Friday , March 29 2024
Hearing Lea Michele sing live is worth the price of admission during this summer’s Glee Live! tour.

Concert Review: Glee Live! in San Jose, CA 05.25.2011

Last Wednesday, I got my Gleek on with the best of ‘em at the HP Pavillion in San Jose for Glee Live!

Tickets to the show are a bit on the pricey side, especially if you’re making it a family outing. However, as soon as the curtain rises and Cory Monteith (Finn) and Lea Michele (Rachel) kick off Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” as part of the five original members of Glee’s New Directions, you’ll be happy that that you got to witness this spectacle live.

The stage is set up in such a way that there’s a main stage with a cat walk that leads out to another stage area, which leads into the first few rows of the crowd. Also, about three-fourths the way towards the back of the arena, there’s another small stage set up, which featured a couple of the night’s best performances.

The Glee concert set list highlights fan-favorite group numbers like “Born This Way,” “Loser Like Me,” and “Somebody To Love,” as well as wonderful solo numbers from some the main players.

Mark Salling (Puck), Chord Overstreet (Sam), Kevin McHale (Artie), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike), and Darren Criss (Blaine) come together during the show to perform an acoustic version of the Rebecca Black song “Friday.” With both Salling and Overstreet on acoustic guitar, the guys really carve out quite the moment for themselves.

Another favorite moment of the show was The Warblers’ three-song set of “Teenage Dream,” “Silly Love Songs,” and “Raise Your Glass.” When the lights came on to reveal The Warblers featuring the Bay Area’s own, Darren Criss, I can only describe that moment as an absolute shriekfest. San Jose loves The Warblers. And these guys really just give the love back to the audience. They have so much energy onstage and just look like they’re having just the best time performing. Criss proved to be quite the showman. Amidst all the excitement, he still managed to have a controlled vocal performance and sounded fantastic throughout the Warblers’ set.

I have to say that the absolute highlight of the Glee Live! concert for me was the “Happy Days Are Here Again”/ “C’mon Get Happy” duet between Lea Michele and Chris Colfer (Kurt). Talk about a showstopper! I love that there’s such a vulnerable quality to this performance, yet both singers get their chance in the spotlight as they belt out their final notes. I get chills just thinking back on the performance. Michele and Colfer really just made the night for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed the Glee Live! concert. I like that the cast got to not only showcase their live vocals, but also their musicianship. If you like the TV show, you will love the tour. Just when you think it’s not possible for Lea Michele to be that talented, she’ll leave you with tears in your eyes after her performance of “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” This show is definitely worth the price of admission!

For more information about the Glee Live! tour, as well as information on how to buy tickets to the remaining North American tour dates, check out the official tour website.

Remaining Glee Live! North American tour dates:

Jun 1, 2011 at 7:30 PM Minneapolis, MN
Jun 2, 2011 at 7:30 PM Indianapolis, IN
Jun 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM Rosemont, IL
Jun 4, 2011 at 3:00 PM Rosemont, IL
Jun 4, 2011 at 8:00 PM Rosemont, IL
Jun 6, 2011 at 7:30 PM Uncasville, CT
Jun 7, 2011 at 7:30 PM Boston, MA
Jun 8, 2011 at 7:30 PM Philadelphia, PA
Jun 9, 2011 at 7:30 PM Washington, DC
Jun 11, 2011 at 3:00 PM Toronto, ON Canada
Jun 11, 2011 at 8:00 PM Toronto, ON Canada
Jun 12, 2011 at 3:00 PM Toronto, ON Canada
Jun 12, 2011 at 8:00 PM Toronto, ON Canada
Jun 13, 2011 at 7:30 PM Auburn Hills, MI
Jun 14, 2011 at 7:30 PM Cleveland, OH
Jun 16, 2011 at 8:00 PM East Rutherford, NJ
Jun 17, 2011 at 8:00 PM East Rutherford, NJ
Jun 18, 2011 at 3:00 PM Long Island, NY
Jun 18, 2011 at 8:00 PM Long Island, NY

Photo credit: Ethan Miller/Getty

About Kirsten Coachman

Kirsten Coachman is a writer and editor from the San Francisco Bay Area. Visit her long-running music blog, Wait...WHAT, at waitwhatmusic.net. Follow Kirsten Coachman on Twitter: @KirsCoachman

Check Also

Interview: Benjamin Eakeley from the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey’s Autumn Night Music Outdoor Concert Series

Benjamin Eakeley shares stories about his career, his time at the STNJ, and his approach to developing arrangements for his concerts.