Matt Giraud and Kris Allen perform on the street

Matt Giraud sings while Kris Allen plays guitar as they perform on the street for fans before a show on The American Idols Live Tour.

The American Idols Top 10 perform "Don't Stop Believing" live

The American Idols Season 8 Top 10 perform "Don't Stop Believing" live on August 23, 2009 on the American Idols Live Tour. Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre lead on piano and the rest of the Top 10 including winner Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert take turns.

Matt Giraud's dreams come true as he and fellow American Idols rock Grand Rapids

Though Adam Lambert undoubtedly set the crowd at Van Andel Arena ablaze Sunday night, and Kris Allen was superb, a near full house had already experienced the highlight of the "American Idol" live tour: Watching West Michigan's own Matt Giraud's dreams come true.

Giraud, who had noted in an interview earlier in the day that the night's performance was to be "one of the biggest nights of my life," must have been gratified by the crowd's uncorked response to his presence. As Mattie G tore into the Black Crow's "Hard to Handle" with zeal unseen on the show, it was clear he definitely lit the audience's "candles" in a big way.

"I used to play across the street, at the B.O.B," he said, grinning at thousands of fans in a packed arena.

His vocal high-bar routine on "Georgia" was impressive; he's a gifted impresario. The 24-year-old got a little emotional during the song, perhaps catching the eye of a loved one, or just feeling the embrace of the "hometown" crowd.

Giraud doffed his jaunty signature porkpie hat to play and sing The Fray's "You Found Me." Take that, Simon Cowell (the Idol judge scorned Giraud's pick of that song on the show). He sounded fabulous, and throughout his all-too-short three-song set displayed that indefinable snap, crackle and pop that all stars have.

Along with a much-improved Scott MacIntyre, Giraud also did dueling piano duty couple of times throughout the show.

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Time for Kids chats with Season 8's American Idols

The American Idol Top 10 contestants discuss life on the road, the importance of staying true to yourself and the lessons they have learned. Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai, Scott MacIntyre, and Michael Sarver interviewed by Time for Kids.

Three Questions for Adam Lambert on American Idol Tour

The top 10 “American Idol” finalists from season eight will be making their way to San Diego this Saturday, but only one of them is named Adam Lambert.

Allison Iraheta, Anoop Desai, Danny Gokey, Lil Rounds, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert reunited for a two-month, 50 city summer tour that makes its way to Southern California this weekend. San Diego’s Saturday concert is almost sold-out.

For most fans, the No. 1 act will be runner-up and San Diego native Adam Lambert.

SDNN: What, in your opinion, was your best performance ever? Why?

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Matt Giraud and Megan Joy Interview - American Idols Live

Matt Giraud and Megan Joy backstage interviews at American Idols Live

The Idols Live Tour

On the second night of the American Idols Live: 2009 Tour, the 10 were settling comfortably into their lives as wandering rock stars. At 3 p.m., the day was gray, frigid and windy outside. The subdued crowd of a hundred or so leaned in eerie silence against the metal barricade as Megan Joy walked down the row singing autographs and posing for pictures. 

Inside, the ancient Dome seemed like it was just waking up, a universe away from the frenzied hub of activity around the tour kickoff at the Paul Allen-built stadium. In a cafeteria-like room set up with round tables and folding chairs, half the Idols came to visit the four members of the press corps on hand.

Building up to Show 2, gone already was the repressed frenzy of anticipation the Idols felt in the hours before opening night. Now that it was over, nearly all confessed to fighting back serious attacks of nerves, either from excitement or fear, in the countdown to Sunday night’s show. The giddiness that followed opening night seemed to have led the Idols' emotional roller coaster on a long loop-the-loop; the group reported staying up until 5 a.m. Monday, despite fatigue, to celebrate their their bow.

read the full Los Angeles Times article

American Idol Record Deals: What's Up with the Top 10?

American Idol winner Kris Allen, runner-up Adam Lambert and fourth place finisher Allison Iraheta have all inked recording contracts. But what about the rest of the Top 10: Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, Michael Sarver, Megan Joy, and Anoop Desai?

E Online catches up with the top 10 at their tour rehearsals to hear the status of their post-Idol plans.

EOnline.com Link

Kris Allen, Adam Lambert Reveal Plans Behind “American Idol” Tour

What can fans expect of Season Eight’s Top 10 on an arena stage? Adam Lambert promises a “post-apocalyptic-rocked-out-space-disco-funk” look to his ensemble, while Matt Giraud is gearing up for dance lessons courtesy of tour choreographer JaQuel Knight, who was the creative brain behind Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” video.

“To not have to worry about where the camera’s gonna be or where you’re standing is so liberating,” says Anoop Desai, who’ll be reprising “My Prerogative” as one of his show numbers. Allen is also adjusting to a new Idol world, and the idea of building his own set list. “People want to see you do songs from the show, but it’s nice to be able to throw in something that you want to do and really mold your time onstage,” he says.

Rolling Stone

American Idols rehearsing Journey's Don't Stop Believing (Video)

At press day for the American Idol Tour, the Idols are seen here rehearsing Journey's Don't Stop Believing with Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre on piano.