American Idol

No, Playing Guitar While Singing 'Renegade' Isn't Karaoke

Karaoke can be a dangerous endeavor. What can you sing that won't make friends shun you? How can you go balls-out during your next performance? Each week in "Ask a Karaoke Host," RFT Music writer and professional karaoke host Allison Babka answers your burning questions about maximizing your melodio ... More >>

Redefining "Diva"

Five Things Like 'Glee' Gotye Must Erase From The 'Somebody That I Used To Know' Wikipedia Page

I like to call this move the Jonathan Franzen: Gotye, who managed to get a rock song onto the radio in 2012, has rolled his eyes at the Glee version of "Somebody That I Used To Know," probably while covered in angular paint swatches and looking really nervous about something. Which is fine, becaus ... More >>

What It's Like To Audition (Unsuccessfully) For American Idol

One of these people might have moved past the first round. Maybe. Photo by Jon Gitchoff.​Ed: The American Idol Season 11 auditions attracted more than 10,000 hopefuls to the Scottrade Center yesterday. Recent Mizzou grad Mallory Gnaegy was one them, and she has agreed to let us publish her ac ... More >>

Make St. Louis Proud: American Idol Auditions Come to Scottrade Center Tuesday

​It's hard to believe American Idol is nearing eleven years old. That marks ten years of watching and laughing with (read: at) contestants, ten winners whose names we can remember only about half of, countless instances of celebrity pandering and hundreds of strangely inspired musical collabor ... More >>

Get Out This Weekend

Tony Bennett, American Idol, And New World Order Idol 2061

Tony Bennett appears in the first of 50 consecutive American Idol finales. ​I saw Tony Bennett was trending on Twitter the other day, and I'm not sure if this makes me a bad person or just an unobservant one but my first thought was: Oh, god, Tony Bennett's dead. It turns out that the 84-year- ... More >>

David Cook Sings "Don't You Forget About Me," America Tries To Remember

Dear Mr. Vernon, you see us as a pop star, a pop star, a pop star, a pop star, and a pop star...​David Cook's decision to cover "Don't You Forget About Me," currently the official "send-off" song of season season of American Idol, was as an especially gutsy move for an alum of a show that has, ... More >>

The Voice with Cee-Lo, X-Tina and Two Other Dudes: Four Possible Spin-Offs

Christina Aguilera, Cee-Lo Green, and some white guys are the hosts of America's first communist TV talent show, "The Voice." ​The Voice, America's favorite socialist-realism-inspired TV talent show, has quickly and abruptly become NBC's first broadly accepted hit show since Friends, a sitcom ... More >>

Get Energized for National Park Contest

​We're pretty certain that there will never be a reality show on national parks that rises to the level of American Idol or Dancing With the Stars, but we thought you should know that you still have the chance to vote for the St. Louis Arch Grounds as one of the best parks in the country. If w ... More >>

Eisley

8 p.m. Wednesday, February 23. The Firebird, 2706 Olive Street.

Fantasia/Kandi Burruss/Eric Benet

8 p.m. Saturday, January 1. The Fox Theatre, 527 North Grand Boulevard.

Carrie Underwood

7:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 1. The Chaifetz Arena, One South Compton Avenue.

New Release Highlights For November 16: Local Boy Nelly Returns With 5.0

(New albums are typically released on Tuesdays, i.e., today. What can you spend your hard-earned pennies on this week? Find out below.) Cassidy's C.A.S.H.​*Cassidy, C.A.S.H. The once gold-certified rapper returns with a new studio album. Stream the C.A.S.H. in full here. *Crushed Stars, Con ... More >>

Setlist Review Photos: Adam Lambert Transcends American Idol at the Pageant, Sunday, August 8

American Idol's taken a beating this year. Besides the usual drama with its judges, interest in the show appeared to be dwindling. In fact, its results-show finalé drew its lowest ratings ever. Perhaps what Idol again needs is a personality like Adam Lambert. The season eight runner-up lived up to ... More >>

Show Announcements: Week of May 13

Remember the Jonas Brothers? They were cool back when Justin Bieber was still a zygote (last year).​ The Ambassador *Chico DeBarge, June 4 *Dana Dane and Kurtis Blow, June 19 Ameristar Casino *Bonne Tyler, September 16 *Damon Wayans, September 9 *Ray Price, May 20 Antarctica *Gospel Gossip, ... More >>

Former American Idol competitor Aloha Mischeaux plots her return to the spotlight

Interview: Ex-American Idol Competitor Aloha Mischeaux Steps Out on Her Own

myspace.com/starringaloha​Some of the city's top female artists, including Ebony Eyez, Unladylike and June 5th, are gearing up to perform at tonight's "Divas of Da Lou" showcase at the Ambassador. Aloha Mischeaux, who earned national attention with her top 24 appearance on American Idol in 200 ... More >>

Divas of Da Lou

7 p.m. Friday, April 2. The Ambassador, 9800 Halls Ferry Road, Jennings.

This "Pants on the Ground" T-Shirt Should Complete Your Outfit

Every year the best part of American Idol is the early episodes where people fresh off the street -- a.k.a. "street people" -- audition before the Idol judges. Their laughably awful songs are what we remember long after the seasons are over and a new "idol" is crowned. For example, you probably know ... More >>

David Cook/The Script/Green River Ordinance

8 p.m. Tuesday, November 10. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard.

Show Review Setlist: Kelly Clarkson at the Family Arena, Saturday, October 31

Dear Ms. Clarkson, After finally getting a chance to attend one of your concerts last night at the Family Arena in St. Charles, I finally understand why I think you're such a fantastic pop songstress and performer. From the first slow-burning, disco-infused chorus of "All I Ever Wanted," your voice ... More >>

Kelly Clarkson

8 p.m. Saturday, October 31. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles.

Our Lady Peace

8 p.m. Friday, October 30. The Pageant, 6161 Delmar Boulevard.

American Idols Live Tour

7 p.m. Saturday, August 29. Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark Avenue.

Sound It Out

St. Louis Weekend Concert Calendar: July 18-20

Hanging out with the Smiths

You can, too!

Review Preview: Everest Café & Bar

Mandisa

6 p.m. Sunday, January 27. Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles.

Blake Lewis

Audio Day Dream 
(Arista/J)

Face the Nation

We find out what rocked across the country in 2007.

Royal Flush

Marie Antoinette

Rock and Blues

Took a Shot

American Dreamz

Kelly Clarkson

:30 p.m. Monday, July 24. UMB Bank Pavilion (14141 Riverport Drive, Maryland Heights).

Beat Happenings

Music news you can use

Cowboy Up

We just can't quit this countrified Karaoke.

Fightin' Femmes

We duel with Gretchen Wilson and Kelly Clarkson, get home-cooking tips from the stars and delve into Omarion's psyche

Live Free or Die

It’s time to vote for your favorite St. Louis band. Would some malt liquor and acid punk help you decide?

Gong, But Not Forgotten

The return of The Gong Show

Quick Picks

Week of September 15, 2004

What's the Most Impulsive Thing You've Ever Done with a Credit Card?

Week of May 26, 2004

African-American Idol

With extra Bass

Best Karaoke

Llywelyn's Pub

Banzai Sci-Fi

Fant-Asia St. Louis animates Saturdays

Film Openings

Week of June 18, 2003

Earth Wind and Fire

Saturday, June 21; Fox Theatre

Various Artists

American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs (RCA)

Illinois Idol

Millstadt talent shows breathe farm air into an increasingly streamlined pop life