Fergie has an off night, but her fans have fun

Concert review |

G-l-a-m-o-r-o-u-s.

OK, Fergie probably didn't quite have the Puyallup Fair in mind when she spelled her way to that 2007 megahit. But the fair's kitschy ambience turned out to be a perfect backdrop for an awkwardly cheesy — albeit fun — Tuesday night with pop singer Fergie.

"Awkwardly cheesy" and "fun" are staples at any karaoke bar, and the evening felt a bit like hanging with Fergie while she played "Rock Band." The three-part set (broken by costume changes — the fashion maven was named to People magazine's best-dressed list this week) was heavy on covers. Some were solid imitations ("Barracuda," with a wail that channeled Ann Wilson). Others were too big for Fergie to tackle without irony: "Live and Let Die" and Sublime's "Santeria." But even while singing her solo hits — as well as a medley from her band, the Black Eyed Peas — it seemed like Fergie was attempting someone else's songs.

Part of that was due to the fact that she seemed to be having a really off night vocally. She veered off-key and wandered between a strange throaty rasp, a wailing belt and a Betty Boop squeal.

She also just seemed tired and out of it. Her segues were total non sequiturs. Out of nowhere she blurted, "You know, I'm a big girl," and then launched into "Big Girls Don't Cry" (her version, unrelated to the Four Seasons' hit).

And her confidence was erratic. Fergie had no problem on her 2006 album "The Dutchess" extolling the virtues of her, um, junk in the trunk ("My Humps") and declaring herself tasty and "Fergalicious." But Tuesday there was something missing. Instead of sassy sex symbol, she came across as an awkward teenager practicing her moves in the mirror, her hair covering her face.

Maybe that's why the tween set loves her — and boy, did they scream and sing along with every word — she seems like one of them. She veers between self-conscious and unabashedly preening. (A one-handed walkover? OK, I'll give the girl props).

Fergie's backup crew was working hard for her. Her six dancers were phenomenal, and their break-dancing interlude stole the show. And her five versatile musicians handled hip-hop, pop, reggae, funk and straight-up rock with flair. How many times do you see a guy in a backward baseball cap rocking the flute in a hip-hop number?

And Fergie made sure to thank them. The show ended on a strange and anticlimactic note as Fergie took a good 10 minutes meandering around the stage introducing every band member, dancer and her music director in detail before the house lights came up.

Earlier, tambourine-crazy hip-hop rockers the Saturday Knights opened the show with a burst of energy. For the band — local favorites who are used to packing 'em in at Neumo's and the like — it must have been weird to play to a crowd that refused to get up and dance. They took it in stride, though, and played a fun, dynamic set that surely won them some new fans.

Joanna Horowitz: jbhorowitz@gmail.com