Could I really be the first to post a recap on last night's concert in Minneapolis? Well, here goes...

I got to Troc's at about 7p.m., just as the doors were opened. The line to get in was about half a block long. I carried around a sign reading "Etrainers love Elliott Yamin" on one side and "Welcome to Yamin-nesota" on the other, hoping it would help us Etrainers find each other. I found PoorMe, CanadianFan, and MOMster. I missed you guys, AngieKay and cxiong! I'm sure there were other Etrainers there I didn't get to meet. Thanks for the wonderful nametags, CanadianFan!

The crowd was pretty diverse, as far as age and attire--a testament to how Elliott's talent reaches across many borders. Josh Hoge came on at a little after 8 p.m. I didn't care for him much--although I thought his acoustic guitar player was great--so I'll let someone else review him. Toward the end of Josh's set, I weaseled my way up to the second row, left of center stage.

There wasn't much preparation before Josh played, but before Elliott came out, several stage hands came out and placed bottles of water and set lists by each musician's spot, and tested the instruments and mike (good to know Elliott has this support--he's become a real professional!).

In addition, the security guards on each side of the stage got the audience to back up a few feet (during Josh's set, people were standing right up against the stage). The security guard on my side couldn't get over how cooperative people were and how easy it was to get us to move. Someone handed him a pair of sunglasses and he hammed it up for us for a few minutes during the agonizing wait for Elliott (not really that long, but I couldn't wait!).

When Elliott entered the stage with his band, the crowd went into a complete uproar. He was very humble and nonchalant, grinning and saying something like "oh, hi there." His first song was "Alright." After the first couple lines, he took a piece of gum out of his mouth and discarded it (very cute--he may be a professional, but he's still very real!).

Other songs he performed, not in order (did I forget any, guys?):

Little Ghetto Boy
Livin' in the City (duet with Josh Hoge)
Find a Way
Movin' On
Train Wreck
I'm the Man
Wait for You
One Word
Take My Breath Away
Encore: Song for You (with piano only)

I didn't stick around for autographs and photos with Elliott, but I know PoorMe did, and she also got a very special souvenir which I won't give away.

Elliott was in fine form and as appreciative as ever (of the fans, the sponsor radio station, the venue, his band members, etc.). He started his set wearing a hat--not the usual baseball cap, either. He was wearing baggy jeans and a gray t-shirt that said "yôl," as well as his silver Jewish star pendant.

I had a great time and yelled myself hoarse. Looking forward to hearing from others!

Great recap--thanks so much for posting. I went to the NYC concert and can understand how excited you feel. We're all so lucky to see him live.

Hi BJulz! Nice recap! It was great to meet you! I have to get to work on my story. This might take awhile! My pictures didn't turn out too hot. I'm a little disappointed, but I will try to post a few later.

Finally!!! Thanks so much for the review. Like so many others, I am such a worrier about Elliott that when no reviews were posted, I started getting anxious. Again, thanks for the nice review.

Excellent recap!! I was cracking up at the security you had over there...I saw the shades LMAO

To be honest...not sure if you missed any songs...I can't really remember myself... LOL

:( Yeah, I'm sad that I didn't get to see any of you guys either. To be honest, I saw someone with short hair, and a purple like shirt who had the E-Trainers sign. I didn't want to lose my spot way in the front, so I just stood where I was. After the show was done, I couldn't find anyone though. Hopefully next time!

I cannot express how great the show was. It was my first show ever, and I'm proud to say that I went to an Elliott concert as my first ever. Josh Hoge did a very good job too. But Elliott was just phenomenal. You know he's great, but you really don't know until you see him live. Incredible I tell ya.

And last night just goes to show you more of how nice and genuine of a guy Elliott is. He stood and took pictures and signed autographs for EVERYONE at the show. Man, I know he must of been exhausted. But he's such a great guy for actually coming out to meet everyone. I just have a whole new perspective of him. I cannot say it enough, he's such a wonderful person. :rocker:

thanks for the great reacaps!!

Nice to hear from you, cxiong! That was me you saw with the sign. I wish you'd have yelled at me--I was feeling pretty stupid/desperate walking around like that with the sign! :help:

Here's to your first ever of many Elliott shows to come! :cheers:

To BJulz and all,

Thought you might be interested to know that Elliott appears to mix up the order of the songs from show to show. In Milwaukee, the last song before A Song for You was Movin' on. Little Ghetto Boy and Livin in the City were in the middle of the show. I would think this might help keep the show from getting stale for the performers.

:etrain:

Ha! I love Yaminnesota!

