Sunday, February 14, 1999

Aaron's a piece of work

Kid lacks polish but not energy

Pint-sized pop star Aaron Carter, the 11-year-old younger brother of Backstreet Boy Nick Carter, is clearly a work-in-progress.

While the appealing blond moptop proved yesterday afternoon at Roy Thomson Hall that he's got the dance moves and stage confidence of a more seasoned pro, Carter still has a way to go in terms of delivering a polished show.

For instance, the fact that Carter's first headlining gig in Toronto didn't come with a band -- instead he chirped along to pre-recorded music with support from two male dancers -- should have been the first red flag.

Tickets went for $21.50 and $23.50, so fans -- I'd say the 2,800-seat hall was almost two-thirds full -- didn't get totally ripped off but there were times when the performance seemed more suitable for a shopping mall than one of the city's more refined venues. Particularly when four cheap-looking, oversized lollipops were brought out for Carter's cover of The Archies' hit Sugar Sugar, which will be on his upcoming second album. (Little Prince Of Pop is expected to be in stores in May.)

Another awkward moment occurred towards the end of the show when Carter's older sister Leslie was brought out in pigtails and a babyblue ensemble to sing on her own and seemed a bit lost.

Naturally, none of this mattered to Carter's boisterous, screaming female fans who often drowned out the energetic young singer during his hour-long performance.

The crowd, mainly pre-teen and teenage girls with adult accompaniment, waved cardboard signs and cloth banners while chanting his name. Many of them also rushed to the front of the stage after just one song where they remained for the remainder of the show. (One even managed to jump on stage and hug Carter during I'm Gonna Miss You Forever before she was led away by a bouncer.)

When Carter first appeared, after boy group V.I.P. of Barrie Ont., and a deejay, the audience went completely nuts, roaring his name and throwing stuffed animals and notes at him.

In turn, Carter, who favours oversized shirts, track pants and runners, was a non-stop showman as he performed one-handed and two-handed cartwheels, backflips, and generally made contact with the adoring crowd.

He even brought his mom out on stage to take a bow after the encore.

Earplugs for $2

"Thanks so much for coming, I love you all very much," he said at the end of his set which was highlighted by the uptempo dance-pop songs Crazy Little Party Girl, Crush On You, One Bad Apple (yes, The Osmonds song) and Shake It.

It should be pointed out that Carter's 1998 self-titled debut has sold 90,000 copies in Canada and before the show, his merchandise -- ranging from a $30 T-shirt to a $15 ticket laminate -- was doing brisk business. They were even selling earplugs for $2. Next time I'll buy a pair.

Set List		Concert rating