Cleveland, Oh Show!

This review is fantastic! It's worth it to read the whole thing, I promise! She liked Matt, Kris, and Allison and she's very funny! You can just skim past the "hair" and "lip-syncing" comments. By the way Jenna, Maci, and Lisa--I really enjoyed reading your recaps! You made me feel like I was right there with you! Lucky girls!

http://soapzone.com/boards/read.php/shared/talk/2499662

So, I went to the AI concert last night. I've been watching since Season 3, and this is the first time (and probably last) that I've gone to an AI concert.
My first comment -- the arena was hotter than Hades!!!! It was like a frigging SAUNA in there, from beginning to end, so that made it VERY hard to enjoy anything. Couple that with the fact that I was surrounded by Gokey and Lambert frau and . . . . . well, yeah. Not exactly a comfortable situation for me.

Second -- I had better seats than I THOUGHT I did. On the diagram, I was on the floor in section 6, row 20, so I thought that was row 20 in THAT section, which was the third section back, but it was actually the ACTUAL Row 20, so I could see everything VERY well.

Oh, and I did the text thing to try and win backstage passes, but, of course, I didn't. Proabably cause I can't text as fast as the 10,000 teenage girls that were there, cause I'm old.

Just a warning -- if you read my posts in the AI threads this year, you all pretty much know what/who I do/don't like. So I may get snarky in here. So if me being snarky about someone that you like might bug ya -- probably best to back out now. OR you can be snarky right back at me -- but remember -- you were warned.

Oh, and don't expect me to know all of the songs that they sang. I either didn't recognize half of them, or I knew them but didn't know the name, cause frankly, if it got released after about 1995, the odds of me knowing about it are slim to none. That's about when I stopped regularly listening to contemporary radio.

The concert was done in a 'countdown' format, and each AI person came out and did a small set of songs.

First up was Michael Sarver. I have to admit -- he didn't suck. I didn't know any of the songs he sang, but he really didn't sound half bad. He still rubs me the wrong way as a person after his little 'in a godly way' comment -- but I didn't hate his performance.

Surprised so far?

Megan was next -- she was just meh for me. Never liked her on the show. She's VERY skinny though. She looked like a barbie doll. With a tattoo.

Next was Scott, who was at the piano. He ALSO didn't suck as much as I thought he would. He actually sounded better live -- WAY better -- than he did on the show. And he joked about Seacrest 'high-fiving' him. Anyone who rags on Seacrest is okay in my book.

Next was Lil -- was NOT impressed. She did nothing for me. And out of all of them, she seemed the LEAST interested in interacting with/talking to the audience. She seemed all about 'look at meeeeeeeeeeeee' and not much else. And she was about as entertaining in concert as she was on the show. And she wore these 5-inch glittery heels that I most certainly would have killed myself in after just two steps.

Anoop was next -- he was just 'okay'. He started with 'Always on my Mind' and sang it well, but it seemed like a strange song to start his set with. He also did some other song I can't remember, and 'My Prerogative', which, I'm sorry, just does not seem to 'go' with him.

Matt was next -- first one that I really was interested in. (I went mainly for Matt, Kris and Allison.) His hair is growing back, but you can still see the remnants of that fugly haircut he got a couple of months ago. I think Matt is cute, so why he would shave off half of his hair into a semi-mohawk is beyond me. I'm hoping it was on a dare or something, cause if he did that just cause he WANTED to, I'm going to have to question my 'liking' of him.

Matt did 'Hard to Handle' and 'Georgia On My Mind', and another song that I 'know' but don't know the NAME of cause -- like I said -- anything after 1995 . . . . no clue. The only way I can describe it is as the song from the movie 'White Chicks' and frankly, Matt did a better job of it than whoever the girl is that sings it on the recording. I like Matt. I'd buy his record. And I'd definitely go see him 'solo' in concert.

Then the six that had just performed came back out in various pairings to do stuff. Megan and Lil did a 'duet' of sorts to the Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' which was HORRID and quite possibly the WORST version of that song that I've ever heard, if not the worst version of that song ever SUNG in the history of all the times people sang it, including versions by drunks in karaoke bars. It was THAT bad. And I like that song. It was awful. Really.

Matt and Scott sang 'Tell Her About It' and this is the point in the concert where I SWEAR there was lip-synching going on. I was watching the big screens, and I swear that half the time Scott's mouth didn't MATCH what was coming out of it. So I don't know. I'm cynical enough to think that they DID lip-synch at times. But I don't want to believe that Matt (or Kris or Allison) did that cause I like them.

