I think the greatest moment in American history went a little something like this: Two college-age guys are driving in the car when Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" comes on the radio. The passenger, who thinks the driver is focusing on the road, begins to mouth the words and tap his foot. When the driver spots his friend ready to go into full rock-out mode for Kelly, the passenger looks sheepish and ready to deny any allegation of fandom. To his surprise, the driver merely gives his friend an empathic smile and says, "It's OK." The two, in unison, roll down the windows, pump up the volume and scream the chorus full of feminist rage and horribly off-key -- without any shame.
These trailblazers in Kellyism made it okay for anyone from 12-year-old teenyboppers to stereotypical fraternity men to enjoy the magic that is Kelly. These harbingers of awesomeness also allowed me to go to see Kelly -- we're on a first name basis -- in Norfolk last week.
I would say the concert was awesome, but it was more than that. It was super-awesome.
What makes a Kelly concert so super-awesome? Is it her powerful vocals combined with lyrics that speak to the girl power of someone who reminds us of the girl next door? Perhaps. Is it the fact that every mother there was double-fisting $5.50 Bud Lights? Probably not, but God bless America. Was it the Graham Colton Band opening? No. They lacked awesomeness. Was it the prerequisite Mike's Hard Lemonade drank beforehand? It's possible.
The "super-awesome" award, however, must go to the audience. Enthusiasm came into Norfolk in spades -- and, for a Kelly Clarkson concert, enthusiasm equals miniskirts and a decibel level that makes a jet engine sound like the first floor of Clemons.
Atmosphere is what makes a good performer put on a great concert. Although Kelly probably deserves less credit for attracting an audience which made people-watching so much fun, it certainly made the event super-awesome.
-- PH
While watching Kelly Clarkson win American Idol a few seasons ago, I certainly never expected to find myself singing every word at her concert with three college-aged guys and surrounded by preteen girls and their mothers. Clarkson's July 26th concert, however, unfolded exactly as expected. Essentially, Clarkson performed her CD live, with little flair, few costume changes, minimal (and rather bizarre) dancing, and no other concert must-haves used by most pop stars. Somehow, though, she was able to pull it off. Certainly the hilarity of my male co-attendees contributed to the overall mood of the event -- they insisted that every other man in the audience was there only because he was "whipped," a comment overheard by a passing stranger who replied, "Hey, those are my sisters, man!"
Still, it was Clarkson herself who remained the primary attraction. Her virtually uninterrupted hour-and-a-half of constant, full-bodied singing displayed amazing energy and endurance that complimented her clear pleasure at being in the spotlight. True, she could benefit from dancing lessons and a new stylist (her tight low-rider pants and belly shirts were far less flattering than the clothing she wears at other times, such as on the red carpet), but I didn't come to the concert expecting a Britney-esque performance. Her singing is what won American Idol, and her singing is what carried the concert despite areas of weakness.
-- EK
As the mostly female, mostly adolescent audience screamed for promotional T-shirts from a local radio station before the concert, I came to a realization: The fans were as much a part of the show as the performer. You had the crowd one would expect at a Kelly Clarkson "Behind These Hazel Eyes" concert -- junior-highish girls who probably knew every lyric, note and song that's come out of Kelly's mouth since American Idol. This is the group that not only saw "From Justin to Kelly," but also probably enjoyed it.
Then, there's the much less homogenous, yet much more entertaining group of boyfriends, parents and brothers who somehow got tricked into going to the concert. As the show progressed, many members of this group became intoxicated and were ridiculed by certain members of the audience who attend the University, namely the author of this review.
Kelly, herself, was delightful. Despite her rather frumpy wardrobe and awkward Riverdance-gone-horribly-wrong gyrations, Kelly's songs were pretty sweet. Kelly's repertoire took concert-goers on an unforgettable rollercoaster of emotion. The female angst was palpable during the performance of Kelly's smash-hit "Since U Been Gone." "Because of You" took my emotions to a new high -- I don't remember crying that much since Leo died in "Titanic." But Kelly managed to keep it light and fresh with her bold rendition of "Miss Independent."
My only real criticism is that Kelly did not perform her American Idol hit "A Moment Like This." I guess I'll have to wait for the next Sandals Resort commercial.
-- THL
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