Grand Prairie, Tx Concert:
This concert venue is in the middle of the Dallas / Fort Worth Metroplex and was truly a Scotty venue. Now saying that, all the idols got a good reaction but nowhere near Scotty, Two years ago there were so many people with Tshirts on that they had decorated with their fav idol pictures. This year many had on cute outfits (short shorts, chic blue jean dresses, or jeans) all with cowboy boots. It was interesting to people watch because there was such a variety of people there. Guess that relates to the variety of singers on the tour this year. There was a group of 20 or so yr old ladies in front of us who were rocking out to every song and idol (well except one – curious)
Pia has a gorgeous voice and is really a beautiful girl but her stage presence is lacking. I started the season really liking Pia because of her voice but lost interest fast so I was interested to see her in person. There is just something missing – maybe the “IT” factor everyone talks about I don’t know. She sang the heck out of her single but to me it just didn’t go anywhere.
Thia is another good singer but is just boring (would have loved to see Lauren Turner or Tim Halperin in her place).
Naomi was entertaining. Naiomi to me sings from some spirit deep inside her. No matter if it was the solo or backup, she just seems to enjoy and move to the sounds of the notes. Paul got a really good reaction and finally got people on their feet. He has a cool vive to him. Would have loved to see him perform his own material especially “New Orleans”..
Stephano is a good singer live. I just don’t see him as a solo artist. Maybe musicals. But people recognized his songs. Even the little 5 year old girls by us.. I wonder if people were reacting to his songs or him. Well except one of the above mentioned young ladies in front of us – definitely a Stephano fan!
Casey – Overall throughout the night I thought Casey got the second biggest reception. Casey was fun and playful with his songs especially with “Moanin” with Haley. My observation: the others were good singers so far, but with Casey it was the first artistry of the night.
Lauren – She did not appear in the first half at all so no Firework song or backup. Nor did she do backup on Scotty’s song Gone (Stephano filled in on that song – more on that later). She was out of her boot so I guess her ankle was better. Lauren sounded good but nothing special to me. You couldn’t close your eyes and when you hear her voice say that’s Lauren like you could for Paul, Casey, Haley or Scotty).
James – When James starts all you can see on the screens are pictures of the audience since he comes in through the back. So everyone stands to see where he is. But he captures the attention of the audience and sings two upbeat songs so everyone (or almost) stays standing up through his two songs. The audience sang along with him on “Sweet Child of Mine”. Tim sounds good on the guitar solo but I would have love to see Slash!
James did a decent cover of the songs but always seemed to me to be playing a part. His motions don’t seem to be fluid from one to the other. The screams at the end of Uprising were a bit ear splitting. (Matt Bellamy he is not). It might just be my ears but to me James always seems like he is skirting the notes but just doesn’t hit the sweet spot. I hope he works with a vocal coach or he may hurt his vocal chords by the end of tour.
Now those young ladies in front of us rocking out to every song no matter what genre.- all sitting but one who was trying to get them up. They just were shaking their heads NO.
Curious observation – don’t know what it means.
Jacob- I think Jacob lost his way during the season by being told conflicting critisim. Live his voice is very powerful. He worked the stage well.
Haley – Haley’s performances were fantastic. Her notes, phrasing, and song interpretations - awe inspiring.. I was neutral to Haley at the beginning of the season but she grew on me and I became a fan. She can do so many things with her voice it’s amazing. I’m glad Interscope signed her to a record deal – can’t wait to see what she will come up with in her album. Of all the idols, it looked like Haley was the most knowledgeable about all genres. During her solos and her backup singing she moves so well to the music like she understands the process of every note or run or phrase of the song. The mother and Daughter besides me told me before the concert that they were there to see Scotty and Paul and that the one that bugged them was Haley. Well after her performance the mother leaned over to me and said “WOW that was quite a performance1”
Scotty – Scotty did an excellent job. When he is on stage he has a calming confidence you forget he is only 17. I was never fond of his single LYTB but live he sells it and it sounds so much better. I think if the song writers are giving him good material, and I hope so, I think he will do really well.
I enjoyed the group numbers, accept the finale it seemed disjointed to me, Overall another good concert
After concert only a few idols came out. Scotty first. He was really down to earth and nice. Casey was like on show – big personality and funny. Loved hugging the girls for pictures.. Held my hand when I talked to him.. It was hard to keep a straight face. He looks much younger off stage. The two high school girls next to us talked to him about their speech teacher being his cousin. Pia was stunning in person but really reserved like on stage. Jacob was the one who surprised me. Didn’t know what to expect after some comments on the show but I thought he was one of the most genuine. Really seemed like a nice guy. Stephano was awkard. He stopped to talk to me when I talked to him but ignored the cute girls beside me. I don’t know if he expected people to just yell his name or what it was a little weird. Lauren walked with the security guards a distance from the crowd and went to end of line. But soon we saw her between 2 cars. The security guard told us that she was throwing up and had food poisoning. So may explain her performances that night. Haley only came to the fence right before they left so saw her for a min. She is really tiny – so cute.