http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBmkVDgBsFc

AI Tour Summer 2008
This annual tour takes the finalists across America. Since David had already signed a record contract, not only was he touring, he was recording every chance that he got for his upcoming debut CD. His set included four songs: Angels, Apologize, Stand By Me, and When You Say You Love Me. Night after night many were wowed by his voice, and many were starting to notice his charisma and growing performance technique. Before and after the venue throngs of fans waited in the summer heat to great him.

Crush
Headlines blared “Archuleta Crushes the Competition” after his debut single raced up the charts, topping iTunes just hours after its release. The song became both a chart and critical success and began to silence those who had considered David solely a ‘ballad boy’. “David Archuleta” the CD debuted at number two on Billboard and currently has sold approximately 700k in the US. Crush has sold 1.8 million downloads and is still an AC radio mainstay.

Jingle Ball/Jam
David appeared in a slew of mini sets across the US promoting his CD during the holiday season. The one that always comes to mind is the Jingle Ball at Madison Square Garden, when David was sandwiched between Kanye West and Chris Brown. He not only fit right in… he rocked it out!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCG9vGeNnyU

Solo Tour
At the beginning of the year David embarked on his first solo tour, playing a couple of dozen medium sized venues. The reviews of both fans and critics were positive as David had grown as an entertainer, blossoming on stage before our very eyes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCG9vGeNnyU

Asia, home again and McFly
David got a Beatles style welcome from his Asian fans during his press events and promotional performances. Back in the states he returned to the Idol stage and, hampered by nerves, he later roasted his own performance. Finally David toured with the UK band McFly. Bolstered by his fans who came from far and wide, David relied on his pristine voice, stage presence, and matinee idol good looks to win over the McFly fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owTfslYg8KY

Reunion
David Archuleta and David Cook performed a back-to-back concert in Manila. During their stay they were given a warm reception by the fans; both have strong fan bases there. The concert sold out. 50,000 tickets were sold, with reportedly an equal amount swarming the grounds outside the venue.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4nk4XXaPAc

The Present
So much has been said, and will be said about how far David has come, and where this road will take him. What has impressed me the most about David is his drive and determination. He is both tenacious and humble. It’s taken him a long time to realize that yes, the fans come to see him. He seems to try hard to not miss an appearance or an opportunity to greet his fans. David works hard at his craft, but he plays just as hard, taking the opportunity to take in the local flavor of the city or country he visits whenever he can. He’s a young man playing with slime at the Kid’s Choice Awards, and the next he’s working the stage with more than a hint of sass and maturity. I have no doubt that this is David’s passion. There is no question for me but that this is what he was put on this earth to do.

The Future
As another cycle of American Idol begins, and another winner and runner have been determined what can we expect as David’s ties to the show are perhaps relaxed? Will David become a Disney icon? Or will he become, as many of us hope, the type of performer he admires? Will he have the respect of someone like John Mayer, or the cool reputation of Jason Mraz? Soon he will go on tour with Demi Lovato, and is also working on material for his second CD. With talent like David’s, expectations must be high. I have no crystal ball. No prognostications. I do expect that it will be something to keep his growing fan base talking, tweeting, and blogging. I mean, how can we not? He’s done so much in this year since Idol ended, I can only imagine what he will do with even more confidence and experience. I think his future is bright. The accolades will be many. Yes, he’ll stumble sometime, but he’s shown resilience that belies the image many had of him. He’s come a long way in this incredible year.

-brooklyndawn

(And thanks to our own vermeer for the beautiful artwork.)

