Jordin Sparks

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Battlefield Tour

Jordin Sparks

with Kate Voegele and Days Difference

June 22, 2010
Revolution, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Review and Photos by Ashleigh Ahern

For viewers of the popular show American Idol, June 22 was a special treat for supporters of former Idol, Jordin Sparks. Fans of all ages gathered at Ft. Lauderdale’s Revolution to see the sweet, down-to-earth singer perform.

First up was Virginia pop-rock band Days Difference. With a small crowd and a floor that was barely filled, most bands would be discouraged. If the boys of Days Difference were nervous, you never would’ve guessed. With a look that screamed boy-band, I didn’t expect much. Luckily, Days Difference was playful and fun, proving to be the perfect opener for the show. With lead singer and keyboardist Jeremy Smith sitting at his piano, their song "Speakers" had a very calming feel to it. On the other hand, their song "Sunrise" proved exactly why guys should never sing in a high falsetto voice: It’s unattractive and resembles a girl screaming. Even with the too-high pitch of Smith’s voice, the band finished off their set, leaving the crowd antsy for the next performer.

Sparks came out, and once again the crowd cheered and hollered as she kicked off her set with "Battlefield." The audience was singing along from start to finish, knowing literally every word.

Kate Voegele

Switching up the sound was folk-pop singer Kate Voegele. I’m not sure whether the teen guys in the crowd had originally been waiting for Jordin Sparks, but if they were, Kate sure had their attention now. With her pretty, upbeat songs, it was hard not to get into her music. The girl even stuck it out through microphone problems, joking about how the mic didn’t like her. Finally getting the situation under control, she and her backing band continued on just as strong. Showing off her voice, Voegele played a beautiful cover of Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah." Taking the show back up a notch, she ended her set with her latest single, "99 Times," with the audience singing along.

Finally, it was time for the crowd to get what they wanted: Jordin Sparks. After a half-hour wait that felt much longer, the curtains were drawn back and the crowd erupted into cheers. On stage, two guys clad in armor and helmets stood on opposite sides of the stage, then they began marching toward each other to further point out that this was the Battlefield Tour. Sparks came out, and once again the crowd cheered and hollered as she kicked off her set with "Battlefield." The audience was singing along from start to finish, knowing literally every word. She captivated the room with her expressive movements and strong voice. Sparks continued the fun and kept the crowd’s energy up, playing a mix of songs, including her older hits, "One Step At A Time," "No Air," and "Tattoo." Singing her heart out, the humble artist brought the night to a great end by thanking them for voting for her while she was on American Idol.

Need more Kate Voegele? Check out our previous coverage of the singer here.