This is the real problem these type of critics have with the AI phenomenon: "it's all sweet, no sour."
Meaning: no disgusting lyrics, no dirty dancing, no simulated sex acts on stage, no drug-induced vomiting from the performers or the audience, etc. etc. etc.
The Washington Post review, which ultimately was positive, led with the line, "This [the AI concert] makes the '50's look like the '60's."
IOW, it's just too darn wholesome!!
Well, I was there at the MCI center, Teen-Agers in tow. Was the show fairly cheesy? Sure. Was it fantastic fun? YES. Why? The audience was incredibly diverse in age and every other way. There was no hint that anything other than just plain good fun was going to occur.
When 7-year-old boys are standing on the seats and shaking their skinny little booty while four rows over an 80-year-old lady with a HUGE picture of Clay on her shirt is waving her arms in the air while her daughters and granddaughters have a ball, when everywhere you look people are actually SMILING and laughing, the screams were deafening for four hours straight, and people were NICE to each other . . . there's something right about that picture.
I've really never been to a concert where 20,000 people were ALL having such a just plain fun time.
If someone needs disgusting lyrics to feel cool, that's their problem.
Exactly! And I've been to a bunch. It was a nice experience - even when the show was over, there was no pushing, shoving, etc. A wide range of ages, including Julia DeMato's parents off to the side. They talked about their families, how thankful and appreciative they were of the fans. Yeah, there was a cheez factor. But the musicians were sharp, the dancers were good, and it was uncynical - and I appreciated that. I did not shriek, but I danced and had a good time and enjoyed hearing these kids sing.