Getting off the Metro train and walking the scorching hot streets of DC, I headed toward the Verizon center, excitement and anticipation bubbled up in my gay little stomach like a bad meal at Taco Bell--but in a good way. People piled into the venue with their hats, shirts and signs while shady scalpers heckled people on the sidewalk.
There was a moment of freak out because we saw someone standing in a corner holding a sign that said "Elliott Fans Sign Here!" and a group of people huddled over there signing it. Putting this together with the little fact that Elliott wasn't at the White House this morning had us going into panic mode. Oh hell no. First Katharine McPhee--now Elliott? I'm gonna need a refund. But we went in and one of the ticket scanners told us that Elliott was there. Phew.
We went in, and after a few minutes of random commercials on the screen and walking Pop-Tarts taking pictures with "fans" the show started. The door opened...Mandisa enters the stage and did a rousing rendition of the diva-queen Whitney Houston's I'm Every Woman. It was pretty much the same rendition she gave on the show, and she tried her very best to get the crowd amped as possible but the excitement died down toward the end of the song and into her next If I Were Your Woman.
Ace Young gave us an orgasm-inducing Father Figure, which was just as good if not better than his original performance, and it was great to hear him sing the entire thing. Except next time, I'm gonna need it to be a little less ABC Family and bit more HBO. Thanks. His next song Harder to Breathe by Maroon 5 actually restored what little faith I had in Ace's full voice--as his falsetto is what always made me love him.
Lisa Tucker came out and there was moderate applause. She gave an uninspired rendition of Signed, Sealed, Delivered that couldn't end soon enough. That was followed by two of Elton John's best songs Your Song and Someone Saved My Life Tonight in which she accompanied herself on the piano. That shit was a little too wannabe Alicia Keys, and not in a good way. I suppose it was supposed to be impressive, but it was really just boring. I know 12-year-olds that can play those tunes.
Article comments
1 - Liz
I love your review....almost as much as I love Kat! You're really hysterical!
2 - Stephanie
Taylor is the best!
And I know you don't want to hear it, but I'm going to say it anyway:
SOUL PATROL SOUL PATROL SOUL PATROL SOUL PATROL!
3 - Chris Evans
I don't have a problem with hearing Soul Patrol..
My problem is with the high pitched SQUEAKING of "Soul Patrol" that made my ears bleed.
4 - karen
OMG,Your review is hysterical!!!!!!! Rock on, Chris Daughtry forever!!!!!
ladykarensea
5 - brandon
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this review!!!
Hysterically funny!!!
6 - Ty
I agree wit the show....but Keep in Mind...Mariah Carey is a Legend. She is the biggest selling female in History. Have some respect.
7 - Chris Evans
Ty, I remind you. Britney Spears has sold 85 million albums. :D
8 - Sandy
Loved your review. You kind of looked at things in a new way. Elliott--the best.
9 - Jordan
the Jon Peter Lewis show was definitely the best!
10 - Sunflower
I am wondering how you have the nerve to state how rude the little boy was behind you, who had so much hatred for Katharine, when you yourself were acting his age by sending through a text message for all to see, indicating that you hate Bucky! You have also stated it through out your article... is that really necessary? I guess your parents had a bad influence on you as well?
Cheers!
11 - Chris Evans
The difference is...I don't like Bucky as a performer. And that's why I dis him.
This kid was talking about Kat as a person, which one, he clearly can't judge because he doesn't know her. And two, couldn't judge fairly anyway because like I said..he was 7 or 8.
Me, being an adult, can make my own judgments and form my own opinions. In this situation it was clear the child was influenced by his parents' opinions of Katharine and was just following along.
12 - deanna g.
Chris Evans, you are hilarious! I just love you! Keep 'em coming.
CHRIS DAUGHTRY = Sexiest Man Alive. Woooooooot!
13 - Sherry L
Chris - nice review, even though I like Bucky, he may not be the greatest singer, but he's got that...I don't even know what, but I like him anyway.
