Alrighty guys....this is going to be long so sit back. I love reading the detailed reviews so that is what I'm going to give to ya'll.
First off, let me just say....it was an awesome show!!!! And just an awesome day!
So, my best friend and I(she wasn't really an "idol" fan, but loves country music) decided that if we were going to make the 4 hour drive from Minneapolis to Des Moines, we were going to get some sun along the way, so we rented a convertible. The day was beautiful, we left around 10:30 and jammed to Carrie, Martina, Keith Urban, and Faith Hill the whole way.
We got to Des Moines around 2:15 and decided to just drive around to the arena to make sure we knew where we were going. So, wouldn't you know it, the buses pull up just as we are driving around it. We saw a cute security guard so we pulled up right behind the buses and pretended we were trying to find the mall...we talked for a bit and then just came out and asked if he could get us meet & greets - unfortunately, they were all given away already. So we couldn't just sit there, and wait - plus no one else was there so we decided to just head off to the mall and wait until the concert.
You don't need to hear about the mall, so back to an hour and a half before the concert. So, we got dressed and dolled up in the bathroom of a Target of all places - it was hilarious, our check out lady was staring at us when we came out looking totally different than when we went in.
We got to the arena around 6:20 or so and they were just starting to let people in. I had made a small book with a couple quotes and written a note to Carrie so the security guard added it to the pile of all of the other things people were bringing and said they would be delivered to the idols. (So, for all of you who want to make or bring something, do it). I bought the tour book, which I highly recommend to anyone going to one of the remaining concerts....it's a really nice book, and it comes in handy later after the show. (So, as I'm writing this, Carrie's hershey's commercial just came on the tv
Ok, so THE CONCERT.......
I am a Carrie fan to the core, by far the best, but I just have to say that each one of those kids is soooooo talented and so deserving of whatever is going to become of "a career". There was not one poor performance in the bunch. Sure some where a bit less riveting, but nonetheless they were all fantastic.
So, we grad a couple of beers and get to our seats and I decide I'm going to test out the brand new digital camera I just bought and make sure that I have the flash, settings etc correct...So, the AI theme song starts to echo throughout the arena, the lights dim and there is a montage of all the great moments from the show....all the moments we've watched and cheered for....that part was really neat. I get out my camera and it says, "Change the Batteries!" I just about died...thank goodness I had brought an extra set of them and also another camera. The batteries would have to wait for Carrie.
First up was Jessica and boy can she sing....seductive dancing from her as well....the only thing was she was totally out of breath whenever she talked....Anwar was next, and his performance was pretty mello, but wow, he too has some vocals - just a smooth guy and an adorable face. Anwar introduced Constantine, I think he was next..and the place went crazy - the ladies down on the floor never sat down....and boy can C work the ladies....mr seducer, touching his chest, wiping the sweat from his face and hair....his bohemian rhapsody number was really great. I'm forgetting the order, but I think NiKko was next...and that boy can dance....he had the place hopping. I think next was Scotty the Body....he is a big boy. Loved "Take a Look at Me Now" but he and Jessica's duet was awesome....seriously one of my favorites, even though it was kind of hard to take the two of them singing it to each other seriously...
But nonetheless it was great. Nadia finished up the first half and that hair.....HUGE....but she was rocking the house, too.
Intermission.....I got my camera situation all figured out - new batteries - all ready to go. The anticipation was building in the arena, you could tell.
First out, is Anwar on the keyboards and then, the yellow dress and Baby V. what a sweetheart she was....thanking everyone so much and blowing kisses. Her performace was powerful but not overly exciting - what a huge voice. She welcomed out Anthony and it was so funny....he messed up a the very beginning and then after the first song, told us, "sorry, I have some phlem in my throat" - he is adorable....and that hint of a russian accent makes him even more so - he wandered down into the crowd a couple of times and finished with his latin dancing - again, a fairly mello performace but just awesome to sit back and listen to his voice. I've loved him since his audition, too. So, next up, Anthony said some nice things about Bo and that he was recovering well and then they show a montage with his performace of Vehicle from a past show - it was really sad that he wasn't there....especially I'm sure for his fans. Sweet Home Alabama was really neat of the guys to do - they really looked like they were having a blast. So after SHA - Scotty the Body once again takes the microphone and thanks everyone for Bo and then says......."It gives me great honor to introduce to you.......Your American Idol, Ms. Carrie Underwood" and it was dephening in the arena - the crowd went nuts - everyone on their feet and she struts out in her hat and white "Freedom" T and dances around to Sin Wagon - she covered one end of the stage to the other....smiling, waving - what a doll. I had my camera in front of my face most of the time, which, in retrospect I wish I would have watched more, but the pics were worth it. She was so animated last night, cracking jokes and just smiling and giggling and waving to everyone So, Independence Day was increidble - it just sounds like it was meant for her to sing and then of course, "Alone" - wow - just amazing. I wish I could have frozen the performances to watch them over again. When she started singing IYH I couldn't believe she was almost done already....it was really neat when the rest of the idols came out to join her. They all disappeared and the stage guy brought out one stool - well, the crowd started cheering and stomping their feet and about 2 min later, Carrie appears at the top of the stage and talks about singing with Bo and how much she misses him. She then says that "all we get is her tonight" - believe me, it was enough. It brought both my friend and I to tears. The group performaces were great, too, they were all dancing, running around and just having so much fun. I was really sad to see it end.
It was just a great show - and to all those who dog it - there was more talent and class on that stage from a group of ameteurs than some other one person acts I've been to. Well, that's not all.............
So, we head to where we saw the buses earlier in the day, and there is a small group of people waiting behind the railing....so I get right up front and secure my spot. We must have been waiting, maybe 10 minutes and who is the first one out......well Nikko, but he got on the bus and didn't come out.....then Carrie comes out in a fleece zip up and jeans, waves and says "I'll be right back" about 5 minutes later she comes out and honestly....more beautiful in person - she signed, took pics with everyone and talked with everyone....actually had conversations and made eye contact with people....it was so endearing.... so she is working her way down to me and then is standing there, and says "Hi, who should I make this out to" - So she personalizes everyone's signature and we have a conversation about two books I had sent to she and her mom back after the show. I said, "I sent you the tour book" and she said, "Oh, the scrapbook, oh yeah, thanks I have mine with me...." I said, thank you, awesome concert, you've been so fun to watch" and she smiles and says again, "thanks again for the scrapbooks" (I'll post a pic of them) She was such a doll....just a sweetheart and absolutely beautiful. Poor girl, though, she said twice how hungry she was. Eventually one by one they all came out...signing, posing for pics, they were all so gracious and nice - thanking all of us and engaging in conversations.
So around 11:30, we decide we have to get on the road....a four hour drive ahead and work at 8:00am - it was a great day. Carrie is really the real deal.... a gentle girl, that girl next door, sweet and sincere and someone who no matter how famous she is will remember what is real about her. We should all consider ourselves very lucky to be able to enjoy the gifts she has. We have all been blessed.
Sorry this was soooo long, but I didn't want to leave anything out. The pics will have to wait until tomorrow.
Night Ya'll - my three hours of sleep is killing me!
Sara
TOTW/F/M Award(s): 2
