Title: Aaron Carter Mania
Source: The Columbus Dispatch
Date: July 25, 2001
Source: FEATURES - NOW!, Pg. 1H
Author: Ryan Trares, Dispatch Staff Reporter
Topic: Summer 2001 Concert Review
There was a party in Columbus last Thursday and everyone was invited.
Aaron's Party, a teen music extravaganza featuring True Vibe, Myra, A*Teens and headlined by Aaron Carter, rolled full force into Polaris Amphitheater.
The show brought flocks of Carter fans from throughout central Ohio to enjoy a night of pop power.
Two were Heather Bobo, 13, and Courtney Willis, 12, both of Athens. Heather was winner of The Dispatch's "Aaron Carter ticket giveaway." Her name was drawn from 880 entries. As the winner, Heather received tickets for her mother, Tina, and Courtney, courtesy of Polaris Amphitheater.
When the two girls were asked if they were excited, they both gave an enthusiastic "yes!" It was the first concert that either girl had attended. Heather said they first became fans of Carter, younger brother to Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, when his first compact disc, Aaron Carter, came out.
"The music is fun. It gets you in a good mood," both girls agreed.
Heather and Courtney reached their seats just as the first group, True Vibe, was taking the stage. Each opening act worked to build up the energy for Carter, and the crowd got into it.
Fans were up and dancing with the beats of True Vibe, Myra and A*Teens, and their cheers grew louder as the seats slowly filled in. But the cheers were nothing compared with the roar created when Carter took the stage.
After chants of Carter's name during a short break, the show began with a promotional video, showing clips of interviews from when Carter was younger. Everyone rose immediately, including Heather and Courtney.
The band came out first, diving into a monstrous rock 'n' roll riff. When Carter finally strutted onstage, though, you couldn't hear one note that was playing; the amphi-theater exploded with screams and cheers.
The setlist was a rundown of Carter's hits from his releases Aaron Carter and Aaron's Party (Come Get It). Songs such as the lighthearted rap of Bounce, the island-flavored Iko, Iko and the intense Shake It whipped fans into a frenzy.
In addition to playing old classics, Carter also performed songs from his upcoming CD, including the title track, Oh Aaron. In a display of appreciation for his fans, he dedicated I'm All About You "to every single fan here."
Carter's energy was contagious. While he was bouncing around the simple black-and-silver set, playing with squirt guns and dancing with his "funky robot," the crowd was having a ball, dancing, clapping and screaming.
Carter finished the show with a bang. He ended the set with a fan favorite, a remake of Bow Wow Wow's I Want Candy, as the crowd sang along, word for word.
With almost deafening cheers and shouts of "Aaron!" rising from the audience, Carter took a momentary break before returning for his encore.
Dressed in a flashy Los Angeles Lakers jumpsuit, he broke into That's How I Beat Shaq, complete with cheerleaders and a basketball hoop. Carter kept the fans enthralled with his fanciful rap and energetic antics.
For the finale, Carter ran across the stage and executed a monstrous dunk.
There was only one song left to play, and everyone knew what it was: Aaron's Party (Come Get It), the youngster's biggest hit by far. He teased the audience, debating whether to play his signature work. After pleading fans brought the decibal level to a new high, he gave in. With a funky bassline backing him up, Carter be-bopped all over the stage. All the while, red, white and blue balloons and glitter fell onto the crowd.
After a jam-filled version of the song, Carter brought the party to a close. He thanked the audience and promised to be back next year, then exited with a spirited "See ya!"
The audience seemed pleased with the show. Heather and Courtney both said they had a good time.
"The best part was during the end, when they were playing Aaron's Party," Heather said.
Unfortunately, Carter will not be back in Ohio for the rest of the summer. But for those who can't get enough of the young superstar, Oh Aaron, is scheduled to be released Aug. 7.
rtrares@dispatch.com
GRAPHIC: Phot, (1) Jeff Adkins / Dispatch photos Above: Aaron Carter (with microphone) and his band brought the audience to their feet during a concert last Thursday at Polaris Amphitheater. (2) Above: Heather Bobo, 13, left, and her friend Courtney Willis, 12, eagerly await the concert. (3) Left: Carrie Desimpelaere, right, takes Courtney, left, and Heather's tickets as they enter Polaris. (4) Left: Carter fans will be happy to know that a new CD soon will be released
