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When Phillyist went to see David Cook, it was with a level of reserved enthusiasm. We were looking forward to the concert, but weren't quite sure what we had in store for us. Turns out it was a lot of teens and a lot of cougars in mom jeans. Seriously, we couldn't get over the fact that there were a lot of older women there, and not with their children. They were legitimately there to see David Cook. We didn't know he pulled so strongly from that demographic but they sure loved him and Cook loves his fans right back.
Cook played to a packed house at the Keswick Theatre in Glenside, a packed house that was utterly devoted to their American Idol, and he played a pretty solid set. He performed the kind of show that one would expect from an Idol contestant: strong in the vocals (which were unfortunately under-mic'd), solid backing band, PG sensibility and lots of charisma. Cook's got stage presence for sure and the way his crowd responded to him seemed almost to surprise and humble him, something you would think he might be a little used to by now, having been on a solo tour since February. His setlist included most of his eponymous album, opening with "Kiss on the Neck", a "hidden" track approximately eight minutes after the end of the last track on his album. "I Did It For You", "Heroes" and "Straight Ahead" were next, all straight-forward rock songs with little variation but again, strong in the vocals with solid backing. Next was "Lie", which started out beautifully as an a capella vocal from Cook lifted over the crowd. After a few shouts of "I love you, Daviiiiid!" the crowd shushed itself and listened intently as Cook delivered lyrics with heartfelt sensitivity. Later came a cover of "(I Just) Died In Your Arms Tonight", which Cook seemed to think much of his audience wouldn't know. Much to his surprise, they knew every word.
Phillyist would rate this concert as good but not fantastic. It wasn't anything spectacular but it was definitely a well-played show. The band itself reminded us of Creed, minus the ass-hattery of Scott Stapp. Would we go see a live performance again? Maybe a solo acoustic show, something that would showcase just him but probably not a full band performance. Will we continue to listen to his CD? Absolutely.
Image credit: Artist website
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Mom jeans FTW!
What a lazy review! It's obvious from the get go the writer went into the David Cook concert with every intent to downgrade his performance just because he came from Idol. Funny thing is he delivered an amazing show with an enthusiatic audience who stood the second he got on stage.
How do I know-because I was there and saw for myself the power he had over that crowd.
So much so they stood quiet as he sang a cappella during the song "Lie".
I would like to know what this writer considers as a successful concert. Obviously, a sold out house of screaming chanting fans isn't it to her or a sold out tour for that matter.
Why? Because the guy happened to have the misfortune to win a reality series. It's not enough that he spent over ten years of his life working as a musican in bands or that he has written with successful musicians on his self titled platinum cd and has toured solidly since February.
TessL,
I had absolutely no indication of downgrading Cook's performance simply because he came from Idol. As you can see in the first paragraph, I stated that I was "looking forward to the concert but wasn't sure what I had in store for me." Simply put, I didn't know what to expect. I'm not a David Cook fan and don't actively follow him so I was pretty much going into this blind (unless you count watching AI, which I don't.) I also said that Cook's fans loved him and they loved him back. They were practically rabid for him and that's totally cool. I was so surprised by just how devoted his following was. No slam on his fans, I just didn't know he had that loyal of a fanbase for being on the scene for so little time.
Please don't say that the fans sat there quietly during "Lie" because as you know, there were plenty of people proclaiming there love for David at more than a reasonable volume and even more people "shushing' THOSE people. It was less than quiet. I did, however, call it 'beautiful.' I just wish I could have heard that instead of everyone else.
I said the concert was good. It was good because it was a solid performance. It didn't deviate from the original orchestrations at ALL, which was something I would have expected Cook to ddo, seeing as he put such an original spin on the covers he performed on Idol. I was disappointed to see that he didn't do that to his own music, that's all. I could have also used to hear more Cook and less band. Let's face it--he got to where he is because of his vocal talent, not his guitar playing (which was chord modulation at best, which is fine) and that certainly shone through (which I also mentioned.) Yes, the fans were totally enthralled the whole time. I mentioned that as well. Was it a "blow you away with the awesomeness of rock" show for me? No. It was generic, family-friendly rock and that's fine. It just wasn't anything spectacular.
Sorry you didn't like my review, but it was an opinion. As my mother says, opinions are like assholes...everyone has one.
I don't believe that we should deem a concert successful based on ticket sales. The quality of the performance trumps ticket sales. It sounds like Cook gave a good show and his fans supported him; but, it also sounds like he was not as innovative as he has been in the past.
Okay, it's one thing to hit on Cook because he won Idol but to criticize his fans? You had no intention of writing anything positive about this concert. What a jaded review!
I didn't criticize his fans. If you were there, you should have seen what I saw. Lots of teens and lots of jeans. I had every intention of writing a positive review and I believe I did. Sorry my review didn't suit you.
