ATP! Live Review: Demi Lovato (World Tour) - STAPLES Center Los Angeles, CA (09/27/2014)

Demi Lovato's world tour is not just a concert, but a lesson in empowerment. Lovato isn't just here to just give you a good show, but also to reach her audience, largely comprised of young girls, with a life changing message. Even prior to her set on the tour, speaker and activist Spencer West presented his story of overcoming his disability-- he had his legs amputated just below the pelvis at the age of five due to a genetic disorder-- to do extraordinary things such as volunteering in Africa to build schools for the children there and climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. It is quite clear that the whole theme of the night is to not only believe in yourself, but to also make sure that you help those less fortunate than you. The message in and of itself is enough to make the tour worth catching, but what really cements the show’s spot in my Top 5 Concerts of 2014 is the crazy ridiculous amount of talent that oozes from Lovato.


Opening her show with “Really Don’t Care” accompanied by Travis Barker on the drums, which was quite the unexpected treat, Lovato hit the ground running in an impressive show of theatrics backed by her insane vocals. One of the many highlights, if we can’t call the whole show one giant highlight, was when she brought fellow singer Joe Jonas out on stage to reunite for the Camp Rock hit, “This Is Me.” Cheers were, understandably, through the roof and I’d be lying if I said that my inner 15-year-old didn’t join in at least a little bit. (Okay, yeah, 23-year-old me freaked out a little bit too.) Lovato at her best, though, is when she strips down the music and brings the energy down to her slower tracks, namely “Nightingale,” which is a personal favorite. That moment that found her sitting on a stool and singing the emotional ballad while one of her dancers performed lyrically was not only goosebump inducing, but a true showcase of the 22-year-old’s pipes.


There are people that try to define her by just her past and those people are missing the most important part of Demi Lovato. Yes, she is a survivor, but she isn’t just a survivor. She isn’t her past illnesses and her past problems. She is however, without a doubt, one of the most talented musicians of her generation and an excellent role model for anyone young and old. Her concert not only creates a safe space for individuals feeling as if they are alone in whatever demons may be plaguing them, but also gives them guidance.

Admittedly, prior to the show on September 27, I wasn't a Demi fan. Sure, I liked some of her songs well enough, but not enough to actively call myself a fan. She won me over with that performance. So much so, that whenever someone asks me what the best show of my 2014 was, it will undoubtedly be one of my first responses. I get why people back her as hard as they do, and I understand how people can call her an inspiration. I left the STAPLES Center inspired, and I know for a fact that I was not the only one. If there is any concert that I can possibly tell you to make sure you catch, this one is the one.

Victoria Patneaude