Chris’s American Idol Tour 2009 Rosemont IL Recap

By mj On 09/04/2009 · 43 Comments · In AI Tour 2009, American Idol

Hello! Well, it is so nice of you to read my recap of the Rosemont show (or Chicago for those of us who don’t about the specifics). My name is Chris. I’m an 18 year old male, definitely not Idol’s demographic. Whatevs, I am definitely a bigger fan than most of those people there. Although in a good way, not like, crazy way. Like, no Adam painted black shirts and guyliner. I like the show itself and the singing and music and whatever. All of these little intro things have to have the favs, so I guess mine does too. I liked Adam and Allison from the beginning. I think Adam is the best male vocalist Idol has ever had and may ever have and Allison is such a mature singer and has an amazing voice. I also liked her attitude. It makes her break out of the Idol mold a little. I started liking Kris after his first performance. I remember talking about how contemporary and modern he was, very Jason Mraz like. So I stuck with him from the beginning, not like you who liked him only after Heartless. You know, after Heartless though, I said he was going to win the competition. I didn’t think he had a chance until that song. Alright, so, now that we got the useless points that you could care less about, let’s get onto the recap.

Oh, wait, also have to say this. The Allstate Arena has AWFUL acoustics. Like, really bad. Alright, recap time!

I get there right at 7. I was at the IHOP across the street with my two friends who I went with. I had their mediterranian chicken. I highly recommend it to anybody who goes there.

So, Michael starts the show. I honestly can not remember a thing he sang, though I do remember he works at an oil rig. I am sure he will be back there soon enough. I bought a keychain during this time. I like keychains. I came back and he was finishing. He just bores me, and the rest of the audience too. Within 10 seconds of him saying “How you doing Chicago (see, specifics, nobody cares it’s actually Rosemont)” they were back in their seats. And FYI to Michael, if you have to say stand up a few times everybody couple of measures, you obviously are not doing something right. His singing is not bad, not spectacular though. Nothing unique, millions of people sing just like him.

Megan comes out next. Damn she has nice legs. She looks good. She sounds good for about a minute, then she loses the pitch. Poor thing, she looks so damn good, she just isn’t meant for arena singing. That’s cool though. She would be a great like, jazz singer if she did not have to leave her little range. The audience still could care less really. She starts to yell a lot when singing. She doesn’t really also to move the mic away as she hits higher notes. Higher=louder (usually) so it really bounces off the walls and caused some real cringe-worthy moments. PS: Why does she have an afro? It looks like a matted dog on her head! Yikes!

Possibly, my least favorite Idol EVER comes out. Well, rises up. He can’t walk out, there are stairs. That would not end well. Scott is playing and is singing so damn flat. Can he not hear that? He is so flat he is almost not hitting any of the right notes. For somebody with such an extensive music background and ego about their talent (or in his case, lack of), you would think he definitely would be a million times better. He is quite a good pianist though. His voice just didn’t match the intensity of his or the band’s playing. Whatever, he jokes around which are definitely NOT funny. That was an awful British accent. And the audience could care less. Everybody was like, eh… whatevs. I few laughs. Of course, pity laughs. Unfunny people get pity laughs. He seems like a nice guy though! Nice, unfunny people definitely get pity laughs. I did not spend 70 bucks on a ticket to pity laugh (Well, I didn’t spend it, my friend did. Graduation gift! Shes a nice friend!)

Then out comes Lil! Holy crap! This girl can sing! During the season, she never opened her throat when she sang. That is why she sounded unspectacular when hitting high notes because it had lost power coming out that way. But now, she was comfortable and looking damn good. She was definitely the first person who got the audience on their feet. And when I say audience, I mean a significant part of the audience. I don’t mean a section (although I didn’t see that for anybody before her) or a few people, I mean, the majority of the people. She sang pretty good. I mean, I don’t think she will have much of a career after this, but she definitely could have went to top 4. Well, if it was my top 4. Which would mean Gokey would be gone and Allison moving to 3rd and Lil taking in 4th.

Lil got the audience going and it was kind of like the show started there for me. Then Anoop comes out. Ugh… he is a good singer he really is. But has anybody been so boring! Does he have a personality? He started off with possibly the slowest song in the world and then he ends with a high energy song, My Prerogative. That was not good. Anoop, you are not sexy. Do not move your hips in sexual ways. It is more of a horror-inducing moment. Nobody screamed because they liked it, they were screaming and trying to find their nearest exit.

