Fefe Dobson Concert Reviews

TORONTO -- This year alone Fefe Dobson has opened for Justin Timberlake, played Tina Turner on the television series American Dreams and had her name put alongside Avril Lavigne in dozens of music magazines.

Last night at the Phoenix Concert Theatre before a crowd of predominantly teenage and pre-teen girls, Dobson showed why she is worthy of such comparisons with an hour-long, 13-song set.

Wearing leopard-skin gloves with the fingers cut out, a black tank top and matching pants, Dobson's high energy and strong vocals got the crowded going on the punkish Stupid Little Love Song from her self-titled debut. Jumping around and pumping her fist, Dobson and her tight supporting band were greeted by homemade posters and cheers.

"How you guys doing?" she asked the crowd that filled roughly half the venue.

"It feels so good to be home in Toronto!"

With portions of a steel cage behind her that spelled out "FEFE" in lights, the Scarborough native often looked like Janet Jackson as if possessed by No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani. This was true even during the slower numbers such as We Went For A Ride that had her rather stationary.

Although with just one album of material to choose from, Dobson waited until near the end of the set to bring out her hit singles. But compared to her performance at last year's Edgefest in Barrie, she seemed much more comfortable onstage, displaying lots of showmanship by touching hands and working both sides of the crowd.

As well, Dobson was also schooled on Michael Jackson's choreography. Fortunately she also kept some of his antics to a minimum as she only grabbed her crotch once during the concert.

Kiss Me Fool and Everything were also offered up but the debut of Favorite Waste Of Time was an early highlight.

The thick guitar riffs from both guitarists matched the intensity of the rhythm section with great results.

Although she didn't fill the hour with a lot of banter, some of the antics were a bit much. Asking everyone in the crowd to "wake up the entire world" before Give It Up was met with a loud but fleeting response.

Another odd moment came during the only cover of the evening Crimson And Clover. Dedicating the song to Joan Jett, who "chicks like us look up to," Dobson strapped on a guitar for the mildly entertaining run through. Perhaps she didn't know though that Jett was actually covering the song originally done by Tommy James and the Shondells.

Still, for those fathers who stood with their daughters literally draped around their necks the whole evening, it was a song they could sing along to.

Dobson ended the night with the slow ballad sound of 8X10 before regaining some of the yawning, sleepy youngsters with Bye Bye Boyfriend.