“What’s up, New York?” Allen asked, as he opened his set with “Love Will Find You,” where he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar.
An Arkansas native, Allen was backed with a full band. “Ya’ll feeling all right tonight? That’s what we love to hear. It is good to be back in New York City. You guys are beautiful. Thank you so much for coming out,” he said, prior to breaking into the mid-tempo “Faster Shoes.”
He showcased his versatile vocal range on “Better With You,” as red and yellow lights dimmed on the stage. It was followed by “Waves,” his mellifluous lead single from his new album, which he dubbed as one of his favorites from the new CD.
Other noteworthy tunes included “Young Love,” as well as the up-tempo and fun “Alright With Me,” which Allen dedicated to a special request made by this Digital Journalist. His acoustic version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” was laid-back and mellow, and he incorporated it as a crowd sing-along.
It was followed by the title track “Letting You In,” as well as “Monster” and his smash single “Live Like We’re Dying.” His second fan request of the evening was a solid cover of “Ain’t No Sunshine.”
The Verdict
Overall, Kris Allen was superb at Gramercy Theatre in New York City. His songs were impressive and heart-warming. He knows how to command a stage well, and he has the Gramercy Theatre audience with him every step of the way. He and his talented band are worth seeing live whenever they are in the area. His live concert earned an A rating.
For more information on acclaimed singer-songwriter Kris Allen, check out his official website.