Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
There were moments in Jessica Simpson’s concert that seemed to come straight out of a teen pop version of “This Is Spinal Tap.” Some, like the opening vignette where she pretended to lose her way from the dressing room to the stage, were intentional. But there were other moments, probably heartfelt ones, that instead came across as parody.
The great thing for artists playing at these B-96 multibill shows is that the audience will scream for you no matter what. Heck, even the dancers performing at the B-96 Halloween Bash on Wednesday night at the Allstate Arena were getting the star treatment, posing for pictures and signing autographs. Of the eight acts, though, it was Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera–both former cast members of “The New Mickey Mouse Club”–who stood out.
You’ve heard of a training bra? Well, Nickelodeon’s All That Music & More Festival, which rolled into town Sunday night, was a training concert, starring that red-hot boy band 98°. Never been to a live show before? No problem. Someone was on hand to tell the youngsters when to scream, stand up and dance. But the kids didn’t always cooperate.
As long as there are girls, boy bands such as 98°, which performed Tuesday at the Rosemont Theatre, will fare just fine. And when you think about it, that’s not such a bad thing. Whose concert would you rather have your 12-year-old attend? The one by nice young men in 98°, who sing about eternal love, or a show by wacky Marilyn Manson, who likes to pick fights with Kurt Cobain’s widow?