Boy bands and bubblegum pop died with the new millennium, paving the way for punk rock's entrance into the mainstream music scene. Nonetheless, the music industry needs acts able to blend punk and pop for the tween-age crowd who want to "rock out" at concerts, but aren't old enough to attend without their parents. Kelly Clarkson's April 22 show at the Orpheum Theater proved that the first winner of Fox's reality program American Idol might be just the artist to fill that vacuum. The Graham Colton Band warmed up the audience, which was made largely of young girls and their parents. Interestingly, the band started off with an acoustic version of "Killing Me," off their major record label debut, Drive. The mellow, dreamy melody, crafted with long piano chords and steady guitar strumming, gave the theater a very intimate feel. And while not a high-energy number, the song immediately pulled the crowd into the set. The distinctive twang of Colton's voice gave the group's rock melodies an interesting texture, particularly on songs such as "First Week" and "Cut."

Their driving melodies made their music enjoyable-until you actually listened to the lyrics. Though they had good inspiration to work with-topics included leaving for college and first-time butterflies-their expression of these emotions seemed amateurish. One chorus included the lyric "You make me wanna smoke a cigarette/ You make me wanna be someone else."

Clarkson opened with "Since U Been Gone," a hit single off her second album, Breakaway. The faux-blonde Clarkson, dressed in an edgy cut-off shirt and low-rise pants with a diamond belt, showed from the outset that this would be no cutesy pop performance. Carrying her microphone stand around the stage with her, Clarkson shrieked her way through "Gone" as the crowd jumped along to the punk-rock chorus.

She then changed into a peasant skirt for a series of "soulful songs." The band came down from the stage as Clarkson crooned "Just Missed the Train," "What's Up Lonely" and Thankful's title track, among others. The pastel genie lamps and plush pillows on stage furthered the intimate atmosphere for this series of songs.

Clarkson then performed songs by her "greatest influences," such as B.B. King and Janis Joplin. Clarkson warned the crowd she was going to "really rock out" on The Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams"-her favorite song in the repertoire. The supposedly squeaky-clean singer threw her entire body and vocal power into the number, making the song the highlight of the show for the audience as well.

After performing Breakaway's "Addicted" and "Where Is Your Heart," Clarkson brought the audience back into her performance with a highly entertaining punk rock version of "A Moment Like This," her single from American Idol. The crowd was so eager to hear their favorite Clarkson songs, they didn't even care she forgot the words on "Miss Independent." Clarkson closed out the show with her hit "Breakaway," seeming genuinely thankful for her fans as the crowd sang along with her to the entire song.

Clarkson represents the changing face of American pop, creating driven punk-rock melodies with lyrics that parents feel comfortable letting their kids listen to. She has also clearly distanced herself from her Idol beginnings, never even mentioning her stint on the show during her set.

She didn't need to. Her energetic stage presence, powerful voice and devoted throng of fans proved she is no longer an Idol wannabe, but a seasoned, successful Top 40 artist.