American Idol Season 7 Tour - Toronto, ON - July 26th 08 - Show Review

What's that?, I hear you say? You went to an American Idol Concert?

My answer - dude, do you not read my blog?

Hehe.

Yeah, yeah, I went to see the American Idol Concert in Toronto. So sue me.

I have to come right out and say I am a huge David Cook fan. Didn't see that one coming, didn't ya? Dude, do you not read my blog??

Hehe.

Ok, so yeah. I'm a David Cook fan. I was dreading having to sit through 9 sets (8 sets of 3 songs, one set of 4 songs, plus a group number, for a grand total of 29 songs) just to hear my David sing. Because yes, he's mine. Dude, do you not read my blog??

Ok, I'm done with that joke.

Sure, I was looking forward to hear Michael Johns and Carly Smithson sing. Those two were really the only ones I wanted to see/hear live aside from Cook. Still, I was expecting to be completely bored until my CFM stares boyfriend David Cook would come on stage. Yes, he's my boyfriend. Dude, do you not...

Ok, not gonna go there.

So yeah, I was apprehensive about the show, but determined to go so I could see David. Let me start with a quick recap of our time before the show.

We went to the venue early to try and meet the idols. Given there was construction where the buses usually come, the buses were to go underground. So the venue set up barriers (read flimsy yellow "caution" tape and a few metal barriers) for the fans to stand behind and hopefully see the idols before the show. There was a very large crowd - something like 200-250 people. What a contrast from last year's 30!!! Anyway, to make a long story short, 5 idols came out: Ramiele, Jason, Brooke, Carly and David Cook. The girls didn't spend much time with the fans, but the two boys did, especially David. I had brought my 3 Axium cds for him to sign, but given how large the crowd was, I totally was not expecting it would happen. Now, I don't really care for autographs, but rather would like to chat with the idols for a bit. We were lucky last year that the crowd was so small - the idols spent a great deal of time chatting with us before the show. Not so much this year. Still, I decided to try my hand at this crazy speed version of fans/idols meet and greet. I found an opening in the crowd and presented my cds to David. I got a nice reaction from him, and actually was able to converse with him for a few seconds (which I felt really fortunate for, since he was being rushed so much). FANGIRLY ALLERT - yes he looked me in the eyes. Yes he is hot as fuck. Yes I had a hard time being coherent. No I didn't freak out in front of him, I kept my cool. And yes, my hands were shaking and my knees were weak after we had "met".

*dreamy sigh* Ok, so, on to the show!

I had awesome seats. I mean, totally fucking awesome seats. I had bought a Left Floor Row 10 seat when the tickets went on sale, but when my friend called me only 5 days before the show, saying she had 2 Right Floor Tickets in the 5th row, I just couldn't resist. Turned out that, because of the configuration of the stage, our seats were really third row. Fucking awesome!!! By now, I'm getting more and more excited for the show, but still thinking that it might be a bit boring until David comes out.

So, let's start with

Chikezie
He seems like such a sweet man. He came out, smiling. His voice was much better than I expected, and his stage presence was actually really good. I didn't really care for his slower song, but the more upbeat ones were really fun. He really set a good tone for the rest of the night.

So far, I'm not bored. Good.

Ramiele
She is so tiny. I bet everyone who mets her or see her on stage for the first time says that. I mean, I am pretty dwarf-like myself, but she is even tinier! She seemed a bit uncomfortable on stage, but with the help of the back up singers by her side, she seemed to loosen up a bit by the end of her first song. She goes to start the second one, and her mike gave out. We couldn't hear the band playing either. She stood there, wondering what to do, when out came Michael Johns, taping his watch, ushering her off the stage. She finally goes backstage, gets a new mike and starts her song. The crowd was clapping for her and cheering her on, encouraging her to forget about it all and just sing. I felt terrible for her. And I feel even more terrible that I don't have much to say about her songs. I thought that while her voice was very pretty, that it was not powerful enough and did not really cut through the music in such a big venue. She needs to loosen up and improve her stage presence, too.

Still, I was not bored yet.

Michael Johns
Alright, this was good. Great! Fun! Awesome! MJ opens with WWRY/WATC and it really, really rocks. He's absolutely gorgeous in person, and seems so much taller and bigger than I imagined. He's smiling a lot, seems to be enjoying being there on stage, "back in the Commonwealth". He continues with IAWBIAR, and I am melting. This song is SO sexy, and it fits him and his voice perfectly. It definitely was my favorite of his. He of course closes with Dream On, and I have to admit, it was 100 times better for me live than on TV. He goes off stage, and I am left wanting more, more, more and more.

I am having such a great time!!!

Kristy Lee Cook
Hum. I'm not a country fan. Like, at all. I was so dreading this set. And I was so freaking wrong. Yes, I really enjoyed watching KLC do her thing on stage. Her voice really is pretty, she can really sing. Her stage presence was much better than I expected. She seemed to have such a good time up there! She did not sing "God Bless The USA" as everyone has already reported. She instead sang "Anyway", and it was honestly beautiful. She finished with a rock country song and I really liked her doing that kind of music.

This is not a bad show after all!!!

Carly Smithson
She was the only woman I was looking forward to seeing on stage. She is absolutely stunning in person. She's got such a pretty smile, too! Her Evanescence song was AMAZING. I love that kind of rock song for her - it really allows her to rock out while still totally showcasing her amazingly powerful and pretty voice. The slow song was great, and the Heart song "Crazy on You" was a total blast as well. She's very at ease on the stage, and her banter with the crowd seemed really natural and spontaneous. I just wish she'd give a bit more of herself to the crowd.

