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It was Monday morning, July 18, 2011, normally a workday for me, so I knew I might not see David’s Manila concert online. I had put the UStream app on my cell phone last Saturday to watch the Jakarta concert while away from home. When it works, its great. Monday it worked like a charm. As I watched I wrote down the set list and some notes about some of the songs. Here is my “cell cast recap” of the best concert ever performed, by the best singer in the history of the entire world. Ever.
David came out on stage to a thunderous crowd of fans who cheered and wailed their approval as he sang his opener, Stomping the Roses. Dressed in jeans topped by a soft gray tee-shirt and a rust-red jacket, he looked ready to sing his heart out for the fans in Manila, as well as those around the world on UStream. The energy was palpable as he sang the next few songs while he strutted across the stage. At one point during The Other Side of Down, he did his strut-kick move and flashed a huge smile at someone in the front row. He shows no mercy! A Little Too Not Over You was a fan favorite with everyone singing along. Arms swaying over head, calling out his name “DAVID,DAVID!” in appreciation, kept fans engaged in every moment of each song. I felt as if I was sitting right there in the 10th row, straining to see him when he came to our side of the stage.
Working the expanse of the stage has become an art form for David that he has improved on immensely in the last few months. Leaning in to touch outstretched hands to the delight of those lucky enough to be within reach is common practice for David. It’s a way to give back, in a personal way, to those who support him. When he got to the part in Touch My hand where he points to the audience, I steeled myself for the screams that would come. An explosion of screams filled the arena, each person in line with his pointing finger catching the bullet of his gaze. 
The stage lighting was first class. Each song was cast in a different color of the rainbow, giving a feeling of flow, as the show progressed. I note this because in the last concert, David was chasing a spotlight most of the time on stage. This time all lighting was focused on him and the band. The band was in top musical form. Each instrument played with the perfect vibe needed to carry the songs along. The back up vocals blended with David’s gigantic voice in perfect support. Bravo for the band!
David’s velvety voice on Gonna Get Through This earns him the name of “Funkmaster D” in my book! The melody just dripped from his lips as he grooved on stage. Starting softly and building in volume, he ends the song with a long high note that carried us away on a cloud! We rode that cloud again during My Hands. I hope that song never drops off his set list. His keyboard came out for A Thousand Miles, a song he has played many times and is a real crowd-pleaser. It was another sing along by the audience. What he did next made me catch my breath. It was so typical of David’s gratitude towards those who support him.
Although I had periodic disconnects from the UStream, I got back on one just in time to hear David say “Salamat!” to the crowd. Wildness ensued as he began the final song of the set, Zero Gravity. It’s a great, uplifting (ha!) song to close out the show. Bathed in pure white lights shining down on the whole stage, David gave the final performance of the night.
Oh, did I mention the encore?
I will paraphrase. He said it was an amazing feeling. He got motivation and felt encouraged from the support of the audience. I think there were a few tears in his voice as he spoke with much emotion. What came next was a total surprise to everyone. Standing there rambling about the song he sang on Hollywood week on Idol, he started to sing Heaven! He sang THE MOST HEARTFELT rendition of Heaven I have ever heard. David performed with hauntingly gorgeous vocal runs, assisted by several thousands he held close to his heart. “Once in your life you find someone, who will turn your world around, bring you up when you’re feelin’ down.” When he sings, his love lights our way.
The Voice David Archuleta 