McFly on Stage___________________David at House of Blues

Tour Schedule

April

24 Apr 2009 Edinburgh Corn Exchange
25 Apr 2009 Glasgow, Armadillo
26 Apr 2009 Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle City Hall
29 Apr 2009 Portsmouth Guildhall

May
1 May 2009 London Hammersmith Apollo
2 May 2009 Southend Cliffs Pavillion
3 May 2009: Ipswich Regent
5 May 2009 Croydon Fairfield Hall
6 May 2009 Oxford New Theatre
8 May 2009 Manchester Apollo
9 May 2009 Leicester De Montford Hall
10 May 2009 Cambridge Corn Exchange

Prestige

The Hammersmith Apollo is a venue with prestige. Literally, everyone has played there and David gets to join those ranks. London’s premier theater venue was the stage for David’s biggest show in the U.K. in front of over 5,000 people, a show that I was fortunate enough to witness, even if it was only 30 minutes long.

To be able to have David in my own country performing at that sort of venue is a blessing and a suitable measure of just how far he has come in 15 months. Long-term music careers are not built overnight and David is making certain headway with his. The future sounds ever more exciting.

Hammersmith Apollo, London

Warm reaction

I envied the McFly fans in a way. I sat there listening to David, having heard his voice almost every day for 15 months. I am fortunate to have heard him live once before. For so many of these people, it was their first time to witness what we all so love. Sitting there in this audience I realized just how infectious it is, how captivating he is. I have been to many, many gigs, some with great support acts, some with some terrible ones. But never have I seen such a warm reaction to an opening act. Cameras were everywhere, people were bouncing, swaying and even singing along in Angels.

Control from start to finish

“He’s too good to be an opening act,” said one group of girls who stood behind me at the show. I couldn’t agree more. David literally has the audience from the word go. As a support act, that is no easy task. I can honestly say I’ve only ever seen one band come close, once before.

Maintaining interest and energy levels with an audience that is unfamiliar with your music, and with you as an artist and a person, is difficult. David had control from start to finish and you could sense that people were being taken in.

I am always baffled as to how certain critics can claim David has no personality yet. All I see is someone who captures the audience with that personality, that aura, with that tenderness, warmth, energy and expression. For some, it may not be the personality they want to see on TV, but when you witness it in person, it is undeniable.

Zero Gravity and Angels

David doesn’t just love music, he lives and breathes it. Any person who has followed David for some time knows of David’s passion and enthusiasm for music. They’ve heard him randomly spacing out, singing word-triggered melodies. They’ve heard stories of him reading Billboard books. He’s also been called a “human jukebox” by Mike Krompass, the guitarist in his band.

The difference between now and when I last saw David back in September, is that he has improved the channeling of that musical passion into his performances. David commented in his latest blog that he is trying to lose himself more in his performances and the improvement is noticeable, with fantastic results. He moves around the stage now with more freedom and energy than he ever did before and no longer seems inhibited or self-aware. A performer like that is so much easier to enjoy, especially if you are new to them.

Zero Gravity encapsulates this improvement. Here David has found a song that he can lose himself in, and the energy and enthusiasm he brings is simply infectious and exciting. In both the Croydon show and Hammersmith, the whole room was bouncing by the final chorus.

However, no song that David sings tops Angels for passion. David has this ability to get under my skin and tear me up. Despite my best efforts, yes, I cried. The unexpected twists and turns that David brought to this song electrified the crowd, especially to a crowd of people who knew the song inside out. This was the song in the set that really demonstrated David as the prodigious vocalist he is. The runs combined with a voice that sang with vigor and passion. As Tom from McFly describes it, his voice is “magical.” It really is.

Just David

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend a short period of time with him amongst other people after the Hammersmith show. It really struck me just how unaffected he is by fame. He really is just David. He ascends into this performing mode, but then comes straight back down to earth. Despite almost taking my eye out with one of the posters (I’ll forgive him though) he is just an amazingly kind, genuine and gentle human being. He spent more time with us than we ever could have wanted, and listened with such interest when it would have been so easy to just be uninterested and aloof.

Love of music reborn

Seeing David is addictive. I have been to two out of my three planned shows now and have not once seen McFly. But I still want to go to more, even though he only sings for 30 minutes at a time.

