Screaming hot 98 Degrees

Ohio-based quartet ignites young female fans at sold-out show

Thermodynamics: the study of the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.

That would include the relationship between 98 Degrees and the energy of its fans.

The Ohio-based quartet is made up of brothers Nick and Drew Lachey and friends Justin Jeffre and Jeff Timmons -- all in their 20s -- who have got the expected vocals, fashions and looks of guy groups that appeal to teenage girls.

All that had to happen was for the clock to hit 8 p.m. at Centennial Hall last night where the group was performing and . . . SCREAM!

It never let up for the group's hour on stage. In fact, it went on for much of the hour that was given over to three warm-up acts. There was even a scream every time the lineup outside the hall moved forward a bit more.

The guys in 98 Degrees only had to give a coy look over the shoulder, a little burst of body movement, a sturdy arm stretched out to the audience to ignite a small wildfire of even louder screaming.

A few fans crammed close to the stage had to be carried out, no doubt overcome with a specific form of heat exhaustion.

Those cast out to the mid-hall Siberia kept their energy up by constantly searching for a better place from which to watch the show, or by frequent lapses into a hopping dance.

The singers went through many of their most popular numbers: Heat It Up, Because of You, True to Your Heart and The Hardest Thing.

They also covered several Motown songs that were first hits when these guys were little boys.

Their dancing may not be as elaborate as some groups, but it was credible in its simplicity.

The opening act that was closest in style to 98 Degrees was Joee. As a Canadian -- he's from Toronto -- he had some of the home fires burning for him.

He was followed by Maestro (who has dropped the Fresh Wes from his name), who is trying for a comeback after losing the high profile he had in the early '90s as a rare Canadian rapper. His last few years in New York have paid off with a high-energy show.

The weakest of the three was Jessica Simpson with Barbie-doll looks, clueless mannerisms and a voice that tends toward the squeaky. The teen from Dallas has been welded to 98 Degrees lately after coming into commercial music from gospel.

As a whole, however, the concert was fitting for the last day of winter -- and the rising temperatures ahead.

Set List		Concert rating