The critic proof, commercially-successful phenomenon known as “American Idols Live!” rolled into the DCU Center last night with it share of crowd-pleasing thrills and only a few spills.
Featuring the Top 11 contestants from “American Idol” Season 10, “American Idols Live!” was a dream come true for the devoted fans of the show and arguably the best version of the popular showcase for a potentially harsh music critic to endure. Did I say endure? I meant enjoy.
With 30 numbers spread over two one-hour sets, an ecstatic, predominantly female crowd of an estimated 10,000 were treated to a slick, polished, genre-swapping extravaganza for the senses that gave ample time for each singer (ranging in age from 16 to 26) to shine. In addition, there were better group performances and the better pacing than previous “American Idols Live!' shows with singers no longer embarking on the stage in the reserve order of how they finished.
The reason the 10th season of American Idol was so popular and its subsequent traveling karaoke showcase is packing them all across the country is not because of the hype of new judges Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler (which were certainly a plus) but the show's diverse roster of personalities and talent.
The five American Idols ladies opened the evening with “Born This Way”. Although they all looked stunning in their white outfits that included skimpy hot pants, slinky slacks and frilly skirts, the ladies gave a lukewarm rendition of the Lady Gaga cover.
Ninth-place finisher Pia Toscano took center stage for “Empire State of Mind (Part II)”. Proving that she was much more than merely eye candy, the former New York make-up artist passionately belted the tune and gave Alicia Keys a run for her money. Toscano, who is an absolute stunner in the looks department, was joined by “American Idol” resident beefcake (and seventh place finisher) Stefano Langone for a fiery version of Rihanna's “California King Bed.”
Wearing a white windbreaker, matching slacks and tight-fitted black T-shirt, Langone proved he was perfectly comfortable in the Casanova crooner role with his heart-wrenching, down-on-his-knees version of Bruno Mars' “Grenade.” During his cover of Usher's “DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love,” the buffed heartthrob took his shirt off to deafening shrieks and screams of approval. It is quite possible that half the crowd went through puberty last night thanks to Langone's electrifying performance.
A barefooted Naima Adedapo unleashed her blessed pipes, fancy foot work and unorthodox fashion and turned J.Lo's lousy dance hit “On the Floor” into a heavy-thumping showstopper.
Playing an upright bass, scruffy sixth-place finisher and all-around cool hepcat Casey Abrams gave a refreshing, jazzy revamping of “Smooth” before retreating to the confines of the original Rob Thomas and Santana hit version. Abrams was joined by third-place finisher Haley Reinhart for a rousing, sophisticated cover of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers' “Moanin',” which was arguably the evening's best duet.
Wearing matching crimson red suits and sporting inspired choreographed dance moves, the whole American Idol cast (minus “American Idol” winner Scotty McCreery) looked great and sounded even better performing the sanitized version of Cee Lo Green's “Forget You,” which closed out the first set on an enjoyable high note.
Season 10 runner-up Lauren Alaina is being groomed as the next Carrie Underwood but there's a lot of work to be done before she (and her handlers) achieve that goal.
Coming out in sequin cowboy boots and one of her signature frumpy parachute-like skirts, Alaina opened the second set with Katrina Elam's “Flat on the Floor.” At a mere 16 years old, Alaina is understandably still wet behind the ears and rough around the edges. But she seems too polite and precious to make a lasting impression. The crowd politely listened but seemed lifeless during Alaina's painfully sappy single, “Like My Mother Does.” With baby photos and home movies of her mother flickering on the video screen behind Alaina, the performance seemed more narcissistic than nostalgic for someone who doesn't even have her driver's license yet.
When Alaina sang The Band Perry's “If I Die Young,” Langone, one of the three singing backup for the number, looked absolutely bored. He wasn't the only one.
Wearing a sleeveless studded dungaree jacket, fourth-place finisher James Durbin woke up the crowd after Alaina's meandering set. Emerging from the nose-bleed seats in the back of the arena, Durbin did a nifty Axl Rose impression on Guns N' Roses' “Sweet Child o' Mine" and channeled Freddie Mercury a bit during Muse's “Uprising.” Getting the crowd on their feet and clapping in unison, Durbin has the rock star voice, moves, swagger and banter (including “Come on Worcester, Massachusetts, let me hear you”) down to a science and was the dose of adrenaline the crowd needed after Alaina.
Bluesy powerhouse belter Haley Reinhart (who finished third and, personally, I think she might have got robbed of the “American Idol” title) was spellbinding on “The House of the Rising Sun,” which she sang at first without any musical accompaniment and finished as a sexually charged scorcher. Even better was her sultry, jazz-inspired take on Elton John's “Bennie and the Jets.”
After a countdown of the nine previous American Idol champions, McCreery triumphantly came out to claim what was his, the adoring fans that packed the arena.
Wearing a blue and white checkered shirt with the sleeves rolled up and worn dungarees, McCreery looked like he was about to work on a farm. With a classic country baritone voice that sounds older and wiser than it is, the 17-year-old singer (who hails from Garner, N.C.) has grown up quickly in front of America. And despite his squeaky clean, wholesome-as-apple-pie looks, McCreery has a warm stage presence and already appears to be a natural performer.
After opening with Josh Turner's “Your Man” (which was practically drowned out by the audience's screams), McCreery strapped an acoustic guitar for his breezy, laid-back version of “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and greeted the crowd with “How y'all doing tonight Massachusetts?” and “Thanks y'all for having us.” He performed his crowd-pleasing single, “I Love You This Big” and was joined by runner-up (and rumored main-squeeze) Alaina, wearing another frumpy looking dress (this time black) and matching sequin cowboy boots, for “When You Say Nothing at All”
McCreery finally let it ripped for Montgomery Gentry's “Gone,” proving he has power to back up his voice. “Come on Massachusetts make some noise,” McCreery told the crowd and they did.
The second set closed out with a “Glee”-friendly melody that included Whitesnake's “Here I Go Again,” Aerosmith's “Walk This Way” and three Journey songs (“Faithfully,” “Any Way You Want It” and “Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'”) which is at least one too many Journey songs for its own good.
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