Keys and Beyoncé -- with their brands of traditional soul and sexed-up R&B, respectively -- are both gifted with voices that would still sound wonderful coming out of a paper sack. Elliott, known for catchy hooks and big beats, may be the weakest live performer of the holy trinity of urban pop here, yet she attempts to make up for her hoarse and occasionally out-of-tune vocals with sheer enthusiasm for being onstage -- when she's feeling it, that is. But why wouldn't she feel it in Oakland?
Also, a note to the fellas: This is the concert equivalent of a chick flick; taking your woman to it will definitely score you points (or something). And it'll probably be a good time anyway, not just because of the performances, but because of the thousands of Bay Area women trying their damndest to be bootylicious divas. So even if you can't discern whether Beyoncé is lip-syncing or not from a quarter-mile away, count on the crowd to be almost as entertaining.
