Anticipation hung in the air as the 2010 Y100 Jingle Ball logo flashed on the jumbotron. Those early morning DJs we all hear on the way to school – Elvis Duran, Froggy, and Danielle – took the stage and initiated that unavoidable pre-show banter. Finally, lights dimmed, and the evening began.
The Script kicked off the show on a midtempo note. “Breakeven” made for a crowd-pleasing sing-along, but their less well-known songs didn’t do much to liven up the already celebratory atmosphere.
Next to hit the stage was Disney star Selena Gomez. Before performing “A Year Without Rain,” Gomez commented that the song had been a collaboration with her own musical idol, headliner Katy Perry. With gutsy fashion choices (an all-white look with gigantic flared pants) and catchy dance numbers like “Naturally,” Gomez proved that she might just be gearing up to eventually claim the kooky Katy Perry crown.
Train took the stage with chug-a-lugging engine noise intro that was just kitschy enough to amuse. Frontman Pat Monahan’s goofy charisma excited everyone as he leapt into the crowd to sing “Marry Me” to half the women in floor seats. The real beginning of Jingle Ball, though, was unquestionably “Hey Soul Sister,” as the entire stadium burst into euphoric song.
Despite his increasing popularity, Taio Cruz did not exactly “light it up like it’s dynamite” at the Jingle Ball. While “Dynamite” was inescapably danceable, his first few numbers were notable mainly for their throbbing bass lines and repetitive noises. Still, Cruz’s most dedicated fans jumped around with the utmost enthusiasm, and their excitement amused everyone whose eyes were on the jumbotrons.
B.O.B.’s “Nothin’ On You” brought back sunny summer memories. Although “Airplanes” would probably have been enhanced by Hayley William’s presence, the hip hop star’s anecdotes about the wings attached to his sneakers – “You have to cheer to make me fly!” – made up for the lack of power girl vocals.
Strangely, because of a scheduling mix-up, headliner Katy Perry was next to perform, but the crowd was thrilled at the early performance. As Perry frolicked across the stage in full, crazy Santa Claus attire, the energy in the room practically quadrupled. Perry, who at one point lived in Fort Myers, Florida, introduced ” California Gurls” by proclaiming that “I love California, but you Floridians all have a little piece of me!” Fans cheered wildly for the hometown love as confetti exploded into the Bank Atlantic Center.
As co-headliner, Adam Lambert burst onto the stage like a lightning bolt of glittery pants and ecstatic energy. Opening with Lady Gaga-penned “Fever,” Lambert kept up with Katy Perry’s pace, and even the least enthusiastic of audience members ended up on their feet. Slower numbers like “Sleepwalker” left the hyped-up crowd restless, but Lambert’s enormous stage presence won the room over.
Up next was Enrique Iglesias, who stole the show as he swept a woman up out of the front row and proceeded to serenade her onstage. Iglesias’s infectious “I Like It” was undoubtedly the hit of his performance, especially because of Pitbull’s surprise guest appearance, but his other numbers fell flat in comparison.
Flo Rida closed the show with a wild ride through the crowd on a security guard’s shoulders. He seemed have a goal of touching as many hands as possible (he made a valiant effort, but didn’t even get close to the nosebleed section). His hit “Club Can’t Even Handle Me” was a perfect finale for the evening. The audience of Jingle Ball 2010 put their hands up and, as they watched the final act go all out, did their best to handle the explosive lineup.
