The dark clouds that hovered over Orem all day Thursday continued to threaten concertgoers that evening who came to see original "American Idol" Kelly Clarkson perform at Brent Brown Ballpark.

Then something amazing happened.

Two rainbows appeared and seemed almost strategically placed behind the constructed stage. They provided hope that the light drizzle that began to fall during the beginning of Clarkson's energetic performance would stop. Rain or shine, however, the crowd of mostly college students seemed delighted to have the Season One winner of the FOX talent competition "American Idol" in Utah County. Her appearance was part of a joint celebration of Utah Valley University's UVUphoria! and Orem's Summerfest.

Shortly after 8 p.m., Clarkson took the stage in a simple pair of black pants, a green tank top and black vest. She ran straight to the microphone and opened with the catchy "Walk Away," a good choice to get the show started. She carried the microphone, stand and all, as she paced back and forth and sang to the crowd. The image closely resembled that of legendary Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler.

Clarkson went through many of her hit songs from her first three studio albums and pushed her newest release "All I Ever Wanted" by playing five tracks off the album during the night, including her upcoming single "Already Gone."

A few songs into the show, the band took a break, except for the two members who accompanied Clarkson on the acoustic guitar while she performed "Because of You." As she sang this ballad, it was again clear what set this Texas singer apart from all the other Season One contestants on "American Idol." She has a powerful voice, and that is what continues to define her as an artist. "Because of You" was a beautiful song that revealed the strong pipes America fell in love with more than seven years ago.

Shortly after, the rain stopped and the clouds quickly moved south to reveal the bright blue sky hidden underneath.

"People ask me why I don't date a lot," Clarkson said, introducing her current single.

"I'm waiting for the right person, which means 'I Do Not Hook Up.' " The stadium applauded as the band began playing Clarkson's second single off "All I Ever Wanted."

Often, a singer's band doesn't receive the attention and the credit it deserves. Clarkson's band may just be one of those bands. The band members rocked hard. If it weren't for Clarkson in front singing, it would have appeared to be some popular rock band playing to a sold-out crowd. Consisting of two guitarists, two bassists, a drummer, a keyboardist and two backup singers, the band performed a tight, well-rehearsed set for Clarkson. "I have a really talented band," she said of them.

The highlight of the evening came as dusk was setting in and the show was at its peak. Clarkson told everyone to sing along and that she knew that even the guys would know the words to the song (an acknowledgement that the audience was made up of mostly female fans). As the opening chords of "Since U Been Gone" began, anyone who was not standing by this point jumped on their feet. The crowd in front of the stage looked exactly like the video Clarkson made for the song. At each of the three choruses, the crowd jumped up and down, in sync with Clarkson. Without a doubt, this was the moment everyone came for.

The energy didn't stop with that. Clarkson went right into "My Life Would Suck Without You" and the same enthusiasm in the crowd only increased. Again with each chorus, nearly everyone was jumping up and down with Clarkson, not wanting the song to ever really end.

But it did.

"Thank you so much. … See you next time!" Clarkson screamed and quickly ran off. For another 30 seconds, the band continued to play "My Life Would Suck Without You" before stopping and walking off stage also.

And then the crowd waited. Those who wanted to beat the traffic began filing out while others lingered, looking toward the stage hoping for at least one encore performance. Unfortunately, nothing happened.

Slowly the crowd gave up and everyone began filing out.

It was a little disappointing that the show ended with no encore, but even the abrupt ending couldn't change the fact that Clarkson put on a great show.

She knew how to get a ballpark of several thousand people on their feet and moving. She provided the entertainment everyone came for and even appeared to be having as much fun as everyone else. The smile on her face didn't leave for a moment during her entire performance. The high energy and emotion Clarkson brings to each song as well as her powerful voice are what distinguishes her as a performer and set her apart as the original American Idol.

Setlist

Kelly Clarkson

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Brent Brown Ballpark

1. Walk Away

2. Behind These Hazel Eyes

3. Beautiful Disaster

4. Whyyawannabringmedown

5. Never Again

6. Because of You (Acoustic)

7. Already Gone

8. Breakaway

9. I Do Not Hook Up

10. If I Can't Have You

11. Up to the Mountain

12. Miss Independent

13. How I Feel

14. Since U Been Gone

15. My Life Would Suck Without You