Title: Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!: 13-year-old idol Carter dazzles Metro Centre audience
Source: The Halifax Daily News
Source: Matinee; Pg. 28
Author: Marla Cranston
Topic: Winter 2001 Concert Review
Date: March 14, 2001
About 4,000 crazy little party girls braved Halifax's wind and sleet last night for a chance to shriek at preteen idol Aaron Carter.
"You better know how to shake it!" Carter yelled, and they complied, pumping their fists in the air and dancing throughout the Metro Centre show.
The 13-year-old Florida lad dazzled his prepubescent fans with one-handed cartwheels across the stage, and he even played drums on one tune during his encore. Carter incited a near-riot at the show's pinnacle, pointing out 20 kids in the crowd to join him onstage. Beefy bodyguards plucked wee girls and teenagers from the ground, hauling them onstage for a spirited boogie session. They all had a blast, except one poor tiny boy, who looked petrified.
Other concert highlights were Carter's salsa-flavoured hit Bounce, his peppy cover of I Want Candy, by 1980s new wavers Bow Wow Wow, and the title track from his new record, Aaron's Party (Come Get It), a catchy rap ditty about having a party when your parents are away.
Carter has had a huge growth spurt since his last show here, and he'd do well to ask older brother Nick, a Backstreet Boy, for some advice on what to do when your voice starts changing. He warbled along with lots of help from three adult backup singers tucked out of view offstage.
And his terrific band sizzled, despite the muddy sound mix, while the energetic Aaron Carter Dancers were another welcome distraction from his vocal shortcomings, with well-orchestrated choreography and even rhythmic gymnastics throughout the show.
Dubbed The Little Prince of Pop in a biography by his mother, Carter has been performing since age seven, and recently became the youngest male solo artist to achieve four top 40 singles in the U.K., an honour previously held by Jimmy Osmond.
GRAPHIC: Aaron Carter's voice is changing, but he could still belt out a catchy tune at the Metro Centre last night.