Wow, I'm smiling and having tons of fun!

Brooke White
The only draw back about having such incredible awesome seats was that when Brooke sat down at the piano, we couldn't see her face at all, which was a drag. "Let It Be" was great, but I wish I could have seen her play it, instead of just listening. She got up and came center stage to play her next song on guitar. She told us her hubby was born in Toronto - massive screaming ensue. She's gorgeous, and her voice is so beautiful, very suiting. She went bak to the piano to play "Yellow" from Coldplay, and I was cursing my great seats again since I couldn't see her. That song is PERFECT for her. It's modern enough to create a wide interest in the music circle, and it's slow enough that she can really let her voice do its magic. They had some cool yellow lights and effects on the big screen going on while she sang, STUNNING.

So the 6 singers come back and sing "In The Name Of Love" by U2 as a sort of Idol Gives Back Tribute. I enjoyed that a lot.

Alright, intermission. Am I bored? Not at all. Am I having fun? Yes, totally! Am I excited for the next 4? You betcha!!!

Jason Castro
Ukulele in hand, Jason came and sat down on the stool and started singing OTR. I have always loved that version, and Jason really does it justice. He then played "Crazy", guitar in hand, and I loved it. He's a bit awkward on stage, but it was a pleasure watching him do his thing. His voice was surprisingly powerful. Very nicely done. There were quite a few "dreadheads" in the audience, so he got a really nice reception.

I'm feeling mellow and happy now!

Syseha
She was NOT a favorite of mine during the show. And I really was not expecting to like her half as much as I did. I still wouldn't go see her in concert, but only because she sings music that is totally not what I am into. Aside from that... I thought she did really well, and for the first time, I really got why she finished 3rd and not lower. She has an amazing voice, powerful, and has a very wide range. My favorite from her was "Umbrella", I thought she did that fabulously. She is incredibly pretty, and holy molly batman, she's got legs!!!!

I'm happy, but plugging my ears knowing what's to come...

Archie
WOW. The crowd, composed of a huge number of teeny boppers, went NUTS. The screams were deafening. Once again I had to watch the awkwardly positioned big screens to see Archie perform, since he was sitting down at the piano for "Angels". I have to admit, he gave me chills during that song. WOW. Apologize was great too - it's a style that fits David very well I thought. He then did Stand By Me, which was really nice, and finished with When You Say You Love Me (Disney plug anyone?). I never thought I'd say this, but I would consider going to see him in concert - his voice really is completely STUNNING live. WOW. He was a bit awkward as far as stage presence, but he's so young...

Alright, my boyfriend is about to come on stage, and my heart is pounding.

David Cook
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! FINALLY it's My Cookie!!!! Of course he stars with Hello, and I am melting. It's so gorgeous the way he sings it... So sexy. Time of My Life, while very well executed and a great sing along song, felt a bit out of place in the definitely rock dominated set. But I still enjoyed the Magic Rainbow for all of its wonderful cheesiness, and for all the gorgeous glory noting David does on that one. I've never loved glory notes that much before. WOW can the boy hold those notes for a long time! Don't Want To Miss A Thing was great. A lot of people find it cheesy, but I've always enjoyed the song. And David makes it his own, sings it awesomely, and I am melting all over again. His voice is powerful, gorgeous, and I want more! So after talking to us a bit, David launches into My Hero. HOLY FUCKING ROCKSTAR BATMAN!!! I remember being a bit disappointed when I heard he was doing that song in a full on rock style rather than acoustically like he did for his homecoming visit during the show. I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED ANYMORE! Wow, this was the highly of my night. David has just got IT. Another perfect fit for Mr Cook. I love the way he sings this, the way he moves, his intensity, the way he stares at the crowd, and the way he manhandle that guitar. Absolutely fantastic. He goes off stage saying goodnight, but of course he comes back playing Billy Jean. Alright, this is tied with best moment with My Hero. Can I say it again? HOLY FUCKING ROCKSTAR BATMAN!!!

And now it's the end and the last thing I am looking forward to is the MJ/DC dance off during PDSTM. We got a great one, right in front of us, too! David did the running man and Michael did.... I'm not too sure what. *LOL* But we all loved it, and the boys exchanged some nods and smiles. Such adorable dorks they are.

By now, my voice is gone and I am sweating like a pig. WHAT? I was exhausted, and my feet were killing me. UGH????????? I sat down for a minute, looking at my friend, smiling like a total lunatic, telling her how amazing it had been. WHAT????? Yes, yes, yes, my friends, I really, really, REALLY enjoyed my AI Concert Experience. It was a blast, from top to bottom. Of course, David Cook was my highlight of the night, but I can safely say that Michael, Carly and Archie stood out to me, too. This really was an awesome, awesome show!

We are exhausted, but of course we want to go see if we can meet the idols again. People are lined up at the same spot as before the show, and it is HOT and HUMID as heck in there. There's probably around 400 people now, it's crazy loud and people are being pushy. My friend and I sat bak on a bench, and we watched the crowd. All the idols came out but David Cook and Ramiele (they had come out inn the afternoon instead). The crowd got REALLY pushy when Archie got out, it was not pretty (and it was quite surprising for the usually tame, polite Toronto crowd). I decided to be brave and get Michael's autograph. I also got Chikezie's.

I went back home and couldn't sleep for hours after the show. I was still to excited about it all! The idol live bug has bitten me, and now I wanna go to another show.... Yes, it was THAT good!

My pictures are posted HERE. Feel free to repost them, but please leave the tags on!!!