American Idols @ Target Center
Posted on September 1st, 2008 – 12:46 AMBy Jon Bream
Who was your favorite Idol finalist? The answer probably begins with David. They were the top performers, by far, Sunday at Target Center.
The two ensemble numbers were OK. “Pride (In the Name of Love)” was moving until they literally introduced Michael Johns as if this song was about a star turn, not a moving message. Oh well. It’s Idol Gives Back to Show Biz. The closing “Don’t Stop the Music” was handled with more aplomb.
Here is the set list (with original artist in parenthesis):
Chikezie: I Believe in My Soul (Donny Hathaway), Caught Up (Usher), So High (John Legend)
Ramiele Malubay: I Want You Back (Jackson 5), Love Will Lead You Back (Taylor Dayne), If I Never See You Face Again (Maroon 5)
Michael Johns: We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions (Queen), It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right (Dolly Parton), Dream On (Aerosmith)
Kristy Lee Cook: Squeezin the Love Outta You (Carolyn Dawn Johnson), God Bless the USA (Lee Greenwood), Cowgirls (Kerry Harvick)
Carly Smithson: Bring Me to Life (Evanescence), Crazy on You (Heart), I Drove All Night (Cyndi Lauper)
Brooke White: Let It Be (Beatles), 1234 (Feist), Yellow (Coldplay)
Ensemble (Chikezie, Ramiele, Michael, Kristy, Carly and Brooke) doing Pride (In the Name of Love) (U2)
intermission
Jason Castro: Over the Rainbow (Judy Garland), Crazy (Gnarls Barkley), Daydream (Lovin Spoonful)
Syesha Mercado: Umbrella (Rihanna), If I Aint Got You (Alicia Keys), Listen (Beyonce from Dreamgirls)
David Archuleta: Angels (Robbie Williams), Apologize (OneRepublic), Stand by Me/Beautiful Girls (Ben E King/Sean Kingston), When You Say You Love Me (Josh Groban)
David Cook: Hello (Lionel Richie), The Time of My Life (Cook’s new single), I Dont Want To Miss a Thing (Aerosmith), My Hero (Foo Fighters), Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)
Ensemble encore (all 10 singers): Dont Stop the Music (Rihanna)
What did you think of the concert? Please post your comments here:
38 Responses to "American Idols @ Target Center"
This concert was absolutely magical. Having said this, I was extremely disappointed by the scathing review published in the Tribune. If you don’t “get” American Idol, you can’t truly enjoy the live show. On a positive note, the Davids were amazing and brougt tears to my eyes. David Cook is MUCH better than Chris Daughtry because he has charisma and doesn’t scream his songs. I will definitely miss following these ten. They WERE the BEST top ten ever!!!
With the exception of the two David’s and Michael Johns, I found the concert boring. I hated the 3 songs a piece in the order they were elminated format. Wished they would’ve mixed it up a bit more by adding some duets or even a few more of the cheesy group numbers.
I agree with J - I took my 5 year and she only wanted to see the David’s -to wait 2 hours for them and not to have group/duet numbers - was boring.
Chikezie: Incredible vocals & energy
Ramiele = OUT OF TUNE!!! V karaoke
MJ: Cheesy! Self-assured, strainy vocals
KLC: Generic barbie country-star wannabe
Carly: Shrieks like a banshee. O.M.G.
Brooke: Cute, charming set. Weak but beautiful vocals.
Jason: Good songs. Down with the flu which I assume is why he sounded hoarse?
Syesha: Crikey. Next!
David: Also sounded hoarse. Also down with the flu. Sang well nethertheless.
Cook: Cocky but nice guy. Makes a believable winner but not a believable rocker LOL.
Chikezie:Great starter, warm personality which comes through on his vocals
Ramiele:Ouch
MJ:He’s no Queen
KLC:Has what it takes to make a country star
Carly:Very disappointed, liked her on show but found her shrill, could have worked the audience better
Brooke:Good song choices
Jason:On show I thought he was weak,but is great performer in person
Syyesha:should have done a show tune where she excels.
David:Started slow, ended strong. Ditch the ugly jacket.
Cook:Why I went to concert. He was very good. “Hero” was too drawn out and could have ended a minute sooner.
i was disappointed with the predictable format and really missed the duets and smaller group ensemble songs that gave prior shows much more punch. even more so knowing this years idols had quite a lot of personality and diverse sounds. would have been great to see them mix it up. having said that my favorite was Jason’s Crazy — a very cool cover and he sounded great and far from generic. Chikezie surprised me — a very comfortable performer. Michael John’s and Carly were OK but didn’t live up to my expectations. Loved David Cook — he’s a natural and Archie was of course adorable and sounded great despite the frequent coughing fits. I could have done without Syesha (who didn’t want us focusing on her vocals anyway), Ramiele (ouch is right), and KLC (boooring!)
Jason Castro is my favorite. He is a heartfelt wonderful performer and Jon Bream’s review of him, just shows how shallow and uninformed the man is.
