Duluth, GA Show!

I lost count of how many times I rolled my eyes after someone claimed that Matt was nothing more than a Justin Timberlake wannabe! Matt NEVER said he was interested in doing JT's type of music, nor did he bring up the comparison himself. It all started when KARA and RANDY mentioned it on the show-- I think the first time was after his performance of "Who's Lovin' You", and Simon said that Matt reminded him of Taylor Hicks. Kara screamed, "TAYLOR HICKS? More like Justin Timberlake!" And it all kind of snowballed from there!

Oh, well. I'm so happy that Matt impressed the audience again, and I think he impressed the AI producers as well. How could they not see how much of a crowd pleaser he is? I assumed the producers and camera crew were there to do interviews and videos that will be posted at www.americanidol.com. I know that they posted some photos from the LA concert already! Although, I would love it if 19E decided to sell an official DVD of the tour! You know they would make a ton of money off the Adam fans alone! Ha-ha, I would have to buy 2 copies because I know my first copy would eventually get worn out after I hit the rewind button so many times to re-watch Matt!

From MJ's...

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My favorite of course was Adam - he did not disappoint. Then Matt (he was awesome), Kris (before this show, I liked him after Adam),

I just literally got home form the concert. It's been a phenomenal day. The concert was amazing. We listened to Adam and Matt cd I made from limewire on the drive to the concert and it really put us in the mood.

this is my review...
10) Michael Sarver...I thought he was really good. He was entertaining and the crowd seemed to enjoy his music and embrace him. He sang very well. I was actually yelling for him and stood up clapping and screaming at the end of his set.
9) Megan Joy - She was beautiful as ever. Her first song was okay, did not like the second crowd. I didn't feel the energy from Michael carry over into her.
Scott McIntryre - the crowd really cheered from him. Scott did well. His voice sounded strong. His songs were okay.
7) Lil Rounds - she did well. She came out singing her song from the top 36 "baby put your hands up". She did some well known songs like Single Ladies and that Alicia Keys song...and she used the stage well. Entertaining enough......
6) Anoop DeSai - came out of the floor singing "you were always on my mind"...soft and tender. Nice strong vocals. Crowd liked him. Then he did Mad by Neyo ....another popular song and ended with "My Perogative"...it was okay. I didn't find Anoop looked comfortable on stage, he has a really nice voice...but a little boring....but by the end of My Perogative I was on the edge of my seat, bouncing up and down and hypervenalating cuz I knew what was coming next........
5) MATT GIRAUD - OMG OMG what can I say. I stood on my feet and screamed like a mad woman! He was absolutely phenomenal. The crowd went crazy for "Hard to Handle" and "Georgia"...even "you Found Me" got energetic responses. I was literally like shaking while he was singing. I wanted to watch the tron and him..couldn't decide what to do. My seats were so high up. But I was so excited..that before I knew it he set was over....Matt looked and sounded amazing, fantastic...spectacular.
The Group Numbers -
Tell Her About it - simply awesome.

Begging...Loved it...had watched it on youtube so many times. they couldn't show this on the tron bec of all the performers in one number I guess....I watched Matt move. I didn't look at anyone else.


Then the first set was over...to be continued later. It's very late and I should go to sleep! So excited...not sure if I can sleep...

We've been anxiously awaiting your review! So glad you had a great time. I know you need to get to bed but I just needed to know the crowd's reaction to Georgia - were they just going nuts?

sgr91, I'm drooling over those photos you posted. I love those close-ups where you can see his freckles!

My favorite picture is the 5th one where Matt is sticking his face right in front of that lady's camera lens! LOL He's such "a silly dude"!

And I'm so happy you enjoyed the concert, lovethemtigers! By the way, did you try to meet Matt before or after the show? I thought you said you were going to try to get a kiss on the cheek!

Don't Stop Believin...







Yay Tiger! I'm glad you had a great time and got to go. I hope youwere able to meet him too?