He goes way and Matt is next. I am very neutral with Matt. I didn’t really like him on the show, but I thought he was somewhat talented. If he could find his genre, he would be good. He needs to learn just because you may like rock music does not mean you can sing rock music. When he sang You Found Me, it was like, confusing. He growled to compensate for high notes he can not hit without going into his falsetto. Bothered me. That is also what bothered me with Gokey during the season. Growling/yelling does not mean you are hitting the note, it means you are unable to sing what you have chosen. And you know, it can be used creatively or for emphasizing a phrase. His was definitely not. My favorite part is when he put on the fedora and it was on too far back on his head. And he said, “Sing if you know the words!” As opposed to those who will just sing whatever the hell they feel like. I wished he would have added “And if you don’t please listen politely!”

Now is the group number. What was that Lil and Megan thing supposed to be exactly? I was thoroughly confused. They actually made Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons unrecognizable. Although, they looked good while doing it. The rest of the group number got better but made me think, they had a choreographer for that? Step left, snap, step right, snap. Crap! I forgot to swing my arms!

Intermission. Those seats are tiny and my big ass was having trouble. I made it through though. Why is it that the same people walking up and down the aisles during the show are also up at intermission. I think they were in other places more than actually watching the show.

Is that Idol Experience video with the husky guy always shown? He wasn’t very good and Adam did not seem to be getting paid enough to compliment him.

Allison sings to me specifically. I like to think so at least. I really like So What. It is a fun song to yell at. I noticed I was trying to sing louder than the band or any of the singers so I could hear myself. I never could. But yeah, Allison rocks it out. She screwed up at the end of So What and it showed on her face. I like though how she didn’t try to cover. It makes her more authentic. As a performer, she is amazing and she definitely has the vocals to compete with Adam (probably why Slow Ride works out so well). I was sad to see her leave. Oh, and she does that whole talking about everybody. I would say Kris definitely got more screams than Adam. Can I just say I have never heard that many tween girls screaming? It is crazy! I would say just as many of those tween girls mom’s were screaming too.

Then Gokey. Can I just say I always hated him? I never liked him and I thought he was way overrated because of his dead wife. He actually wasn’t that bad this time. You know, totally sounded different. He wasn’t as gravely and throaty, but he still needs to work on his technique a little because it sounds strained sometimes. Then he starts preaching. “You may know about what happened to me a month before I auditioned…” Yes, we do. You talk about it all of the time. “… but I don’t want to talk about that.” Although you just did. “Don’t let tragedy define you.” He left out the line “Like I have” which really disappointed me. He is so fake it is unbelievable. And somebody through a heart pillow on stage. It actually looked soft and nice. I would use it. Ok, so, he leaves.

Then Adam. The audience stands up as the lights go black from the end of Gokey’s set. There is about a 2 second cheer for Gokey and the screams start for Adam. It seemed like centuries for him to come out. He is definitely a loud singer. But he sounds great. I love his vibrato. I am kind of jealous of that vibrato. And those notes he hits, Scott tried hitting those notes and just sounded like he was had been kicked in the boys. Adam hits them and it sounds great. Effortless all of the time. During Slow Ride, a beach ball gets thrown on stage. Allison hits it back into the audience and it gets to Adam who kicks it. Neither really played too much besides that. They were really into it though and at the end hugged before the song had even ended. It was nice. And there was a boa during one of Adam’s songs, don’t remember when. He kinda picked it up and couldn’t think of anything, so he threw it back into the audience without really doing anything with it.

Next was Kris. I had told my friend before time about how curious I was to see if he could fill a large venue like we were at.

He could. He was the best of the night for me. Heartless was a different arrangement. I liked it. It was more of a driving rock version. I felt he connected with the band the best and had the most fun with the music as well. Everybody looked like they were trying to hard but he looked like he was just having fun. I like that in music, especially concerts. So, I was most excited for Hey Jude. The entire audience was in on singing this one. I felt like it was really a duet between me and Kris, which I think is how most people felt during the performance. Some of the things I had read about people leaving before Kris starts, I didn’t see that. Everybody stayed.

My plan was to leave after Kris, but I can’t resist Don’t Stop Believing. Scott seemed like he was yelling the beginning part. Everybody was up and dancing and singing along and it was just great. It felt like a giant community there.

So, that is it. I would love to read your comments. Please leave them! Thanks for reading all of this, you are totally awesome!

