EndFest Review: Demi Lovato Steals The Spotlight

Every summer Northern California’s premiere hit radio station, The End, brings out a few fan favorites for the highly anticipated EndFest. 2012’s installment featured Karmin, Adam Lambert, Owl City and Demi Lovato. Judging by their attire, the majority of the audience looked to be self proclaimed Lovatics. Although, Lovato was the head liner the opening acts were nothing to sneeze at. Four hours of music was well worth the price of admission.

The duo which comprises Karmin are an engaged couple and happen to be immediately likeable. This is, no doubt, the age of new media. These two came into the national spotlight through social media outlets, YouTube especially, and have a string of hits and a major label contract to show for their efforts.

Their energy on stage was electrifying and although they were the first act on stage and fans were still trying to find their seats, they got the audience involved. A cover of “Look At Me Now,” which garnered them YouTube fame was well received as was their smash single “Brokenhearted.”

Adam Lambert seemed a bit bored. Maybe he’s been on too many stages over the years and all the arenas are beginning to blend together for him. Whatever it is, his rock star schtick is becoming stale. Donning shiny silver pants and lots of leather Lambert bounded on stage and launched right into one of his signature rock ballads. His audience interaction was minimal, his voice was strong and his set was over in what felt like a blink of the eye. The performance was sans his biggest hit to date “Whataya Want From Me,” which added to the disconnected vibe he brought. Lambert is an extremely talented musician. He tries so hard to be memorable, but for some reason, he just isn’t.

The moment Demi Lovato appeared on the top of a stair case, looking every bit the part of pop star, it was clear that the head liner had arrived. After Lovato played the keys, hit every high note flawlessly and took center stage wailing on an electric guitar, it became clear she’s much more than pop radio fodder. Lovato has had her share of issues and bad ink comes with those. But she’s turned those issues into a positive message, and her young fans have increased ten fold. Most of the audience was in their teens or younger and hanging on every word that Lovato said.

Dramatic hair flips were abundant throughout the 90 minutes Lovato had the spotlight. Her catchy new single “Give Your Heart A Break.” closed out the set. But a few tunes mid show that had a strong blues feel to them were her stand out moments. This is an artist who is truly talented and sounds better than the recorded version, an oddity in today’s music industry. Lovato has staying power and a strong fan base, one that admires the fact she slips up every once in awhile but doesn’t apologize for it.

Responses

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  1. God every single word you wrote was a lie. Adam Lambert got the biggest reaction and he stole the show! You weren’t even there or you are Lovato’s press agent. Adam was out of this world and even Lovato started her performance being in awe of Adam. It is on tape. It just makes me so angry at the ridiculous lying piece of trash that can be written today out of bias against an artist. There is no one in today’s music world that owns any stage he is on or has a voice that can compare with Adam Lambert. His album has won critical acclaim. Why are you going out of your way to trash Adam. What has he ever done to you that you would so lie!!

  2. Now I haven’t seen Adam Lambert’s performance, so I can’t judge that, but you’re saying this sentence:
    “and even Lovato started her performance being in awe of Adam.”
    If you first say that and then say:
    “It just makes me so angry at the ridiculous lying piece of trash that can be written today out of bias against an artist.”

    It kind of makes you a huge hypocrite. You’re doing the exact same. I’ve seen Demi’s performance and she was outstanding, but now you are biased cause you wanted Adam to do better.

  3. I have no objection to the critique by Tyler1987. These are, apparently, his opinions, and he is perfectly entitled to voice them. What raises a “red flag,” though, are inclusions like “his rock-star schtick” and -the dead give-away- “He tries so hard to be memorable, but for some reason, he just isn’t.” After reading that, the reader realizes that the critic might have a bias against the performer in question. From a writer’s point of view (I majored in journalism), it might be a bit more judicious to say, “Ir appeared to me that …” instead of offering criticism up as fact. I also disagree with “barbis,” who calls the writer a “liar” and insists that Adam Lambert “was out of this world” (here, too ~ opinion presented as fact). That kind of emotional, subjective accusation is just inflammatory and unnecessary, and does nothing to elevate the reputation of fans of Adam Lambert, many of whom are intelligent and reasonable (while still supporting him passionately). The internet has given rise to such an unfortunate sense of entitlement, and I believe the worst of those is not being able to communicate as respectful adults. And, yes ~ I am a devoted Adam Lambert fan … but I choose to support him with the same kind of fairness and open-mindedness that I see Adam personify in his life.