American Idol

Clay Aiken on Christmas, American Idol, and Donald Trump

At one point during our early morning interview, singer and performer Clay Aiken yawned. It was a deep, expressive yawn. He did not ask to be excused, but he didn't need to: Aiken is among the most affable, pleasant, and charming interviews I've ever enjoyed. Plus, the guy has every reason to be w ... More >>

Country Thunder @ Canyon Moon Ranch

Holiday Gifts for Your Hip-Hop Cousin

​Alright, slacker. There's no more denying it: the holidays are here, and you need to get on that shopping list. Luckily, Up on the Sun has caught gift guide-fever, and over the course of this week we'll be offering you suggestions for the entire family. Yo yo yiggity yo, son. Christmas is u ... More >>

Bono and The Edge Spice Up 'American Idol' Finale With 'Spider-Man' Performance

​Bono and The Edge of U2 will be performing with the cast of the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on American Idol's live season finale Wednesday night, according to Billboard.The Spider-Man Broadway musical, for which they composed the music, has been delayed numerous times due to numerous c ... More >>

The Voice: Reality TV's Best Singing Competition Yet

NBC​NBC aired the premiere of The Voice on Tuesday night, and it sure was both honest and intriguing.The Voice, which is hosted by former TRL dreamboat Carson Daly, involves four judges: Adam Levine, Cee-Lo Green, Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton. The judges, who serve as ... More >>

David Hernandez of 'American Idol' Talks 'Motown Memories' at Talking Stick Resort

David Hernandez​This week's issue of Phoenix New Times features a preview of Motown Memories, a revue show currently playing at Scottsdale's Talking Stick Resort that features American Idol alum and Valley native David Hernandez. Check out more from the interview with Hernandez, plus videos from t ... More >>

Adam Levine, Cee Lo to Judge on NBC's 'The Voice'

​Mark Burnett has yet another reality show in the works. The upcoming singing competition called The Voice is coming to NBC. Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and Cee Lo Green of Gnarls Barkley and independent fame will be the judges, according to Entertainment Weekly.Christina Aguilera has also been negoti ... More >>

Idolatry

Singing competition gets countrified

Carrie Underwood @ Jobing.com Arena

'American Idol' Performers Hang Out with Fans at US Airways Center

Luke Holwerda​ Proving that being on one of the most popular television shows in America hasn't gone to their heads, the contestants from American Idol were very anti-diva-like at their show at US Airways Center last night. Fans got to mingle with the performers at meet-and-greets after the show, ... More >>

August 13 In Blogs: Elizabeth Gilbert, Barack Obama, Black Sabbath, Food Porn, and John McCain

​​​In the 24-hour news cycle, it can be difficult to keep up. We have the solution. Check back on Valley Fever every evening for highlights from each of New Times' blogs. Today's entries:

American Idol Live! Tour 2010

Daughtry

Daughtry

'American Idol' Contestants Fail to Uplift on "Inspirational Song" Night

​When you have only 1 minute to sing to people, it's sort of hard to inspire them. That was the problem the contestants had last night on American Idol, when the seven contestants and four judges were forced to cram their singing and commentary into a measly hour, making for a hectic pace t ... More >>

Nile Theatre Scheduled to Re-open In May

Jonathan McNamaraFans gather outside the Underground/Nile Theatre in Mesa back in February.​Did I call it or did I call it? I might not be able to predict the lottery numbers or who's gonna win American Idol every year, but I was definitely on the money with my prognostication that PHX concert pro ... More >>

'American Idol' Teaches Us More About the Contestants, and the Show Is Not Boring for the First Time

This teddy bear was the star of the night​Tuesday night was Beatles night on American Idol, and with no guest mentor, viewers were lucky enough to see clips of the contestants talking about each other, and real personalities were shown for the first time ever this season.And, everyone's also lucky ... More >>

Casting Call for Crafters and Recyclers for The Restylers

http://www.flickr.com/photos/back_garage/3929185174/If you see potential here, you should be on TV.​Attention all crafters: You have the chance to be on TV.Producers at Kellan Media are looking for folks who use discarded materials to make fashions and furniture for their show The Restylers.

Simon Cowell Leaving 'American Idol'

​Our music editor Martin Cizmar seems to think an American version of X Factor would be sort of pointless, but not if Simon Cowell has anything to do with it. The notoriously cranky American Idol judge wants to make the similarly performance-based X Factor a hit here in America, accordin ... More >>

American X-Factor? Don't Bet On It

​What purpose would there be in an American version of X-Factor, the British talent competition that made headlines this week by losing a chart battle with Rage Against The Machine? You've got me. American Idol, the original American spin on Simon Cowell's first show, Pop Idol, seems to be doing p ... More >>

The Vandals

Open Mic Madness

Kelly Clarkson Is Pissed, But We Love Her Anyway

Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. Sings to Fatties, Nirvana vs. Courtney Over Cobain's Guitar Hero Likeness, Weezer Unveils New Album Art

NME: Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O to soundtrack anti-fat advertsRolling Stone: Grohl, Novoselic Didn't Approve Cobain's "Guitar Hero" AvatarRolling Stone: Paula Abdul and "American Idol" Insiders React to Ellen NewsPitchfork: Weezer's Raditude Cover RevealedIdolator: Someone Decided To Put Together A Ga ... More >>

