Review: Demi Lovato, The Neon Lights Tour

In support of her fourth studio album, Demi Lovato embarked on her third headlining concert tour in February, 2014. Dubbed “The Neon Lights Tour,” this show emphasized Demi’s rock star stage presence and killer vocals, as well as her down to earth persona that has engaged fans since her debut.

Opening with her hit single “Heart Attack,” Demi rose from beneath the stage and belted it out like no one else can. Decked out in torn leggings and a spiked leather jacket, she came out in full rock star regalia. Her charisma was undeniable. She segued into a remixed Here We Go Again era single “Remember December.” Stripped of its more rock-tinged elements, it was performed in an electronic style that suited Demi’s new sound perfectly. This was followed by a track from her most recent album (“Fire Starter”) and a non-single song from Don’t Forget  (“The Middle”). Things picked up when she brought down the show with “Really Don’t Care.” Fans belted out the words and lost their minds as supporting act Cher Lloyd joined Demi for her rap verse.

While the night was full of uptempo anthems and dance tracks, some of the more poignant moments in “The Neon Lights Tour” came from the ballads she performed. “Catch Me,” another track from Here We Go Again, was sung as she played the acoustic guitar before transitioning into a downtempo version of “Here We Go Again.” Similarly, “Nightingale” and “Warrior” received much love from the audience. These ballads proved to be crowd-pleasers and showcased her vocals flawlessly. However, it was the Frozen ballad “Let It Go” that truly made the audience go wild. There wasn’t a single person who didn’t sing along.

Other highlights from the night included performances of “Made in the USA” and “Neon Lights.” The former received thunderous applause when she sang the final words as “Made in Canada,” while the latter had the entire stadium jumping in tune to the club beat. The encore was equally as satisfying. She concluded the show with the Unbroken era hit “Give Your Heart a Break” and her signature song “Skyscraper.” Both were engaging and compelling, giving fans a chance to see Demi’s authenticity and talent without the bravado put on by flashy videos or pyrotechnics.

Overall, “The Neon Lights Tour” was a wonderful display of everything that Demi Lovato represents. It had a dash of rock star swagger, a pinch of sass, and a whole lot of heart. From confetti to elaborate light displays, the staging was impeccable. Her vocals were spot-on and she didn’t miss a note. While she could have included more songs from her fourth album DEMI on the setlist, it was nonetheless satisfying to see her reference her entire discography in one night. However, if there was one thing to take away from her performance it is that she is an inspiring young woman who believes in female empowerment and self-improvement. In times like these, this type of selflessness and genuine care for others is rare. Demi Lovato is more than just a pop singer, she’s an inspiration.