David encapsulates everything I love about music. Every time I hear him perform live, my love of music is reborn. Not only do I appreciate him more, my level of appreciation for all music heightens. I fall in love with his music and his voice all over again and I remember just what drew me to music throughout my entire life. I love that feeling of peace and emotion, and the sensual touches he brings to his songs.

He unites people who would possibly never have crossed paths otherwise, pulling people from all corners of the country and planet, all to share that gift that he brings to the stage. I don’t think he can ever comprehend the impact he has had on so many lives and the joy he brings to so many.

chenson and friends in London

The spirit and aura he brings of warmth, kindness and fun is invigorating. Being able to capture and emote that special feeling, and tell a story through music, is priceless. I have spent so much time and money on David. When I think about it, it’s pretty outrageous, but honestly, as someone who loves music, I could not think of a better way to spend it. Being able to share that gift with him on stage and then be around such a genuine and normal human being after, makes it that little bit extra special. That special spirit has begun to touch many more lives in the U.K.

— chenson

Editor’s note: This is how chenson describes himself on his blog: “I’m a teenage male music student from the UK with an enormous passion for music.” Visit his blog Always Archuleta for more pictures and more UK tour news.

From David's Perspective

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) is gorgeous, affectionately called the Armadillo, and patterned after the Sydney Conference and Exhibition Centre (pictured in Vee’s avi.) The SECC is near the banks of the Clyde River and a winner of multiple awards in the UK for venues.

Glasgow is a city with great style. The Cunard Shipping Line was founded in Glasgow and that the liners Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth, QE2 and the Royal Yacht Britannia were all built on the River Clyde at Clydebank. Charles Rennie Mackintosh, the world-famous architect and designer, was born in Glasgow in 1868. His work can be seen in many locations in and around the city, the UK, and the world.

“Hi David, i met u yesterday with my dad & brother at ur hotel in Glasgow thanks so much for taking pics with us!”

A Glasgow Fan:

Mr. Kizzi and I met this young lady (around 16,) her dad and her brother outside of David’s hotel, The City Inn, where we were waiting for a taxi after the concert. Until then, we didn’t know it was David’s hotel.

They didn’t have tickets to the concert but she met David at the hotel near the Scottish Exhibition Center venue that afternoon and she had a picture taken with him. She showed us this picture that she had developed that day.

They returned later in the evening to his hotel to see if they could see him again and get her picture autographed along with a couple of CDs that they had gotten from the U.S.; his CD wasn’t on sale yet in the U.K. What a warm and loving family and her mom couldn’t be there as she was expecting and near her delivery date.

The teen’s eyes were shining and she was shaking with excitement. Her father was as excited as she was. Her dad even offered to take us back to our hotel.

The comment under the picture and the picture were posted on a David Bebo fansite page at http://www.bebo.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=7694243936. There are also comments by UK fans, some of whom attended a McFly concert. Credit to desertrat for the photo & Bebo site find.

David’s Grandfather?

A group of girls, 14-18 years old, with such a beautiful Scottish brogue, came up to Mr. Kizzi after David’s set in Glasgow. They asked him where he is from; he said Florida. Then they asked if he was David’s grandfather. He said no. He said no three times. They didn’t hear him because they didn’t listen to anything he said after he said he lived in Florida.

They told Mr. Kizzi they watched David’s American Idol performances on YouTube and knew his grandparents lived in Florida. They were so excited as they were on their way to the outside door to back stage to get an autograph from David. They told Mr. Kizzi that David was amazing and that he (Mr. K) must be so proud of his grandson. By this time Mr. Kizzi was resigned to the fact that they had decided he WAS David’s grandfather and denial was futile; so he said, “Any grandfather would be proud to have David as a grandson.”

Wearing David’s Tee:

Mr. K bought us David tees when we got to the Glasgow venue and he put on his tee right away. The tee is black with David’s picture on the front and a list of the U.K. tour stops on the back (even the canceled ones.) So, McFly fans begin to stop us and discuss David with us before and after the show. Glasgow natives are some of the friendliest people I have ever met.

