I had a blast on my trip to St. Louis to see the American Idol Live Tour this weekend. Kayla and I left Batesville Friday morning and headed north. We took our time and only had one major meltdown, which left me with an amazing bruise on my upper arm (gee, thanks Kayla). We stopped for lunch about an hour outside of St. Louis. We did hit the STL right before rush hour, so I was way excited about that. There was only one missed turn, but thanks to Google maps and a giagantic color copier, we were able to find the Scottrade Center very easily and even got to park right next to the building. The arena was very new and very pretty, but what amazed me more than anything was the average age of the people attending the concert. While we were waiting for the gates to open, I noticed that I didn't see a lot of pre-teen and teenagers. I saw 40+ year old women AND men with no children. The ladies that sat directly behind us were well into their forties and fifties.
Our seats were amazing! We were on the floor on row 22. Our row was the beginning of the second section, so there was a giant space between us and the row in front of us, so we didn't have to worry about large fuzzy heads of hair in every photo. The people sitting around us were fun. I made friends with the mother and daughter pair sitting next to me. The mom was a Jason Castro fan and her daughter liked David Archuletta. They were really cute and very friendly. There was even a lady behind me that gave me her e-mail and asked that I e-mail her a few pictures. She didn't bring hers because the last time she came to a concert at the arena, the security people wouldn't let her bring it in. Well, I'm a nice person and don't want anyone to be without pictures of things, so I told her I would do it.
Carly Smithson was next. Now, she's the girl who had all the potential but good never get it together on the show. I was really looking forward to hearing how she sounded live. She did amazing with her vocals, but her performance was a little lack-luster to me. She really didn't connect with us too much. But she did sing Celine Dion's "Drove All Night," a song she sang on the show, and was AH-MAZING. That girl has got some pipes, that's for sure.
Brooke White was the last person to perform before intermission. She had the second best entrance of the evening so far. She rose out of the floor with a grand piano and sang "Let It Be" for her first song. She surprised me a little. On the show, she always made me nervous to watch her sing, even stopping and starting twice during her time on the show. But she did great.
Before intermission we got the first group sing. The first six performers got to sing a song together and promote the Idol Gives Back Campaign. I'm pretty sure they all hate doing the group sings because they are so cheesey. Anyway, that was the end of the first half.
Sayeshia Mercado was next. She appeared at the top of the steps in an amazing little dress, with all these rhinestones all over it. Her shoes had even more rhinestones and I totally want them! She sang a few songs, but it was her last song that really made an impression on me. She sang Beyonce's "Listen." That girl sang the poop out of that song. She's the only one all night long that gave me goosebumps up my arms. Amazing!
And finally. The moment I had been waiting nine weeks for had finally arrived. The announcer made the "And now, your number one, David Cook" announcement and the crowd went crazy! He made the first strum on his guitar and sang the first Hello from his arrangement of Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" and I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to hear for the next two days. He rose out of the floor where the grand piano had been, and started singing. He was decked out in his rocker make-up and totally killed his set. He sang Nickelback's "Hero" and a couple other songs, and made his exit, but the crowd was on its feet the whole time and screamed for more. Okay, it wasn't just the crowd, it was me too. Although I don't think I was the loudest person there. He came back out and the lighting was this one red light behind him. He started his version of "Billie Jean," and proceeded to rock out for another ten minutes. OMG! I cannot wait until his album comes out; I want it now! (TWSS)
The finale was another group sing, this time including all the idols. Kayla said this was the first year they haven't done a lot of the cheesey group sings and duets. I think I actually like that, although I have no frame of reference to judge that. 
My overall thoughts were why hadn't I gone to one of the concerts before! I dedicate two to three nights a week for five months of my life to watching this show, why not enjoy a concert with the people I feel like I know. Anyway, if you get a chance go see the show this year, or next year. I'll probably be there next summer! Rock on!
Our seats were amazing! We were on the floor on row 22. Our row was the beginning of the second section, so there was a giant space between us and the row in front of us, so we didn't have to worry about large fuzzy heads of hair in every photo. The people sitting around us were fun. I made friends with the mother and daughter pair sitting next to me. The mom was a Jason Castro fan and her daughter liked David Archuletta. They were really cute and very friendly. There was even a lady behind me that gave me her e-mail and asked that I e-mail her a few pictures. She didn't bring hers because the last time she came to a concert at the arena, the security people wouldn't let her bring it in. Well, I'm a nice person and don't want anyone to be without pictures of things, so I told her I would do it.The concert host, yes concert host, Cory came out into the audience and proceeded to stop directly by us and ushered out the giant Pop Tart. Since the event was sponsored by Pop Tarts, everyone wanted to get their picture taken with him. We didn't even have to try. It was great!
