Justin Bieber kicked off the European leg of his “ Purpose World Tour ” in Iceland, performing for a staggering 6 percent of the country’s population on Thursday night. The Grammy winner also played on Friday.
Numerous glowing media outlet reviews and gushing tweets posted by fans who attended the superstar’s opener reveal Bieber’s concert wowed many of the over-19,000 audience at Kópavogur’s Korinn venue.
While some reviews mused as to whether Bieber sang live, video footage and concert-goers’ feedback indicates the “ Sorry ” singer thrilled fans and sang live most of the time.
In instances when vocal backing tracks were heard — such as during dance sequences — Bieber sang along. This is typical in a show which is big on pyrotechnics and visuals and which offers audiences a “spectacle.”
Watch Bieber singing a slew of songs live from his latest album Purpose and hits from his Thursday concert in the following clips.
“Life Is Worth Living.”
“Love Yourself.”
“I’ll Show You.”
“Cold Water.”
“Let Me Love You” and “No Sense” below.
Some Icelandic fans, outraged on Bieber’s behalf over the lip-syncing claim, took to Twitter to share their concert experiences.
One indignant Twitter user, Niny Lorange , who went to both Iceland shows, wrote, “He was in front of me 98 percent of the time and trust me he sang, he was perfect!!”
he was in front of me 98% of the time and trust me he sang, he was perfect!!
— Niny Lorange (@awkwardninyyy) September 9, 2016
Post-Friday’s concert, Lorange uploaded a clip (one of many) which showed the Biebs singing his heart out. Her caption reads, “Lip syncing my a**!…he has the voice of an angel.”
lip syncing my ass! he has the voice of an angel pic.twitter.com/6TJsRqT2a7
— Niny Lorange (@awkwardninyyy) September 10, 2016
Replying to a Bieber fan who asked about the show, Lorange went on to add , “He wasn’t lip syncing, I heard his voice!”
Another Belieber who attended both Iceland concerts also tweeted praise. “I melted when he sang this part of I’ll show you tonight,” Twitter user Ahoy Bieber wrote in a caption alongside a video snippet.
I melted when he sang this part of I’ll show you tonight pic.twitter.com/T7JNBhnGNW
— J (@AhoyBieber) September 9, 2016
Video footage from Bieber’s second concert also shows the 22-year-old singer sang live for the majority of his energetic one hour 45 minute set.
Check out a selection of clips from Friday’s show.
“Cold Water.”
“Let Me Love You.”
“Life Is Worth Living.”
“Love Yourself.”
During his first show, Bieber spoke reflectively to the crowd before singing his album title song “ Purpose .”
“Concert tours can be difficult,” he told the audience. “But they are also the most fun and most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life.”
The superstar added, “So I want to thank you for all your love. I know for sure that I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for God in heaven. We are all given something – what counts is what we do with those gifts.”
One fan tweeted that Bieber also said Iceland was his favorite place on Earth. Post-show, he shared a appreciative message on Twitter.
Iceland I love you. Thank you
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) September 10, 2016
During his stay, the singer sampled the famed Blue Lagoon with his mixed troop of dancers before reportedly heading to Ibiza for a quick break before shows in Germany this week.
Meanwhile, in other Justin Bieber music news, the singer features on Post Malone’s new track “Deja Vu,” a mellow earworm which dropped last Friday.
The collaboration follows past alerts from both Bieber and the “White Iverson” rapper hinting new music was on the way. The mid-tempo jam is taken Malone’s upcoming debut album Stoney , which is now past its due date of August 26. But, with this latest tasty Bieber-assisted gem to sate Malone fans, it’s likely they won’t mind the wait.
Me and @postmalone . Deja Vu https://t.co/hFI8Ti1IGO pic.twitter.com/6lbtcqfD0x
— Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) September 9, 2016
[Photo via Haraldur Jonasson/Getty Images]