2009 Lookback | Kris Allen headlines Season 8's American Idols Live Summer Tour

It's summer, it's hot, and it's time to lookback at a happier time - Summer of 2009, when Kris Allen and his fellow season 8 American Idols went on tour! Devoted fans of the season logged on their computers for each show's cellcast. (Yes, that's right, back in 2009 we listened to someone at the show sharing the garbled audio from their cell phone.) A few of the shows were livestreamed thanks to some intrepid Adam Lambert fans who started a UStream account (gotta give credit when credit is due! The Adamcast as it was called was much better quality than the cellcasts.) People had nice cameras in 2009 and where livestreaming was off and on, pretty much every show featured spectacular live videos, which made the Idol tour 2009 easy to follow.

As for this blog's subject? Kris Allen, having won Idol, got to close the show.  I'll have a few more posts about the 2009 summer tour coming up that will focus on some specific fun things (the NY shows, the show I went to (Philadelphia) and the tour finale in Manchester, NH). This post, however, will focus on the overall tour and also contain Kris' setlist and some favorite videos from the starting shows of the tour (including the now hard to find official Bright Lights video). Enjoy the memories from a far more innocent summer ten years ago!

2009 Lookback | Kris Allen signs with Jive and does Idol-related appearances and tour rehearsals, June 2009

So much to cover in this post! In June 2009, Kris signed with his first record label and continued his press and appearances as the newly crowned Season 8 winner. This post will have the highlights, and for those of you who have never watched some of these, maybe some new things! Included: an appearance with Smokey Robinson at the big 2009 Walmart shareholders meeting, the NBA Finals anthem, the Huckabee show and the 5-part Idolatry interview. Lots of videos and some mp3s for the completists! Read on after the break...

Kris Allen sang these songs for the first time in 2018

Happy new year Kris fans! I thought for a little recap for 2018, I'd make a YouTube playlist of songs that were first sung by Kris in 2018. Since he mainly just did one-offs, the Idol tour and the holiday show, but didn't put out a full album, the playlist doesn't have too much on it. The two originals that haven't been released yet - hopefully we'll get official versions in 2019. (Kris said during meet and greets this year that he hopes to have new music out by the end of March.)



On this 2018 playlist, you'll find these songs (and I'll put in some mp3 links too for my favorites):

• When All the Stars Have Died [Apple Music | Spotify | Google Play | Amazon]
• Waiting on You (original - not released yet so no mp3)
• Safe Harbor (original - not released yet so no mp3)
• Freedom '90 (amazing cover with Delta Rae, Sean McConnell and Josh Jenkins) [mp3]
• Rainbow Connection (backing Maddie Poppe in the Idol tour)
• Folsom Prison Blues (backing Caleb Lee Hutchison in the Idol tour)
• There's Nothing Holding Me Back (Idol tour finale) [mp3]
• Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) (great cover from the Christmas tour) [mp3]

Be safe and Happy New Year. Here's to new music in 2019!

Idol Tour 2018: September 16: The Finale! Kris Allen brings DC another hurricane and the 2.1 Idols

The tour finale is this Sunday in Washington, DC.

Not the first time Kris has brought a hurricane to DC (definitely click that link, the video is funny), just saying. I remember driving home from this show as Hurricane Sandy hit. We did get lucky this time with Hurricane Florence; however, the remnants are scheduled to hit DC on Monday. My best thoughts to anyone in the Carolinas reading this.

September 16: Warner Theatre, Washington, DC  - I did make the show! It was fast-paced and a lot of fun. We had a Periscope and another Kris fan took some videos. I'll keep adding them to the post as he uploads them (Thanks Eric!) You know DC always #givesgoodlist!

The set list is here.

Updated September 17 with my thoughts and the videos (after the break)! Hope Kris and the Idols don't have travel issues today. Florence is in SW VA and the outer bands are going to give DC a lot of rain. My thoughts are with all of you in the Carolinas.

Idol Tour 2018: September 14 and 15: the Idols play the suburbs of New York and Boston

If you missed the first time the Idol tour played the Boston or New York City areas, you're in luck, because the tour is coming back around!

September 14: Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank NJ (Monmouth County) - Kris did not appear. See below.

September 15: Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, New Bedford, MA (south of Boston; east of Providence, RI) - Kris did not appear. Nick Fradiani subbed for him. See below.

The set list is here.

Updated September 13 with some sad news. Kris announced on his Facebook that a close lifelong friend had passed away unexpectedly. He will be returning to Arkansas for the funeral and will miss the show in New Jersey and per an email going out to ticket purchasers, the VIP in MA. My thoughts, prayers and condolences goes out to Kris, his family and friends.

