Concert reviews

Kanye West, Stone Temple Pilots give amped up shows at Virgin Festival

While the first day of Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course was heavy on buzz-worthy critical darlings favoring a retro sound, yesterday was all about star power - the hottest or most celebrated names in pop, rock and mainstream hip-hop.

Festival starts on a retro note

The first day of the third annual Virgin Mobile Festival at Pimlico Race Course offered an appealing potpourri of sounds on the two main stages - but with a slight retro slant. Musically, most of yesterday's acts self-consciously looked back at, well, yesterday.

S.O.S.: Fans' screams can't save Jonases

All the trappings befitting a group poised for superstardom were in place: Big-budget industrial-looking set, check. Pyrotechnics, check.

John Mayer's hits, covers please all-ages crowd

John Mayer isn't hurting for hits.

R.E.M. goes electric at Merriweather

Finally, after about a decade of somber, shapeless, atmospheric keyboard noodling, R.E.M. has charged up the guitars again. On its new album, Accelerate, the veteran band returns to the high-octane rock and wordy, politically sharp songs that cemented its fame more than 20 years ago.

Lil' Wayne a big letdown on the stage

Where was he?

Concert Review

At show, Sheryl Crow follows 'Detours'

Sheryl Crow certainly has had her share of ups and downs in the past three years. Her much-talked-about engagement to famed racing cyclist Lance Armstrong dissolved; she was treated for breast cancer; and she adopted a baby boy named Wyatt.

Concert Review

Jay-Z, Blige perform with heart in the city

Both are edging close to 40. So it was fitting that Mary J. Blige and Jay-Z, two legendary figures in the youth-obsessed world of hip-hop, brought some grown-up class to Heart of the City, their joint national tour.

The Critic

Miley Cyrus' stage presence and energy sell the songs

Hannah Montana mania hit 1st Mariner Arena with a big glittery bang -- literally. Fireworks announced the arrival of one of the hottest acts on the concert circuit.

The Teenager

Miley doesn't disappoint with electrifying party

The Jonas Brothers started the night with a jolt, but when Hannah Montana stepped on stage it was as if everyone in the whole place had downed 10 energy drinks and the sugar had just started to kick in.

The Parent

Hannah Montana is the newest craze -- in the classic style

For a father, the sweetest moment of Miley Cyrus' concert in Baltimore last night came toward the end, as she sat on a stool, eyes glistening, playing guitar and singing the ballad "I Miss You" in memory of her late grandfather. The audience, mostly young girls and moms, swayed with their glow sticks, echoing the Tennessee wheat field shown on the giant video screen on stage.