LUCIDMEDIA

Idol Mania! - American Idol wraps up their Canadian tour

Written by Emily Santos Wednesday, 19 August 2009 09:24

“O Canada. Thank you guys for a really great show tonight. CANADA BRINGIN IT,” twittered American Idol winner, Kris Allen after Hamilton welcomed the idols with open arms as they made their second and final stop in Canada last week.

The 2009 American Idol Summer Tour kicked off in July at Portland, Oregon’s Rose Garden. With only one Canadian tour date scheduled for the month of July in Vancouver, British Columbia, the idols traveled tirelessly around the States, making stops in New York, Texas, Arkansas and Tennessee.

After more than thirty days of American concert dates, the top ten idols stopped north of the border at Copp’s Coliseum on August 14th for an almost sold-out show.

The diverse group of entertainers which complete the Top Ten include: Idol successor Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert as well as Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sawyer, and Megan Joy.

Fans began lining up outside the gates of Copp’s as early at 8am. And by 4 pm – just as the idols made their way out of the concert hall - over two hundred Idol fan-girls and boys, bedazzled with Idol merchandise and homemade outfits (some reading “Glambert,” “Gaga for Gokey” and “I Pick Kris”), surrounded the coliseum awaiting appearances from their favourite singers.

Among the idols that came out to meet, greet and snap photos with fans was winner Allen, top four idol contestant Iraheta, and fellow Top Ten idols MacIntyre, Desai, and Sarver.

An hour after the “Meet and Greet,” Copp’s Coliseum saw thousands of more fans surround the centre as they made their way through the doors for the 7 pm concert.

Kicking off the show was 10th placer, Michael Sarver who showcased his voice in popular pop melodies like Gavin DeGraw’s “I’m in Love with a Girl.”

Following the sweet-hearted Sarver was the unique “Rockin’ Robin” Megan Joy, the “Piano Man” Scott MacIntyre, the bootylicious Lil Rounds, Anoop “Dog” Desai and the Justin Timberlake-like Matt Giraud.

After an hour of top six idol performances, the crowd was anxious and ready to rock out with Iraheta. The 16-year old Los Angeles native had the crowd on their feet as she performed fan-fav “Cry Baby.”

Danny Gokey was up next. The man of amazing vocal range (despite rock week’s “Dream On” a.k.a. “Scream On”), hit the stage belting out country hits like Rascal Flatts’ “What Hurts the Most,” and his moving cover of the Flatts’ “Wish.” Gokey’s playlist was not only heartfelt but also inspirational as he made mention to a tragedy in his life: the death of his wife. He encouraged audience members to go for their dreams despite any tragedies that may be holding them back.

As Danny disappeared off the stage, glitter and vibrant colours took hold and the controversial Adam Lambert rose to the mic. The sound of girls screaming was almost deafening. The recent Rolling Stone cover boy included songs from Muse and an American Idol season favourite, “Mad World.”

To finish up a great and powerful show was the humble heartthrob, Kris Allen. Strumming his guitar, the boy-next-door opened his set with Kanye West’s “Heartless,” a truly unique spin to a hip-hop tune. Additionally, Allen showed off his creativity and musical genius on the piano as he sang “Ain’t No Sunshine.” The Idol winner also included the Killers’ hit, “All These Things That I’ve Done” and Matchbox Twenty’s “Bright Lights.” However, he scored major points during his rendition of a Beatles’ classic – a nice fit for his voice – “Hey Jude.” The song filled Copp’s as fans sang along holding up cell phones, lighters and neon light sticks.

With bubbles falling from the ceiling, all of the contestants returned to the stage for one last hurrah singing Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing.” It was a picture-perfect ending, in my opinion, to the best season of American Idol thus far.