• One group of girls (ages 14-18) stop us and launch into how much they love Crush, how they saw his AI performances on YouTube, and on how hot David is. They can’t wait until his CD is released next week so they can buy it.
• The ushers were so friendly. They noted the T-shirt and asked us where we came from and was it just to hear David. We say proudly us we came just to hear David open for McFly. They tell us about who they are, their families (Scots are proud of their ancestry) and where they live. One usher invited us to have dinner with their family — we couldn’t though because of our tour. Another usher knew we weren’t sitting together and, after seating us, found me and said she had tickets for two seats together.
• After David’s set we were in the Lounge area talking and the announcer overhead was saying McFly would be on in five minutes. We stood up to return to our seats and four astonishingly beautiful 16-20 year old girls approach us (Mr. K. hasn’t’ yet recovered from how gorgeous these girls are) and asked us if we were David fans. We said yes. They began to show us the items they got David to sign at the backstage door, and told us how sweet he was, how great his music was and how much they loved him.

I had three groups of girls and friends who obviously came together sitting around me.

• The ones to my right, older teens, knew the words to Touch My Hand. They cheered and applauded and stood and waved throughout David’s set. They told me at intermission that they knew David from YouTube and American Idol.
• The ones to my left were also older teens and were quiet at the start of David’s set, didn’t know anything about David and by the time he was singing his final song, Crush, were standing and cheering as exuberantly as the girls on my right. At intermission I spoke briefly to them and they said they were definitely buying his CD.
• In front to my left were a group of girls in their early teens who were applauding, cheering, shrieking and dancing throughout all six songs

And, amazingly, as fans we have so much more to anticipate, to enjoy, as David grows as an artist and becomes known around the world. His artistry has universal appeal across cultures. We are experiencing something extremely rare…to see David’s artistic journey unfold around our planet, experience each step of growth as a fan, feel the joy and celebrate one of the unanticipated splendors of this shared human existence, the music and artistry of David Archuleta.

- kizzi

We arrived by train at the Slateford stop on the Scots Rail line between Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverly stations. It was a two-minute walk to the venue and people were streaming in by foot from five different directions.

In line waiting to pick up our tickets, we talked to people around us. Most didn’t know who David was. One girl said she learned a little about David, that he was on AI, after she found out he was opening for McFly. Some concert goers had been waiting in line at the venue since 7:00 a.m. that day. The venue was standing-room only. We were moshed with mostly 15-20-year-old women, a sprinkling of males (probably 1:10 ratio male to female) and a few concert goers over 30.

Next to me were three girls (15-20 age range) who came together, who cheered at every song, who jumped enthusiastically to Zero Gravity and who sang Crush. During My Hands, the audience was clapping overhead and cheering unreservedly at David’s a cappella vocals. Some of his best a cappella work.

After the show, I asked the girls next to me how they knew Crush. They said from YouTube surfing and they loved his Crush video. I asked them if they had seen the ALTNOY video and they said yes, it was “brilliant.”

Also, I saw McFly fans that were, obviously, waiting through David’s set for McFly. Several groups of girls near us who came together, at first were talking a little to each other but eventually became engaged in listening and watching David through Touch My Hand. By My Hands, they were clapping overhead and cheering. Zero Gravity had them jumping up and down and cheering even louder.

Of interest, next to us was a couple in their late 20s. The guy was behind the girl with his arms around her waist and his head above her head and he occasionally rested his cheek against her temple. They were obviously “in love” and their affection was quite lovely. I glanced occasionally at them. During Touch My Hand, they seemed more engrossed with each other. As David’s songs progressed, their eyes were on the stage and they swayed with his arms around her in rhythm to the music. By Zero Gravity, they were bopping up and down with the laddie’s hands on the lassie’s waist. At the end, they had separated and were applauding.

David’s reception at Edinburgh exceeded our wildest wishes. As always, it is difficult to visualize David’s final show in the U.K. He builds energy and ups his performance at every venue. And, the best is yet to come.

