Chris’s Los Angeles American Idol Tour Re-Cap
I waited to do my recap as I was still gob smacked by Adam’s performance and I wanted to attempt to do justice to the other 9 Idols. I, like others who have previously recapped went for Adam, but also wanted to enjoy the whole concert. I had decent seats, right above floor level. I forgot my camera and therefore didn’t get any pictures and you know what? I am glad I did because I could concentrate on the concert and really paid close attention to everything.
Michael was a surprise for me. He gets involved with the crowd and the crowd responded well. I think he is learning a lot on this tour and it is starting to show. I liked his first song the best. Megan is quirky and her voice could find a niche and it was stronger than I had anticipated, bandzilla did not drown her out. She is strikingly beautiful. She needs more stage presence but was better than on the show. She got a fair amount of applause.
Scott set was overall good and I preferred his first song. He just doesn’t sing with any emotion and I think that is why he doesn’t grab me even though I enjoyed his piano playing. He joked and got laughs and had a good response from the audience.
Lil is still a bit of a puzzle. Her set is mixed with good and not so good. She definitely has potential but it still seems like she is trying too hard and
is forcing her performances. I think she would perform a lot better if she just relaxed and went with it. The crowd did wave with Single ladies and she got a lot of applause.
I enjoyed Anoop’s set and he was the first one to get everyone on their feet with My Prerogative. He didn’t put any glasses on. He sang well but there seemed to be something missing, I don’t know if he was having an off night or not. He also got very good applause.
People stayed on their feet from Anoop’s set through all of Matt’s performance of Hard to Handle. He was very on and got everyone into the song and
is a natural for the stage. He did have some good moves for Hard to Handle. People sat down for Georgia but were still into the song. He completely lost the audience with the Fray song.
The group song was better than I thought. Michael had his best vocals on Suspicious Minds. Megan and Lil are a little mismatched. The guys did better on their part and the dueling piano segment was good. Intermission was a long 20 minutes. I decided to stay in my seat and not get caught up in the mad rush.
Allison opened up So What like a rocker chick’“ hair blowing, great vocals, huge voice that filled the arena. The guitar worked for that song IMO. Cry Baby was great, better than on the show. Her enunciation was better but went out the window on Barracuda and why can’t she put that word into the song more than once? The crowd was energized and how could anyone resist her energy and enthusiasm? Once she involves the audience more in her performances she will be a fantastic headliner. So What is different as she is standing in one spot and has to look directly at the audience. The other two she is in her own little world dancing and twirling away. Allison will be a star; she can carry that stage without any problem, and all her quirky movements work for this size stage. She got really good applause and love from the crowd, the most so far of the night.
I was a bit surprised at how much I liked
Danny’s set for the most part. I can now understand why the judges liked him so much as his voice has a really good quality live. He needs to amend his speech because it really is in the evangelical vein and doesn’t belong in this type of venue. PYT had everyone on their feet and dancing. People were kind of up and down during his set. He should have switched his set around to break up the two Rascal Flats songs. I enjoyed Maria, Maria. He is still a bit out of his element but is starting to get the hang of performing. Danny really was very well received and got quite a bit of applause and love from the audience.
When Danny left the stage you could feel the anticipation in the audience. When you saw Adam walk on stage it was like some kind of kinetic energy was unleashed and Staples Center erupted into mayhem. I was shocked, this is L.A. with rock stars galore coming through or living here not to mention the stars of the entertainment business. He commands your attention. WLL was naughtier but there was incredible energy for the whole song; it may have been his best performance of WLL to date, when he sang ‘Wo’ ¦maaaa’ ¦an’ is was chilling and the clunk of the microphone stand was a good effect, you knew what was coming, and the riffs at the end were fabulous. Starlight was wonderful and magical ‘“my favorite of the night. On Mad World the echo everyone is hearing is definitely intentional and makes it more haunting and ethereal. Not everyone was singing but the audience enjoyed it. Slow Ride was good in that he used both is upper register and his lower register a lot. The Bowie Medley was his best to date, also. His struggle to get the effing jacket off was hilarious. Something underwear-like was thrown onstage and looked at it, but then ignored it, if it had been a bra I think he would have picked it up. Then he yelled ‘You better get up out of your seats, Bitches. Dance!’ I know people may be
shocked but really here in L.A. calling someone a ‘bitch’ is slang like calling a song ’sick’ or ‘dope.’ (Now you know someone means the other ‘bitch’ when ‘f**king bitch’ is said) He dances more during Fame and Let’s Dance and was really on. His voice got stronger with each song. I really didn’t want his set to end.