Great Review! Thanks for sharing!!!

Great review. Very cool that you get to meet other E fans from the message boards too.

"Welcome to Yamin-nesota"
I like that.

I know how you feel trying to findd Etrainers. At the Richmond show, I asked everyone I talked to if they were an Etrainer. The ones who were, of course, responded with an enthusiastic smile and the conversation took off from there. The ones who weren't looked at me a little strangely for the rest of the evening. LOL!

I felt the same way, Rutti. It was nice meeting you in Richmond. Sorry we didn't get to talk longer.

Here is my recap. Yeah, its very long. Its even longer than what I've posted here. I left out the end of it where I get this picture taken with Elliott.



My experience with Elliott began as my husband (hereinafter referred to as Mr. Poor) and I drove along 3rd Avenue trying to find Trocaderos, where the concert would take place. I spotted the venue, and in the parking lot next to it was the bus. I watched a guy come out of it and was trying to figure out who he was when Mr. Poor says, ‘There he is!’ There he was indeed! Elliott was standing on the street in front of Trocaderos, and I was so concerned with reading signs I hadn’t even noticed him. My husband pulled a u-turn while I opened my window and hung out like a fool. “Elliott! Elliott! We’re here to see your concert!!” Right now my brain is working (its Elliott holy crap I must get his attention in case this is the one and only time I see him why is he not looking this way is he deaf oh that’s right FINALLY he sees me I must look really stupid hanging out of this window). He approaches a few steps (gasp!), and says, “Ma’am?” (I’m an idiot I’m bothering him speak clearly) “Elliott, we’re in town to see your show!” (wow make his day) He smiles (awwww) “Oh, that’s great!” (now what do I say) “We’ll see you later then.” (genius) He says, ‘okay’ and gives a little wave as we drive off to find our parking spot.

Mr. Poor is snickering that Elliott called me ma’am. I’m grinning from ear to ear and the adrenaline has kicked in. I inform Mr. Poor that if he ever doesn’t understand what I have said to him he can respond with, “Ma’am?”

Later I join the queue to enter Trocaderos and inform everyone within earshot that I have spoken to Elliott. Even though I am normally considered a reserved person I am still on an Elliott high. They’re jealous, because anyone in line this early is a diehard fan like myself. From the line we have a clear view of the bus. After awhile Russell comes out with Junie. I’m not really sure about Junie, but I know Russell when I see him. The crowd is just looking and wondering, and I yell out RussELL! People cheer and clap. He smiles and gives an embarrassed wave. Then later, as rain starts to fall, out comes Elliott to cheers from the now wet and miserable fools in line. He smiles and waves and runs to a door. Its locked. He runs out with a sheepish grin and waves again as the crowd chuckles. He finally finds an unlocked door. A few minutes later he comes out again to more cheers, and he pumps his arms and waves at the crowd before getting back on the bus.

We’re finally allowed inside, and Mr. Poor and I make a beeline for a spot near the stage. I’m delighted as we grab our space literally touching the stage on the right side (that would be to Elliott’s left as he reminded the crowd while introducing his band members). Great, now we have an hour to stand around reserving our spot until the opening act begins. Mr. Poor volunteers to hold our spot so I can go out searching for Etrainers. I look around, but nobody’s got any clear identifiers (ELLIOTT GEEK HERE), until I finally approach a lady wearing an Elliott button. I ask if she’s an Etrainer and, in fact, she is idoletc from the Etrain. We chat for awhile and oooo and ahhh about Elliott, and then she points out someone with an Etrain sign near the stage. It’s BJulz, and she has a neat “Welcome to Yamin-nesota” poster for Etrainers to autograph. As we stand there and chat we spot a lady in the balcony waving a Canadian flag at us. It’s CanadianFan! She joins us for a while and adds her own signature to the poster. During the course of the evening I also manage to meet Sunny, AngieKay, LarryinMinnesota, and one other Etrainer whose name escapes me. I’m sorry for my memory lapse.

As the place starts to fill up I decide to join Mr. Poor back at our prime position. He has struck up a conversation with the women around him and has informed them that I am the most avid Elliott fan on the face of the earth and he is here to keep me in check, save my spot, and run interference for me. Whatever needs to be done, he will do it. The women tell me I have a great husband, and I have to agree. I do tell them he’s prone to exaggeration and that I know for a fact that I am NOT the most avid Elliott fan on the face of the earth (all the while a nagging voice in my head is saying who else actively posts on three message boards as well as an Elliott blog but that’s just because I like playing on the internet of course).

