The Groban-ites

8th May, 2008

As things heat up inside Royal Albert Hall as preparations get underway there’s some interesting stuff happening outside as well. Congregating by the backstage entrance were female pensioners, chatting amongst themselves, for all the world a knitting club, or tea social. In fact, this dozen-strong group of women have traveled across the country — from Newcastle for example — and some internationally (three came all the way from Holland) for one reason alone: Josh Groban.
The Californian baritone is their heartthrob, his voice, music to their ears. They met each other several years ago on the Groban trail, at successive concerts they attended across the country. One woman sported a handbag with Groban’s portrait, several others wore shirts documenting their love of the singer.
Unfortunately, though some had been waiting since 10:00, by 16:00 it became clear that Groban had left the building. Or rather, he’d gone in by another entrance and unwittingly by passed his fan base. Unfazed, the women keep waiting. He’s got to leave sometime.