The crowd remained on it feet for Kris’ Heartless and I know a lot prefer his acoustic version but bandzilla playing on it helps in the transition from Adam to Kris. (I did my best as I despise Heartless). I liked the Killers song and I think the reason most people are having a problem with it is his fans never saw the rocking side of Kris on the show except for We Are the Champions. Kris is more pop rocker than he is a balladeer ‘“ it shows on his face and in his joy of playing those types of songs. People were kind of up and down for him depending on the song. I think Ain’t No Sunshine brought the audience way down and his voice showed some hoarseness and they stayed more down thereafter. His best singing performance was Bright Lights, he really got into that song and it showed. Kris got lots of love from the audience. He asked for people to sing along on the ‘I’ve got soul but I’m not a soldier’ line and there were a lot of people singing along, waving cell phones and glow sticks. People also sang along to Hey Jude as he raced around the stage holding out the microphone. Good going Pocket Idol.
The last group song was better than I expected but since the video monitors only show disco ball I didn’t realize Meagan didn’t join in until I got on
line here. Adam was really dancing more towards the end and he was trying to get Kris to dance more and when he did his now infamous knee move Kris threw his head back and cracked up. I think the ‘proposal’ thing is going too far in the fandom. That’s it, other than they really need to change Megan and Anoop’s videos for their sets. Horrid. As I mainly went for Adam and clearly prefer him I hope I gave a fair assessment of the concert and don’t get any tomatoes thrown my way.



Thanks for your recap, Chris. I will be really, really glad when the tour leaves California and the Southwest. There is a whole country out here waiting for the tour and it seems they did Utah, Oregon, and Vancouver and other than that every stop has been in California. I am a die hard Kris Allen fan and I thought your recap was good even though you are an Adam fan. I really like Adam less and less with every video I see. Don’t like his gyrations and the theatrics are getting old. But I do love Kris and never get tired of Heartless or Ain’t No Sunshine. That having been said, I am looking forward to hearing him sing Bright Lights and the Killers song. On video he looks really strong. I’ll bet they get a little tired of singing the same songs night after night. It shows their professionalism that they can make each performance feel like the first time for the audience.
I like your assessment…
i loved your review!! and adams choreography are fantastic. I wish I could watch it live though.. Adam’s style is unique at this time.. I prefer his music, more current and better suited for concerts..It’s rare to find someone like him, a complete package!!
Chris, I absolutely agree that Adam’s Bowie medley was the best in L.A. @ Staples! YouTube does not remotely do it justice. You need to see Adam live to appreciate him properly.
Maybe so, Lisa. I really completely dislike the Bowie medley on the videos. The only song worse for me is Whole Lot of Love. It is just way too theatrical for me, although almost no one out “theatricals” Bowie himself. Yet he was able to pull it off and look cool. I think Adam just looks burlesque rather than cool and it sure isn’t sexy. It really is just different strokes for different folks though. I liked some of his more understated songs on the show. Maybe when I see it live I’ll have a different reaction.
Chris, thanks for the update. Good recap. I love Adam more and more as i read all the recaps. I love how he dances, gyrates and all. The whole she bang! I can imagine the vibe when he came out. From BoW moment, i’ve found Adam to be unique and cut above the rest. I became a true Adam fan. I really like him just the way he is. Nothing to change. Am so happy that you enjoyed the show.
Do you think they there is possibility of changing songs in the future as they move on their concert dates?
WLL and Bowie Rocks! I love both so much! Just listened to other Adam songs. Can do this for the whole day. Needed my Adam fix.
Thanks wiccagirl, I don’t believe Adam will change any songs for the remainder of the concert dates. I think he will be happy to just change up how he performs them. He is recording his album and still writing songs and I just don’t see how he would have time to change anything in his set.
@adamland
I’ve been thinking about it. Changing songs might spice things up a bit. Though, you are right! Impossible to fit anything else in his schedule. Personally, i would rather he focuses on his album.
Thank you chris for a lovely recap. I agree I think LA was Adam’s best WLL and Bowie, judging from the videos ofcourse since I haven’t seen nor am I likely to see the concert.
These recaps really make my days, and today is an embarrassment of riches.
Thanks again Chris for sharing.
Chris, great recap – thanks to you guys I feel more in touch, I wish there were a way I could go to a live concert, well maybe if I hit lotto – then I go for sure,
Nope, don’t think they’ll be changing any songs any time soon. That’s why they rehearse for a month before going out on the road. But as for getting bored singing the same songs night after night, playing a big arena is something each of the Idols has been dreaming about all of their lives. The reaction they’re getting from the crowd is like nothing any of them have ever heard (well, except at the Idol finale). They won’t be getting bored, especially since they’re not doing a full set and just have a little time each night to feel the love of the crowd.
After seeing the show Thursday night, what interests me is that old Idol question of song selection. For instance, Scott MacIntyre wants to show people what kind of artist he wants to be, so he picked two songs that would show that. But the audience doesn’t know the Keane song going in and even though it’s a great song for Scott to sing, would he be better off with a song more people know?
