From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Jingle Ball: A blast

Nicole La Hoz
Pembroke Pines Charter

December 17 2008

The BankAtlantic stage itself was dull, but the Y100 Jingle Ball artists brought it to life. Ten artists filled the plain space with talent to ring in the holiday season.

And to my surprise, everything went on without mistakes.

The Academy Is… began the show with their pop rock sound, followed by Shontelle's Caribbean rhythms of Barbados.

Thousands cheered as the energetic petite duo The Veronicas came on with an edgier sound and look. They played songs filled with cymbal-clashing and 80s harmonies like Take me on the Floor that resembled Russian duo t.a.T.u.

Miami artist Kevin Rudolf had an exaggerated entrance, but his blend of rap and rock in In the City and Let it Rock caught on with simple guitars and synthesizers.

After the Y Morning Zoo personalities stalled the show with their usual antics, electronic pop newcomer Lady Gaga mesmerized. The Just Dance singer exuded energy and power with Beautiful, Dirty, Rich and the provocative Love Games.

Despite his darker and jazzier look and sound, Jesse McCartney let down with his cheesy choreographed moves and two male background dancers/vocalists; it was Dreamstreet all over again.

In a short Mrs. Claus outfit, the adorable Katy Perry admitted her nerves after a not-so-perfect – yet bouncy – Hot N Cold performance. With Thinking of You, she took the guitar and a bettered voice. The acoustic song showed a more vulnerable side that was great to see from the tart pop princess. But once the I Kissed a Girl drum beat came on, everyone got on their feet. Perry's show was the perfect blend of innocence and spice with some guitar shredding in the bridge.

Headliners Fall Out Boy and Rihanna were ideal to close the show.

The rock band played hits Thanks for the Memories and This Ain't a Scene as drummer Andy Hurley head banged and guitarist Joe Trohman jumped around. They even treated the audience to covers of Michael Jackson's Beat It and Estelle's American Boy, both being almost as great as the originals.

The Caribbean beauty and radio tycoon, Rihanna, retained the rock sound as she preyed on the concert-goers with songs like Disturbia, Rehab and Shut up and Drive. To equalize the sound, she also performed the dramatic Unfaithful and Take a Bow with her soulful and versatile vocals. Dressed in a small green top, skirt and boots, Rihanna controlled the crowd during Don't Stop the Music, getting a quick wardrobe change after Chris Brown surprised the audience with a short performance. The two reunited on stage to mesh together Umbrella and Brown's Cinderella, exchanging verses.

With talent at full capacity, it was near impossible for there to be problems, and Y100 kept it that way