Ariana Grande has always been compared to Mariah Carey . However, she was compared to Christina Aguilera as well for her performance at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. In addition to the comparison, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette also raved about Grande ‘s singing.
“Her vocals were airy and echoey, matching the high-pitched screams from the young female fans. It was on ‘Tattooed Heart,’ a pretty doo-wop throwback, and on ballads ‘One Last Time’ and ‘My Everything’ that she was best able to show off her squeaky high vocal range. The wall of backup vocals were supplied by invisible people.”
Ariana Grande was at least able to stay on her feet for her Pittsburgh performance. Things were quite different in Toronto, where Ariana fell down. Billboard described Ariana Grande ‘s accident.
“If being a pop star is an exclusive club, then membership must include at least one less-than-ideal onstage fall. Monday night in Toronto, it was Ariana Grande’s turn. The high-heeled diva took a tumble during “Bang Bang,” when, a source tells us, part of the stage/set collapsed underneath her. She quickly recovered.”
Ariana continued as if the event never happened. Later, she hit Twitter in order to thank her fans for the well wishes.
Ms. Grande’s tour has started with mediocre reviews. The Chicago Sun Times believes for Ariana, it’s too much too soon.
“But Grande is not Mariah. Or Whitney. Or Britney. Or Katy. Not yet, anyway. Her stiff stage presence and unrehearsed dance moves still need attention as does her synergy with overlay tracks.”
The Sun Times review does go on to praise Grande’s vocals. The critic, Selena Fragassi, says that the stripped-back moments where Ariana Grande was in the middle of the stage or sitting atop a grand piano were much better than the numbers that required ridiculous spectacle.
The Chicago Tribune gave Ariana Grande a better review at first.
“Cautiously flirtatious and constantly smiling, the singer came across like a playful albeit safely removed collegiate cheerleader that winks at admirers but refrains from acting on temptations. She blended sweet charm with light sass, moving away from girl-next-door innocence yet keeping wholesomeness within clear view.”
Critic Bob Gendron continues the review with a more negative slant. He says Grande’s singing and focus often got lost amidst recurring sonic interference as well as unnecessary visuals. He also mentions that some of her performance seemed artificial.
Ariana Grande is only at the beginning of her career. She certainly shows elements of both Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey, but Ariana Grande is on her way to carve a musical identity that outshines most of the pop princesses of the present day.
[Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images]
