David Archuleta - Archey Report - Las Vegas, NV - 07/05/08
(Here's GeorgeAnn's Archey Report from Las Vegas, NV!)
Here’s my recap of the Las Vegas concert day! It started early in the morning for me! The FanBlast Shout Out was at 8 am in front of the Venetian Hotel, so I had to leave my house around 7:30 am, after having stayed up late talking to some out of town guests who came in town for the concert. Even though we only ended up having 8 of us there, plus the 3 FanBlast guys, we had a great time! While we were there on the Strip, we were informed that there was a big boxing match in town. 2 of the boxing fans said they also like David Archuleta, so we let them get in a few of our Shout Outs for David A.
My sister, 2 of her kids & I decided to try to meet the buses when they arrived at the Thomas & Mack at 1 pm. Because there is an underground entrance, we didn’t get to see them except from a distance as they came in. There was a group of about 30-35 people there, mainly fans of Jason & the 2 Davids, with at least one MJ fan. After about 30 minutes, we were getting discouraged & were wondering about returning home. Instead we decided to check with the box office for any late releases of up close tickets. Upon returning to where we had left a group of fans, when there was no one there we wondered what had happened. Turns out that Kristy Lee had just come out & all the fans were getting her autograph & pics with her. Kristy was so nice! She wasn’t supposed to talk, since she was saving her voice for the concert & for recording she said.
After Kristy was done, we waited some more, and then Ramiele & Brooke came out. We didn’t recognize Brooke at first, but then when she spoke we realized it was her. They were both super nice as well & spent quite a bit of time with the fans. Jason came out next, much to the delight of the dreadheads & those with shirts that said “I was thinking Bob Marley” on them. Jason was super sweet as well, even when people made strange requests. He allowed a girl to hold one of his dreads across her upper lip (like a moustache) while someone took a picture. He also talked to 2 or 3 people on the fans’ cell phones, even though he couldn’t really hear what they were saying. Fans had brought some gift bags for him & one of the random tour guys took the goods back into the venue for Jason.
Syesha came next & took pics & signed autographs. Then finally Cook came out. He was also really nice (recurring theme here). I mentioned that I went to The View but that I wasn’t able to get a picture with him then. He stayed for quite some time before he left. MJ walked over near the buses & said he’d be back in a minute, but he didn’t return soon & I had to leave to get cleaned up before the concert was set to start.
We arrived back at the venue around 6:30 pm, but by the time we parked & walked in, it was about 15 minutes before the show was supposed to start. I had agreed to purchase some Tour merchandise for a friend, so I stood in a really large mob, waiting for someone to help me purchase stuff. FINALLY I got done, just before the concert started.
We had great seats!! We were in the section just off the front of the stage in the 3rd row, so we could hear & see great! I’m sure others have given a play-by-play recap of all the songs, but I will just mention the things that stood out in particular for hubby & me. We thought that Chikeze did a great job & was really energetic, moreso than we remembered him being on the show. Ramiele was such a sweetheart & did good on her songs.
Then came Micheal Johns & I thought the room was going to explode! Of course since he starts with We Are the Champions, he’s got the crowd rocking right from the beginning. His whole set was really great, he got the audience going & kept them going through all his 3 songs. Carly was next & really has an AMAZING voice!! While I wouldn’t necessarily say that the songs she sang were all my type of music, she blew them out of the park!
Kristy Lee Cook had everyone standing while she was singing God Bless the USA & it was very heart-felt. She looked great on stage & sang her songs well. Then Brooke came out of the floor playing Let It Be on the piano! That was one of the highlights to me, although her Yellow song was almost as good.
INTERMISSION
When intermission came back, Jason was on stage. He was such a delight to watch! Hubby thought he was maybe a bit too laid-back, but I thought less intensity was good at that point. Loved, loved Somewhere over the Rainbow on the ukulele. Crazy was great on the guitar & hubby loved Daydreaming Boy. The cheers were definitely very loud for Jason, from when they first announced him to when he finished his set.
Syesha was good in my eyes. She didn’t have as many people screaming for her, but she definitely sang her songs well!! And there were some of the Fanesha 300 there, I think.
Then David A. rose from the ground playing Angels on the piano! I was having a bit of difficulty with the camera & cell phone, but was able to get some poor quality video of it. (long story about the camera). Here’s a link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XfW1e3Ij9D8
Also poor quality video of Stand By Me:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=R6L--TW9kIA
David A. was just AMAZING tonight! I have seen videos of the other nights’ shows & one thing that I am always impressed with is that his songs never sound exactly alike. He changes some of the riffs & notes with each performance! The crowd absolutely went wild after each song and at times would not allow him to go on to his next song! Just when it seemed that the audience was calming down, then he’d say something else & the cheering would begin all over again! I can’t remember exactly what all he said, but he definitely commented on it being a wild crowd. Also he said “Viva Las Vegas” at one point!! ;)
I think they would do well to decrease the fog even more for Angels. At times it’s hard to see David b/c of it, but it did seem better than at the first show. Apologize was so beautiful that I didn’t want to miss a note by trying to get video of it! I did tape Stand By Me, though b/c it is my son’s favorite song. He did some unique stuff on SBM as well. He closed his set with WYSYLM & AWESOME is about all I can say! I think his voice sounds a bit different on TV than in person over a different sound system. but anyway it was absolutely GREAT!! He sang it with such feeling that it seemed to come right from him into the audience members.
I am officially falling asleep at my computer, so I’d better wrap up & get to bed! LOL David Cook ended the night. He did a great job & had lots of audience participation. Lots of people cheering for him, but more during the songs than afterwards. I was amazed that there were so many older folks there, including men. Everyone seemed to enjoy being there.
Since we did the whole waiting thing earlier in the day, the niece & nephew didn’t want to wait the 45 minutes til the Idols got out of the Meet & Greet (there was a long line of people for the M&G). Hubby & I finished off the night by eating a late supper & then returning home so I could do a recap! hahaha
I have also included some pics.
Thanks rickey & you're welcome also!!
Georgeann