Another fan photo

http://twitpic.com/ccnuj

A long but great review from a Matt fan...


http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=233597&st=158800&#entry20814547

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I got Matt's autograph I had a really nice tall guy that handed him my program since I couldn't reach! I wanted to tell some of those girls to go away cause they're all "MATT I LOVE YOUUUU" and I'm like shut up, you only care about Adam, I SHOULD GET MATT'S AUTOGRAPH BEFORE YOU. But it's all good now. I could barely even see him but he made a funny face at one point, he seemed so overwhelmed. Matt, Michael, and Danny seemed to sign the longest but it went like halfway around the building and I'm sure some of them started on the other side, I just couldn't see them. I ALSO GOT ANOOP'S. SO YEAH, I GOT MANOOP'S AUTOGRAPH. EPIC. Michael came out first and signed for a really long time, I tried to take pictures but people were in my way, not to mention their phones and cameras. Megan ran out there next and I was like "MUST GET PICTURE FOR LINDSAY!" She like, gave people high fives as she ran by. Then she came back! But I couldn't get her She was directly in front of me though, but yet sooo far away. She's so gorgeous! Scott and his brother also ran by, I was worried he was gonna fall he was going so fast. He came back too, but I never really saw him. Kris is so short so I couldn't really see him either I think he mostly signed somewhere further down the line. My mom wanted Danny's and he signed for awhile but the nice tall guy just couldn't get it up there.

As far as the actual concert... So amazing! I pretty much loved it all. Michael was enjoyable and sounded great, Megan was amazing. I think a lot of people just don't "get" her or whatever, and she didn't get the loudest reception, but I cheered for her. I love that she did Tears Dry on Their Own I think she did something funny at the end of her set too, but I missed part of it. I'll have to look that up on youtube. Scott really impressed me, I mean of course he's amazing at piano, but his voice sounded so great! He makes good song choices too, and he was HILARIOUS. Lil sounded sooo good! I really enjoyed hers, especially the Mary J. Blige part. Even my mom commented on how great Lil was. Anoop... what is there to say. He is amazing. His voice is SO good, and his dance moves during My Prerogative AMAZING. I thought I was gonna die by the time Matt performed. Hard to Handle Anddd then he sang Georgia On My Mind. AND I CRIED. Usually when I tell myself I'm gonna cry, I don't. But I did. Luckily it wasn't too bad though. But I was blown away, I wish I could just listen to him perform that song for 2 hours. Then he did You Found Me which was of course amazing too. All I have to say is, if Adam is a ~Rock God~ then Matt is a ~Piano God~ So anyway, Megan and Lil's duet was awesome! I loved it. Even if most people weren't as into it as me... forget them. OH AND MATT AND SCOTT'S DUELING. Um that was almost too good for the stage, yo. People really loved it too. I heard a lot of people around me saying stuff like "WHOA, Matt is good!" It makes me happy though. THEN THE GROUP NUMBER with Michael, Megan, Scott, Lil, Anoop, and Matt, that was the best. The dance moves were epic, no lie

So then of course DON'T STOP BELIEVIN'. Matt and Scott come out of the floor which is way awesome (I was entertained any time any of them came out of the floor, lmao) and they sang the first part as I reached for my camera. I'm totally a fangirl (as you can tell already) but I don't like scream everyone's ears off. So then I was looking out for the part where Megan comes to get Matt And she like... shaked her head and her shoulders at him.

From an Adam fan on Idol forums...

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Matt just jams and has fun, really acts like he enjoys his set. Impressed me live other than adam? Lets see. I can say almost all deserve to be on that stage. Scott's set is just full of energy as is Matts. Allison too. Danny is a good singer, but im not sure if hes a performer.

Jenna wrote:

http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/2009/08/01/american-idols-live-tour-recap-in-atlanta-at-gwinnett-arena/?cxntfid=blogs_american_idol_blog

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Matt Giraud: Best performance of the night so far was his version of Atlanta-based Black Crowes’ “Hard to Handle.” He showed versatility by hitting the piano partway through and showed verve and vocal dexterity. He then went for another Georgia song, being “Georgia On My Mind.” Not quite as good but still effective. Then he finished up with the Fray’s “You Found Me,” a great sop for the teen girls. Overall, I was impressed that not a single time he reminded me of Justin Timberlake!

There are some great comments about Matt following this review. In case anyone skipped over it, it's worth reading the whole thing!

From mj's:

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What a great night. Good show, great pics, glitter attack on Bandzilla, Excellent first review - guy liked everyone. I really hope some industry execs pay attention to Matt. He is awesomely talented. It does seem like they are liking Georgia better than Florida. Wonder what the true story is about what happened there - so many rumors!

I love how pretty much everyone lately would love to see Matt get signed! If only it would happen!
Sigh.. I am praying for him so much..

[quote="Jenna"]Don't Stop Believin...





