Yeah, yeah, I saw the Idols in Worcester last Wedndesday!
At the last minute I copped a ticket–fifth row, and I got lots of media. Unfortunately, the sound is kinda farked on the video, but I was upclose and I got some great screen grabs. Check out the Worcester collection on my My Space blog
A couple of weeks ago I hit the midwest to see a couple of shows. The arena in Cleveland was a little over half full, and the audience in Toronto was pretty dead. But Worcester? They love them some Idols here in New England. Not only was the arena fairly full, but the fans in the front rows were extremely enthusiastic. And the Idols seemed totally psyched, particularly since they had just received some bad news about tour receipts.
All I can say is that this year’s show is awesomely entertaining. And critics who pan the show as just an overgrown karaoke show are missing the point. Seriously. It’s the American Idols LIVE tour. It’s about fans seeing their favorites, in person, singing songs from the TV show. Period.
Yeah, the Idols are singing other people’s songs, but there are some great performances here–from Lakisha Jones’ and Melinda Doolittle’s commanding vocal performances, to Blake Lewis’s impressive beatboxing and loop pedal skills.
After the tour is over, the contestants will go on to perform and record original music. Some of it will be amazing, I’m sure. But in the meantime–bring on the cheese, bring on the familiar songs. It’s one last time we get to enjoy the contestants, up close and personal, as they were on the show.
Some thoughts:
The irrepressible and talented Jordin Sparks is only 17. Did you know that? Hee. All kidding aside, the girl can sang, in a few years, she could be a powerhouse. I’m looking forward to Blake Lewis’s debut CD. Chris Richardson has charisma to spare and is really fun to watch on stage. Chris Sligh not only displays great vocal chops, but an impressive musicality as well. The arena suits Phil Stacey’s big voice in a way the Idol stage did not. Gina Glocksen is engaging as she deftly delivers pop confections. Sanjaya is compulsively watchable, I see TV in his future. Haley Scarnato embraces the pointy pose, which I totally appreciate.
I also appreciate that everyone pronounced “Worcester” correctly. That would be wister. And that Chris Sligh is a Red Sox fan. YAY!
To get a sense of the camaraderie between this bunch, check out the guys group number, “Crazy, Hey Jude”. I never figured out what it was exactly that cracked the guys up:
Blake and Chris Rich engage in a beatbox battle royale. Guess who wins…
Do I get points for dodging sign-weilding fans and perserving despite the ‘tweens behind me who were screaming in my ear?
SAY CHEESE! Good stuff:
Before Sanjaya turned 18 on Sunday, his sister Shyamali was his required chaperone (she’s 20). During the concert, you can find her on the other side of the barrier, curled up watching the show. At Worcester, she signed autographs for fans during intermission. Sorry about the red eye!
More videos:
Lakisha, Melinda, Chris R - Motown Medley
Melinda and Sanjaya - Proud Mary
Phil - Blaze of Glory
Chris S and Gina - thnx fr th mmrs
Haley - When God Fearing Women Get the Blues
Sanjaya - The Way You Make Me Feel
Chris S - Typical
Blake - Time of the Season
Blake - She Will Be Loved
Blake - You Give Love a Bad Name
Phil - America the Beautiful
Gina - Who Knew
Lakisha - I Will Always Love You
Chris R - This Love
Phil and Gina - I Need You
Jordin Sparks - A Broken Wing
Jordin Sparks - This Is My Now
Fun fact: Nobody has missed a performance yet. No sore throats, swimming or ice cream eating! (those who remember last year’s tour understand the reference. Heh.)
More from my picture collection:
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Thanks for the recap, pics and vids, MJ! Glad to hear the crowd was enthusiastic. They were in Chicago as well.
That pic of Roundhead is adorable. Calling SpenserJ!!!
OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.. those are great!! Thanks MJ!! I’m glad I’m not the only person so thrilled to see these guys sinking kareoke type songs. I just Love them.. They are tons of fun and I wish I could have seen the show more than once like you!!
MJ, I’m completely JELL-US that you’ve gotten to see those adorable idols so many times this year! And you are right about some reviewers missing the point. The tour is like the cherry on a cheese sundae. We get excited to see upclose the idols we followed and voted for. The idols, perhaps, get excited to see upclose the fans who followed them and voted for them. And American Idol brought us all together. Sure, the concert can feel a little silly and goofy at times, but it’s also a helluva good time.
I love the pics on your myspace page. There is one of Haley between Sanjaya and Chris R. where she has the funniest look on her face. I can’t tell if she’s having a religious or sexual epiphany, but something is going on there.
OMG awesome pictures. That one of Sanjaya could be from a photo shout, SEXAY! And Miss Doolittle, can she actually be a bit HOT!!!!????
^^^^^^photo shoot, that is~
They look like they’re having fun. That’s all that matters, having fun.
Thanks so much fro that awesome recap, videos and pics.
Blake looks HOT all inmerse in his singing. Love him! I can’t wait for his debut CD either.
Thanks for the recap MJ. As always, I’m completely devouring the photos and video!
I admit that I’m one of those who put the tour in the covers category (I would never call it karaoke since I consider that form of singing to be a fun bar activity vs. a professional enterprise like the Idols tour). But I still go to see concerts for the music, and the covers that they are doing are all over the place terms of genre and, frankly, quality. I would say about 75% of the songs and the performers don’t appeal to me. I wish all the Idols well, am glad they are having a good time and making their fans happy.
Hey if I got free tickets and I could convince one of my friends to go, I’d go and would, no doubt, enjoy it.
Thanks for all the great pics and videos, MJ! Yours are *always* the best, without fail. :)
I’m glad they’re getting a good reception in the northeast. Sounds like they’ll end the tour on a high note. Yay!!
Three cheers for the Season 6 idols! It’s pretty amazing that none of them have missed a single date on this very grueling tour. I may just have to get my ass up to Manchester before it’s too late.
Oh beesims, you totally should! I’m going! :)
Sarah, are you and MJ going Saturday and Sunday?
MJ,
Just want to add my thanks … for sharing your observations,
thoughts and the great media…
Awesome recap as always MJ.
Excellent vids & pics MJ! Thanks as always. :)
You made me feel like I was there. Thanks.
Yep! Email MJ (or I’ll give you my email in chat) and we can give you more details. :)
Wow, great pics, MJ! I really think it’s unfair that you’ve gotten to go so many times to my zip.
I guess I’ll just have to live vicariously through you and Sarah, lol.
MJ rocks - as always!
Great pics and video, MJ!!
MJ your pictures are the best of season six I’ve seen. Makes me miss them as we hardly got to know them on the show. They look happier and far more relaxed on the tour. Sanjaya and his sis sure have cutness factor all wraped up. They make you smile, I can see them in a Disney show.