Quick update, 7/4

Happy 4th! It's pretty quiet at the moment in anticipation of tomorrow's tour opener--but we'll be live blogging here during Bucky's very first arena show, and adding links as we go today and tomorrow. The fan reactions are the most fun to read, of course--it's safe to assume there'll be some major "OMG" abuse this week. We'll also grab a look at how Bucky's being reviewed on the road by regional newspapers. (Something tells us the Philadelphia Inquirer might be the biggest predisposed-to-be-positive major paper out there, but that's only a guess...)

Here's a list of links to info on tomorrow's show:

Reviews of the American Idols Live concert are likely to be posted at the Manchester Union Leader and Manchester Mirror sites the morning of the 6th. (The second link goes to the Mirror's recent Ace Young article.)

Looking for fan reviews--or want to post one, yourself? TWoP's currently-quiet AI Summer Tour thread will be buzzing with specifics and snark very soon, and Bucky Country is sure to have some key information from a Bucky-centric point of view. There's also a new "who'll be where" thread taking shape at the official boards, and as we mentioned before, MJ of MJ's Big Blog will be on the scene this week as well.

By far the busiest tour-related boards at the moment are at IDF, where the youngish crowd is very excited and the specifics are very specific. Check there in the next few days for pictures of tour merchandise, autograph session and meet-and-greet reports, and the occasional ticket for sale (in the city subforums) among many other topics.

And while you're there, enjoy this funny new ode to Bucky's hair in his sub-forum, illustrated with the rest of those recent paparazzi photos.

Kathy at Team Covington has a lovely tribute and a fond look back at Bucky's journey posted today--along with some tech help in comments from a kind fan from Japan, in case you (like me, and Kathy) have had some problems with those videos on the Fox site. (Thank you so much!)

Finally, be sure to catch Bo Bice on the tube tonight; he'll be performing on NBC's Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular at 9 p.m. Eastern. (Via MJ's Big Blog.)

We've gone blue in honor of the summer tour--please let me know what you think. If you miss the blond/tan background, I can always bring it right back...

More later--enjoy the holiday!