Josh Groban Finds His Space at The O2 London
- Alan Bryce
- 12 hours ago
- 3 min read
O2 Arena, London – 1st April 2026
IMAGES / WORDS ALAN BRYCE
Arena shows often default to excess. Bigger lights, bigger moments, bigger everything. Josh Groban goes the other way. His night at The O2 Arena isn’t about spectacle—it’s about control, consistency, and knowing exactly how far to push things.
Opening with “You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up)” sets that tone early. It’s measured, reassuring, and deliberately understated—no grand entrance, no instant peak. Instead, Groban eases the room in, letting the song’s message carry more weight than any vocal showboating. It’s a confident move, even if it takes a moment to fully settle.
A cover of “The World We Knew (Over and Over)” brings a subtle shift, with a nod to Frank Sinatra that feels more relaxed than reverential. “Pure Imagination” follows in a similarly restrained vein, pulling the vast space inward. At times it borders on overly careful, but it also shows just how well Groban understands pacing—he’s in no rush to hit the big moments.
That sense of patience defines much of the set. “Granted” and “February Song” lean into clarity over drama, delivered with a steadiness that prioritises storytelling rather than vocal fireworks. It won’t be everyone’s highlight, but it reinforces what Groban does best: keeping things grounded, even at this scale.
“Angels” opens things up slightly, drawing a stronger response from the crowd and shifting the dynamic from introspective to shared. Groban handles it with the same restraint, letting the audience meet him halfway rather than pushing for a bigger reaction.
There’s a welcome lift in energy with “Alla Luce del Sole,” while a short instrumental break gives the band space and adds some variation to the flow. It’s a small moment, but an important one—it stops the set from feeling too uniform.
The multilingual section—“Alejate” and “Brucia la terra”—adds depth and texture, and arguably brings out a more expressive side of Groban’s performance. There’s a stronger sense of connection here, less careful, more instinctive.
Covers continue to be used sparingly but effectively. “The Book of Love” is simple and sincere, while “To Where You Are” lands with quiet emotional weight, clearly resonating with the audience without being overstated.
By the time “Skyfall” arrives, the show naturally expands into something bigger. The arrangement fills the room, and Groban meets it with ease. “You Raise Me Up” follows—expected, yes, but well-placed. It feels like a payoff rather than a shortcut.
The encore brings things back down. “Be Alright” restores a sense of calm, and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” closes the night with control and clarity rather than excess.
There’s no dramatic reinvention here, and that’s part of the appeal. Groban isn’t chasing surprise—he’s focused on delivering a set that’s thoughtful, balanced, and consistently well-executed.
It may not overwhelm, but it doesn’t need to. Instead, it holds your attention in a quieter, more deliberate way—and by the end, that feels just as effective.
SET LIST
You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)
The World We Knew (Over and Over)
(Frank Sinatra cover)
Pure Imagination
(Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley cover)
Granted
February Song
Angels
(Robbie Williams cover)
Alla luce del sole
Josh Drum Solo/Instrumental
Aléjate
(Céline Dion cover)
The Book of Love
(The Magnetic Fields cover) (Dedicated to to-be-married Ian and Beth in the crowd)
To Where You Are
(Richard Marx cover)
Brucia la terra
(Nino Rota cover)
Skyfall
(Adele cover)
You Raise Me Up
(Secret Garden cover)
ENCORE
Be Alright
Bridge Over Troubled Water
(Simon & Garfunkel cover)
FOLLOW JOSH GROBAN
Comments