Then Anoop and Michael sang something, which was so interesting that I can't even remember what it was. Then they sang something equally as interesting as a group, and there was a 20-minute intermission.

After the intermission, they started with Allison. She was VERY good -- she sang 'Cry' and 'Barracuda' and again -- some current thing that I've heard but don't know the name of or who sings it (I want to say Pink but not sure) cause it's after 1995.

And then . . . . . MY favorite part of the concert -- Danny Gokey! Oh joy! Oh yeah!

Oh BARF.

If I thought Gokey was bad on TV -- in person -- UGH.

I was willing -- I HONESTLY was, especially after Sarver not sucking -- to keep an open mind with Gokey and see if maybe -- just MAYBE -- he really wouldn't suck as much as I expected him to.

Well -- he did. He sucked. He sucked as much as he did on the show, and out of the 10 of them, his set EASILY sucked the most. Of course, you wouldn't KNOW that from the screaming Gokey frauen, several of whom were seated too near to me for comfort. There was one girl sitting by me who was a Matt fan, but her MOM was a Gokey fan. I told her that if I were her, I'd have to find myself a new mom.

Gokey just comes off as some douche who gets up at a wedding and sings with the band. He has NO stage presence, and if he's been working with a choreograhpher it was money wasted cause his 'moves' are laughable and ridiculous. It just stunned me how many people were screaming and cheering for him. (Although it WAS amusing to look around to see other people who, like me, were just sitting in their seats during his set, twiddling their thumbs and not looking amused.) However, one person BOOED when he was introduced. And it wasn't me -- I SWEAR! I didn't boo him. (At least not out LOUD.)

And just cause he's Gokey, and he's a douche and all, before his last song he had to do this whole preachy, sermon-y thing about how not to let things in life get you down, blah blah blah -- and yes, he brought up the dead wife -- it's funny, from anyone else it probably would have been very touching. But from Gokey? No -- it's just annoying and grating. I do not like him -- I do not like him in a box, I do not like him with a fox. I do not like him here or there, I do not like him ANYWHERE.

And, thankfully, that will probably be the last time I ever have to hear him again. Cause A) I don't see him having much of a career, and B) even if he DOES, you couldn't PAY me to go see him live.

And so . . . . . . after they finally put the 'go' in Gokey, we move onto the most bestest, wonderfulest, greatest musical talent to ever grace the planet in the history of all history, past, present and future.

Or at least that's how it SOUNDED in the place when Adam came out. You'd think the frigging BEATLES were gonna take the stage or something. I haven't heard screaming this loud since I went to see 'a-ha' in concert. (Yes, I'm that old. And shut up, I liked a-ha. )

But I get it, Adam is a god and all. I will admit -- he didn't suck. But hey, I just got done sitting through 20 minutes of Gokey. After enduring that, I'd probably say that Yoko Ono didn't suck. Okay, maybe not -- but I'm not really interested in finding OUT, either.

And here enters the cynic in me. I just don't see why one has screaming fits over some guy in a glitter outfit who is up there singing covers of songs that, frankly, are FAR better in their original form by their original artists than the way he does them.

But hey -- whatever floats your boat. I don't dislike the guy, I just don't think he's all that as much as people make him out to be. He did a good job -- he sang 'Whole Lotta Love' and some song I didn't know and 'Mad World' and two Bowie songs 'Fame' and 'Let's Dance'. 'Fame' he did a good job with. 'Let's Dance' -- notsomuch. It was the version of 'Let's Dance' that you'd expect if Erasure covered it. Yeah -- didn't work for me, sorry. Allison also came out and did 'Slow Ride' with him, which was fun.

So yeah -- he was entertaining. But I still don't see what all the fuss is about, sorry. *shrugs*

Last, and definitely NOT least, was MyKris, who was awesome and adorable, as I expected, and I kinda felt bad for him having to follow the 'anointed one', but he held his own. He sang 'Heartless' and 'Ain't No Sunshine' and a couple of other songs that fit my '1995 and after' rule.

I am VERY anxious to see Kris and Matt outside of the AI setting, and see what they do when they're NOT just singing someone else's songs. Which is why I doubt I'll ever go to another AI concert again, even if I really like one or more of the people on the show. It's basically the show live on stage. And for me -- I've already WATCHED that at home, for free. Now I want to see what ELSE they can do. (And some of them I just want to see GO AWAY. ) So next time, if I have a fave that I really like, I'll just wait to see THEM in concert, as a solo act. I think I'll enjoy that more.