Idol Tour 2018: September 12 and 13: Kris Allen and the Idols return to Pennsylvania!

Kris and the Idols return to Pennsylvania. They had a Philadelphia-area stop earlier, but now they'll play York (near Amish country in southern central Pennsylvania), and also the Pittsburgh area.

September 12: York Fair, York PA. Some videos just turned up!

September 13: Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall, Munhall, PA (Pittsburgh area) Videos after the break.

The set list is here.

Come back after the shows for coverage.

Updated September 14 with some Pittsburgh videos

Idol Tour 2018: September 9 and 10: Kris comes home to Nashville and then back out to Dayton

We are in the final ten days of the tour now! I'm so excited for Kris to play the historic Ryman, even if it is as host of the Idol tour 2018. After a stop in his adopted hometown of Nashville, the tour heads back out to Dayton, Ohio.

September 9: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN - Nashville is just always a city that never shares video. 

September 10: The Rose Music Center at the Heights, Huber Heights, OH (Dayton area) - some video; not much

 The set list for the Idol tour concerts is here. 

Updated September 13 with a little from Nashville. Not much.  But some good stuff, especially for Idol 2.1 fans.

Idol Tour 2018: September 7: Kris Allen and the Idols play the Chicago Area

It's back to the Chicago area for Kris Allen on the Idol tour. The Idol Tour in 2009 played Rosemont, a western suburb. Back in those days, the tour played the Allstate Arena there and the crowd was allowed to be enthusiastic:



Let's hope this smaller theatre lets the 2018 Idols and their fans have some fun. Ticket link below; come back after the show for coverage. Set list is here.

September 7, 2018: Rosemont Theatre, Rosemont, IL

Updated 10/2/2018 with better videos! Enough to earn Chicago #gavegoodlist

Idol Tour 2018: September 5 and 6: Up to Minnesota and Wisconsin for Kris Allen and the Idols

Kris and the Idols get a little break before heading north. (I'm guessing for Maddie to go home to Iowa since they play South Dakota on Sunday and Minneapolis on Wednesday.)  They play some shows in the midwest this week.

September 5: State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN - Nice videos after the break! Minneapolis earns #gavegoodlist!

September 6: The Riverside Theatre, Milwaukee, WI - 

Ticket links above. Come back after the shows for coverage! The set list for all Idol tour shows is here.
Updated 9/8/2018 with some Milwaukee videos.

Idol Tour 2018: August 30 and 31 and September 2: Kris Allen Plays Montana for the First Time (?) (and Utah and South Dakota too) with the American Idols

The tour heads back across the country again! What's cool is that Kris is going to play for the first time ever (as far as I've been keeping track anyway) in Montana! It's your chance! They're also playing Utah, where Kris has done a few shows over the years.

(Update: Unfortunately, can't find any Kris media from the Montana show! I've added the 9/2 South Dakota show to this post in an attempt for South Dakota to pick up Montana's slack.)

August 30: Alberta Bair Theater, Billings, MT - Nothing. Crickets. If you were there and took a photo or video of Kris, please share with the world.

August 31: Dejoria Center, Salt Lake City, UT - A few videos.

September 2: Deadwood Mountain Grand, Deadwood, SD - Two nice sets of videos!

The set list for all Idol 2018 live tour shows is here.
Updated September 3 with videos from South Dakota.

Idol Tour 2018: August 27 and 28: Back to the Northwest for Kris Allen and the Idols

They started the tour in the Pacific northwest, but if you missed their July show in Oregon, or if you want to see the changes to the set list since then, they're back!

August 27, 2018: Oregon State Fair - A few videos coming in. Thank you to Aunty CJ for giving us some set list notes. Maddie made another change. Most important, Kris soundchecked the Death of Mr. Jones! #gavegoodlist awarded for that tidbit. Here's a link if you are not familiar with Kris' side project, the Dames.

August 28, 2018: Evergreen State Fair (Washington) - Gorgeous videos have turned up! AND a new Kris song he has never sung before with video! #gave goodlist to you Evergreen!

The Idol set list for all of the live tour shows is here.

Updated 9/1/2018 with even more videos! All media after the break.

Idol Tour 2018: August 23 and 24: Kris Allen and the Idols bring the tour to the heartland

The tour moves westward into the states of South Dakota and Nebraska!

August 23: Orpheum Theatre, Omaha, NE - Some videos!

August 24: Sommerhold Hall, Sioux Falls, SD - And some more videos! With some good stuff in them. Earning Sioux Falls #gavegoodlist!

Updated 8/25 with a few videos from Omaha and a few from Sioux Falls. Check out the set list here.

