On Sunday, March 24, Georgia native Phillip Phillips put on a concert in Kennesaw for a packed house at the newly named, Fifth Third Bank Stadium.
Upon his win during American Idol season 11, he released his first single, Home. Showing off his guitar and vocal skills, the song debuted on the Billboard hot 100 top-ten
debut list.
Phillips, from Leesburg, Georgia, went on to record his first album, The World from the Side of the Moon. With American Idol’s contract, Phillips is under 19 Entertainment/ Interscope Records throughout the beginning of his journey as a musician.
Phillips, 22, went through medical problems while on American Idol and even refused surgery at one point, suffering from a kidney condition that makes his body produce stones too big to pass naturally. He surpassed these challenges, which led him to the American Idol finale and to filling the KSU Stadium with his newfound fans.
Churchill, a band out of Denver, CO, had a kaleidoscopic sound that transitioned smoothly while opening for Phillip Phillips. Churchill prides itself on letting their songs write themselves instead of being forced.
Concluding their set, the stadium was on edge knowing Phillip Phillips would be next. As he walked to the stage in the center of the field, everyone, one by one cheered as they noticed it was in fact him.
The stadium was packed with KSU students, family, friends and fans from all over the state. KSU students seemed particularly excited for the American Idol winner’s concert to start.
“We came because we love watching American Idol and saw him on there,”Tori Hicks, sophomore and Early Childhood Education major said.
Likewise, other students seemed to agree and compared their expectation of the night with previously seen concerts.
“I think this concert will be more low-key and that’s what I like. I don’t like being in a huge crowd with a lot of people I don’t know,” junior and Communication major, Hillary Tapley said.
Others knew exactly what to expect from watching American Idol all season.
“I watched him on American Idol and I thought he was really cute and really great so I decided I was going to come,” freshman and Biology major, Sarah Crabtree said.
Despite each attendee’s reasoning for coming to the concert, security and event staffs were there to direct and make sure everyone enjoyed his/her time. Employed by KSU, the event staff crew has the important job of making each person feel like a guest.
Night Owl Productions is a Registered Student Organization at KSU that looks to aid in the potential chaos of University run events.
“We come out and facilitate the events to make sure they go off smoothly by checking tickets and ushering people to their seats,” Josh Pate, senior and English major, said. “When they [Night Owl Productions] called me, they asked if I wanted to work Phillip Phillips and I said sure why not, I’m always looking for more work.”
With the help of Night Owl Productions among other security and emergency crew personnel, the night ran smoothly.
Phillips opened the show showing off his guitar skills and getting the crowd ready. For two hours, Fifth Third Bank Stadium was immersed with the new artist’s first album that may be his track to a long career which is just what he wished.
“I always knew I wanted to do something with music but I never knew what it would be,” Phillips said.
He must be sure now that he has found his niche as hundreds of fans scream his name watching him on stage. His tour spans over two months visiting many college campuses around the United States. When asked why he was touring the college crowd he replied very simply. “In my opinion, I wanted to tour the college scene because that’s where you build your fan base. Building relationships is important to me so for me, having to connect with people that are around my age is important” Phillip Phillips said.
His life on American Idol was truly just that, surreal and eye opening. He spoke on his transition from normal life in Georgia to American Idol to then a fame filled life.
“People are watching you a lot more, in not just you but in your lifestyle. You’re life definitely changes but it’s been good,” Phillips said. Concluding with Home the song he sang at the American Idol finale, the crowd was on their feet dancing and singing along. He even came back onstage for an encore consisting of his own take on vintage and new rap songs.
For more songs like his cover on Michael Jackson’s Thriller and his originals, Gone, Gone, Gone and Home be sure to download his album available on iTunes.
Sending out good vibes throughout his time on stage, the concert was a true success. The next event at the Fifth Third Bank Stadium is the Magnetic Music Festival on April 20.