Idol Tour storms through Oakland
by pinella
- Adam Lambert performs at AI Tour
OAKLAND – It took eight seasons, but I finally saw an American Idol Tour show Saturday night at the Oracle Arena.
There is so much to say, so we’ll spread it out over several blog entries.
First, we’ll recap the show.
Hands down the winner is the production crew. The presentation, the graphics, the pace of the show. Pretty much flawless. They tried, and did a terrific job, of matching the graphics on the huge backdrop to the 10 performers.
The performers. This was different from AI the television show. All 10 had a chance to sing multiple numbers, all songs lasted much longer than the minute or so they got on the show. Of course, they weren’t being judged so the pressure might not have been there, it was just a different type of pressure. And by Saturday night they were five shows into the 50-show Tour so they had time to iron out the rough spots.
Crowd favorite? No secret there, overwhelmingly Adam Lambert with Kris Allen a “sorta” close second. Anytime Adam’s face even appeared on the promo screen the crowd roared. And when he appeared out of a mist and the darkness on stage for his set the crowd of 9,000 went ballistic.
Crowd not-so-favorite? Well, they were polite probably to excess, but Megan Joy was obviously out of her league with this group. Song choice? Presentation? Connection with the crowd? I don’t know, maybe all three, but she would have been better walking around behind Adam if she wanted to hear genuine applause.
As far as the rest of the top 10…
Shockers? Well, there were some.
Shockingly good: Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver.
Shockingly not-so-good: Matt Giraud.
Not-so-shockingly what you’d expect: Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta.
The best: Adam and Kris.
The crowd was mostly very young, but a not-so-small group of 40ish types were in attendance. Not many Boomers. And, oh, yes, there was a group of 10 “50-somethings” in pickup trucks from Gilroy tailgating, grill and all, in the parking lot two hours before showtime.
The venue … Oracle’s stage was fine and as mentioned the production crew top-notch. The sound? Not the greatest, but then again what would you expect from an arena that has held up to 16,000 for concerts this year.
So, was it worth the $69.50 for a ticket five rows from the stage. Well, if you were a season-long devotee of the show, certainly. If you dno’t know Adam Lambert from Adam Ant, then no.
We have much more coming your way on this, including interviews with five of the 10 performers and lotsa pictures. Stay tuned
The best is Adam Lambert. Why the author said it’s Adam and Kris? Adam definitley got the loudest cheers & the best performance of the night. The audience was mute when Kris performed.
by Kirth
Your reviewer got it right. There were 9 contestants, and there was Adam Lambert. It was, most people feel, almost unfair to put them onstage with him. The talent, charisma, vocal horizons, musical imagination, theatrical presence he brings along is simply in another league.
Doubtful? The man can do anything. Google ‘Lambert Brigadoon Youtube’ and prepared to be astonished.
A final word: what a delight to read a review of Mr Lambert’s work that chooses to overlook his private life. Hooray! Perhaps America is finally starting to grow up. People who care about with whom Mr Lambert chooses to sleep are voyeurs.
The rest of us care about the music. When I saw him at Oakland, I was reminded — yet again — why that should be so. He is simply amazing.
by trent1280
Well, this boomer only wishes she had been there. Love Adam Lambert, have no taste at all for the rest.
by MM
I agree with you that Scott MacIntyre was for me one of the highlights and most memorable of the night. Great job Scott!!
by kellybee
Kirth have your ears gone deaf after all the screaming? Kris performance was very well received by the audience. Maybe you should click the mute button on yourself.
by bblove
Right on there bro!
Kris <3 Kris <3 Kris <3 Some Adam fans are so disrespectful, I find them disgusting. Adam’s not a God, people, idolize him as a singer, artist, or performer don’t treat him like a ‘Blessing from heaven”. LMAO
by MJ
Sat show was Awsome They all were good But Adam and Kriss Brought the house down I tpk many Pix Had good seats BUT the bad news is MY Grand son Delighted all my PIx Can any one out there help me Send some by email or if you could make me a cd and Ill pay you Im so up set please help me !!!!
Email kittyhugs@comcast.net
by Carla
What can I say? I just wished I was there to watch Adam. And I’ve heard he is so much better LIVE that what was shown on TV on You Tube. Up to now, I only have all these.
I might just fly over to your country to watch his concert, only if it is an ADAM LAMBERT SOLO one. I mean, there’s the round trip ticket, gotta to be front row seat, accommodation etc.
