The Kravis Center of the Performing Arts is in West Palm Beach, Florida. This lucky facility was the home to the opening concert of Clay Aiken’s 2012 Joyful Noise Tour. The November 23rd concert was filled with excited fans and music lovers who enjoyed a night of music, laughter, and Christmas cheer. Clay was joined on the stage by his musical director, Ben Cohn and a full orchestra.
While talking to the audience, Clay gave a special “heads up” to the French Horns in the orchestra. He thought all the brass section was special.
There was a great review for this concert from The South Florida Gay News:
Clay Aiken in West Palm Beach – Through Tears and Joy
American Idol Season 2 runner up Clay Aiken brought joy and tears to the Kravis Center of the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach recently with his Joyful Noise Tour. He returned to the holiday circuit after a five-year break.
A lot of former idols lose their appeal fairly quickly, but it was evident that Aiken still had his, with fans showing up all the way from Tokyo and Brazil.
The concert was filled with a mix of traditional religious Christmas songs like O Holy Night, Silent Night, Away in a Manger, Mary Did You Know and secular ones like My Grown up Christmas List, Don’t Save it All for Christmas Day and Jingle Bells.
While Aiken’s voice soared on every note it was his down home charm that made the concert memorable. He told stories, interacted with fans and was not only charming, but surprisingly funny.
After watching him on stage it’s easy to see why he’s garnered a loyal, almost fanatical following, over the years. When he asked how many of his fans had been to all of his holiday tours a surprising number of them screamed out.
While most of the concert was filled with laughter and smiles there was one part that was especially sad. Throughout the performance there were prerecorded fans speaking about holiday memories, including a woman who had lost her son close to Christmas, and she used the holiday spirit to help her grieve and move forward again.
The only criticism of the night would be at times the live orchestra seemed to overpower his voice. But that could have also been due to the fact that Aiken admitted he was battling the flu so perhaps his vocals weren’t at full power.
It was fun going through the pictures from WPB!
And – check out this great video.
It has a small chat from Clay followed by a song that highlighted Clay’s beautiful voice and…french horns!
This is so much fun…but a bit sad too. I miss hearing Clay this Christmas!
It doesn’t seem like Christmas without seeing and hearing Clay sing a beautiful holiday song!
Did you attend one of the concerts in the Joyful Noise 2012 Tour?
I love how Clay connects with the audience! His charm is ever so evident as he talks to the fans as if they are his close friends! I love the orchestra with Clay's tours, more of the Christmas spirit. "The First Noel" was performed so powerfully.
Thank you, musicfan!
Yes I did go to his jnt in 2012 . It was awesome, I went to clearwater with my grandaughter I wish he would do more concerts here in florida… fantastic, he is the best singer, Nobody is better….
edited by MF- for extra letters
Its sad to think that it has been 3 years without a Clay Christmas concert. I did attend the 2012 concert near Pittsburgh, PA. I was close to the stage and tried to take pictures, but my hand was shaking so much, they just turned out as a blur. I do appreciate the photos that others are able to take and share.