Finally the opening act begins, and I’m still full of wonder at my fine spot where I am able to lean on the stage. Josh Hoge is accompanied on acoustic guitar by Steve Miller. Josh is a likeable guy, jokes with the crowd, has an okay voice and uses falsetto a lot. My opinion on falsetto is use it sparingly for greatest effect, so Josh and I have an artistic difference of opinion. I still manage to enjoy his set. One girl in the crowd has a sign begging Elliott for a hug since it’s her birthday. Josh comments on it, and a guy in the crowd volunteers that it’s his birthday, too. The birthday boy gets a nice hug from Josh. He goes all out to please the crowd. Mr. Hoge promises us one last song before Elliott comes on (yay!), which starts out fine, and begins to build and build. Josh forsakes the microphone and proceeds to wail louder and louder until he finally leaps to the very edge of center stage and screams like a banshee. I am filled with consternation, and thank my lucky stars I wasn’t standing directly in front of him because I most likely would have fallen to my knees in a cowering heap. Is he trying to work up the crowd? Are we just too Minnesota nice and conservative? Has he gone berserk? And then it is over. Whew! I give Steve the guitarist a shout as they leave the stage, and he gives an appreciative nod.

Elliott is just moments away when venue security shows up and starts backing people away from the stage. I’m pissed. If they didn’t want people there they should have put up ropes to begin with. Those surrounding me are very protective of my spot and insist that I get front row. I tell the bouncer, who has informed us that he will be standing in front of us for the remainder of the evening, that I didn’t buy tickets to look at his mug all night. He moves a little to the right so my field of vision is clear, but then another bouncer shows up and plants himself in my line of sight. At least he’s better looking and seems to be a little nicer than the first one.

The band comes out and starts playing Alright. They are exceedingly loud, and my entire body is vibrating. My hip and feet are already hurting from standing so long (now well over two hours). Bring on Elliott!!

One would be hard-pressed to recognize this guy as the 3rd place finisher on American Idol 2006. He is playful and polished, seems totally happy and comfortable on stage. What hasn’t changed is his nice guy demeanor and that fabulous voice. He’s short, but so nicely proportioned (except for his enormous feet) that he doesn’t really strike you that way. He is wearing a gray fedora, which fits nicely over the curls. He sings most of the song before discretely turning away from the audience and removing the gum from his mouth. Guess he forgot before he came on stage!

I’ve watched many Youtube videos of his earlier concerts, so there were no surprises as far as what songs were done and how they were sung. I thought we might be treated to a live performance of “Free” because I saw a set list taped to the stage and it was on the list. No such luck. There were times when the music unfortunately overpowered his voice, so that was a little frustrating. Maybe this was because we were so close to the stage.

Other things I want to comment on:
His singing on Living for the City was out of this world and very Stevie Wonderish. He did talk about trying to sing just like Stevie when he was growing up. Elliott and Josh obviously have a good time singing this as a duet, but I couldn’t help wishing it was all Elliott when Josh was doing his verses. They were also sometimes drowned out by the band as they harmonized on the la la la parts.
Train Wreck sounded great. The balance of voice and instruments was perfect. This is one of my favorite songs, but I hadn’t been impressed by the concert videos of it. I loved it.
You Take My Breath Away is very sexy. Elliott has a sexiness about him that is not at all overt. It’s a combination of that voice, which is undeniably sexy, and his average guy manner that makes him even more appealing. He doesn’t need to breathe heavy or make goo goo eyes to smolder. He just does. Did I mention he’s sexy?
I didn’t notice a single mistake on Elliott’s part in note or lyrics. Perhaps there were mistakes and I was so into the moment that I didn’t notice them, but as far as I’m concerned it was a flawless performance.
I got a little misty when they played the opening chords for Wait for You. The song means a lot to his career right now since it’s his first single, and is doing well on the charts. It makes me happy and I’ve grown to love it, particularly when he sings it live.
The other song that made me weepy was, of course, A Song for You. It was truly beautiful, and I thought the nicest version of all those I’ve heard on the Youtube videos. Maybe it’s just because this time he was singing that song for me.


If you want to read the rest of the recap follow the Y-Pod link in my signature. The item is called Minneapolis - Its My Turn. Its at the top of the blog right now, but will scroll down as I add more items (tomorrow, most likely). In the first part I leave out the details about finding the Etrain people, but other than that its pretty much the same as is written here.

Mr. Poor tried getting a picture of BJulz and I with the poster, without much luck:

Needless to say, I was kind of worried how my picture with Elliott would turn out, since Mr. Poor was the photographer. As you can see, it turned out pretty well except that the bottom half of the poster got cut off.

