When Kelly Clarkson, commands audiences to “Dance with Me,” there is no arguing. From the moment she stepped on stage singing the lyrics to the song from her new “Piece By Piece” album, audiences were dancing and singing right along with their beloved “American Idol.”

Jennifer Durrant, Daily Herald

The Grammy Award winner’s energetic opening to her Saturday night performance at USANA Ampitheatre, was just the beginning of an evening filled with powerful anthems, touching ballads, hints at the singer’s clever sense of humor and a few unplanned moments that made her even more endearing to the thousands enjoying the cool evening of chart toppers.

With the audience already dancing in the aisles, Clarkson, also bouncing with energy and dancing in her bare feet, followed up her opener with the favorites “My Life Would Suck” and “Catch My Breath,” inspiring everyone to not only dance, but sing along to these favorite tunes.

“Nostalgic,” a song off the new album, was followed by “Mr. Know It All,” a song that was dedicated to all those people you just want to tell off, or punch, Clarkson quipped.

Demonstrating the strength behind her vocals, Clarkson performed her current single, “Invincible” which not only features her musical range, but showcases a great message of empowerment.

On that performance high note, Clarkson turned the stage over to her band member for a guitar solo while she ran backstage for her first of four costume changes for the night.

Returning to the stage in a stunning pink ball gown, the tone of the concert turned to moments of tenderness laced with painful memories all translating beautifully into song. The emotion was particularly touching when she performed a stripped-down version of her newest album’s cover song, “Piece By Piece,” illustrating the growth of this songstress since she first climbed to stardom as a young 20-year-old on the first season of “American Idol” in 2002.

While different from the album version, the live performance of just Clarkson singing alongside her pianist accentuated the power behind the lyrics of loss and abandonment by her own father. The new mother contrasted her childhood to her new baby girl’s by singing, “Piece by piece I fell far from the tree, I will never leave her like you left me. And she will never have to wonder her worth, because unlike you I’m going to put her first.” Visibly choking up in that last verse, Clarkson apologized to the audience saying “I’m really dramatic. I get to the part about my baby and I’m like, Bwahh,” she said further expressing her emotions.

That motherly tenderness overcame the performer when she then sang a medley of “Because of You” and “Breakaway.” Distracted by a toddler in the audience, she proclaimed, mid-lyric, “You’re baby is so cute!” Struggling to continue with the song she was invited to hold the little boy named Boston. Clarkson quickly transitioned from singing to cooing to the little boy, abandoning the song altogether in the sweetest possible way.

Reluctantly handing back the baby, she then continued with her setlist performing “Tightrope” before exiting the stage once again.

As quickly as she changed gowns, the tempo and tone of Clarkson’s performance transitioned as her band revved up for the bass-heavy power of “Take You High (When Doves Cry)” in one of the most visually stunning performances of the night.

Audiences once again began dancing and singing along to Clarkson’s “Behind Those Hazel Eyes,” yet another song highlighting empowerment.

It was then she turned the concert stage into an open mic night, inviting up-and-coming, talent show winning, band Jane Black on stage to perform their cover of “I Don’t Wanna Lose Your Love Tonight,” by The Outfield.

After asking fans for a special request song to add to her setlist earlier in the week, Clarkson selected “Heaven” by Bryan Adams, not only because of the sincere request, but because it is her husband’s favorite song. Dedicating it to her sweetheart, she performed a beautiful version of the ’80s hit while her husband and baby girl were seated in the amphitheater.

“Maybe” from her lesser-known album “My December,” led nicely into her anthem “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” which Clarkson prefaced by stating that “each person has their own reason for loving this song.”

Current radio hit “Heartbeat Song” got a little acapella assistance from Clarkson’s opening act Pentatonix as they added their own twist, including beatboxing and impressively deep bass lines, to the catchy song.

Before leaving the stage, Pentatonix laid down a great intro to Clarkson’s mashup of “Walk Away” and the current hit “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars. This mashup, spotlighting the vocals of Clarkson’s backup singers, was the perfect mix of the two songs, adding a little additional fun and funk to the sass of “Walk Away,” a great pre-encore conclusion to the concert.

The question of an encore was never in doubt as those four mirrored panels extended across the stage just long enough for rousing applause and another costume change – this time for both Clarkson and her trio of backup singers.

Entering the stage to the Jessie J, Ariana Grande, Nicki Minaj hit “Bang Bang,” Clarkson’s backup singers wowed audiences with their rendition of this popular Top 40 hit. By the second verse, Clarkson entered the stage in her final, sleek black dress, to join in the song.

Never one to neglect her fan favorites, Clarkson wrapped up the concert by belting out “Miss Independent,” and “Since U Been Gone” to cheers from the crowd as everyone leapt to their feet and began singing and jumping in unison.

With a perfect mix of new releases and beloved hits, moving ballads and powerful anthems, Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece By Piece” tour stop in Salt Lake City is one memorable evening audience members aren’t sure to forget.