The Edinburgh Audience:

SET LIST:

Touch My Hand
Waiting For Yesterday
A Little Too Not Over You
Angels
Don’t Let Go
Zero Gravity
Crush

FULL SHOW in HD thanks to ANNIEof EU

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbWBZP7V44E

Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLcU9Dg2BNY

Part 3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIukcs2Umss

Part 4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9vyofdXR8s

You can also download the whole show here:

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=UEXVE1MO

TMH thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5qPtUEBtbc

WFY thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_rsFL3Y7jg

Another WFY thanks to McJoBro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtWcwpN4Rzk

ALTNOY thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjPthPCxWcI

ANGELS thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdE0NPog428

Partial DLG thanks to xrachelx:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8tGXw8GemE

ZERO GRAVITY thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6R9HatowZg

Another ZG thanks to McJoBro:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0BnW4ijXos

CRUSH thanks to texa1801:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmyYyicceK8

SET LIST:

Touch My Hand
Waiting For Yesterday
A Little Too Not Over You
Angels
Don’t Let Go
Zero Gravity
Crush
TMH thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8-iW_zdFjw

WFY thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qC9QADd8F_Q

HQ ALTNOY thanks to gooniex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5Ug2w6DJ_Y

ALTNOY thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWlFBkT5hM8

HQ ANGELS thanks to gooniex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5qa3XD6JU4

ANGELS thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ-OiVnFtdA

DLG thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcRi2nh1C6M

ZG thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzEJq7qnJFA

HQ CRUSH thanks to gooniex:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C82V4iQbT9c

CRUSH thanks to bethxo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkMBE8FEQjI

All learning experiences have two phases: taking in and taking hold. The easy part is to absorb and assimilate information; the tricky part, the dividing line between those who observe and those who do, is taking hold of all that has been learned and creating maximum results.

David has now entered the second phase of his learning journey; he is taking hold of his destiny made evident by his performances the past two days in Edinburgh and Glasgow, Scotland.

He has wrapped his arms around the opportunities of his journey and he is making his first solo flights. Oh, yes, he still has his ground crew and he will vacillate somewhat during these early days of taking hold. For learning is about moving forward, backing up, regrouping and moving ahead with greater speed and confidence. Make no mistake, however, he is now emerging as an artist who knows what he is about.

Where the Salt Lake City concert last month conveyed power and joy, Edinburgh and Glasgow transmitted power, purpose and intensity.

In these first U.K. shows, David stepped up his game yet again and he radiated a high level of energy that emanated from him with every note, every move.

At both venues there were a few pockets of fans chanting “David! David! David!” before the shows began. And at both shows, the fans knew Crush, ALTNOY and surprisingly (at least to me) Touch My Hand and Zero Gravity.

The audience was vocal, receptive and highly appreciative of David’s set. There were the applauding, screaming, waving, on-their-feet segment and also the quieter, but no less attentive, attendees. Although the fans, obviously, were not there for David, his reception was outstanding and they cheered for his glory notes, his dancing, his energy — literally, they cheered for all the high points of his songs and performances as did the Stateside concertgoers.

At both shows, the audience was mostly under 20 (approximately 75%). Around 10% of the concertgoers were male. Not many were over 30. In Glasgow, where seats were available, there were probably 250 young girls and boys under 12. The young boys had McFly tees and other paraphernalia and their excitement was palpable and a joy to see.

David displayed a new sense of purpose and every ounce of song and performance at both shows was dedicated to that purpose. Power and purpose stood arm and arm with David.

Coincidentally, Scotland is a place known, historically, for its warriors and, for the past two evenings, David was a true warrior of song — his performances were fierce.

David is ready. He knows it. The journey continues. And, quite incredibly for us, his fans, the best is yet to come! How’d we get to be so lucky?!!!

— kizzi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH_6bJ_7WzU

Oxford New Theater

Setlist
- Touch My Hand
- Waiting For Yesterday
- A Little Too Not Over You
- Angels
- Don’t Let Go
- Zero Gravity
- Crush