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suebrody

You are totally awesome, too, Chris. Your recap had me laughing out loud several times. I like your snark b/c you are not *too* snarky about it, if that makes any sense. And you are only 18, so you are allowed to be that way. Thanks for the review. Maybe you and Allison can hook up sometime. (j/k)
adamepyare

I agree with A LOT of the things you said. Really enjoyed the reading review. Thanks for posting.
retjenny

I think it is a good thing that you got the ticket as a gift so you don’t have to suffer from “buyer’s remorse”
anthrogeek

Sooooo… to recap your recap… Scott = pity laughs, your ass too big for chair, Matt sings words, Danny fake, Adam = no kicks in the boys, Chris (you) duets with Kris… got it.

Never thought I’d say this, but I actually could’ve tolerated a longer recap from you! Nice job!
CindyM

Thanks for the recap, really entertaining.
halfie

Scott is playing and is singing so damn flat.

You have sharp ears.

Fab recap. Nicely done.
Cheetara86

aww love the Kris and allison love
ljsmack

Chris–I will now be changing out my keyboard cuz I was swallowing and then read the kicked in the boys line. It was so great because it was so unexpected. I just never think of Scott and balls unless they are meatballs. Sounds like you know your way around vocal music for 18. I’m glad Allison sings just for you. Enjoyed this. Thanks for sharing. (Also, you have earned an honorary junior membership in the National Sarcastic Society of which I’m a founding member–and I think I’ve found a few others on this blog who qualify!)
HannaB4

I think the bad acoustics in your venue may have ruined the experience for you. In our venues Scott and Megan weren’t at all flat. Sorry the show was basically so painful for you. It’s so interesting that people can be at the same concert in the same venue but feel so differently about things.
I also enjoyed Adam, Kris and Allison the most, but the others did a really great job at our concerts too.
josielord

Excellent recap. Loved the parts about Sarver soon being back on the oil rig, and about Gokey’s craptastic speech. Laughed out loud a lot. Good job.
Nalia

I totally loved your re-cap and would have LOVED it so much more if you wasn’t so mean to Anoop. Your opinion though, I totally respect it. But he is damn sexy! Hahahah!
MatureAdamFan

Chris, truly enjoyed your recap. Wanted to be there Wednesday night, but it didn’t happen. I loved hearing about the idols and the audience reaction to each of them. I was there last year,and there was so much love for each of the idols. I do not think that happened so much this year. It would have been sad to see the earlier idols on the show not getting enough love. I think they feel the lack of it very much. So, maybe it was good that I didn’t have to see that. Thank you for quite a pleasurable reading experience.
smartcookie

I’ve been in the Rosemont arena (used to be the Horizon) and I agree — that place has terrible acoustics, bad sightlines, bad seats, bad… Everything! It sounds like you enjoyed yourself, anyway, and you wrote a very entertaining recap, so KUDOS to you! I actually considered going to the Rosemont show, but remembering the place and how miserable I was the last time, I didn’t. I probably should’ve, cause after reading your “review,” I feel like I would’ve had fun. My m-i-l lives pretty close, too. (Elgin.) Oh well. Maybe Kris will come back through Illinois and play somewhere better than that barn.
eliza

Great recap, Chris! Thanks for sharing. It was really funny and entertaining.

And let me join the chorus agreeing that the Allstate Arena’s acoustics are horrible.
FifthHouseSun

Strong opinions, well spoken, always make for a good read. Thanks for taking the time.
becausehelives

nice recap. apparently a lot of teenage boys lurk on this site and have been recapping 4 us. thanks chris and all the others. it gives me small pleasure to know that this demographic enjoys idol as well .
DebG727

Chris, I was depressed until I read your witty review! You had me giggling several times! I see a writing career in your future! Honestly, I felt the same about Danny and Scott. You did not snark on Danny attempting to dance — those that try to imitate Adam are never sucessful! However, I was blown away from the improvement in Matt’s performance, when I saw the show in San Diego. Adam keeps getting BETTER & BETTER — a
altho’ it’s hard to improve on perfecttion… 9(this represents Adam’s happy green python)
luvadamlambert

Thnx 4 the recap.u say whatevs.haha.I like u:) this had me lmao…u rock
ianaleah

Thanks. The acoustic thing- it was terrible at the San Diego Sports Arena also- I couldn’t understand any of the spoken works -all garbled. The Coors arena was built for a concert type venue-so I hope Adam, Kris and Allison only choose good sites for their solo tours. (or their combo tours)Almost all recaps and singers seem to make standing up significant- I like sitting, just because it’s comfy-guess I’m outa luck.Thx again.
MommaDuck

No, Chris, YOU are totally awesome! Loved your honest and very quick witted review! I am a mother of 2 sons, one is 20 and the other is almost 17 and they both like Adam & Allison so it’s nice to hear about your experience. Well written, kiddo! Thank you for sharing with us!
ravengirl

Kicked in the boys? Love it! Or, er, not to do it myself, just to imagine this is why Scott hits the notes the way he does.
Fun review. Snarky, which I love, too (and love doing myself).
GracieCPS

Thanks for the recap, although I strongly disagree with you on many parts, especially about Anoop.

