Early on in his show last night (11/3) at Phoenix's Veterans Memorial Coliseum, "American Idol" winner David Cook [ tickets ] wanted to assure fans that he was giving it his all.

"In the intent of full disclosure, I'm going to tell you something and I want you to try really hard not to hold it against us," Cook told the audience, whose deafening screams permeated the air at the singer's every move. "You don't even know what we're going to tell you yet. We just got back from a two-week vacation. This is our first show back. I want you to make sure we're giving you 175 percent."

Cook and his band gave it more than that during the Arizona State Fair show. The 70-minute performance was chock full of personality and wit. At times, Cook's voice was a little pitchy, to quote "American Idol" judges, but the fans didn't seem to care. They were there to see their idol. And Cook--complete with his knowing half-smile--was having just as much fun as the crowd.

"We're, what, three songs into this and I've got no place else to go," said the chatty Cook. "I'm having a great time."

Cook dedicated "I Did It For You," which he co-wrote with Our Lady Peace's Raine Maida, to his fans, whom, he said, he grew to appreciate during the "American Idols Live" tour that followed his win. He wrapped up the song with a few lines sung a cappella, proving his "Idol" win was no fluke.

"When I got off 'Idol,' way back in 2008, we started the 'Idol' tour in Glendale [outside Phoenix]," he said. "We did 53 dates around the country. It made me appreciate the amount of people who come to these gigs."

Cook said that he, too, is a fan of "American Idol" winners, including Carrie Underwood, whose Dec. 7 Fox television special will feature Cook.

"Carrie Underwood has a new album out today," Cook said. "Go buy it so she and I can continue to be friends. Carrie said this is one of her favorite songs on the record," he added about "Lie."

The set list, which did not include Cook's song "Time of My Life," was pretty much his self-titled, year-old debut, plus a pre-"Idol" song called "We're Only Honest When We're Sleeping," a rollicking rocker that Cook said he performed to keep the audience on their toes.

The show was opened by one of Ireland's finest exports, The Script, who played a too-short, 20-minute set, a half hour earlier than stated on the ticket. Those who were in the crowd were won over by The Script's warm nature and heartbreaking tunes. A wave of familiarity came over the crowd as The Script performed "The Man Who Can't Be Moved," a song that appeared on "The Hills" and "Beverly Hills 90210."