Last week, the night had finally arrived. I went to see Bruno Mars live when his 24K Magic World Tour touched down in Amsterdam. It’s the first time I went to a concert with one of those VIP type of packages (ticket, drinks and goodie bag), so I’d been receiving slack for that from everyone around me for months. To give you some sense of perspective, I could’ve booked a weekend get away, but Bruno Mars will now be able do so…. I got just one night of entertainment. But it was 24K Magic though.
So far, I had only seen Bruno Mars performances on television and I’d been sold several times, but with 24K Magic blowing up the way it did, I thought I’d better go see him now than wait ‘til later. I had a sense that this tour would be one major party, because his album is basically only about the party lifestyle of the rich and famous.
Just like the album, the show is also one major flashback to the very late 80s and early 90s. The clothes, the dance moves (often repeated, BTW) and even the graphics on the screens would just take you back.
There’s such a pace in this show. It doesn’t even really slow down for “Versace On The Floor”, which was performed twice. I don’t know if that was normal for all his shows, or if it had anything to do with the hard time I was having a hard time hearing Bruno sing during a big chunk of the beginning of the show. His mic could’ve been turned up just a little more, which they probably did later when I could hear him much better. I guess that just proves that he doesn’t use any backtracks and really sings live during his shows. Hallelujah. It is what I had expected, as I didn’t expect him to dance as much as he did.
I already knew Bruno to be a good musician, which he proved on stage playing guitar on a few songs. I also knew he could deliver his vocals live, but it is a little moderated compared to his recordings. One of the things I loved about Bruno from the start, is the passion he lies in his vocals. He can really deliver emotion. Now, I also know that he’s a pretty smooth dancer.
This guy has been performing since he was 4 (that’s a whopping 29 years ago) and you can tell that experience has made this guy what he is: An onstage powerhouse.
Bruno mostly performed the 24K Magic album and only added a most of his other hits, like “When I Was Your Man” (the only real slow moment in the show), “Uptown Funk”, “Marry You” and “The Way You Are”. I missed “The Lazy Song” though. It just would’ve been nice to see him perform that live, as you know I’m never going to lay this kind of money on a show of his ever again. Got other magic to pursue after I’ve landed from Mars.
