1. On new album Meaning of Life, Clarkson goes for a more R&B/soul-oriented style than the pop-rock she’s been known for, and it invigorates a sound that was getting a little stale. Her vocals are by turns livelier and sultrier, and the one-off Vegas show will be one of the first opportunities to hear songs like playful lead single “Love So Soft” and brassy empowerment anthem “Whole Lotta Woman” performed live.
2. Unlike a lot of pop stars, Clarkson doesn’t rely on choreographed dance routines or elaborate stage setups for her concerts, which means that she’s free to change up her setlists as she pleases. On previous tours, she has thrown in a variety of covers, often different ones each night, ranging from pop standards to gritty rockers to current hits to classic country, always putting her own impressive spin on other artists’ material.
3. Maybe it’s obvious to say that Clarkson has a powerhouse voice, but hearing her belt out hits like “Because of You” or “Piece by Piece” in person is still awe-inspiring. And 15 years after she won American Idol, she’s still making an impression on TV audiences; her duet with Pink on a cover of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts” was a highlight of last week’s American Music Awards, proof that all she needs to captivate is a great song and the space to sing it.
KELLY CLARKSON with All Time Low, Secondhand Serenade. December 3, 8 p.m., $60-$256. The Joint, 702-693-5000.