MANOOP!!! That little chicken dance at the end with Matt and Anoop is just too cute! We need more Manoop action

Matt Doing Georgia. And yes, it was FREAKING EPIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0HRGWQ-2M&eurl=http

Lana wrote:

Matt Doing Georgia. And yes, it was FREAKING EPIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0HRGWQ-2M&eurl=http

OMG....they adored him!!!!!

[quote="Lana"]

Jenna wrote:

Don't Stop Believin...





MANOOP!!! That little chicken dance at the end with Matt and Anoop is just too cute! We need more Manoop action

OK - this is going to sound ridiculous, but it always bugs me that Scott and not Matt, signs the line "born and raised in South Detroit" - because since Matt was born in Dearborn, he literally was born south of Detroit. I know its silly('')

Review from MJ's

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Matt begins by walking out and singing and the crowd goes nuts. Near the end of his first song, he played KILLER piano ala Jerry Lee Lewis style - standing up, bent over the piano - and man, is he a FANTASTIC piano player! I’d go to hear him in concert in a heartbeat. Then he starts “Georgia”, which, of course, gets a rousing ovation here in Atlanta. The crowd did sit down during Georgia - but it felt more like people showing respect and honoring the song and his performance. His performance of “Georgia” was grand, although I was distracted by this stupid girl who came down the aisle and stood in front of me and took photos for about a third of the song. I was very upset with her and the security staff, which kept many of us OUT of the aisle but allowed her to stay there for over a minute - completely blocking my view. Matt’s last song was not nearly as good as his first two. It was a shame, too, because he had the crowd in the palm of his hand, and then kind of lost them in his third song.

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Matt and Scott played a duet and sang and were very good.

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Then Matt and Scott play pianos on “Don’t Stop Believing”. Scott begins singing the verse and Matt finishes it. Of the two, I think they both sound good, but I prefer Matt’s singing over Scott’s. To me, it just sounded richer and fuller and more interesting. I also preferred Matt’s piano playing to Scott’s - more creative and energetic.

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The most pleasant surprises of the night: (1) How incredibly great the Atlanta crowd was (except for those two extremely inconsiderate girls who blocked my view on two of my most favorite songs - if you read this, you know exactly who you are and SHAME ON YOU); (2) How stunningly beautiful Adam is in person; (3) How great Matt is on the piano; and (4) what a truly great guitarist Kris is.

Another Georgia...LOL probably will be a lot of these...

From MJ's...

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Thank you for sharing the video of Matt singing Georgia. I have not watched any of his videos from the tour because I was just meh about him on the show.

He is now on my list of this seasons idols to watch for at the local venues. I can totally see him playing at Variety Playhouse or The Tabernacle.

Like I said before Matt is so amazing on tour that he ies even winning over people through video and reviews!

From MJ's:

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Attended the American Idol concert in Atlanta last night and it was a really enjoyable show. This years show, unlike the years in the past that I’ve attended, had at least 5 people that I feel have a real shot making it in the music business.
The musicians, Kris Allen and Matt Giraud impressed me the most.

Jenna wrote:

http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/2009/08/01/american-idols-live-tour-recap-in-atlanta-at-gwinnett-arena/?cxntfid=blogs_american_idol_blog

That camera guy's like, "Wow. He is really hot"

Another Georgia...good sound

LOL there is definitely not going to be a shortage of Georgia video...

From AI boards...

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Matt. Wow Matt. I was never really THAT big of a fan , but I love his voice now! Amazing! And duude..he can play piano!

I never get tired of reading these!

Lana wrote:

Matt Doing Georgia. And yes, it was FREAKING EPIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0HRGWQ-2M&eurl=http

SUPER EPIC!!!! Is it just me people or seriously do you ever feel like after watching him sing and play Georgia that he just got done making love to you!??? Wow! now that's some sangggggin!!

Lisa_M wrote:

Lana wrote:

Matt Doing Georgia. And yes, it was FREAKING EPIC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP0HRGWQ-2M&eurl=http

SUPER EPIC!!!! Is it just me people or seriously do you ever feel like after watching him sing and play Georgia that he just got done making love to you!??? Wow! now that's some sangggggin!!

LOL!! Not BEFORE lisa! I might just from now on, though, after you put that thought in my head I don't know whether or not to thank you.

Thing again, he is doing it mainly for his HAAAARRRD core fans...