Access Blogs
Access Video Blogs
Review: 'American Idols Live' Tour
In all the years I have been covering "American Idol" for Access Hollywood I have actually never gone to the "American Idols Live" tour. I'm not sure why. I guess I have never been invited and it's something I would never shell out my own hard earned money to watch. This year, however, I did receive tickets along with my producer pal Celeste. I was actually pretty darn excited to go. I wanted to check out what it was all about and see just who actually came to see the show.
We pull up to the Staples Center and I'm expecting the place to be crawling with eight, nine and ten-year-old little girls and that was about it. Instead, what I found was the most interesting mix of age ranges and races. There were young girls with their parents, couples on dates, grandmas and grandpas, teenagers, college students, groups of girlfriends in a variety of ages, entire families with their daughters and sons. This was not at all the crowd I expected!
We get to our seats and I'm delighted to find that they are pretty close to the stage. Although you would never know it by the photos I took. My camera makes it seem like I’m up in the nosebleeds. I notice just as I sit down that Syesha Mercado's father is sitting right next to me. Later I learn that Brooke White's aunt, uncle and cousin are sitting right in front of me. I figure this out after I hear her yelling "Brookie" and going absolutely nuts when she is on stage performing.
I have to say that overall I was extremely disappointed with the show. It was not at all what I expected. I thought it was going to open with a bang and be full of energy. I figured all ten Idols would come out and perform a fun yet cheesy group number. Then I figured each Idol would get to sing a solo or two. Then it would be back to group numbers and so on. Instead they racked them all up like a countdown and each Idol performed a few songs for the crowd. Since I've never been to a show before I'm wondering if this is the way it has always been or did they at one time mix up the group numbers with the solos? I'd love to hear comments from anyone who has been to past shows.
The show begins with a quick montage of clips from auditions and performance shows voiced by Ryan Seacrest. Then there is an opening montage, a la the "American Idol" opening credits -- but this time it’s a tour show opening credits to the same music the show uses. I found it to be pretty lame and unnecessary. Next, a graphic pops up that has a picture of Chikeze and the number ten. Out comes Chikeze to applause. He sings a song I don't recognize. After the song he addresses the crowd and says, "I'm home ya'll!" He mentions his parents are in the crowd and sings an a capella song just for them. Then Chikeze attempts to bring the energy up (which at this point is very low) with Usher's "Caught Up".. For his last song he chooses another drippy ballad and I look around to see a mostly bored crowd.
Up pops the graphic for number nine and out strolls little Ramiele Malubay in a sparkly purple top and black pants. She at least chooses an upbeat song by the Jackson Five. Unfortunately, right off the top she messes up her dance moves and seems really nervous. After the song Ramiele addresses the crowd, "I just wanted to take this time out to thank everybody for all your support. We are here because of you." Her second song is a drab ballad. At this point I turn to Celeste and ask, "Is it just me or do people look really bored?" Celeste says in agreement, "These aren't the people they are here to see." Another unrecognizable song for Ramiele and then she is done --finally.
The energy level goes up exponentially as the number eight graphic pops and it's Michael Johns' turn to take the stage. Three quarters of the crowd is on their feet and dancing as he rips through a Queen song and the crowd chants along, "We will, we will rock you!" Michael then bores me with a ballad though the ladies in the crowd sure to seem to like it. Then he finishes up with what he tells the crowd is, "The song that got me kicked off 'American Idol,'" “Dream On” by Aerosmith. This time he nails it and the crowd loves it.
The energy drops down rather quickly when number seven, Kristy Lee Cook, takes the stage for her country set. I get the feeling this is not the country type of crowd. I Iove country music, but I'm the most bored by any of the entire show by Kristy. Ironically, she tells the crowd, "You guys are loud!" Obviously she hadn't heard how excited the crowd was for Michael. The only song of her three I recognize is "God Bless the USA” which she appropriately dedicates to, "The veterans fighting for our country."
