Concert Gets a KISS

BY JULIET PENNINGTON / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF MANSFIELD -- Although the skies remained gray for the better part of the day and the chill in the air never left, the thousands of music lovers who attended Saturday's K iss Concert 2004 at the Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts didn't seem to mind at all.

`` I love the variety of bands and all the people here,'' said Kaisha Guerrini, 15, from Norton. `` It's the kind of concert where there are young people and old people and everyone has a good time.''

Everyone did have a good time -- despite the unseasonably cool weather that descended on the area in the afternoon. A low temperature of 50 was recorded by the Attleboro Water Department at 5 p.m., and it felt cooler as the evening wore on after hitting a high of 63 at 9 a.m.

But Guerrini and her friend, Ashley Burke, also 15 and from Norton, didn't let the cool weather dampen their spirits. Burke said she liked the `` family-oriented'' atmosphere, and how there was `` something for everyone'' in the lineup.

The multi-act concert kicked off at 1:30 p.m. with the alternative band, `` Frikin' A,'' and continued with Cherie, Five for Fighting, and, on the second stage set up on the lawn, Ashlee Simpson, Jessica's younger sister who is the anti-thesis of her sister in looks (she looked like a young Joan Jett) and style (more punk/alternative).

Burke said she liked the fact that a stage was added on the lawn so the people in the back of the venue `` got a chance to see performers up close.''

Hosting the action on the satellite stage was MTV VJ `` Damien,'' who was a hit with the crowd -- especially the young girls who kept gushing about how `` cute'' he is.

In a backstage interview, Damien, a native of Springfield who worked at K iss 108 FM for a short time after college, said he was having a `` great time'' at the concert, and with his flourishing career.

`` I can't believe I'm getting paid for doing this,'' he said. `` I keep thinking there's got to be a catch, but so far, I haven't found one.''

Also new this year, radio contest winners got to watch a portion of the concert from the side of the stage on a makeshift bar -- alcohol free, of course -- which enabled them to see the performers up close.

`` It was neat,'' said Kristin May, 21, from Littleton, who was one of the lucky callers who received a free pair of tickets and access to the on-stage bar. `` Usually, we wouldn't be that close, so it was pretty cool seeing everything up close like that.''

Her friend, Crystal Valliere, 22, also from Littleton, said she was able to shake Mario Winans hand as he came off the stage. `` That was pretty neat,'' she said.

Several others said they liked the backstage footage that was shown on the large screens in the amphitheater.

`` It was cool seeing what was happening with the performers backstage between the acts,'' said one enthusiastic concert-goer. `` I felt like I was there, seeing it first-hand.''

By about 3:30, Winans took to the stage, followed by Liz Phair, The Calling, Cyndi Lauper, David Corey, Avril Lavigne, and Ja Rule. Among the special guests not announced in the original lineup were Ashanti, who is dating Ja Rule, and a reunion of The Backstreet Boys -- who were especially well-received by the crowd.

Also performing was Kimberly Locke, who finished third in the second season of Fox-TV's `` American Idol,'' Maroon Five, Sean Paul, JC Chasez and headliner Jessica Simpson.

Joe Mazzei, marketing manager for K iss 108 FM, said in the late afternoon that things were running `` very smoothly'' and security officials reported no problems.

Although it was a predominantly young crowd -- teenagers and young adults --there also were many parents with their children.

Bob Wiggins, 50, from Norwell, brought his two children and one of their friends.

`` This is our third year,'' he said. `` It's a good opportunity to spend time with the kids. They do a great job here.''

Wiggins said he even likes some of the performers -- especially Five for Fighting.

His daughter, Hilary, 12, said she was especially looking forward to seeing Kimberly Locke and Jessica Simpson.

Her brother, Owen, 9, said he liked all of the performers.

`` He's just along for the ride,'' his father said. `` Like I said, it's a fun day out.''

Katy Flannery, 14, from North Attleboro, said she liked the `` carnival-like'' atmosphere of the Kiss Concert.

She and her friend, Alix Vandeventer, also 14 and from North Attleboro, were attending the Kiss Concert for the second year in a row.

`` We have better seats this year and I like the way they did things this year better,'' said Vandeventer, whose parents, Colleen and Bill, brought their daughter and her friend to the concert. `` I like the games, face painting and other activities they have. It's really fun,'' he said.

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