If you really sit down and read the article, you'll see that although the writer initially had mixed feelings about the show, she left the concert satisfied. I don't think she would have written the last two sentences had her experience been poor. And, for the record, the article was focused on him, not the fans... her observation was a minor detail compared to the description about the show.
Your review is the exact opposite of "lazy" and "jaded." I thought it was very well thought out and complimentary of the good parts of the show, while pointing out its flaws very tactfully, with musical knowledge and years of concert-going experience to back you up. I also thought you were quite kind to the fans, who made so much noise it was hard to hear their musical wunderkind.
I was there -- the show was good. He's got talent, to be sure, but it was hard to hear him over the crowd and the band. (That's probably more the fault of the Keswick sound system than anything Cook or his band did.) I'd love to hear an acoustic album if he put one out. He'd be a great artist to start an "MTV Unplugged" comeback.
Anyway, great review. Very balanced and, I thought, complimentary.
I think that this review is completely valid and honest. Yeah, the woman reviewing the concert may have been to dozens of better concerts, but I think that she was very fair. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one & apparently her's is valid enough to be able to write this article!
At the risk of sounding like I'm simply chirping up only in defense of my fellow Phillyist, I can safely say that Phillyist generally—and Leigh specifically—had no disinclination towards David Cook when she went to this show. We never walk into shows expecting to dislike them. Frankly, if we think we'll dislike a show, we don't cover it at all.
Funny thing is, this review wasn't really that negative at all.
The concert was everything you could want. David was humble, charming, and his vocals were awesome. I had no trouble hearing his powerful voice from the front row at the Keswick. Perhaps it's a different experience from other areas of the venue. I go to concerts all the time and I was one happy 'cougar' at this energetic and entertaining show. My two companions were equally impressed and we'd go see David Cook again in a heartbeat. I'd encourage anyone who has the chance to go and see this talented artist.
I did want to mention that the photo that accompanies this article is not from this concert which doesn't add any credibility to the review.
Sherrie, hi. We don't have a staff photographer. Are you a photographer? Would you like to start photographing shows for us? If so, email editors@phillyist.com with your portfolio.
I should mention, though, that sometimes, we can't get photo passes. It's not a matter of credibility, it's a matter of artistic riders. Some artists refuse to let anyone photograph them for publication unless it's their approved photographers. Others make us sign release forms so strict we don't even bother.
Also, the photo comes from Cook's official site. I think that's pretty damn credible. Or are you insinuating something else about him?
Sherrie--Jillian is absolutely on the money with this one. I was unfortunately not offered a photo pass for this show. I would have loved to get some shots of Cook from where I was but with the crowd standing the whole time and me standing at 5'3", it was impossible. :)
Wow. Who knew Phillyist readers were so devoted to David Cook?
I know, right??
Good thing there's nothing else going on in the world that's more important.
apparently the phillyist ladies really do love the david cook. i was there with friends, too. and i can confirm lots of mothers and lots of teenagers.
i can also confirm the loud woman in front of me shushing the teenagers screaming behind me during his solo.
need even more confirmation? david threw a frisbee in the tiny alley behind the theatre before the show. ooooooooh, how dreamy.
Ms. Simpson-you didn't go in blind-it's obvious you did your research on Mr.Cook and his fanbase. My guess is you were apprehensive going in there because you were afraid you'd like him and god forbid, how could a self-respecting music reviewer review favorably an Idol with a "rabid" fanbase of "cougers in mom pants" and teens.
I'll be honest with you-I think you're first reply is a better review. I don't agree with it but I thought you weren't as snarky but I guess when you review for a blog or whatever this is you have to fluff your piece with snark to get people to read it. Like Miss Bee-(down below) who obviously follows Mr. Cook enough to go to the concert and know what he does on his free time between concerts. Did ya go to the bus too?
*sigh*
I sat here for a little while deciding whether or not to dignify this last comment with a response. TessL, you might not like my choice of words in my review. You might not like my opinions, either. I'm snarky by nature, as anyone who knows me would tell you and that absolutely comes through in my writing at times. I appreciate sarcasm...sorry you can't. I'm certainly not too cool for the room and as a full-time music teacher, I listen to any and all types of music. I'm just as likely to pull up Bjork and Buddy Rich on my iPod as I am to pull up Lady Gaga and NSync. I watched AI and was impressed by Cook--that's why I signed up to review the show. It was just okay. Like vanilla ice cream instead of fine Capogiro gelato. I was hoping for gelato, but I still like ice cream.
One final note: insinuating anything by asking if I "went to the bus too" is baseless, classless and a truly desperate attempt to discredit a perfectly valid review. Epic Fail.
And on that note, comments on this thread are now closed.