Hope he can come to Asia. He said he will.
by Ladylynn
As in Vancouver, the crowd went absolutely crazy for ADAM LAMBERT and was silent and sat down for Kris’ performance. I think the more and more people see and listen to the performances, they realize that the voters got the winner wrong again this year. Adam Lambert is an international superstar and he’s loved by sooooo many. By the way, I am 32 so does that count as a boomer? There were many ages at the Vancouver concert, tweens yes but even people in their 60s and 70s who only came to see the ROCK GOD, Adam Lambert. Kris Allen is nice and plays it safe, but he will be thrown into oblivion when the tour is over. ADAM LAMBERT is just beginning his trip to SUPERSTARDOM!!! And he treats his fans in such a wonderful manner, PLUS he’s even more gorgeous up close and personal!!! I nearly fainted when I met him!!! SO HOT!!!
by Adamlambertlover
We travelled over 200 miles to see the show. 1 of us was a Danny fan (me), 2 were Kris fans and 5 were Adam fans. Well…I am really reluctant to admit that I now only have eyes for Adam. The 2 Kris fans are also Adam converts. Honestly, he is unbearably irresistible on stage. While I enjoyed Danny’s set, I was completely unprepared for how mesmerising a performer Adam Lambert is! The sound was not great and yet Adam still managed to overcome that. Another highlight was Lil Rounds. I hadn’t expected to enjoy her set but really did.
In the context of the whole show, the others, even Danny, did pale in comparison and I feel regret now that I didn’t realise how incredible Adam Lambert was during the AI series. Danny has a great voice, but Adam has…well everything a star should have.
If anyone is hesitating, go and see the show just for Adam. We all felt we were witnessing the birth of a megastar.
by ellan
Adam Lambert is amazing! I would pay alot of money to see him..the rest are a bore.
by jana
So Jealous! I am a boomer and an Adam fan. I cannot get enough of him and his voice. I am very sorry I did not get tickets because really, I was too embarrassed to go to an American Idol concert! But the fabulous reports and videos coming out of this tour make me regret it now.
Adam has proven to be quite the concert hunk! Looks like he is enjoying this experience and he sounds fabulous. It’s great to hear the crowds go crazy and scream when he comes on.
Kudos to Allison as well. The video’s show a much more mature and confident performer and a huge talent. I am looking forward to watching her career soar.
by Kate
The best was Kris, he is a real musician who doesn’t need to have sex with the mike on stage. Adam’s perf was contrived, he tried too hard and it came across as phony. The critic who said that there were 9 + Adam said the same thing last year, slammed David Cook. Go read the archives.
by Fan
“… overlook his private life .”
Thanks for bringing it up, moron!
by ph
Yes, Kris and Adam was the best of the night. I was there and the audience definitely had applause for Kris. Geez, can’t 2 people be equally good in their own different ways?
Great review!
by Irene
Well, this boomer went to both the Sacramento and Oakland shows, specifically to see Adam. As usual, in a league of his own at both shows, but he absolutely OWNED Oakland. That was as close to a Beatles moment that I’ve ever witnessed. His solo tour is going to amazing entertainment…an unmissable event.
by Nina
It is clear that Adam is different and probably worthy of all of the praise he is receiving, but my preference by far is Kris Allen. Perhaps not as showboaty as Adam, but every bit as talented. I can see where many people will be taken in by the in your face theatrics of Adam. It is a quieter appreciation for Kris Allen’s musicianship. He was the only contestant this year who could arrange music, play keyboards, play electric and acoustic guitar, and sing with a very distinctive style that, as Paula said, Allenized every thing he sang. Unlike the previous poster, I have no taste at all for Adam’s over the top theatrics. On the other hand, I love Kris Allen’s softer side of rock and look forward to his debut album.
by ShariG
What is the problem with the reviewer praising both Adam and Kris? Both were fantastic. This is NOT a competition…it’s a tour. And the audience was NOT mute when Kris performed…he got very loud cheers. Just as Adam did. So did Allison. So did Danny.
Some of Adam’s fans irritate the crap out of me. They freak out when anyone other than Adam gets any praise. I love him to death and think he’s crazy talented, but this is the American Idol tour — it’s NOT the Adam Lambert solo tour, ok? Kris is mad talented, too — in a completely different way than Adam. I don’t understand why some Adam fans have a hard time accepting this fact.
