Despite a weekend full of stormy weather, hundreds of people of all ages came out to Kennesaw’s Fifth Third Bank Stadium to see American Idol Season 11 Champion, Phillip Phillips.
The lawn was filled with blankets, umbrellas and chairs, with even more people in the stadium seats, as Denver five-piece band, Churchill opened for Phillips and impressed the crowd with a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s, “You Can Go Your Own Way” and several original songs including, “Change” and “I Am Yours”.
More people continued to fill the stadium and fans of all ages anxiously waited for Phillips to take the stage. The clouds threatened more rain while the temperature continued to drop, but the hot chocolate was flowing and his dedicated fans stuck around to see him perform. Many young girls had homemade posters for their favorite idol. I saw one that said, “Phillip, my heart never stops beating for you” and “Phillip will you go to prom with me?” How sweet!
It’s not hard to figure out why he won American Idol, and the hearts of many, last year. Obviously, the ladies adore him. Phillips comes off as such a real, modest 22-year-old. You can look at him and tell he is a young man, lucky and talented enough to be living out his dream of playing music. The pairing of his vocals with his skillful guitar playing gives off a Mumford & Sons/Dave Matthews Band vibe while still maintaining a sound that is unique and personable to Phillips himself. He even had a full band to back him up, five other guys- on bass, electric guitar, drums, keyboard and saxophone. The whole ambiance of his show was upbeat and warm, despite the cooling temperature.
I overheard one excited fan say, “This is just like a Dave Matthews jam sesh, only better… and I’m freezing!” as Phillip’s jammed out with his band during an extended version of, “Where We Came From”.
Not only is he lucky enough to live his dream, he also is getting to work with some of his favorite and most talented musicians. He opened for Rob Thomas for the month of February and has been given the honor of opening for John Mayer this summer on his tour.
Phillips played almost every song off his debut full-length album, “The World From The Side of the Moon”, including hit singles, “Gone, Gone, Gone” and (of course!) “Home”. He even surprised fans with an acoustic rendition of a verse from Coolio’s “Gangster’s Paradise”. Also performed were my personal favorites, “Wanted Is Love” and “Hold On”. Oh, who am I kidding? Every song on the album is great!
The album, which was released in November 2012, spent the last 17 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. The album peaked at #4 and is currently at #18, up from last week’s position of #33. It is currently charted at #10 on iTunes.
Pick up a copy of “The World from the Side of the Moon” at your local store or on iTunes and don’t forget to see him on tour with John Mayer this year!
Don’t miss the next big event at Fifth Third Bank Stadium at KSU: Magnetic Music Festival on April 20th!
