A higher power must have beamed Peter Gene Hernandez, aka Bruno Mars, to grace us with bottomless musical abilities. He was put on this Earth to make music, perform and gift music to mere mortals like us.
Bruno Mars showcased his multitudinous talents in his Bangkok concert last week.
His first — and hopefully not last — concert in Bangkok last Thursday proved that we are surely better off with pure talent like Mars breaking global charts.
Songwriting, composing, producing, dancing, playing myriad instruments, singing — is there anything Mars can’t do? Not only has he conquered almost all musical art forms, the pint-size singing machine does it well and always with a dimpled smile on his face.
After seeing Mars taking the sold out Bangkok show, part of his Moonshine Jungle World Tour, by storm, comparisons of the singer to the late Michael Jackson and Prince no longer come as a surprise. He’s not traditionally handsome — a rare quality in Top 40 artists — but once you see Mars perform live, your point of view will be altered. What he lacks in the appearance department, he makes up for in overwhelming ability and shining personality.
Attended by giggling high school boys, serious musicians and over-the-hill maidens, Mars left a trail of satisfaction behind his too-short showcase. His was a show for everyone, lifting spirits up purely through musicality and showmanship. The length of the show was the only qualm of the night, even if the show started out on the wrong foot — the curtain dropped down, knocking Mars’ microphone off the stage. But that didn’t derail him riling up the crowd with Moonshine, Natalie and Treasure.
Having penned one hit after another in the span of two albums — and writing strings of chart-toppers for other artists — Mars’ filler-less set list was cleverly arranged to showcase his versatility, from funky, James Brown-spirited upbeat numbers to slower, tenor-based ones.
Amazingly, Mars never missed a note. His vocal prowess was light yet soulfully substantial, his delivery brimming with emotion, unlike manufactured, non-participatory pop stars whose music lacks personal investment. Mars has birthed and nurtured his music and it shows. Pain was there, as were pride and joy, and they shone through with every word he sung.
Mars must have designed this tour to pay homage to old school entertainers, for he radiated genuine appreciation to song and dance entertainment, but never in a cheesy way. In his Cubana shirt, tailored trousers, loafers and (what looked to be) a Borsalino hat, Mars emulated a retro nightclub performer whose swag, wit and charm knew no bounds. He didn’t banter much, but there wasn’t really need for it, as his well-manoeuvred show was crafted for music and lyrics, not reliant on run-of-the-mill, rehearsed gimmicks.
Mars was indeed a skilled dancer, though his moves didn’t seem calculated or overly provocative in the fashion of mindless boy bands, whose hip trusts annoy more than titillate. The natural flow was there and never once forced. He also flaunted his skill on the guitar and drums, whipping out unassisted solos like no one’s business, and wooing and wowing the crowd on the skins. Mars’ touring band, The Hooligans, deserved more than a big round of applause. They basically completed his show, with powerful backing singers, a strong brass section and strong dancers. The all-band choreography worked wonders under the hands and feet of the competent individuals.
As usual, Mars requested to return to Bangkok during the encore of Locked Out Of Heaven and Gorilla. It was a typical thing to say, but we hope he really meant it.
Bruno Mars and The Hooligans.