Not that I didn't ENJOY the show -- it was fun, and I'm glad I went. But it's just not something I'd want to sit through every year.

Oh, after Kris was done, they all came back out and did 'Don't Stop Believing' which was fun (except for having to see Gokey again -- but I just looked at Kris and Matt and pretended he wasn't there). And that was pretty much the end of the show.

I really expected more 'group' numbers, to be honest. I hadn't read TOO many concert spoilers, cause I wanted to be surprised.

I'm now VERY much looking forward to Kris' album and seeing him solo in concert, and I hope Matt gets a deal soon cause I want to see him live as well.

So that was my summary, FWIW!

Valerie

Pretty funny review from Valerie. Yep, she's been known to do a battle or two with the Glamberts on the AI boards. Hopefully she'll post some of this on that site. I'd love to watch their heads explode.

Ok..here's my pics..just a few..most of the one's I took during the concert were too dark and far away so didn't post them cuz they aren't that great and also the one of him with me is awful of me but Matty is beautiful so posted it anyways! Also feel free to take any of them of our gorgeous man and post them in pretty pics or wherever because he is looking pretty hot in all of them I think!

http://twitpic.com/f9yte

http://twitpic.com/f9zxt

http://twitpic.com/f9zs8

http://twitpic.com/f9znv

http://twitpic.com/f9zje

http://twitpic.com/fa05a

http://twitpic.com/fa021

YFM...not great quality

Wow..that Valerie chick really HATES gokey huh?? haha...dang she was pretty harsh I think...he wasn't "that" bad! And I liked Lil much better then Allison (which i was surprised) but she hated Lil..well everyone's got an opinion BUT I'm very happy she likes Matty and that's all that matters!! But ACOURSE she did..anyone who doesn't is freakin crazyyy!!

Plus I did like what she had to say about the "anointed one" ..she doesn't get what the big deal is with him and neither do I!!

Lisa_M wrote:

Ok..here's my pics..just a few..most of the one's I took during the concert were too dark and far away so didn't post them cuz they aren't that great and also the one of him with me is awful of me but Matty is beautiful so posted it anyways! Also feel free to take any of them of our gorgeous man and post them in pretty pics or wherever because he is looking pretty hot in all of them I think!

http://twitpic.com/f9yte

http://twitpic.com/f9zxt

http://twitpic.com/f9zs8

http://twitpic.com/f9znv

http://twitpic.com/f9zje

http://twitpic.com/fa05a

http://twitpic.com/fa021

I would have to agree that all of these are pretty hot! Thanks for sharing them - it's still killing me a little to have had to miss all this fun.

sgr91 wrote:

Lisa_M wrote:

Ok..here's my pics..just a few..most of the one's I took during the concert were too dark and far away so didn't post them cuz they aren't that great and also the one of him with me is awful of me but Matty is beautiful so posted it anyways! Also feel free to take any of them of our gorgeous man and post them in pretty pics or wherever because he is looking pretty hot in all of them I think!

http://twitpic.com/f9yte

http://twitpic.com/f9zxt

http://twitpic.com/f9zs8

http://twitpic.com/f9znv

http://twitpic.com/f9zje

http://twitpic.com/fa05a

http://twitpic.com/fa021

I would have to agree that all of these are pretty hot! Thanks for sharing them - it's still killing me a little to have had to miss all this fun.

Awww I know SGR we missed you too! I'm looking forward to meeting you at our Mattypalooza! Enjoy Detroit show tommr nite!!!

sgr91 wrote:

Lisa_M wrote:

Ok..here's my pics..just a few..most of the one's I took during the concert were too dark and far away so didn't post them cuz they aren't that great and also the one of him with me is awful of me but Matty is beautiful so posted it anyways! Also feel free to take any of them of our gorgeous man and post them in pretty pics or wherever because he is looking pretty hot in all of them I think!

http://twitpic.com/f9yte

http://twitpic.com/f9zxt

http://twitpic.com/f9zs8

http://twitpic.com/f9znv

http://twitpic.com/f9zje

http://twitpic.com/fa05a

http://twitpic.com/fa021

I would have to agree that all of these are pretty hot! Thanks for sharing them - it's still killing me a little to have had to miss all this fun.

