Kelly Clarkson in a strong performance at the Fox

Conventional wisdom had it that Kelly Clarkson should be Already Gone.

When she won an untested singing competition a decade ago, there was no telling how this would play out for her. But the first American Idol winner just keeps going, hitting the top of the charts with her What Doesnt Kill You (Stronger) hit and filling concert halls.

She brought her new tour to a sold-out Fox Theatre Friday night in a show that highlighted her distinct strength, that voice as hers, as well as her weakness, some of her original material, albeit catchy. It was definitely a case of a great voice over occasionally blah material.

Presumably aiming to shake her fans all night long, if the pre-recorded AC/DC track that blasted just before she took the stage was any indication, the chatty Clarkson was everything one should expect her to be.

Various Clarkson headlines focusing on everything from weight to losing sponsors to her music leaking were flashed across a stage-front transparent screen, and Clarkon appeared behind it for opening song Dark Side from her Stronger album. Her band was situated on lighted platforms behind her.

Hits such as Since U Been Gone and Behind These Hazel Eyes got fans ramped up early, while Walkaway, Already Gone, Breakaway, Mr. Know It All and Miss Independent kept them on their feet.

But the hits, which are plentiful, reveal the sameness of much of her material. Shes capable of better.

It was when Clarkson expertly took on Florence + the Machines Heavy in Your Arms and Tracy Chapmans Give Me One Reason, a song that came about because of a fans tweet, where she truly soared. She said she just learned the Chapman song earlier that day.

Another highlight was her brilliant take on Carrie Underwoods I Know You Wont. I stole it because I like it, she said. Were grateful she did.

She made them all her own. Her excelling in her cover song choices shouldnt surprise. She made her name singing others songs on Idol.

Random Stronger album cut! s such a s Einstein, a song she said grew on her, and I Forgive You failed to register much.

Dont You Wanna Stay, a duet recorded with country star Jason Aldean, was performed as a virtual duet with a prerecorded Aldean projected on the screen. You Still Dont Know What Its Like, backed by footage of children in Africa, allowed Clarkson to spread awareness about children with HIV and AIDS there.

Singer Matt Nathanson, whose latest album is Modern Love, opened with a solid set that leaned heavily on pop-rock songs from the album. His set included the title track, Bottom of the Sea, Run (which he wrote with members of Sugarland) and Room @ the End of the World, described as a love song about the apocalypse. The latter nicely dipped into Whitney Houstons I Wanna Dance With Somebody.

His rhythmic Faster required synchronized hand clapping and moves from fans that felt like a bit like work.

SET LIST

Dark Side

Behind These Hazel Eyes

Since U Been Gone

You Love Me

Heavy in Your Arms

Give Me One Reason

Einstein

Walkaway

I Know You Wont

Dont You Wanna Stay

I Forgive You

Already Gone

You Still Dont Know What Its Like

Breakaway

Mr. Know It All

Miss Independent

Never Again

Because of You

What Doesnt Kill You (Stronger)

My Life Would Suck Without You