Daughtry

Idol Worship

We may be ill, but these kids are alright

Post 2K

Yes, this is Up On The Sun's 2,000th post. Can you believe it?I realize I'm opening a can of words here, but anything you'd like to see change here on the music blog most easily reached by typing www.PHXmusic.com in to your preferred browser's address bar? More coverage of your friend's band? Le ... More >>

Other People's Blogs: Queensryche Singer In Chandler, Meg White Marries, New Phish Record Out in July

The Dish: Queensrÿche singer to appear at Chandler Whole FoodsRolling Stone: "American Idol" 's Adam Lambert on Sexing Up Johnny Cash and Getting on His SoapboxPitchfork: Meg White Got Married in Jack White's Backyard Last WeekendNME: Brody Dalle's new band Spinnerette announce LA/NY datesRolling S ... More >>

Upset! Allen trumps Lambert in 'Idol' Finale

Sorry, Adam, even your goth angel wings couldn't save you. Single tear.Coming into last night's finale, even the most ardent Kris Allen fans would have to admit that their adorable little troubadour was a long shot for the big title (check this out if you missed the play-by-play). The media (myself ... More >>

And In This Corner...Kris Allen and Adam Lambert Go Mano-A-Mano on 'Idol'

PictureGroup for FoxAmerican Idol finale: Out come the claws. Mee-yow!So, my American Idol-watching comrades, after several months (it feels longer though, doesn't it?) of the hard work and dedication it takes to be glued to our television sets for at least three hours every week, we finally get the ... More >>

Other People's Blogs: Aerosmith Goes Wal-Mart, Libertines Reunite, Abba Musical

So Much Silence: The Walkmen on WOXY.com's Lounge ActRolling Stone:  Aerosmith's Joe Perry Hints At Walmart Deal For New AlbumNME: ABBA-penned musical to get English language debut in NYCNME: Libertines reunion: Carl Barat speaks about more gigsIdolator: A Quick Guide To Your "American Idol" Pr ... More >>

The End of an Era: Gokey and His Glasses Go Home

Don't cry, Gokey. You always have a future as a Lenscrafters model...I will be the first to admit that as excited as I am about last night's Idol results, I am also really shocked (as are a lot of other people, apparently). I think most people--whether they were Gokey fans or not--thought his large ... More >>

Holy Post-Easter Miracle! Matt Giraud is Saved on 'Idol'

You'd better bring your A-game next week, Giraud!As far as 'Idol' results shows go, last night was actually semi-exciting, no? After Matt tanked Tuesday night (and he really did tank), it was pretty obvious he was going to be in the bottom three, if not last place. The judges' decided to take advant ... More >>

American Idol: Why I’ll Never Watch It Again

Little Idol Thrill in Jacksonville (Hey, That Rhymed!)

George Ramirez at Gettysburg--Whoops, we mean the Jacksonville American Idol auditions.I've never been able to pinpoint exactly the reason, but I've always had an extreme, visceral dislike of the state of Florida. Maybe it's the alligators, perhaps it's the humidity that turns my hair into a giant p ... More >>

Lone Butte Casino to Host "American Idol"-Style Televised Talent Show

Think you're better than some of the colorful people on American Idol or think you're Arizona's next Jordin Sparks? Well, you have a shot to prove it next month at Chandler's Lone Butte Casino. The casino will host "Lone Butte Lucky Break," the first in a series of televised talent shows, at 8 p. ... More >>

Kansas City American Idol Auditions Have Good, Bad and Ugly

Tears, screaming and screeches - oh my! Wednesday's American Idol auditions, which were held in Kansas City, home of last season's Idol winner David Cook, had all of these things along with dozens of snarky comments from judge Simon Cowell.While one of our favorite moments took place in the beginn ... More >>

American Idol: Bikini Girl From Arizona?

We've got some bad news and some good news.First, the bad news. Katrina Darrell, American Idol's Bikini Girl -- who would have stole the show if it wasn't for Scottt MacIntyre -- is from California, so chances are she's not that girl you made out with after a crazy night at Pussycat Lounge. The g ... More >>

Paula Abdul Hosting Phooson Tonight

So, if there's one thing I thought Phooson, tonight's popped up show at Cricket was missing, it was some B-list hosting talent. Luckily, Johnjay and Rich are bringing in the big guns: Paul Abdul. The American Idol hostess will join the disc jocks on stage at Cricket Pavillion to introduce Rihanna, F ... More >>

Gonna Make You Sweet

R&B/hip-hop spinners tempt humps to bump

American Idol: entertainment or evil?

Logoville U.S.A.

Brand bullies infiltrate SMoCA

Fair Deal

It’s odd, it’s cheap, and the food’ll kill you. What’s not to like?

Best intentions: Jump high or stay home

Royal Flush

Cowboy Up

We just can't quit this countrified Karaoke

Idol Cafe

Just let them sing? What a concept!

The Muffs

Really, Really Happy (Five Foot Two Records)

Holly, Jolly Mess

Who doesn't kid themselves nowadays they can pull off a Christmas album? Thankfully, a few of this year's offerings don't suck.