Love the pics!! Commented on them on FB Lisa lol
I've been away from the board for a few days - went and had a peak once in while but didn't have the time to read everything and comment !!! Man it is so stressful LOL I have so much catching up to do and is so afraid of missing everything!!

AWW sgr!! Hope that u have fun tonight!!
Can't wait to see you all VERY SOON!!!

Lisa_M wrote:

Ok..here's my pics..just a few..most of the one's I took during the concert were too dark and far away so didn't post them cuz they aren't that great and also the one of him with me is awful of me but Matty is beautiful so posted it anyways! Also feel free to take any of them of our gorgeous man and post them in pretty pics or wherever because he is looking pretty hot in all of them I think!

http://twitpic.com/f9yte

http://twitpic.com/f9zxt

http://twitpic.com/f9zs8

http://twitpic.com/f9znv

http://twitpic.com/f9zje

http://twitpic.com/fa05a

http://twitpic.com/fa021

Thank you,Lisa! Looking pretty hot indeed and there is no awful you anywhere! And I envy your new twitterpic!

From MJ's...

Quote :

Anoop & Matt brought it up a notch. Both these guys certainly are a pleasure to watch and listen to. And for me are already better than some of the successful recording artist today and from the past. Anoop started with a ballad and ended with My Prerogative that had many on their feet (myself included) for the first time of the night. As for Matt, He is definitely underrated! I’m not sure if he couldn’t feel relaxed enough on Idol or what the deal was but he’s totally relaxed now and I’m so amazed of his soulfulness and talent! It will be a shame and a surprise if he isn’t offered a record deal. He was definitely deserving of the “save” by the judges! And is deserving to be in the top three! White Chocolate serves him well because he definitely has the smooth grooves and soul vibe going on.

From MJ's...

Quote :

Matt: I have always liked Matt from Day 1, always say star potential in him..but I never expected him to bring it like he did in Cleveland, Ohio..He was my biggest surprise of the night…This boy will be a star someday you all just watch and see… Loved everything but “The Frey” song
Friend said: Matt will be alright after tour she thinks good things are coming his way. She loved the Frey song..

Partial HTH...

Just commenting to say - I LOVED Val's review! I remember her from the AI boards. She was a faithful Giraud Squadder. I didn't know she liked Kris so much though (sorry...he's not my favorite). But it was good of her to share her review, nice to see she was able to make it to a show finally!

Jenna wrote:

From MJ's...

Quote :

Matt: I have always liked Matt from Day 1, always say star potential in him..but I never expected him to bring it like he did in Cleveland, Ohio..He was my biggest surprise of the night…This boy will be a star someday you all just watch and see… Loved everything but “The Frey” song
Friend said: Matt will be alright after tour she thinks good things are coming his way. She loved the Frey song..

haha..this person needs to learn how to spell the band's name first "The Fray".. and she sure does have that right when she said "This boy will be a star someday"...hell yaaaa!! he sure will be! but lastly she was so so so wrong about the "Fray" song...he blows it OUT of the ballpark on that song!! he sings that song so freakin awesome in concert! him!

[quote="Jenna"]From MJ's...

Quote :

Anoop & Matt brought it up a notch. Both these guys certainly are a pleasure to watch and listen to. And for me are already better than some of the successful recording artist today and from the past. Anoop started with a ballad and ended with My Prerogative that had many on their feet (myself included) for the first time of the night. As for Matt, He is definitely underrated! I’m not sure if he couldn’t feel relaxed enough on Idol or what the deal was but he’s totally relaxed now and I’m so amazed of his soulfulness and talent! It will be a shame and a surprise if he isn’t offered a record deal. He was definitely deserving of the “save” by the judges! And is deserving to be in the top three! White Chocolate serves him well because he definitely has the smooth grooves and soul vibe going on.

[/quote]

Reading this makes me soooo happy!! especially the part I bolded because I think alot of people didn't think matt was "deserving" of the Save but acourse we all know he DEFINITELY WAS!!!

From MJ's

Quote :

Matt was my favorite on the show, I was voting for him, so I’m biased. Just a head’s up. The intro was cool and I loved his energetic beginning. And it was awesome to see the crowd’s enthusiasm, he really brought it. A lot of times on the show you could hear his nerves, but he brought the confidence here as well. Loved the piano playing, he rocked it out. Georgia was a good reminder of his performance in Hollywood, and a nice showing of who he is, since he used to play at a piano bar. And You Found Me is a song I really like, so I enjoyed it. Love to see the fedora haha. I think it was a good choice to do a current song. Overall, I think he showed what he’s got, and he’s really come into his own since the show. Can’t wait for his album! But I’ll move on now.