Thanks Chris, for pointing out that Kris is more of a pop/rocker than balladeer. That is what he has been saying for months, in spite of the idol judges trying to tell us otherwise.
It is interesting to see the different interpretations of the ‘quiet’ during Ain’t No Sunshine. One of the pro reviewers called it “stunning”, so I think that may be why the crowd gets quiet. They are listening.
Thanks for your re-cap, Chris. I enjoyed it. I think you DID give us a balanced assessment, inspite of your preference for Adam. I’m hoping to be able to do the same. All 10 singers did entertain us better than anything else on TV throughout Idol season, so I want to do what I can to pay them back for that.
As ShariG said most of the concerts in the past few days have been in Adam’s own homeground. It’ll be interesting to see whether there’s any discernible change as the venues head into the middle of the country, Bible-belt land this week.
TWI, I don’t think that the “Bible-belt” term is as true today, as it was 10 years ago. I do think that a more organic type music is more popular in the South, going back to it’s history as the birthplace of the blues.
IF there is a preference for Kris in the South, I expect it to be based more on performance styles, and musical tastes, than on the Bible.
There are parts of the South, like Atlanta with it’s huge gay community, that are custom made for Adam. The South is not one impenetrable unit anymore.
Love the review! It just makes me what to see the show now!! 7 more days!!
From all the reviews that I’m reading, most people — even the LA and national critics — are enjoying both Adam and Kris. I expect it will be the same way all over the country.
And, you’re right, the South is more diverse and accepting than many people think. And people love great rock music down here!
Chris, thanks for sharing. I love these recaps so much. And as am Adam fan who isn’t going, this is my living vicariously through you all. I thought you were very fair, so no fruit thrown at you from me.
Regarding Anoop, from reading a lot of recaps of LA that he might not have been as on his game as he was previously. You mentioned something lacking in his performance, I’ve read that a few places. Though his My Perogative as you say, was the first to get everyone on their feet, so that’s cool.
Good to hear Allison did pretty well, I’ve enjoyed what I seen of her YouTube performances, but maybe a bit more seasoning? Hmmm. Well she is only, and tell me if you’ve heard this before, only 17.
I always thought that Gokey had a good voice as well, I like that rasp and tone, but the type of music he sings, his interpretation, and other things, made me not like him on the show. Good to hear he sounds better live, but his preaching would just totally ruin his set for me. Why is he doing it? So annoying. But typical.
Good to hear that Kris did well. I pretty much despise Heartless at this point as well. Too much bandzilla in the live version, and overplayed for me. And unlike Mad World, it’s not a good enough tune, with enough meaning in my life, to get over it’s being overplayed. Kris’s ANS holds up much better for me, because for me (for you) it’s a tune I can relate to me, and I feel holds up better. It is a classic song for a reason. Though I agree, a more rock version of Heartless has to be the transition between Adam and his set.
Well sorry for my epic response to your recap. Did enjoy it and glad that you enjoyed the concert.
I disagreed with some of what you said probably because you and I were sitting in different spots. When Danny was singing there was a spattering of people standing up on the floor, most were sitting. He did sound good but i could have done without the preachiness. It felt to me that the end applause for Danny was strong because it had rolled over into a serious level of anticipation for Adam.
From where I was sitting Lil just killed it. She was amazing…I would definitely pay to see her again. Her Single-ladies rendition was fantastic! Good for her.
Great review, Chris! I think you provided a very fair assessment of everyone. I agree that Kris comes alive when he’s doing the more pop rock-ish numbers. I love how his face lights up.
I can totally relate to having to wait until the next day to to put your thoughts together after being gobsmacked by the glorious and glittery tour of Planet Fierce. The flashbacks are nice too.
Thanks for your recap Chris.
This part jumped out at me and I think you are dead on in your assessment. I love Allison and think she exudes so much confindence on stage but something about her performances have bugged me. Your “own little world” comment just clicked with me and, I agree, she needs to involve the audience more. I think that’s why I like So What better than Barracuda (as you point out, she’s forced to look at the audience). Maybe someone will mention this to her cuz it’s so fixable.
That was a good recap, bias was kept aside and it was a nice, objective take on the concert.
Chris, thanks for the great recaps. I’ve been listening to the cell casts at every stop (*what is my life? lol*) and am a huge Anoop & Allison fan and now starting to enjoy Kris, Lil and ngl Sarver.
Anyway, I just wanted to say that I agree with your thoughts about Anoop that night. After listening to every cell cast, I’m not sure if it was exhaustion, nerves/or a combo but he didn’t sound as great as he could have, compared to previous stops.
They’ve got quite a few more to go i hope they’re pacing themselves are finding a good rhythm for tour
Why would they take time out of their already super-busy schedules to change anything? Either we like it or we don’t, evidently they and TPTB like things. In addition, they are being paid $1K for every song they sing. I seriously can’t see any of them “getting tired” of what they are doing. Physically tired, yes!