Idol Tour 2018: August 21 and 22: Kris Allen and the Idols play Cincinnati and Indianapolis

After visiting the northeast United States, it's time to head west, starting with stops in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

August 21: Taft Theatre, Cincinnati, OH - Thank you @ShouldI45 for the videos! She singularly earned Cincy #gavegoodlist!

August 22: Murat Theatre, Indianapolis, IN - Some fantastic videos and photos here too earned Indy #gavegoodlist

The set list is here.
Updated 8/30 with some fantastic videos from Indianapolis.

Idol Tour 2018: August 19: Kris Allen and the Idols play the first of two Boston-area shows

On to the Boston area for the first of two shows in the Boston area! (The 2nd is on September 15, in case you are on vacation and have to miss this one.) This one is in Lynn, MA, which is just northeast of Boston. Not many tickets left, but here's the link!

August 19: Lynn Auditorium, Lynn, MA

The set list is here. In the meantime, there's some IG stuff after the break and I just updated the post to add MJs review and videos!

Idol Tour 2018: August 17 and 18: Kris Allen and the Idols play New Jersey!

Following their New York stop, the Idols continue on to New Jersey! Here's more information on these shows:

August 17: Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ - Videos but even better photos and scoopage!

August 18: Bergen Performing Arts Center, Bergen, NJ - Some good videos!

Coverage and info after the break. Both cities earn #gavegoodlist! The set list is here.

Idol Tour 2018: August 15 and 16: Kris Allen and the Idols take on the Big Apple!

Kris Allen and the Idols hit New York City today for press! And then play a show in Long Island tomorrow! I think they scheduled that one around Ang's birthday.

I might have to post some Kris idol tour 2009 NYC memories on Twitter! (@KrisAllenLists)

Here's what we know is happening today and tomorrow!

August 15: Performance at Empire State Building with Maddie and Caleb Kris was unable to make it (he's under the weather) but we did get video of Maddie and Caleb (inside post).

August 16: The Space at Westbury Theater, Westbury, NY We've got some videos and photos from Ang and some ladies she met at the show! I'll be adding these as I get them after the break.

 (I'll put the press stuff and the concert videos after the break.) In the meantime, here's a goodie from 2009 NYC Idol press coverage:



Updated 8/16/2018: Westbury show gave us some videos thanks to Ang! If you are here looking for what was sung, the set list is here.

Idol Tour 2018: August 13 and 14: Kris Allen and the Idols play Albany and Philadelphia

I mixed up this part of the Idol tour schedule; my apologies! It turns out the Idols played Albany on August 13 and will play Philadelphia tonight! Tickets are still available so I've linked that.

August 13: Palace Theatre, Albany, NY - Highlights after the break. Not much.

August 14: Tower Theater, Upper Darby, PA (Philadelphia suburb) - A few videos and photos.

Updated August 16 with some Philly media. On to NYC and NJ! We've got good fans covering those shows! If you are here looking for what was sung, the set list is here.

Idol Tour 2018 Catch-up Post: St. Louis (August 10)

Oops, forgot this show! As in not even on the Kralendar. Was it added late? Anyway the 2.1 Idol tour and Kris played St. Louis on August 10. Whatever I can find, I'll put in this post! The set list is here.

Highlights (?) for Kris fans:

• Um, Gabby singing LLWD
  
  

Idol Tour 2018: August 12: Kris Allen and the Idol Tour Play the Mid-Atlantic!

The Idol tour 2018 arrives east with stops in Philadelphia and in Baltimore.

August 12: The Lyric, Baltimore. Some good Kris fans going to this stop! Kris did a fun promotional appearance at Baltimore's 101.9 FM. Videos are coming in and are after the break. Plus Kris soundchecked one of my favorite Van Morrison songs. Thanks @Lulu_bis, @KiraCapri919, @tonyacrys and @newland21!

Updated August 14: I apologize - I mixed up the Philly and Albany dates and skipped Albany. So I've taken Philly off this post and made a new post for those two cities. Not expecting much from either. Baltimore highlights after the break and Charm City earns #gavegoodlist! The set list is here.

Idol Tour 2018: August 8-9: Kris Allen and the Idols play the Midwest

The Idols head east, but make pit stops in Kansas City and Tulsa first!

August 8: Brady Theater, Tulsa, OK - I am soooooo glad Jon (@Shazamy) traveled for this one. He got it all and Kris is letting people share the new song now.

August 9: Uptown Theater, Kansas City, MO - We were in great hands here too, with Christi and Debbi in attendance! Thank you for the scope, Christi!

Updated August 14! Whew, there was a lot! #gavegoodlist for these cities! The set list is here. Thank you to Debbi because her videos helped me update that post bigtime!