Jason for one, is not a stoner! He had a 1340 on his SATs. I do not know of any stoner that could pull that off.
Jason’s take on somewhere over the rainbow is magical and from the heart. His layed back vibe is only part of what makes his fans love him so much! The guy is what he is and puts on no fake, over the top acting job. He doesn’t need to.
The Davids are both talented perfomers and I enjoyed them at the show very much. They do however, for me at least, lack that special glow that shines off of the stage when Mr. Castro performs! He is the real deal!
Jason Castro is my favorite! He is the most original performer of this season. He’s the only one who is completely genuine, completely himself. He does not have any of that show biz “fakeness.” He is a beautiful person, inside and out.
If you say he’s a stoner, that is slander, as that is a complete lie.
No one is accustomed to seeing someone so HONEST and so REAL on stage, or on TV. That is Jason, and that’s just one of the many reasons we LOVE him.
Your reporter’s review missed the mark regarding Jason Castro. Dreads and a laid-back manner do not equal stoner and I’m frankly surprised that someone whose occupation should require them to be unbiased, would resort to such stereotyping. Maybe the reporter should go to his next concert blindfolded, so that his prejudices don’t color his review.
Jason, Brooke and Archie were my favorites. All three have a style that is natural for them. Cook seems like he is trying too hard and I agree with Matt that he makes a believable winner but not a believable rocker. I also enjoyed Carly and Chikezie. The rest? Don’t ask.
What concert was this reporter at? Certainly not at the AI one. Though my favorite all season was Jason, the others did an amazingly great job.
Although Jason is by far my favorite I still thought that they all did a fantastic job. I think the review was very biased as if their mind was made up before the concert ever began. Jason is outstanding with his laid back style and clear vocals (dreads and laid back style does not a stoner make!!) but the Davids also blew me away. Archuleta, even sick, truly has an amazing voice and is just so humble and too kind. Cook is a performer, and although at times I think he tries a little too hard and may come off cocky, has a wonderful voice and really knows how to engage the crowd. Chikize was the surprise of the night seeing as how he is a great performer and has a really strong great voice.
I do not agree with the review regarding Jason Castro. I think the kid is very talented and has gotten even stronger as the tour progresses. Just because he is laidback does not making him a stoner. That is such a generic stereotype and I don’t know how many times it has to be said that he is not a stoner. I find his performances to be fantastic and I am so excited to see what is next for him. I think he has the ability to make it far in the music industry.
Was revowber even at shwo? Teh AL cast did wells performease all constormants were on theyre B gmae. Favorlites wases two Davids Davin Archulpetta adn Cavid Lee Cook. Rokcer adn young teen screen zipped teh cowrd wiht slick vocal and dnance moves.
Stonar Juan Castro laird bakc vibe made crowd relaxed and in singogram mood, inhaling marihanna smoke contract high halped set relaxing atlasphear. Dreed adn vibe and joint between lips dontses mkae him a stone.
brookwhite wases best agian, will be winnar of season show. Carl Smithonianson vocal huskie wiht tatoo runeing everythign in sight.
Ramilee enouhg siad ahuhhgh huggh,,
The greatest disappointment in this article is the reporter. Clearly he has never researched his topic, listened to these young performers and watched how they have grown since they began on the show. The format of the show is not their choice, in fact they have little say in the matter. It is a shame that little research is done before calling Jason a stoner, a reference which has been discredited time and time again. Jason’s growth both as a singer and as a performer, has been noted by knowledgeable critics across the United States. From a kid who had only sung five times before his American Idol audition and could not handle a two minute interview, to someone who demonstrates a rich/clear/strong vocal quality and a connection with his music which touches the heart and soul. His growth has been amazing to those who have been watching. I hope in the future that the newspaper will send someone to review these performances who has some interest in their topic.
If only the newspaper had a bland-music loving no taste reality television robot to send to the concert all of your prayers would be answered. American Idol represents all that is fake and manufactured with the music industry. It takes the artistry right out of music. It is a black hole for creativity and originality. Nearly every artist involved with it past and present has been boring to the most extreme of faults.
Shutup and go text your bff about how hard Daughtry r0xorz.
Jason Castro was the best! He is far from average and not your typical idol. This is the reason he has THE strongest fanbase of any of them, the most online attention (MySpace) and he will go very far in his career. And on a side note, he loves Jesus!
JAAASSSSOOOOONNNNN!!!!!! He’s amazing…sure there are the stereotypes but seriously, if you take a minute to sit and watch some of the videos of people meeting him. He’s the most gracious and genuine person you’ll ever meet. Try giving him a chance before judging him. You just might like him as much as we do!
Jason Castro is the real deal! He is genuine. His facial expressions and voice move hearts to open and to love. We could use a lot more of that in our world and certainly un-informed critics do not help to that end.
