Polished Aguilera gives fans what they want and more

During a three-hour screamfest Thursday night at KeyArena, some of Christina Aguilera's finest moments were nearly drowned out by adolescent exuberance.

CONCERT REVIEW
CHRISTINA AGUILERA (with Christian Davis and soulDecision)
WHAT: Pop/R&B concert

WHEN: Thursday night at KeyArena.

Wave after wave of piercing screams provided a constant sonic backdrop to Aguilera's often exquisite vocals. But with the firepower of an arena-rock sound system behind her, the blond teenage singing star managed to keep the upper hand. She was cool, confident and totally in control.

Aguilera's first headlining Seattle show since the release last year of her blockbuster debut album was a colorfully staged and elaborately choreographed performance that included three costume changes. Backing the diminutive star were two singers, five band members and six dancers. Stage fog swirled around them and flashpots exploded intermittently through the show.

Stairways and two elevated platforms atop steel cages gave the six dancers plenty of room to roam. And a giant video screen at the rear made the tiny singer look larger than life.

See more photos from the concert. Paul Joseph Brown/P-I

The concert began with a short opening set by singer Christian Davis, who performed with pre-recorded rhythm tracks. The hyperventilating, predominantly female crowd grooved to such songs as "Body Rockin' Time" and "Safe in the Arms of Love."

The middle act, Vancouver, B.C., boy band soulDecision, was a lot more interesting. Slick yet fun, the set included the songs "Summer of '69" and "Faded," the trio's current single.

Aguilera kept her fans waiting for 45 minutes. They entertained themselves by doing the wave and shouting, "Chris-teen-ah! Chris-teen-ah!"

Aguilera's show began with a short, colorful video advertisement for Sears and Levi's, the tour's sponsors. Yet during a 70-minute set that featured songs from her debut album as well as her new Latin CD, "Mi Reflejo," Aguilera occasionally strayed from her script to share personal anecdotes and invite non-performing members of her entourage to the stage. It was the last show of the tour's current leg, giving Aguilera an excuse to whoop it up.

Aguilera, dressed in white pants and a white top (with a round cutout to reveal her navel), opened with "Genie in a Bottle," one of the biggest singles from her debut album. With her backup singers offering plenty of support, Aguilera delivered a soaring "Somebody's Somebody" and high-powered "So Emotional."

Thanking fans for buying her new Spanish album, she performed the high-spirited new single, "Ven Conmigo (Solamente Tu)."

Her success has made dreams come true, she told the crowd, but caused her anguish as well. The enthusiasm of her fans is often what gets her through, and to them she dedicated a tender, understated "I Turn to You."

From her Spanish album, she offered another heartfelt, passionate song, the traditional bolero "Contigo En La Distancia." She was accompanied by a congo player and acoustic guitarist.

A DJ/turntablist entertained the crowd during a costume change. Aguilera returned in embroidered jeans, a skimpy top and a red bandanna for a raucous, fireworks-enhanced version of "All Right Now," the blues-rock classic by London group Free.

Aguilera polished off her set with the romantic "Love for All Seasons," followed by a buoyant version of her new single, "Come On Over," that featured somersaulting dancers.

For her encore, Aguilera promised her fans a "female-oriented song." What she gave them was a sassy, high-stepping "What a Girl Wants."

The concert began with a short opening set by singer Christian Davis, who performed with pre-recorded rhythm tracks. The hyperventilating, predominantly female crowd grooved to such songs as "Body Rockin' Time" and "Safe in the Arms of Love."

The middle act, Vancouver, B.C., boy band soulDecision, was a lot more interesting. Slick yet fun, the set included the songs "Summer of '69" and "Faded," the trio's current single.