All of a sudden it goes from one extreme to another as number six, Carly Smithson comes out rocking with Evanescence's “Bring Me To Life.” She is commanding the stage like a true rock star and looks absolutely stunning, hair blowing in the fake wind rocking an incredible outfit. The crowd is on their feet with a standing ovation for her performance and Carly addresses the crowd telling them, "This is amazing. I lived here for seven years. It's a pretty awesome city. LA is definitely where magic happened and magic happened here for all of us on 'American Idol.'" Next, she takes on Heart's "Crazy On You," a song I know she really wanted to sing on Idol but never got the chance. She starts it off as a ballad and then pumps it up to a rock song at the chorus.
Next, the number five graphic pops up for Brooke but she is nowhere in site. All of sudden she rises up from below the stage, sitting at piano singing "Let It Be." As usual, she has no shoes on. Her family in front of me is going crazy for her so I try to feign a bit more excitement than I normally would for her. After the song she tells the crowd, "I was trying to think of something cool to say but if you've seen the show you know I'm not cool!" She sings two more songs including Coldplay's "Yellow" and then talks about "Idol Gives Bac0k" and her work with Malaria No More. A video from "Idol Gives Back" begins to play and finally a group number is performed to U2's "In The Name of Love." Or rather I should say half a group. Only Brooke, Carly, Ramiele, Michael, Chikeze and Kristy Lee sing.
Intermission time.
Thirty minutes later number four, Jason Castro (wearing red suede shoes!), had the crowd on its feet as he strums "Over The Rainbow" on his ukulele. He overcame his shyness and addressed the crowd quickly saying, "I'm so glad you are all here. I'm so glad to be here. This is definitely like the biggest crowd yet." Next, he busts out his guitar and sang "Daydream" by Lovin Spoonful. His final song was the song he sang all during Idol auditions, "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley. Apparently, Gnarls thought they were too cool for "American Idol" because the song could not be cleared which is why we never saw Jason before Top 24 week. After seeing him perform his rendition of "Crazy," I finally see why the judges liked him. Go watch it on You Tube. It was fantastic -- my favorite performance of the whole tour.
Out comes number three, Syesha, looking very Beyoncé in a super short gold sparkly halter dress with tons of cleavage. She is all legs as she dances around and sings Rihanna's "Umbrella." Her dad has a huge smile on his face the entire time, as he should! Although I wonder how he feels all about all that cleavage. Next she takes on an Alicia Keyes ballad, "If I Ain't Got You," and does a decent job. Her dad grabs a lighter and goes all old school concert on us waving it back and forth. The crowd around him laughs and he proclaims, "I'm a proud papi!" He and Sy's fiancé continually shout out, "We love you Syesha." At one point, Syesha hears it and says back "I love you too." I'm sure she had no idea it was her dad and fiancé though. She ends her set with Beyonce's "Listen" which she performs flawlessly and the crowd gives her a long standing ovation.
Finally it's time for number two, David Archuleta. For the first time all night the entire audience gets on their feet to welcome someone. Like Brooke, Archie comes up from below the stage floor playing piano to "Angels." He sounds incredible and the crowd stays on their feet. Being that he is Archie, he keeps it slow with another ballad, "Apologize," by OneRepublic. For the first time I think ever he is wearing a suit and it looks great on him -- much more grown up than they used to dress him on the show. He too has on red shoes like Jason. In that sweet little shy voice he tells the crowd, "I really appreciate you guys coming out tonight. My home away from home for the last six months." Rather than three songs like everyone else, Archie gets to sing four. He tackles "Stand By Me" and then a boring balled called "When You Tell Me That You Love Me." The crowd loves it though.
