Review by Markus Hamence – Josh Groban: Gems World Tour 2026 – Performance date: Saturday 07 March 2026. Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide, South Australia.
Josh Groban’s long-awaited return to Adelaide felt like a moment many fans had been holding their breath for. Taking to the stage at Thebarton Theatre on 7 March 2026 as part of his GEMS World Tour, the globally celebrated vocalist delivered a performance that was equal parts grandeur, intimacy and vocal masterclass.
From the moment Groban stepped into the spotlight, the room shifted and we knew we were in for a treat. Thebarton Theatre, with its classic damn-good concert-hall acoustics and close-quarters atmosphere, proved the perfect setting for a voice that has sold more than 35 million albums worldwide and helped define the modern pop-classical crossover sound.
The GEMS tour celebrates highlights from Groban’s remarkable catalogue, and the setlist felt like a guided journey through two decades of music. Fan favourites such as You Are Loved (Don’t Give Up), February Song and the timeless anthem You Raise Me Up landed with enormous emotional weight, drawing waves of applause from a crowd clearly thrilled to witness one of the world’s most distinctive voices live on stage.
“Throughout the night he balanced sweeping ballads with relaxed storytelling, offering humour, warmth…”
Markus Hamence
What makes a Josh Groban concert so compelling isn’t just the scale of the voice – although that voice remains extraordinary. It’s the contrast between the grandeur of the songs and Groban’s easy charm between them. Throughout the night he balanced sweeping ballads with relaxed storytelling, offering humour, warmth and the kind of genuine connection that turns a concert into a shared experience rather than simply a performance.
Musically, the arrangements were lush and cinematic. Each song unfolded with careful dynamics, allowing Groban to move from delicate, almost whisper-soft moments to those soaring, spine-tingling climaxes that have become his signature. When the opening notes of You Raise Me Up finally arrived, the entire theatre seemed to rise with it – a goosebump moment that reminded everyone why this song remains one of the most powerful live sing-along anthems of the past two decades.
“When the opening notes of You Raise Me Up finally arrived, the entire theatre seemed to rise with it…”
Markus Hamence
Half way through the night Josh introduced 2023 Australian Idol Winner Tarryn Stokes to the stage to perform her song ‘Nobody’ (Which was outstanding in itself) but then the two performed together and brought the house down with their equally tremendous voices. Powerful and exceptional.
Another stand-out was Groban’s take on Robbie William’s Angels. Groban approached the beloved ballad with deep reverence, letting the opening lines breathe before gradually unleashing that unmistakable, soaring vocal power that has made him a global sensation. The arrangement swelled beautifully, transforming the Britpop classic into something almost cinematic, as Groban’s rich tenor carried the emotional weight of the song with elegance and heart. It was a goosebump-inducing highlight of the night, the audience swept up in the familiarity of Williams’ timeless melody while witnessing Groban elevate it into a dramatic, spine-tingling live moment. Outstanding.
The 90-minute show moved seamlessly through musical theatre, pop standards and classical crossover territory, demonstrating the versatility that has kept Groban relevant across multiple musical worlds.
By the end of the evening, the standing ovation felt inevitable.
Wrap-up:
Josh Groban’s Adelaide stop on the GEMS World Tour was a reminder of what world-class vocal performance truly sounds like – elegant, emotional and effortlessly commanding. For one night at Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide was treated to a voice that doesn’t just fill a room; it fills the soul.