Here are the best of my photos from the concert. As you can see, they aren't good at all. It so happened that in the best focused ones Elliott was turned away from the camera, so I didn't include those.

Terrific recap, PoorMe! Very enjoyable reading!

Great recap PoorMe!! I believe I did see you around too but wasn't too sure if you were from the E-Trainstation. Sucks! I'm hoping next time we can all get together since we have a better visual of everyone! Once again, great recap! It was a great show!!

BJulz - That was you?! I wish I would've said something. Don't worry, you weren't looking lost. I was the one actually lost. LOL.

Yes, many more Elliott shows to come. You can count on that! :cheers:

Wonderful recap!!! I followed your link to read the rest...wow, can't believe you were able to resist those curls!! Thanks so much for sharing in such great detail :)

PoorMe, I just don't know HOW to thank you for just EVERYTHING you do--and which I, personally, get SO MUCH enjoyment from!! But this recap/pics takes the cake! I've never felt to much like I was actually there..important since there are no concerts anywhere near me at least in the current itinerary..Read it to my DH and we both LOAO!!!! Some very cute scenes!!! You are such a star!

Bjulz and PoorMe thanks so much for the recaps. I really enjoyed them. Great pics too.

Thanks for sharing! I totaly felt like i was there! Awesome pics too!!

To borrow a phrase, there is only one word for Sunday’s concert in Minneapolis – AMAZING! And I am so tired.

We arrived before 5:30, snagged a parking space across from the nightclub ….. and watched Elliott have a cigarette outside the club entrance during a rehearsal break. So adorable with the moppet hair. I restrained myself from going to bother him but was so excited at even seeing him in person from across the street that if the evening had ended at that moment it would have been worth the four hour drive to Minneapolis.

Trocaderos could not accommodate anyone for dinner without a reservation, so my daughter and I dined down the street and got back in time for a good position in the line. We bee-lined to stage right and despite not having come in with the dinner crowd were able to spend the concert about four back from the stage, perhaps ten feet from the center microphone. The crowd was very friendly and we traded Idol-voting and Elliott fanism stories, finding out we were surrounded by other Iowans -- the couple on our right was from forty miles from my current home and the woman to my left and I had grown up about fifteen miles apart in Northwest Iowa. By the time the concert started there was a very congenial feeling in the crowd.

The opening act should have had his own opening act – Josh Hoge was wonderful. Definitely heated up the crowd. And both made me want to lock up my daughter and wish I were 24 and single myself. Very hot and visually prowling over the crowd. I wasn’t surprised to read another post that he was getting phone numbers. It's no accident his CD is titled "Bedroom Sessions I"

His vocal range and intensity were perfectly set off by the incredible guitar skills of Steve Miller. I loved the falsetto -- only wish I could get that high myself. Josh was so very at ease and comfortable – kindly granting a hug from the stage to the birthday girl with a “Hug me, it’s my birthday” poster ….. and in the spirit of equality, to fellow with the birthday standing nearby. His set was over too quickly – which seemed incomprehensible when I was so psyched at seeing Elliott. I wasn't familiar with his work, but loved "Take it or Leave It", "360" and "Beautiful Distraction"'; “Ain’t No Sunshine” was his closer and he gave that song from my college days new life. I thought Josh was fabulous.

The security muscle moved from the back corners of the stage to the front as they set up for Elliott’s band. Fine sense of humor. I so wanted to tell him that these Midwesterners heavily sprinkled with real grown-ups were not going to storm the stage.

When Elliott came on, everything just started to sparkle. The grey fedora over the curls for the first few songs gave a kind of an adorable Harpo Marxish quality to his look. Every song felt fresh and new, even though I have listened to his CD so many times I know every measure and breath by heart. Incredible intensity and clarity…not a missed note, not a missed beat, not a missed word. And so incredibly pleased to be there entertaining. I hope he never loses that quality. He and Josh played off each other perfectly in “Livin’ in the City”.

I think the crowd had a little too much Midwestern reserve at times and didn’t properly show their appreciation – I had fleeting thoughts that there were too many Iowans there “…the Iowa way to greet you if they greet you which they may not do at all.” But there were a core of screamers and clappers that moved up the intensity. Must say, I was a screamer and a clapper -- you should give to get at a concert.

Start to finish this was the best live performance I have ever attended. The songs were given new life, not just performed as pale carbons of the studio versions. If there was a downside to this fabulous evening it is that Elliott and Josh’s CD’s (yes, it was Elliott and Josh T-shirts and Josh’s CD from the vendor table afterward) seem to pale in comparison to their fabulous live performances. Just can’t say enough good things about both of these performers and the concert. Can’t wait for the next opportunity to see them both again.

