A sold out crowd of all ages filled TD Garden last Sunday in anticipation of the all-star lineup for iHeart Radio’s Kiss 108’s Jingle Ball. Holiday light necklaces and customized shirts saying “My First Jingle Ball” this annual event is the perfect first or fortieth concert.
Nicky Youre opened up the show and played songs like “Sunroof” and “Eyes on You” that gave summer vibes in contrast to the first Boston winter snow outside. Next up was Jax, one of the many artists to emerge into fame during quarantine. She sang her biggest hit “Victoria’s Secret” as well as “90’s Kids.”
Recent American Music Awards best new artist winner, Dove Cammeron was framed with a blue light and in an almost all black outfit as she hit the stage next surrounded by her dancers and band. She performed her fan favorites like “Boyfriend” and “Breakfast” and even covered Lil Nas X’s hit song “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name)”.
For only 19, Tate McRae has already developed an incredible stage presence. Her set was filled with songs like “You Broke Me First,” that had both lyrical vulnerability but high energy, making it fun for the audience. Lauve followed with songs about first loves and breakups and talking with the crowd in between songs about what each song meant to him. He made sure to make both his old and new fans happy by playing, “im so tired” which he did with Troye Sivan and was released in 2019.
Having loved Demi Lovato since I was in elementary school and seeing them live was on my concert bucket list. While they have varied their music taste, they still put on an amazing show. Lovato’s set included a lot of throwbacks like “Heart Attack” with a bit of a rock remix to reflect their current style, as well as playing 17 29 a recent hit from their latest album. While the style of music might have changed their confidence on stage and insane vocal talent have not!
The kid LAROI came out in a Parka and drinking tea, and explained to the audience that his vocals were fried from the Jingle Ball concert in New York two nights prior so his set would be acoustic tonight. The acoustic set was so intimate for an arena setting as he played hits like “Stay” even sending a video of the audience singing his verse to co-artist on the song Justin Bieber. He treated us to an unreleased song and even bonded with a fan who knew the lyrics of the unreleased tune. Overall, the acoustic set just exemplified how vocally talented he is and looking forward to the new songs.
Jack Harlow has an ability to command a stage and audience that is so fun to watch. He told the audience a story about how when his mom and he flew to Boston to watch a Celtics game in 2007, and now he’s playing in their arena. He stated how he has played his fifth show in Boston this year and plans to come back next year for more. His set consisted of older hits like “What’s Poppin” and added newer hits like “First Class” and sang his verse from his hit with Lil Nas X “Industry Baby.”
To close out the night, The Backstreet Boys had a stage upgrade complete with a sign and hype video to get the crowd energized and ready. In true boyband fashion, they came out in coordinating outfits and matching dance moves. The audience filled with people of all ages knew the lyrics to the iconic hits like “I Want It That Way” and “Larger than Life.” They even sang the iconic cover of WHAM’s “Last Christmas” and their written Christmas songs “Happy Days.” Safe to say Backstreet’s back and better than ever.
POST FEATURED IMAGE BY: Rachel Kaplan
