Q92 Promo Review - David Archuleta in Canton, OH!

“Can we find the youngest fan here?” the dj requested before David hit the stage. People were quick to point out a baby – clearly the youngest fan there. “Would it be rude to try to find the oldest?” The consensus was “yes!!” Looking around the crowd of 250+, there was a great mix of people: children and teenagers, younger adults, older adults. Mostly women (as we could hear in the Elevator sing-along!), but there were definitely men and boys mixed in with the crowd. And not men who were dragged in by their wives and girlfriends, but men who took the initiative to call in to win tickets, and those who even called shortly before the concert began to confirm the time so they wouldn’t miss it!

I really enjoyed seeing the excitement of the teen fans. Heard a story of girls “shaking and crying” after running into him before the show. At the meet and greet, another girl was sheepishly laughing and wiping away tears after meeting him. Saw older fans smiling with pride, almost like proud parents as he stood up there and sang beautifully.

The question of what I was doing there crossed my mind. Age-wise, I guess that I’d put myself in the demographic of David Cook, my favorite Season 7 Idol. So, at my age, the romantic attraction isn’t there… motherly feelings aren’t there… but I did put effort into winning the radio contest, taking a vacation day for work, and getting there early to get good seats. I recorded songs and took pictures and stayed until the very end of the meet and greet, just observing. So what was the pull that drew me to my second Archie show in a month’s time? What is it that helps Archie appeal to such a wide range of fans?

1. The voice. David started out with “A Little Not Too Over You.” His voice, as always was stunningly clear and strong. Most artists actually don’t sound good live, but David sounds consistently wonderful. His cover of “A Thousand Miles” was another song that I felt really showed off his vocals and I am glad that he ended up deciding to add that one. These are the types of songs where you can just get lost in the unique, unmistakable tone of his voice.
2. The Humor. Holy jeez, is Archie funny. While there are so many people who feel that they have to be crude or offend people to be funny, Archie can be hilarious, but no one leaves feeling bad or uncomfortable. He rambled on and on about extra credit…and about how it sounds like his voice has not changed (not true, Archie! You sound like a guy!). Interspersed in all this was his conscience speaking aloud and eventually convincing him to sing an extra song. You really have to see it to appreciate what is funny because it is nothing you can explain, so be sure to watch all the banter you can find from this show on You Tube!
3. The Authenticity. I really get the sense that what you see is what you get with Archie. When he started getting tired during the Meet and Greet, you could see his smile wavering and his gaze kind of drifting to the side. I love this because you know that, when he is smiling so big (which is often), he really does mean it. His rambling, too.. I am a bit of a rambler and find it hard to finish thoughts and stay on target in my speech and I have developed techniques to hide this tendency.. he embraces it, though, and makes it work for him. Is he unintentionally funny, or has this become his style of humor? Who knows, but it just works because it is him.
4. The Growth. Elevator was a definite peak in this show; be sure to check this one out if you have not. Archie was totally in his element as he invited the crowd to sing along. “This side of the room! Now this side!” Scolding us that we were not loud enough and ordered us to do it again. “Guys!” Taking advantage of the awkward moment of maybe one guy singing to get everyone laughing again… Yes, Archie was fun! During Idol Season 7, I recognized Archie’s talent from the beginning, but my main complaint was that he peaked too early (I felt Imagine was his best) and didn’t keep my interest. However, I can say now that he is an interesting performer and Elevator from Canton is just a great example. I suspect that part of noticing how interesting he is comes from a viewpoint shift, getting to “know” who he is more and not being clouded by any competition between him and Cook. However, I also think he has grown as a performer, for sure.

I also have to say the Archie community is pretty cool and accepting. Got to hang out with a couple cool fans - @emily4archie, her cool mother, and @y_j_fan. No one I have met during my last two concerts has (openly) looked down on me for being a Cook fan. LOL

In conclusion, screw age stereotypes and misguided analyses on personal characteristics that make people his fans. Archie is made to appeal to the masses. Jive, get him on the radio and promote him!

**One more thought.. the word that came to mind to describe Melinda, his new manager, was "take charge." She kept things moving and, while she was pretty tiny and didn't seem mean, she didn't have the demeanor where you would dare push her around!

New Albany David Archuleta Concert Recap

David Archuleta live is a must- hear experience. The first time that I heard Archie's voice in person was at the AI Finale in Hollywood. When his warm, clear voice first filled the studio, my sister and I just looked at each other wordlessly, jaws dropping. Next time I heard him live was at the AI Live Tour in Cleveland, where I couldn't help but feel I was witnessing the beginning of the career of someone who was destined to be great someday. Although I had no connection to him, I actually felt proud. There is something about that live voice that doesn't quite make it to television, to studio recordings. So it wasn't a stretch for me, upon discovering that there were no longer any tickets available on ticketmaster.com OR by phone 15 hours before the show, to instantly feel that it was a huge mistake to have waited too long to get tickets. It wasn't a stretch that I would locate a ticketmaster outlet and drive to it just in case they had a ticket.... after it was technically closed at 9:00pm. It wasn't a stretch for me at all to drive two hours to New Albany, Ohio on a cool Sunday morning by myself.

Once at the fairgrounds, I located a spot and observed the buzz and excitement of the various fan groups uniting. I got nothing but smiles from everyone who met my gaze. I was asked at some point if I had a screenname and I had to explain that I did, but they wouldn't know me because I am a Cook fan. People were actually surprised that I'd be there; "so, then, what is your connection to Archie?" and "Wow, the last person I'd expect to see here would be a Cook fan!" But being a stan of one doesn't need to exclude being a fan of the other; I have always been in favor for the "Davids" fans to band together. (It occurs to me how all this fan stuff is just bizarre, but it doesn't matter because it's fun.) "You're going to see him sing songs that the fans haven't even heard yet! This is a big deal!" was the message communicated with pride by several people. I met people from Canada, from Florida. Pennsylvania.. and so on. Met some sweet people from a chat I visit from time to time when I want to talk Archie.

Standouts in Archie's set were "Something 'Bout Love," "Stomping the Roses," "Elevator," and "Zero Gravity." I loved jumping with Archie when he said to jump... and swaying, dancing, smiling. "Stomping the Roses" was a new song and I loved it instantly. "Elevator" had the most emotional impact for me and the emotion was joy. I find Archie to be joyful when he performs; he clearly loves it and this song was all kinds of fun. The falsetto in this song was pretty impressive and strong, and honestly I am not always a fan of falsettos. At one point, Archie yelled out "O-H" and, after the crowd responded "I-O," he instantly gave a full body chuckle: "haha." Adorable.

I think I didn't appreciate "Falling Stars," "The Other Side of Down," and "My Kind of Perfect" quite enough, but these were two brand new songs and it was awesome to be among the first to hear them live. After further listens to "The Other Side of Down" and "My Kind of Perfect," I'd like to experience them live again because they are really good songs. Of course he closed the show with "Crush," which was a crowd pleaser. His second single, "A Little Too Not Over You" was somewhere in the mix too. As I commented afterwards, it isn't easy to put on a great show when much of the music is not familiar, but Archie pulled it off.

In all, it was a great show and I left energized and happy. While technical excellence is important, the way that the music makes you feel is even more important. I think Archie hit all the right notes in both areas.