Great recap! Thanks for sharing!

Thanks MoodE...great recap :)

Great recaps MoodE and PoorMe. :rocker:

Great recaps, MoodE and PoorMe! PoorMe, now I have visual proof that my sign made it to Elliott. He...touched...my...sign! Almost as good as actually giving it to him myself, but not quite, sigh.

Mr. PoorMe is a real sweetie and I enjoyed chatting with him, but please tell him he needs to take photography lessons! ^_^

PoorMe, I just read your recap on Y-Pod. Thanks so much for taking the time to write it! It made me laugh and cry! I love how witty and observant it is. You take us step by step through the concert and let us inside your wonderfully coocoo fangirly head!

Of course, I ate up all the details about your giving Elliott the sign and mentioning I had made it. I can't wait until the next Yamin-nesota concert so I can have another shot at actually meeting Elliott and connecting with other Etrainers in person!

Thanks, BJulz, it was so much fun going over everything again in my head and writing it down. I'm wondering how far I can get Mr. Poor to drive to get me to another Elliott concert. It might work if I plan an entire vacation around it.

I gave my family members the link to my recap, but I warned them to read it only if they have a sense of humor and a strong stomach and they really, really want to know every detail of what happened. Otherwise I said I could just answer their questions and spare them the trauma. Hee hee!

Lovin all these recaps! You allare da bomb!! :rocker:

Bjulz!! Loved your re-cap too!!! But could only get my husband to listen to ONE :((
Was trying to convince him to be almost as supportive as Mr. Poor!! hahaha!!
He had a dream he was "with" another woman last night since I didn't love him best anymore, lol!! (EEmotional blackmail)
Had to add--just read yours too MoodE!!! The bomb!! thank you soo much for bringing it all home to us!

What wonderful Re-Caps Ladies! Thank you all for telling your stories...I love love reading all the great things everyone has to say about our Dear Elliott! I've been smiling from ear to ear since the show i went to in NYC...Now i feel like i 've been at every show since also :)

After reading in the first review about she wasn't crazy about Josh i thought hmm..i thought he was pretty good. lol! Everyone has different taste, but we all DO LOVE ELLIOTT! I took this video of Josh when i was at the Bowery Ballroom show and I actually really really liked his take on the song... I was wondering if anyone else liked it or disliked it?

check it out here!

Josh singing Ain't No Sunshine

PoorMe, I love your recap: wickedly, wickedly funny! Give my regards to Mr. Poor, camera savvy or not. You and him are really incredible partners! A toast to you both: May you live long and E-mazing lives!

Great recaps ladies!!

I was right there when Josh came to the edge of the stage!! I moved my hand 'cause I thought he was going to step on it!! I didn't know what to do when he came towering over me....

haha...and TOWER he does! He's a BIG guy! :)

I was pleasantly surprised at Josh's performance at Trocaderos. After reading negative things about his falsetto, etc., I expected to be disappointed, but I thought he did a very nice job. My sisters and my (20-something) nieces liked him too - go figure! Having said that, though, I doubt if I'd go see "just him" in concert - just not my style of singer I guess. (side note: my niece said she saw him at the bar after the concert hitting on a girl who worked there, who happened to be a friend of hers - so that kind of turned her off to him.)

Thank you ALL for the great recaps. I loved reading all of them. I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE ELLIOTT IN A WEEK IN SF !!!

I loved Josh doing "Ain't No Sunshine" - and everything else. It has really been disappointing to see negative or lukewarm comments about him by other Etrainers.

Maybe it was lack of familiarity with his music before the concert that is leading to the lukewarm reactions. The more I listen to his CD the more I like it and I would definitely go to a concert where he was the headliner.

Still probably wouldn't want him to date my daughter -- but since she's married that isn't an issue. And she thought he was fabulous -- got a Josh T-shirt and CD. She'd seen him on TV before and was already a fan and was familiar with his music.

I love Josh's music too - and I'm really digging the CD. I can't wait for him to do a full length CD - and I could tell from the beginning that he was a piece of work - but in a good way to me. I think he's a riot, and one of the most charming "bad boys" I've ever met. I'd let him date my daughter, but I'd have to warn her about him first :-)

PoorMe, your recap is hilarious! Especially when you said how you wanted to bury your nose in his hair. :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: . You are too funny!

I can't wait til next time he comes to MN. Hopefully we can all meet up this time! :)