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.
