I entered Jiffy Lube Live with high expectations, having seen The Fray three times before, and Kelly Clarkson twice. I knew this was about to be a show I wouldn’t forget. As I took my seat dead center, right in front of the sound booth, South Carolina locals Carolina Liar took the stage. They were at an extreme disadvantage with such an empty amphitheater, as fans were waiting to arrive for the two headliners. The crowd didn’t seem very interested in their music until they played their hit single, “Show Me What I’m Looking For.” This song has been featured on many TV shows and commercials for the past few years.
After a short break, Denver Colorado locals, The Fray, took the stage with “Turn Me On,” a song off their latest album “Scars and Stories,” released in 2011. The venue was now filled completely and ready to hear more music. The Fray’s lead singer Issac Slade does a phenomenal job of getting the crowd involved in the songs.
About seven songs in, Issac had the music stop, and said the following speech; “I want to say something tonight, we’re from Denver Colorado about 25 minutes from Aurora. I was home that night; I landed about 10:30. About an hour and a half later, a young man stepped into a theater, and took and took and took. And we do not know why. Then a week later in Wisconsin, someone else did it and again we do not know why. But there is energy that takes and there is energy that gives. We can be black holes that take and take and take. Or we can be the opposite of black holes, and give and give and give. I want you to stand up on your feet tonight, in honor of those who fell. We stand with the victims families, the people that were there, the people that survived and we give.” The entire venue was on there feet to show their respect. Slade then began playing his song “Happiness.” As he sang, Slade walked into the crowd, up one side of the steps, to the lawn, and back down the other side, still singing. He stopped at times to let the crowd sing the chorus, and yell “Are you with me Virginia?” Still in the crowd Slade also sang “Be Still.”
Later in their set, Slade sat down at the piano and said, “After walking around this crowd, I noticed it’s a white crowd, so here’s some Motown.” He then began to play The Temptations song “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg.” This then lead into playing their three most popular singles “How To Save A Life,” “Over My Head” and “Heartbeat” to end the show.
Finally it was time for Kelly Clarkson. She entered the stage with “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Kelly did a great job and the crowd loved how she played a lot of her old songs, from “Breakaway” to “Miss Independent” and slowed it down for “Because of You.” At one point she also entered the crowd to sing Fun.’s cover of “We Are Young.” Also, after taking requests from fans, decided on covering TLC’s “Scrubs,” with the comedic act being her bassist acting as her back-up dancer.
Although I enjoyed Kelly’s performance, my only complaint is how much media has changed her after becoming the original American Idol. The very first time I saw Kelly was right after her big win. She wore khaki pants, a black t-shirt and was barefoot. That show was all about the music, and it was an incredible show. This time around, she had a total of 5 outfit changes, and I feel like it was more about the performance this time and not so much the singing.