Just wanted to add - Elliott was at the White House, he just overslept and got there late. I guess no one was in charge of waking him up on time to meet the president!
14 - sherry
Does anyone know how long the Idol show lasts??
15 - hannah
The guy that wrote this review sounds just as immature as the little boy sitting behind him. Grow up. Oh, and Katharine does act like a diva.
16 - Joseph
In what way, Hannah? What has she done or said ever, that is diva-like?
17 - Jewels
One of the funniest, yet most articulate A.I. concert review I've ever read. Loved it.
18 - Jennifer
How dare you...if you cannot recognize the talent that Taylor has it's because you are unworthy of being a critic. You have no taste, but what can I expect of someone who thinks that Chris can sing. The only thing the bald dude can do is work on cars, and only in mainteance, doesn't even qualify as a mechanic and that's what he's going back to when he flops. This review was biased against Taylor. SOUL PATROL!!!!
19 - Aundrea
Jennnifer, it doesn't make sense to say that because someone got a bad review that the reviewer is biased against them.
20 - Trish Rigg
I see the concert tomorrow night in SC. Can't wait. Have to agree that Kat acts like a diva - great voice - snotty personality. I changed my mind about her when on stage Ryan asked how her parents were holding up and as her father sat there with tears soaking his face she said "I don't know I never talk to my parents" (not as if she missed them) but as if she could care less about them - she was soaking up the limelight and wanted the conversation about her only. THEEEENNNNN... during the clips of her, Elliot and Taylor in her hometown she sports the "I'm pretty" shirt. Give me a break. I unplugged the phones in the house and refused to let my children vote for her after that. Without her parents - she wouldn't be there. Who wouldn't love Elliott more as sweet as he is to his momma. Did you notice how many fans turned out for her versus Taylor and Elliott - they had to call a school assembly to get a group together for her!!!LOL
21 - Chris Evans
Trish, you can't expect people in Los Angeles, a place where famous people come a dime a dozen to turn out for some girl from American Idol vs. small towns in Northern Virginia and Alabama. ANY Idol contestant would've gotten the same small reception that Katharine did. If Katharine has so little fans how did she manage to make it to top 2? And as I have already been to the concert, I can tell you there were THOUSANDS of Kat fans there--all quite enthusiastic about her appearance.
Why am I not surprised that that the pointless hating comes from a woman?
22 - Bob T.
Chris, this was a great review, very well written. My comments:
Mandisa - very polished job. She may have some staying power in the industry because of her professionalism.
Ace - decent vocals, but he reminds me of David Cassidy or Bobby Sherman(showing my age!): lightweight.
Lisa - great vocals, ruined by her piano "playing". What a wasted opportunity!
Paris - much worse than on the show. I was very disappointed.
Bucky - much better than on the show. I thought he did a great job on his songs.
Kellie - stronger vocals than I expected. She was as charming as ever, and her performance was really good!
Chris - He, too, was stronger live than on the show. His guitar work through the night was well done and didn't get in the way of his performance.
Elliott - good stage presence, great vocals.
Kat - a joy to look at, but her vocals were obviously weak. You could tell she had been off the tour - she wasn't as comfortable with the choreography as the rest of the cast, but it still worked for me!
The show was about 2-1/2 hours including the intermission.
Bob
23 - Trish Rigg
I assure you it is not hating from a woman - it is disappointment from a mother. Kellie Pickler was just an adorable young lady who was forever commending her family for their love and support. Now play nice - don't jump to using the hate word - this is just a simple board for everyone to have an opinion - noone is right and noone is wront. These are just opinions! Don't take everything to heart so easily...
24 - MIKE
A thousand screaming fans, press, music critics
can't be wrong...Daughtry's a keeper, by the way loved Elliot with Chris- The Yamin man has come a long way! Should go far. Didn't see Kat when tour was here, (she was still out on Dr. orders)...glad she's doing better. Daughtry, delivered it here too, a crowd favorite...
25 - Sandra Nonesa
You know I wan't to see you in personal......