The competition is OVER.
by jazzedup
I have always known that Adam Lambert would be a totally mesmerizing performer in concerts ever since the American Idol days. Go Adam!
by maryann
To jazzedup: Once sing-your-face-off Glamey steps on that stage, it really makes everyone else look and sound like PLAIN VANILLA. I am glad you enjoy Kris but I for one am not a fan and a lot of people feel Kris’ winning was a fluke, Gokey makes me want to puke and Matt is starting to repulse me with his recently acquired “attitude.” Don’t even mention boring and ugly Sarver and Anoop just doesn’t do it for me and neither does Scott. The girls are ok, but I would not pay to see any of them in their own concerts. I don’t think the Adam fans are freaking out about anyone other than Adam getting praise but if they are like me, I’ve seen the BEST now I can’t get excited about the REST.
by Starry Eyed
I agree with jazzedup. The competition is over! I can go to the concert and love not just one performer but more. It’s just a matter of taste and opinion.
I disagree about the fans though, I don’t think only Adam’s fans who ‘freak out’ Kris’ or Danny’s are also touchy sometimes. We can’t really generalize… If u read the comments above, there’s an Adam fan and a Kris fan who don’t agree with the review. It’s their opinion so it’s cool! I think the review is great!
by onno
@FAN
First, a musician does not equal to good singer nor vocalist performer. Kris can play a couple music instruments and has demonstrated the potential of writing music (changing a written song up does not equate to writing music either), he is limited on his singing/vocal capability. I believe Kris will excel himself if he would focus on song writing once he finishes up the tour. He has a big heart and should be able to write good music. If he is meant to be a musician, then let him be one and enjoy music vs singing. Of course, by all mean he for sure is qualify to perform his own songs.
Adam is a vocalist/singer/performer and his instrument is his voice. You do not need to cut Adam down to bring Kris up either (many Adam fans appreciates Kris’s talents) BTW, Adam always acts out to his song, and perhaps you are a bit too young for what the message carries in WLL, as originally intended.
by mch
Adam will definately be in the same league as Elvis, Beatles and MJ-Congratulations Adam!!biggest talent out there!
by lulumarieNY
I havent attended any of the tours so far, but many pieces are posted on You Tube and the idea that the crowd was mute during Kris performance is an out and out lie as anyone can hear from these videos. Why? Cant you enjoy Adam without trashing Kris? Kris is extremely talented and gifted, and has a smooth, velvety voice especially doing ballads. I love Adam and I love Kris, they’re friends. Do you intend to destroy Kris in some way? How does Adam benefit by trashing Kris? He doesnt. In fact, Adam hates it when his fans act like losers. Please just enjoy the tour when you go and stop with trashing anybody.
by Patrice
The author is spot on. The audience is polite throughout the concert for the mediocre singers, and then the MEGASTAR, ADAM LAMBERT, Arrives! There is no doubt this guy will be an ICON for our century, and as one commentator said it, “It was like watching Tiger Woods play a golf tournament with kindergarteners.” That’s the only way to describe it. Adam is unbelievable in every way, talent, the IT factor, the stage presence, charisma and drop-dead good looks. Love him. P.S. Kris is a nice guy, but yawn….
by AdamAddict
I see the Adam versus Kris war is alive and well and about to enter its 3rd month. I love Adam. I want him to grow his hair long again. I liked it when he had to flap his head around to get his hair out of his eyes…..very sexy.
by Kelly
The tone deaf always accuse Adam of “screaming,” because their tin ears can’t discern a high note when they hear one.
by circe
All of the ten idol finalists bring their own individual special music/performance talents to the stage. We as discerning concert goers connect and appreciate those individual talents in different ways and in different degrees according to our previous music exposure to different music genres and learned/acquired tastes that preceded American Idol viewing. Music is a universal language and to denigrate these wonderful young budding artists because they don’t match our personal musical ideals does not serve the music world or promote their musical growth. I’m in my 60s with a master’s degree in music education and plan to attend not just one but 4 (if not more) of this year’s concerts. I hope to find something of musical value in each of the contestants’ performances even though my preference is classical music. I fell in love with Adam Lambert and his magnificent voice. NO, Adam does not scream… his voice is one of a kind which he has worked diligently over the years to develop and now share with us. Adam is so special that I made the leap from classical to rock! That’s how very very special I find him. From Carnegie Hall to rock arena – yikes! Only for Adam. Kris has his own special appeal and musical worth. Please, can we all stop the bashing and cheer all of these worthy idols on? They need our love and support, not our denigration/bashing.
by Marian
uhm. i dont think so…
by Alessterb