320 -- Iam Tongi -- Saturday, November 1, 2025 -- The Hamilton -- DC

Glad Kate, Emrie, Hark, Brody, Riley, and I got to see Iam Tongi -- the winner of Season 21 of American Idol and hit Lilo and Stitch song "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride." 

The end of this album has pictures and videos from the concert.

Here's an annotated setlist of the songs:

--- Whoa: the biggest opener / main act transformation in a while. What a difference being close, able to move, and a full band make!!!!

--- “Good For My Soul”: a song he wrote, for his girlfriend, who’s here tonight, is the best so far. Simple, sincere, has drive!!

--- Awww, he’s playing “Stuck On You,” clearly a tribute to his judge, Lionel Ritchie!! Omg, he directly responded to my Ritchie reference, saying he had no clue it was him his whole childhood. “Shoutout to Lionel Ritchie though.”

--- Hahaha, correctly pronounced ukulele, which apparently means “jumping fleas”!!

 --- “Unbroken Heart,” a song he wrote for his dad has power!!! He apparently debuted it at the Grand Old Opry.

--- Aww at the Verbicar roller coaster ride during the Lilo and Stitch song!!!

--- The first original song he released after Idol, “I’ll Be Seeing You.” Such clarity and, by the end, echo!!!!

--- His latest single, “Sugar,” is not for me.

--- This drummer-driven song definitely is. It’s good swing and sounds great!!

--- “Why Kiki” is so catchy!!

--- The electric guitarist is from Madagascar, and the drummer is from Kate’s bedroom heartthrob calendar.

--- The first song he wrote for his girlfriend, “Mercy Mercy Mercy” is the most lyrically driven. It’s got funk and chill. I DIG IT.

--- Wow, the band didn’t know the last two songs and went with it.

--- His favorite song off the new record, “I Do.” SO SMOOTH.

 --- “Don’t Let Go,” by Spawnbreezie.

 --- “Monsters”!!!! “This song changed my life.” Nailed it.

Grade: A