KATHARINEI froze and I couldn't speak, not even to the one next to me. She couldn't speak either (as she is also a Kat fan). I almost buckled when I saw her appear in real life in front of my very eyes. I stopped feeling my hands and feet. I stared at her and forgot what I was doing -- her video. I was overwhelmed, and in a rain-pouring ecstacy, I was soaking myself in it, wallowing in it like the nut that I am. Then I melted.
In person, she looked so much more beautiful, young and healthy with that great body, not very tall from my vantage point. She came out glowing, inspired, committed, barefooted. As usual, her beautiful voice soared high and wide, cutting through any hard form in the way. It reverberated in my ears for a while, but it surely repenetrated the recesses of my being and the ubiquitous corners of my mind.
Sporting a new straight-hair "do", wearing her black concert-signature dress, she interacted with the box drummer and shouted "what's up Washington?" during BHATCT performance, and how she rocked the arena with this performance was indeed a treat to everyone.
She was dancing around during "Think", making everyone stand up, and engaging with people on the floor. I even noticed she danced a little bit down there before running back upstairs. She was having a lot of fun from how she did those dancing-- very energetic.
She sang her heart out and then broke her silence to a confession that she has waited so long to reach Washington. She revealed that a lot of her family live in the state. She recalled "spending all her summers here growing up as a kid", and "she considers Washington as her second home", and that "their presence meant a lot to her". She spoke with some nostalgia but expressed her gratitude and acknowledged their support. She was happy to be back. She loves Washington (we love you too, Kat). I would only guess that it's possible a big part of her heart was left here. I love being a Washingtonian!
She stayed mostly in the center part of the stage during SOTR --People were screaming in sheer joy and excitement just seeing her, and she sang so beautifully. There were spurts and bursts of titillating screams even while she was singing, but in between, there was also this one brief moment of silence noted, as in awe, you could almost hear a pin drop. Her physicality and stage presence were wonders to behold, aptly matched by a cheering, applauding, standing crowd when the song ended, giving the last note a different from usual C# finish.
She performed 3 songs in a row without much talk in between. Her songs happened so fast. I couldn't even get to reposition my video or make a zoom or do some still shots in fear of losing the sound if I did that. I suspected a sense of eagerness in her to get through with the set in the best time frame and performance she could deliver. There was also a sense of modesty displayed, which I find admirable, the kind of feeling where you would not want to monopolize the time for your own individual story and glory just because you're performing in the state you partly call home.
The LIA finale was just as fun for me. Kat was wearing her tunic, thigh-hugger beige miniskirt, dress looking very young and bubbly. After the song was over, I caught her pulling Kellie by the hand going backstage in a giggly way (as if she was happy the song was done and they could do other things soon), but then the group came out again with Kellie leading and completing the final bow
TACOMA AUDIENCE AND THE OTHER IDOLS
Tacoma was awesome. The dome was about 91% full but the energy was electric and contagious. Actually, only parts of the high bleachers had vacant spots. People were punctual, excited and civil.
They (the audience) were also very participatory.
After Mandisa's performance and after she acknowledged the audience by saying "the
ladies of Washington can sing!" the roof of the dome almost left us. She rocked Tacoma and I could tell that people in Washington love and support the American Idol show. With Mandisa singing first, the show looked promising and exciting.
Bucky asked them to hold up anything that lights, I looked and a sea of lights suddenly ignited the whole arena with lighters, flashlights, cell phones, and various designs of glowsticks--some are orange too. However, his voice was weak, the band sound covered one entire song, although he recovered with the last one.
They received Lisa with admiration for her piano-playing skills while doing her set. She introduced Paris as her best friend. Paris asked them if they would dance with her and rocking resumed. This girl's got great pipes and some hot moves --the next Janet Jackson!
Ace is a heartthrob, no question about it. His dance moves, kneeling, head shaking, beanie-wearing and throwing it to the audience, even high-jumping-- ignited girl screams. Even I screamed. I thought Ace performed very well.
They were struck by Kellie's appearance decked in all black --leather jacket and boots, contrasting the long blonde wavy hair. She didn't look as animated at all as I was expecting her to be. There were no exciting moves and I didn't hear much excitation for her either. I thought Kellie's vocal performance didn't really get me. Excuse me, girlfriend.
Chris asked them if they would be back to the dome when he gets done with his album and they roared. His voice sounded very, very good with the sound system. I loved his performance, if I may admit one more thing. There were young children holding banners for Chris and Kat-- really beautiful.
Elliott's appearance sent more loud ripples into the air when he joined Chris in a duet. People loved him. His performances were softer than Chris' but he surely had sentiments from everyone.
Taylor's shout-singing, harmonica-playing, guitar-acting-like-playing or playing-for-real was almost convincing that he was the star of the show, being the last one to sing in the sequence of performers, but I would have to disagree alittle bit. I agree that he has some soulful vocal tones, but the more promising vocal skills were not heard from him.
.....The young girls screamed for Ace and danced with Paris. Most young men's applause were for Chris' rocking the house with his guitar-singing performances. The teen girls and forty-ish women shouted for Katharine. I met an old couple in their seventies carrying an oxygen tank with them and told me they came to hear Katharine. The dads and older brothers yelled when Taylor came in.
