American Idols

I’ve always been a fan of American Idol. It provides some pretty quality entertainment at the beginning of the year after the holiday season ends. Usually I’m able to choose a favorite to root for, but I must admit I’m not one to pick up the phone and actually vote, nor would I ever actually pay money to see the contestants perform live… but oh how very different this season was!

So even though the product-placement was becoming increasingly heinous and the group numbers actually made me cringe, I never missed a Tuesday or Wednesday night this season. Overall I thought the contestants were a very talented group of musicians. Even with the performers I didn’t care for as much, my disinterest seemed to stem more from stylistic choices rather than actual voice quality. And slowly I found myself starting to emotionally invest in the show, and more specifically in David Cook. I called in and voted for him. I secretly found myself worrying about his safety on the show. I broke my cardinal rule of reality T.V. – to actually become involved.

And now here I am months later waiting at Rupp Arena for “Poptarts Presents American Idols Live.” I’ve driven over 5 hours to be here and stalked Ticketmaster for the best seats I can find. What on earth has gotten into me? As I enter the arena to an announcer and what appears to be a patron having a dance competition with a life-size Poptart I once again question my sanity. But as I look around and see people of all ages, excited, with t-shirts and signs promoting their favorite Idol I feel very happy to be here and glad to find that I am not the only one who was so captivated by this group of contestants.

Speaking to friends who have previously attended the concert, I am already aware of the format of the show. The idols will be performing in the order in which they were eliminated. This suits me perfectly, considering the main attraction of the event—in my mind, at least—is David Cook, and this will line him up to close the show.

The house lights dim and I take my seat as Chikezie opens for us. I am pleased with his renditions of the songs he covers. He is lively and energetic. He works hard to get the crowd involved. I find myself thinking he was a good person to be in the 10th-place spot because he has managed to set a nice tone for the show.

Up next is Ramiele. She is so tiny. I really can’t reiterate this enough. On T.V. she looked small, but in person I think that I—at 5’ 2’’—would swamp her. Her voice is not exceptionally strong to me. She doesn’t always stay in key, but she’s working it out on the stage. Still, I do not find myself disappointed when her set of three songs concludes.

Finally someone I am really looking forward to—Michael Johns—commands the stage. On the show I was a fan of his, but I found his dancing to be a distraction. If I closed my eyes and listened to his voice I really enjoyed it, but watching him dance always cracked me up to the point where I couldn’t take him too seriously. Still, I thought his departure at #8 was quite premature. On this stage he is on fire, no silly dancing, just very passion filled performances. By the end of his set I am ready to go buy his CD.

Kristy Lee Cook is next. I love country music and think with the backing of 19 records she has a shot at being a good recording artist, but I prefer Carrie Underwood’s style to her own. I wasn’t familiar with two of the songs she sang, which I think detracted from her set to me. However, her rendition of “God Bless the USA” was amazing. Her voice was well suited for the song and since I didn’t think she was singing it for sympathy votes this go-round I could really enjoy it.

Carly Smithson, another favorite of mine, now takes the stage. I am thrilled with her song choices – Evanescence, Cindy Lauper, and Heart. Carly is well defined in her style, and her voice is so intense and powerful. Her set passes by entirely too quickly. Also, on a completely superficial note the girl has lost a ton of weight since Idol. She was never really overweight, but she looks beyond amazing now.

Speaking of beanpoles, Brooke White takes the stage next. Oh dear Brooke, “Mrs. Don’t Forget the Lyrics” what a huge difference not being judged makes on you. The girl is incredible. She is the first person to arrive on stage playing the grand piano and it is truly breathtaking. You can tell she pours her heart into her performances and she proves to be the perfect end to the first half of the show.

At this point I prepare myself for the group number that is upon us. The bottom six all sing “One” by U2. It actually isn’t as bad as on the show. The choreography is not nearly as cheesy and everyone is in tune and harmonized. I’m actually quite impressed. I expected much worse from a show that prides itself on arm swaying and features the Charleston as a primary dance move.

Intermission time! I excuse myself from the arena; I’ve had my fill of “product pimping” on the show. I feel no need to see Poptarts and Guitar Hero shamelessly plugged further.

The concert is in fact very professional and I don’t want this to take away from it. The graphics in the background are excellent, the transitions between artists is smooth. I am becoming increasingly delighted with my decision to attend this event.

Jason Castro takes the stage after intermission. To be completely honest I don’t remember much about his set. I’m starting to get excited about David Cook being just a few performers away and Jason is really just providing background music for me. I apologize I don’t have a better description for his number, but that’s the honest truth of the matter.

Syesha is the last lady to take the stage. Her sound does not coincide with my taste in music. She has a diva-ish voice, loud and filled with runs. I spend a large majority of her set trying to decide how the people who are positioned at the catwalk don’t see up her dress—it is quite short.

Again the grand piano emerges from the stage with David Archuleta playing his heart out. The crowd goes wild; the excitement is infectious; David is adorable. On the show I couldn’t enjoy him fully because he was my favorite’s competition, but watching him live I am mesmerized. His voice is unearthly and he is so impassioned I actually think he might be about to break down and cry on stage. My favorite song he sings is “Apologize” and his version in my opinion surpasses the original. I can’t actually see myself buying this kid’s album—I know it will be a bit too pop-tastic for me—but I have to admit he is truly gifted.

Finally it’s the moment of truth. The crowd is going nuts. I am loving this. I’m really impressed at just how loud everyone has gotten all of a sudden. I didn’t know if Cook’s applause would surpass Archuleta’s by much of a margin but the stadium is roaring as David emerges singing “Hello.” This man is a natural. I can only surmise that he was meant to do this. He is so comfortable on the stage and with the crowd. He works the audience seamlessly with his sense of humor and truly insane vocals. I sing along to every word of every song and I am not the only one. Almost everyone in the stadium is on their feet. Somehow David has managed to turn an American Idol event into a rock concert. It is obvious why he won American Idol, at least in my opinion, but of course I am biased. Even with five songs, the most given to any performer, his set goes entirely too quickly. As he departs the stage I already feel excited for his CD, which is scheduled to drop in November.

The concert concludes as all 10 idols sing “Please Don’t Stop the Music.” This is kind of a joke. The vocals are not as good as the bottom 6 group number, but thanks to some highly amusing dancing antics on part of many of the Idols, mainly David Cook and Michael Johns, it turns into one of the highlights of the show. The people who look like they are goofing off and having a good time make this the perfect ending to the evening. The couple of individuals who seem to be taking the song seriously look a bit out of sorts. As the idols leave the stage, David Cook asks us to “Give it up for the band, give it up for Poptarts, and give it up for Guitar Hero.” I guess his job can’t be all glamor.

Overall, I had an absolutely amazing time at the concert. It far exceeded my expectations and it was an awesome platform for some of these artists to gain greater exposure. I went in knowing for sure I would purchase David Cook’s CD but I left considering purchasing 3-4 of the other artists’ works. I look forward to seeing what this group of people can bring to the music industry. However, after breaking my cardinal rule and becoming attached to this group of contestants I have made it my resolution not to watch American Idol again next year. I don’t think it would be possible for it to surpass this season for me and to be honest I wouldn’t want it to. So I think I’ll stop while I’m ahead. Here’s hoping I can keep my resolve and not go back on another promise I’ve made to myself.