Around 9:45 PM the person everyone has really come to see finally makes his way to the stage, "American Idol" season seven winner, David Cook. He comes up from floor, guitar in hand as the screaming level reaches a fever pitch. His guitar still has the initials AC on it, a symbol of support for his two brothers Adam and Andrew. He sings his version of "Hello" by Lionel Richie. A true rock star now, he is wearing guy-liner, a la Pete Wentz! After his first song he says to the crowd, "I don't know how long you guys have been waiting for this night but I've been waiting a good 25 years!" He asks the crowd to help him out so he can show Michael Johns who is more popular later and takes out his video camera to get a shot of the screaming crowd. They happily oblige. He then sings Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," which he dedicates to his brother Andrew who is battling cancer.
His new girlfriend, Kimberly Caldwell, is sitting in the front row and gives him her own standing ovation. He finishes up with two more songs and then says a goodnight. Of course, any concert goer knows the end is never the end. So, the crowd waits patiently hooting and hollering until he returns again to sing "Billie Jean." It's at this point that I have had enough and ditch out of the concert to beat the traffic home. Our producer, Felidette, who is at the concert with her aunt, sends me a text to let me know that the show ended with a group number (FINALLY!) of all ten singing "Please Don't Stop The Music."
Again, if anyone can tell me whether or not this is how the other Idol Tour shows from past seasons have played out please send along your comments!
The better Idol concerts feature 3-5 song sets by each performer (in the order that they were voted off), with a group song or two at the end. I've found that the weaker ones, likes Seasons 3 and 6, may begin with a group number, and then largely consist of solo performers with various combinations of other Idols singing backup.
I saw shows for seasons 4 and 6.
4 -- lots of solos, not in order of leaving the show, plus a duet and a couple of group numbers. Decent show overall.
6 -- lots of group numbers, duets, trios, and a few solos mixed in. I liked that format much better. It was cheesy, of course, but MUCH more fun and entertaining.
I saw this year's show in Portland last Friday and I think you are pretty spot on with your review.
Ok, So I Saw This Season's Opening Show, I Dont Know If We Saw Two Totally Different Shows Or If Your Just Not An IdolFan Cuz I Thought The Show Was Amazing. Anyways, Last Season Was Soooo Much Different. Last Year Mrs. Jordin Sparks Comes Out From Under The Stage Singing "Lets Get It Started" By The Black Eyed Peas And After She Starts It Off The Other 9 Come Out From Everywhere And Join Her In The Song. From There Melinda & Lakisha Sing A Motown Medley Including "Stop! In The Name Of Love, Baby Love, & I Heard It Through The Grapevine) Chris Richardson Joins The Two In "I Heard It From The Grapevine" And After Their Done Lakisha & Chris Leave The Stage And Sanjaya Rips The Train Off Melinda;s Dress As They Brake Into "Proud Mary". From There The Haley Comes Out And Does A Song And Then Phil And Then The Girls All Come Out Singing The Moulan Rouge Song "Lady Marmalade" And Then Blake Comes Out Then Finally Jordin Comes Out And Tries To Talk To The Crowd Over The Loud Screams! Because It Was In Glendale Her Hometown Then She Talks Then Invites Melinda Down To The Stage And They Sing Then Jordin Sings Three Songs Alone Then The Boys Came Out And Sang A Number Then They Closed The Show W/ A Group Number. I Hope This Makes Sence To You! I'd Appreciate It If You Could E-mail Me Back Letting Me Know If You Understood This And Evrything.
No, most years they do more group numbers and duets and stuff like that. I was kind of disappointed as well this year. I've went for the past 3 years and out of all of them...the season with Jordin Sparks as the winner has had the best tour I think. They had duets, girl numbers, boy numbers, mixed... just a better show overall. However, David Cook did amazing!!
How long does the concert last?
I think your review was a little inaccurate.
The concert was awesome, and upbeat.
However, you are right about everyone being there for David Cook (I know that is why I went)
Anyway, your review also has some incorrect information in it. Carly actually did sing Crazy On You, I believe it was 70s or 80s week. And David Cook's brother Adam is fighting cancer, not Andrew.