David Archuleta fans in NYC got an extra holiday treat: after already seeing him live this year, he surprised everyone by returning to NYC for a series of holiday shows at Joe's Pub. The lineup of festive shows follows the release of his Christmas EP, My Only Wish, which came out on November 1 and showcases five new tracks including a duet with Jordin Sparks. He said the following about the album: “For the ‘My Only Wish’ EP I wanted to write holiday music that was more in the space of where I’m at in life,” Archuleta said. “I wanted it to be fun and flirty and to make people just feel good. I’m really really happy with how these new songs turned out and I feel like it will be a whole new, yet familiar, experience for fans who have always enjoyed my Christmas music and shows.”
This intimate setting offered another chance to appreciate David's immense talent up close - quite literally since I was seated right up against the stage. The setlist included some of his own holiday hits from his 2.5 Christmas albums (he jokingly referred to the recent EP as half an album), his takes on modern Christmas hits from the likes of Wham! and NSYNC, and more traditional religious songs, such as the powerful O Holy Night which he knocked out of the park. He also welcomed Bianca Ryan, who won the inaugural season of America’s Got Talent in 2006 at just 11 years old, onto the stage for his duet, My Only Wish, as well as a rendition of Andrea Bocelli and Céline Dion’s The Prayer.
It was clear that he felt very comfortable with the smaller audience, sharing personal stories and life lessons in between the music. He also enlisted our help on certain songs, whether in the form of some finger snaps or picking up on a chorus of Last Christmas when he forgot the lyrics.
The cozy performance was the perfect way to usher in the festive season.
The complete setlist was as follows:
Sleigh Ride
The First Noel
White Christmas
Melodies Of Christmas
The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) (Nat King Cole cover)
Last Christmas (Wham! cover)
Mistletoe (Justin Bieber cover)
Christmas in California
Pat-a-Pan
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen
A Holly Jolly Christmas
Wish at the Top of My List
Grown-Up Christmas List (Amy Grant cover)
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays (*NSYNC cover)
Winter in the Air
What a Wonderful Way to End a Crazy Year
My Only Wish - duet with Bianca Ryan
The Prayer (Andrea Bocelli & Céline Dion cover) - duet with Bianca Ryan
O Holy Night
Christmas Every Day
Comments
Post a Comment