It is more of a horror-inducing moment. Nobody screamed because they liked it, they were screaming and trying to find their nearest exit.

I don’t think so. I would have screamed my lungs out just because he is so damn sexy and I wanna throw myself on stage and do nasty things to him *drool*.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to write your recap.
jill16

Your recap was fun to read. Thank you! I agree with much of what you said except for Kris.
LindaG23

Chris, thank you for the recap. I always appreciate an honest and literate opinion, I don’t always agree, but I appreciate it. My son who is 17 also liked Kris from the very beginning. Because I volunteer for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, I had an initial bias for Scott, but like you I did not enjoy his performances. I admit I skip his first bit in DSB because it does not sound like he closes the syllables with a consonant, so you get “Born and raised in South Detroi…” and then I compulsively add the t, please say the t close you mouth and finish the sound, he never does. Does it sound like that in concert?
NewFan

Hi Chris. You made me laugh. I like to laugh. Honesty without diplomacy. No snark just frank, a little sarcasm and funny.

But you said that you wanted comments and I have two points for you … First, I wish that you had said more about your own singing and how you developed your understanding of music. Sometimes you kind of critique the singing from a singer’s point of view. And sometimes from a spectator’s. It left me feeling confused. I love everything that you said about the ‘performances’ but I wasn’t sure if I should trust your judgment about the vocals. Was it just personal opinion or was it meant to be something more. Second, you are really very funny. Thanks for making me laugh. I really enjoyed your recap.
DLee

I liked the part about your big butt.
revcat

Love your youthfulness, your fresh look at the AI concert and most of all your sense of humor!

Good job
Letitride

Your take on the show is nearly the total flip side of mine but doesn’t take away from the fact that I enjoyed your post.
There’s no right or wrong ( except when failing at the musical execution of course – sharp, flat..oh how I agree !! ) when it comes to enjoying a performance.
I love reading a recap from someone who is unbiased and straight-forward in expressing their opinions.
And I always enjoy reading someone’s recap who focuses on the music more than the physical attributes of a performer.
Sounds as if it totally met your expectations and glad to hear that you got your money’s worth.
revcat

P.S. Thanks for the IHOP recommendation, I’m going to be in Chicago next June and I’d ask for some more recommendations LOL but that would probably be deemed off topic.
ross

Chris, I enjoyed your observations, and even when you criticized some people I liked, I had to laugh at the truth of some of your comments! Great job.

And those notes he hits, Scott tried hitting those notes and just sounded like he was had been kicked in the boys. Adam hits them and it sounds great. Effortless all of the time.

That is the great thing about Adam, how he doesn’t strain for those notes, and he’s pitch perfect. Amazing.

Scott should get some advice! He has a good voice but why does he try for notes he can’t hit? That’s madness. You have to sing what you sound good singing.

Kris:

I felt he connected with the band the best and had the most fun with the music as well. Everybody looked like they were trying to hard but he looked like he was just having fun. I like that in music, especially concerts.

Nicely put!! That’s how I felt when I saw him.

I felt like it was really a duet between me and Kris, which I think is how most people felt during the performance. Some of the things I had read about people leaving before Kris starts, I didn’t see that. Everybody stayed.

I felt this way, it was great. I didn’t see anyone leaving at the concert I was at, either.

MatureAdamFan:
I was there last year,and there was so much love for each of the idols. I do not think that happened so much this year. It would have been sad to see the earlier idols on the show not getting enough love. I think they feel the lack of it very much. So, maybe it was good that I didn’t have to see that.

I didn’t feel that way at the Boston concert. Everyone in my section was up and dancing to Michael’s set, and he got a lot of cheers, for example. From where I sat they all got a lot of love from the majority of the audience.
carmine2008

I felt like it was really a duet between me and Kris, which I think is how most people felt during the performance.

