Pop-Culturalist.com

On April 18th, Kris Allen took center stage at Gramercy Theatre—a stop on his Letting You In tour. The singer-songwriter is no stranger to performing live. And, knows exactly what set list will resonant with concertgoers. Packed with favorites, new tunes, a “fun” Cyndi Lauper cover, and playful banter, there’s something for everyone! It doesn’t matter if you’re a devoted fan or just discovering the wildly talented artist.

As Kris approached the stage, he was greeted by a round of applause. The energetic musician kicked off his debut at Gramercy Theatre with a few lines from the title track of his latest album, Letting You In. And, effortlessly changed gears to the upbeat, “Love Will Find You.” If you’ve been following Kris’ career, you know the man has no trouble mashing up songs. And, it was the perfect introduction to what would be a memorable night.

Whether it was the intimate setting or stark stage, Kris’ vocals have never sounded better. His grit and soul filled the venue. And, his instrumental intros to several songs were hypnotic. With four studio recordings under his belt, it’s a mystery how Kris decides what makes the set.

Highlights:

“Waves” — This upbeat jam is the first single off Letting You In. It’s one you want to sing along with. And, the audience at the Gramercy Theatre definitely did.

“In Time” — Kris started by telling audiences, “This is the song that feels the best to me as far as getting out of somewhere.” The beautifully written, stripped-back track was supported by nothing except Kris’ brilliant vocals and acoustic guitar. The engaged audience remained silent as they took it in. It’s one that left a lasting impression—well after the show ended.

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Yup, you read that right. Kris and his all-male band performed the Cyndi Lauper classic. It was this brilliance that helped him win American Idol back in 2009 and he proves he’s still got it. He can truly make any song his own.

“Monster” — It’s dark, sexy, and melodic. And, it’s a fan favorite that sounds better live.

“Everybody Just Wants to Dance” — I’ve been to a few Kris shows. Alright, seven but who’s counting? As the song was coming to its conclusion, Kris mysteriously disappeared from the stage. Moments later, he appeared in the crowd, giving high fives to various people in the audience. And, even stopped for an impromptu selfie. He really enjoys surprising audiences, huh?

Full Set List:

Letting You In
Love Will Find You
Faster Shoes
Better with You
If We Keep Doing Nothing
Prove It to You
Young Love
Alright with Me
In Time
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
Monster
Everybody Just Wants to Dance
Live Like We’re Dying
Feeling This Way
Ain’t No Sunshine
Lost
End of Show

It’s not too late to catch Kris on tour. Dates can be found on his official site. He’s an artist you’ll want to see over and over again.