Chekizie was the first Idol to perform. His set was really good. He did a Stevie Wonder song that he sang on the show and rocked it. I totally loved him on the show and in person!
Ramielle was next. She was wearing some amazing five inch stiletto patten leather boots. Her outfit on the other hand looked like someone had gone a little crazy with the bedazzler on the black leggings she was wearing. She sang a few songs, but nothing that blew me away.
Micheal Johns made his entrance with a great rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You." He made his entrance by rising out of the floor at the top of the steps. I even made a quick video of it.
I was really impressed with MJ. He did a great job and was even funny on stage. He joked with us when he sang "Dream On" by Aerosmith, saying he was going to end his set with the song that got him voted off. Anyway, he did a great job.
After the whirlwind that was Micheal Johns came Kristy Lee Cook. Now this poor girl was this season's sympathy vote getter. And when the announcer said her name, the crowd basically groaned out loud and sat down. Even when she sang her standing ovation gimme song, Lee Greenwoods' "God Bless the USA," only half the crowd stood. It was really sad and I started feeling bad for her until she made this comment: "Thank you all for coming to my show." I kid you not, and I quote word for word. There are about 10,000 witnesses if you don't believe me. She even did her KLC leg-cocked-to-the-side-hand-out-rock-back-on-the-other-leg-swing-her-hips pose. On every song. Real annoying.
Carly Smithson was next. Now, she's the girl who had all the potential but good never get it together on the show. I was really looking forward to hearing how she sounded live. She did amazing with her vocals, but her performance was a little lack-luster to me. She really didn't connect with us too much. But she did sing Celine Dion's "Drove All Night," a song she sang on the show, and was AH-MAZING. That girl has got some pipes, that's for sure. Brooke White was the last person to perform before intermission. She had the second best entrance of the evening so far. She rose out of the floor with a grand piano and sang "Let It Be" for her first song. She surprised me a little. On the show, she always made me nervous to watch her sing, even stopping and starting twice during her time on the show. But she did great.Before intermission we got the first group sing. The first six performers got to sing a song together and promote the Idol Gives Back Campaign. I'm pretty sure they all hate doing the group sings because they are so cheesey. Anyway, that was the end of the first half.Concert Host Cory made his appearance on our row again, and Kayla and I took time for a photo op with the Pop Tart. Jason Castro started the second half sitting on a stool with his Ukulele and sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." It was really good. He was a good performer, but still needs to work on his overall performance quality.
Sayeshia Mercado was next. She appeared at the top of the steps in an amazing little dress, with all these rhinestones all over it. Her shoes had even more rhinestones and I totally want them! She sang a few songs, but it was her last song that really made an impression on me. She sang Beyonce's "Listen." That girl sang the poop out of that song. She's the only one all night long that gave me goosebumps up my arms. Amazing!
David Archuletta rose out of the floor playing the grand piano to Robbie Williams' "Angels," one of the songs he sang at the finale. He did alright, but he still needs to mature. Let me know when he's about 23 or 24, and then I might appreciate him a little more. Maybe I was just anticipating who was coming next, but I just thought he was a cute kid with a good voice.
And finally. The moment I had been waiting nine weeks for had finally arrived. The announcer made the "And now, your number one, David Cook" announcement and the crowd went crazy! He made the first strum on his guitar and sang the first Hello from his arrangement of Lionel Ritchie's "Hello" and I seriously thought I wouldn't be able to hear for the next two days. He rose out of the floor where the grand piano had been, and started singing. He was decked out in his rocker make-up and totally killed his set. He sang Nickelback's "Hero" and a couple other songs, and made his exit, but the crowd was on its feet the whole time and screamed for more. Okay, it wasn't just the crowd, it was me too. Although I don't think I was the loudest person there. He came back out and the lighting was this one red light behind him. He started his version of "Billie Jean," and proceeded to rock out for another ten minutes. OMG! I cannot wait until his album comes out; I want it now! (TWSS) The finale was another group sing, this time including all the idols. Kayla said this was the first year they haven't done a lot of the cheesey group sings and duets. I think I actually like that, although I have no frame of reference to judge that. My overall thoughts were why hadn't I gone to one of the concerts before! I dedicate two to three nights a week for five months of my life to watching this show, why not enjoy a concert with the people I feel like I know. Anyway, if you get a chance go see the show this year, or next year. I'll probably be there next summer! Rock on!You can see all of my pictures from the concert here.
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