The show was pure perfection. It was really one of the best nights of my life, and I was sad to see it end.

    Josh tweeted after the show: “Cleveland rocked!! So much fun tonight and an awesome energy in the crowd. Time for a shower moving at 65 mph.”

    Thanks for the love, Josh. Thanks for an amazing night we will never forget!

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