Kris Allen hits the Stage Again!

Long Post!

Goth kids, soccer moms and diehard Idol junkies — including one superfan with Clay Aiken’s autograph tattooed on her shoulder — packed Portland, Oregon’s Rose Garden last night for the inaugural performance of American Idol’s summer tour.

The two biggest stars of the show — winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert — embraced what endeared them to millions of fans throughout Season Eight. “Glambert” was out in full force, with tight pants, his otherworldly wail and a tribute to the original rock androgyne, David Bowie. Wrapped in a plaid shirt and a pair of jeans, Allen kept it simple and real, embracing the stripped-down soul sound that elevated him from dark horse to worthy champion.

An adorable montage of Allen’s baby pictures, plus David Cook’s new video and a few airborne beach balls, kept the audience entertained as Idol No. 10 Michael Sarver prepared to take the stage. Backed by a small band with a big sound, the full-voiced Texan kicked off the show in high spirits with Gavin DeGraw’s “I’m in Love with a Girl,” which he dedicated to his wife, Tiffany. Megan Joy took the stage for two numbers — and lots of shimmying — reprising one of her best Idol performances, “Put Your Records On.” Piano man Scott MacIntyre left his pink pants at home but his rendition of Vanessa Carlton’s “A Thousand Miles” — and his gentle mocking of Ryan Seacrest’s attempt to high-five him at the auditions — drew some of the loudest applause of the night.

Marked by explosive bursts of noise and color, the countdown culminated in Season Eight champion Allen, who eschewed theatrics for a straightforward set of Idol favorites, from the soulful, percussive “Heartless” to his stirring piano-and-vocals interpretation of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Calling for a sea of cell phones and lighters, Allen finished his set with a plaintive rendition of “Hey Jude,” bringing the rest of the Idols back on stage to close out the show with Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” … perhaps a tribute to former band member Randy “the Emperor” Jackson?

Set List:

Michael Sarver: “I’m in Love with a Girl” (Gavin Degraw); “Closer” (Ne-Yo)
Megan Joy: “Put Your Records On” (Corrine Baily Rae); “Tears Dry on Their Own” (Amy Winehouse)
Scott MacIntyre: “Bend and Break” (Keane); “A Thousand Miles” (Vanessa Carlton)
Lil Rounds: “Be Without You” (Mary J Blige); “No One” (Alicia Keys); “Single Ladies” (Beyoncé)
Anoop Desai: “Always on My Mind” (Willie Nelson); “Mad” (Ne-Yo); “My Prerogative” (Bobby Brown)
Matt Giraud: “Hard to Handle” (The Black Crowes); “Georgia On My Mind” (Ray Charles); “I Found You” (The Fray)
Group Medley
Allison Iraheta: “So What” (Pink); “Cry Baby” (Janis Joplin); “Barracuda” (Heart)
Danny Gokey: “P.Y.T.” (Michael Jackson); “Maria Maria” (Santana); “What Hurts the Most,” “My Wish” (Rascal Flatts)
Adam Lambert: “Whole Lotta Love” (Led Zeppelin); “Starlight” (Muse); “Mad World” (Tears for Fears/Gary Jules), “Slow Ride” with Allison Iraheta (Foghat), “Life on Mars,” “Fame, “Let’s Dance” (David Bowie)
Kris Allen: “Heartless” (Kanye West); “No Boundaries” (Idol coronation song); “Bright Lights” (Matchbox 20); “Ain’t No Sunshine” (Bill Withers); “Hey Jude” (The Beatles)
Encore: “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey)

Cut out a lot of the article. Read the full article here

-ashu