I love this. Hehehe. Thanks for the recap!!!
JIMDOGSILKIES

Impressive recap! Glad to hear from an 18 year old man’s perspective! I found your recap insightful, funny, and snarky in a good way. You seem to have a good ear for music. You were very good at retaining what you saw and heard in good detail! Very good job! Thanks!
revcat

MatureAdamFan:
I was there last year,and there was so much love for each of the idols. I do not think that happened so much this year. It would have been sad to see the earlier idols on the show not getting enough love. I think they feel the lack of it very much. So, maybe it was good that I didn’t have to see that.

I saw this year’s AI concert in Ontario, CA (Citizens Arena) and didn’t observe any disrespect of any of the Idols. Adam did get a lot more screams when his picture showed up on the screen before the concert began, but everyone seemed to be supportive and respectful of all 10. I can’t say much for the venue though, Citizens main function is a hockey rink and it didn’t seem to convert that well into a concert arena, I actually didn’t enjoy the concert due to the poor visibility. I would never go there again unless I were lucky enough to get floor seats.
agathe.hb

Chris, let me CONGRATULATE you on your recap!!! IT WAS THA BOMB
agathe.hb

sorry, hit the wrong button – continuing here!!!
Chris, very good recap, very smart observations I agree with 99% of the things you have written (well the 1% is obviously that I liked Adam better, but it’s a minor detail, since I like Kris too)
really well written, you have talent with words just a few spelling errors… but I REALLY ENJOYED IT – and it’s hard to write something interesting to top all the other great recaps
Cheetara86

Allison sings to me specifically. I like to think so at least.

glad u had that one on one time with her haha
Grammie Kari

Oh my goodness, Anoop – boring?

Glad you had a good time. Thank you for sharing your experience.
robie88

Chris, your review was a hoot, and just terrific! From the moment you found the occasion to review the IHOP along with the rest of your evening I knew it would be good, and you damn well delivered. Some of your observations related to particular singers also showed some good insight, leading me to think you might be more than just a casual listener. If that’s the case, I wish you well in whatever it is you are pursuing.

Cheers!
justjude

UH OH ,UH OH!!! WOW!! Let me preface this by saying you really could have been a little kinder…….But, I couldn’t help myself from laughing
totally inappropriately,Of course! Your sarcasm/snark?, was priceless….!! Poor, Poor, Scott. I hope no one sends him this in braile!
“singing so damn flat”, “ego” “kicked in the boys”, and “pity laughs”
OMG! I floves how you built up Meg just to tear her down, ie; “cringe worthy moments and “matted dog on her head”, and I’not saying you are wrong but your opinion of Lil is unique…Hurrah for the change up!
And I might even agree that anoop is, slightly, staid which makes his sexy moves, so, out of context.
I do get that you like Adam for his range and performance but the loves of the night were, in reverse order, Allison and Kris. I’m a “kradison ” Fan, so, I have some empathy for your witty opines.
Thanks for the ride. I really LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cookcricket

Just when I think I’m finished with reading these recaps, I come across another fun read! Thank you for your awesome recap!!! I was a Kris fan from early on as well, love his style! It sounds like you know a lot about vocals, I, like a previous commenter, would love to know some background on your experience.

Your ‘kick in the boys’ comment was hilarious and just sneaks up from out of no where. LOL!

Your comment on what Danny says actually made me think. This tragedy has defined his life hasn’t it? Very interesting.

Thanks again for your thoughts and the great read!!! I thoroughly enjoyed it!
FanGirlIdol

Why do I find the line “I had their mediterranian chicken. I highly recommend it to anybody who goes there” absolutely hilarious??? Enjoyed the recap. A little harsh on some of the Idols, but I agree with you, so it’s OK
http://www.facebook.com/michellehunter Michelle Hunter

great show!
ShariG

HI Chris, I was at Rosemont too and agree with much of your recap. Kris is my absolute favorite this year and he was my favorite of the night also. I just love the joy he seems to get from the music. He was so on in Chicago. I loved his entire set from the first note to the last. My favorite was Bright Lights, but he truly sounded great on every song and I loved the crowd reaction. I was sitting at the left side of the stage with a few other Kris fans and a group of Adam fans. Everyone was standing and enjoying most all of his set. I was watching too to see if people left during his set and actually saw more people coming in through the exit doors, probably back from bathroom breaks or snack runs, than anyone going out. I was really happy that Chicago gave love to Kris. I am so looking forward to his debut album and hope he comes back to the windy city again on his solo tour.