"I know it sounds weird to say that, but when I get up on stage, I realize that it's a different stage and different city," he said. "It feels good to know there are people who love me in other cities. And that people really enjoy what we're all doing."

That was clear Monday night. With each Idol coming on for a few songs throughout the show, the build-up to Archuleta's set was electric. Even when "Idol" winner David Cook sang following Archuleta, the screams weren't as loud.

So, what's next for Archuleta after the tour ends on Sept. 13, in Tulsa, Okla.?

"I'll be focusing on recording my CD," he said. "It's different choosing the songs for a pop CD than it is for a rock or country CD. There are some good songs out there, and I want to choose the ones that are a good balance of radio hits and emotional songs."

He did say, also, that he wanted to start writing his own music.

"I'm trying to do that now," he said. "I just hope that some of the songs I write are actually good enough to be on the CD."

Also in interviews before the concert, Cook, Castro, Maulubay and Mercado gave their impressions of the tour.

Castro said he wasn't prepared for the size of the tour.

"We're in six semis and six buses that go across the country," he said. "It's amazing how it all comes together. And the crew is amazing. They're there before we get there. And they're there after we leave, and then we see them again the next day all ready for us."

Mercado said the biggest challenge for her was dealing with fans — of the other idols — who try to disrupt her set during the concert.

"You still hear people putting you down from the audience," she said. "I've learned to deal with it and just go out there and do my best."

Cook said he was surprised at how many people are attending the concerts.

"We heard from the organization that there would 11,000 people in Glendale, Ariz., but there were 16,000," he said. "My dad asked me if I could tell the difference between 11,000 and 16,000, and I said, 'No."'

As for Malubay, the most surprising aspect of the tour was how much she's learned about herself.

"I'm still learning," she said. "But I've found that at times I've had to stick up for myself and become a stronger person mentally.

"But we all work with incredible and inspiring people. And that makes it all the more enjoyable."

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E-mail: scott@desnews.com