Jason was the only unique performer this season. It is very arrogant to think Jason is a stoner by his appearance. The person who wrote this biased article might want to clean his ears out. Jason just keeps getting better and better. he is AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JASON IS MY FAVORITE!
if you dont know him you must listen to his music at http://www.myspace.com/jasoncastromusic
or jasoncastromusic.com!
he translates so much passion in his music its just unreal
Most talented artist Ever to Walk the Idol Stage By A Mile.
I wish everyone would stop with the stoner comments even after Jason has had to repeatedly answer that he does NOT do that! I agree with the comment about going blindfolded I mean seriously!
My husband and I really enjoyed the show, although I wasn’t crazy about the way the perforances were arranged- 10 down to 1- we liked the group things they did in other years. My favorites were Michael Johns, Jason Castro,and the David’s. I think the guys were much stronger this year. I’d have to say that I really think Jason has gotten a bad rap (by you and the AI judges)- I really enjoyed him and do think he has a very unique voice and style- I hope he ends up having a great career!
Well, I am not sure there is much more I can add, except to say that I enjoy all the performers, particularly Jason Castro.
I am not certain why some folks feel the need to parade the same old, tired stereotypes about him regarding some silly and totally false “stoner” references.
He is both an truly amazing singer (and this is coming from someone who is hard to impress) and wonderful young man.
JASON - JASON - JASON is my all time favorite singer, performer, song writer! Your review was totally off the mark. Jason has it all - and one thing for certain he has what others lack and that is charisma. He is so different and genuine from anyone I’ve ever seen. To mark him as a stoner shows that you did not do any research before the show. SLANDER! Jason is far from what you said! You just don’t get Jason. And the other Idols were fantastic also. They all put on a wonderful show.
I agree that Jason Castro put on a great performance and is one of the more unique contestants the show has seen. I respect the fact that AI has opened up to a more diverse group of singers and has allowed a marijuana user such as Jason to go far into the show. Several stoners have gone on to be some of the best musicians in history. He’s a great throwback to the old pothead frontman of yore playing the Fillmore and Monterray Pop festivals of San Francisco. Hopefully we see more of this dreadlocked herb enthusiast protege.
How disappointing you were not prepared for your review, if you had done your homework, you’d know what jason castro stands for, and what he doesnt. To refer to him as a stoner is totally off base.
It is obvious to me, you went to this concert with preconceived ideas, you did a disservice to the idols and your readers by not putting forth your best effort with this review.
If you did your research..and obviously you didn’t, you would know what kind of person Jason Castro is. He is a dedicated Christian young man who is very laid back and unassuming. He has been touted by many reviews as being a solid, talented singer with much to offer the music industry. Perhaps you need to get your facts and quit relying on your assumptions.
I went to the concert in Detroit - My favorite was Jason Castro- I do not like all the screeching(singing if you call it that) of some of the others- My next favorite is David A. I am a product of the sixty’s and enjoy folk and soft rock music. I Know Jason will go far in his career as He has a very unique sound and is very talented.
Jason Castro = the best thing that ever happened to American Idol. The kid is talented,real, sweet, hot, and committed to music. The stoner comments make me laugh by this point. It is utterly ridiculous. The important thing is that he has tons of fans who appreciate his talent and charisma. He is a great person and has gotten great reviews for the most part while on the idol tour. Those are the reviews I am going to focus on.
I agree with the others here. It’s not fair to label Jason Castro a stoner just because he is laid back and may look the part. Just because he gets high once in awhile doesn’t make him all about pot.
Where is my comment from Monday?
Anyways, I’ll state it again. This article
was very rude to others and the idols.
It’s really disrespectful of this
local newspaper to be so rude towards
others.
Jason Castro was Amazing.. his voice sounded great for not feeling well. I hope he comes back to minnnesota soooN!!
I went to the concert to see the two Davids and I fell in love with Jason Castro’s performance and how great he sounded.
Jason Castro is by far my favorite. The opinion of the critique is way off base. Jason is not a stoner, he is a unique and undeniable person!
HoeJoe Gal says:
In regards to all the hype about American Idols…a local cable station is hosting auditions for “Real” guitar heroes, unplugged. That’s right instead of seeking talent nationally…or through electronic air guitars we are looking to find acoustic guitar players to compete in a competition that will be judged by professional guitar players. The top three finalists will be featured at the second Annual HoeJoe Hoedown where they will have a “pic-off” around a blazing bonfire. So support our local talent and check out qctv.org/guitarhero for more about the competition AND check out http://www.hoejoe.com to find out more about the final “pic-off” to be held on Saturday, October 18th at Minnetona Orchards….thanks for supporting local talent.
LOL WTF?
Stoner patter = “Duuuuuuuude….I’m soooooo…..high…..right…..now….oh……man..”
Castro’s banter = “Howwwwdy! Welcome to the second half of the show :)(on “Crazy”)I auditioned with this song but it didn’t get aired…(on Daydream)I was introduced to this next lovely number through Idol and fell in love with it…..(after set & applause) Thank y’all! Enjoy the rest of the show guys!”
JC’s awesome and if he resembles anyone, it’s Brandon Boyd.
Jason was my favorite during the season and during the concert! Love him!
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