Quote :

Matt was the first to come out, but he started at the other end. When he got over to us he took one look at our shirts and all of our glitter, and this is how the conversation went:
Matt: Ohhh, Adam fans!
Us: hahah yeah...
Matt: Well I'll convert you tonight!
Us: okay! haha
-Takes picture with Julia-
So then he goes to take a picture with me, and Julia turns my camera off accidentally! Me: JULIA! D:
Julia: Sorry! It turned off by itself!
Matt: Ahh, the old 'Camera turned off by itself!" trick! Works every time!
So then he had to go back inside. We were so excited, because he was so nice, and he actually talked to us! We hadn't gotten the chance to meet him in Rochester.

What happened after the concert...

Quote :

Matt was over to us by this time, and he definately remembered us.
Matt: Heyyy, it's you guys!
Me: Matt! You converted us!! Matt: I DID?! High five!! I love you guys!! Us: We love you too! Did you hear us scream that we loved you during your song?!
Matt: THAT WAS YOU GUYS?!
Us: yeah!
Matt: ahh, you guys are the greatest!
So we got to high five him, and he went on to finish autographs, but then he came back around! We reached out to give him a hug and he said in a cute voice, "Aww, I get a hug? 'Cause I converted youu!" And he gave us the most awesome hugs ever, and then he had to leave. We were so happy!

From MJ's...

Quote :

MATT:
- Where did this come from?? I always thought Matt was pleasant on the show, but I never really got it when he made it to wildcard…or when he got into the top 13….or when he was saved by judges. (Seriously, who wants to be the guy that was voted off the show 3 times?) But WOW. He burst onto the stage with “Hard to Handle,” and it was awesome. Completely different, yet still just as awesome with Georgia, and then completely redeeming himself with “You Found Me” after the infamous “swaybot”-pit performance on the show. The audience is getting into the show much more with Matt than they have so far. I now get the saving, as well as the #signmattgiraud topic on Twitter.


Best surprise: Matt Giraud. Sign Matt Giraud!

Comments from the peanut gallery...

Quote :

I never was into Matty G. on the show, but then I saw him live. He is a great entertainer.

Quote :

Matt.got soul with a soulful rasp and surprising falsetto and truley a piano MAN.

Quote :

Also: I agree with you on Matt–he does seem to be the biggest surprise for most people on tour. For whatever reason I still don’t love him exactly, but he definitely deserves to be signed next.

See people who don't even love him realize he deserves to be signed!

Jenna wrote:

From MJ's...

Quote :

MATT:
- Where did this come from?? I always thought Matt was pleasant on the show, but I never really got it when he made it to wildcard…or when he got into the top 13….or when he was saved by judges. (Seriously, who wants to be the guy that was voted off the show 3 times?) But WOW. He burst onto the stage with “Hard to Handle,” and it was awesome. Completely different, yet still just as awesome with Georgia, and then completely redeeming himself with “You Found Me” after the infamous “swaybot”-pit performance on the show. The audience is getting into the show much more with Matt than they have so far. I now get the saving, as well as the #signmattgiraud topic on Twitter.


Best surprise: Matt Giraud. Sign Matt Giraud!

Comment from the peanut gallery...

Quote :

I never was into Matty G. on the show, but then I saw him live. He is a great entertainer.

Yay! Some people got knocked on their heads!! Keep on going, Matt!

mattyfan wrote:

Jenna wrote:

From MJ's...

Quote :

MATT:
- Where did this come from?? I always thought Matt was pleasant on the show, but I never really got it when he made it to wildcard…or when he got into the top 13….or when he was saved by judges. (Seriously, who wants to be the guy that was voted off the show 3 times?) But WOW. He burst onto the stage with “Hard to Handle,” and it was awesome. Completely different, yet still just as awesome with Georgia, and then completely redeeming himself with “You Found Me” after the infamous “swaybot”-pit performance on the show. The audience is getting into the show much more with Matt than they have so far. I now get the saving, as well as the #signmattgiraud topic on Twitter.


Best surprise: Matt Giraud. Sign Matt Giraud!

Comment from the peanut gallery...

Quote :

I never was into Matty G. on the show, but then I saw him live. He is a great entertainer.

Yay! Some people got knocked on their heads!! Keep on going, Matt!

Yep - keep swingin' that 2 x 4!!