In a November interview, Clay Aiken [ tickets ] made it clear that his "Joyful Noise" Christmas tour was going to be a "classy" affair. He asked his fan-base, known in those circles as "Claymates," not to scream, hold signs or dress shabbily.

He mostly got his wish as he performed Wednesday (12/29) at Phoenix's Dodge Theatre, a make-up show for one that he postponed in November due to illness. Fans wearing formal attire such as evening gowns and sequined jackets mingled with those donning more casual outfits like running pants and sweatshirts. Except for a few scattered offenders, fans were respectful of Aiken's wish to eschew signs and screaming.

In return for their compliance, Aiken at one point told the crowd, "I'll try not to burp, or scratch myself. I'll try not to spit on any of you in the front rows anymore."

The show kicked off with a young child coming to the front of the stage to sing "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing." Aiken then slid out from behind a sheer white curtain, after which a series of other curtains opened to reveal a band, an orchestra and a choir.

One choir of casually dressed teens sang from the back of the stage, while children wearing black pants and white shirts took to the front of the stage. Aiken strolled among the latter group as he sang.

Aiken's performance was solely filled with holiday music. Although Christmas had passed, he was determined to continue the feeling. He encouraged fans to cuddle up with the person next to them to share the warmth of the season.

"If you came with six or seven 'Claymates,' that's your call," he said with a laugh.
Fans wrapped their arms around each other as he took a seat and sang "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."
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"Sleighride" was an especially perky number, with Aiken snapping his fingers a la Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. He waved his arms like a music conductor as the orchestral music came to an end.

When Aiken sauntered into the audience at one point to sing a song to a woman--on bended knee, no less--it seemed to give the crowd license to let loose. Ditto when he slow danced with a back-up singer as they duetted on "Winter Wonderland."

Aiken made many attempts to push his album "Merry Christmas with Love" and his NBC-TV special, now on DVD, "A Clay Aiken Christmas." When he asked the crowd if anyone had watched his TV special, the vast majority applauded.

"Anybody watch 'Lost' instead? Yes sir, that usher's coming to get you. He's going to escort you right out of here," Aiken said, laughing.

During the two-hour show, with a 20-minute intermission, Aiken incorporated more performances by children. The kids who served as choir members during the show's first half read the story of Mary and Joseph during the second half. When one read about the birth of Jesus, some audience members quietly said, "Yes!" as if they were attending a tempered revival.

It is clear that Christmas music is perfectly suited for the "American Idol" sect. The soaring notes, vocal gymnastics and overdone solos that go over so well on the Fox-TV talent show go hand-in-hand with holiday music. In that regard, Aiken did not disappoint his core fans.