Young fans loved him, but Justin Bieber needed to show more in Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH – Justin Bieber still has a ways to go to earn artistic credibility.

Sure, as a pop superstar, Bieber sits atop the heap. Ask anyone from his sold-out Wednesday show at Consol Energy Center. A crowd probably 90 percent female screamed deliriously at his dance moves and song intros. BFFs squared off to face each other as they blissfully belted out the words to Bieber's many hits, such as "Boyfriend," the bubblegummy "Baby," and two of 2016's top-three most played radio songs according to Nielsen Soundscan, "Love Yourself" and "Sorry."

Bieber chose some interesting outfit changes, including a kilt and later a Metallica "And Justice for All" T-shirt he wore while pounding out a drum solo aboard a hydraulic lift. "That was tight!" he said after his lively solo.

He didn't show a lot of vocal range though, and those paying attention spotted Bieber periodically using pre-recorded vocal tracks. In a number of instances, you could hear him singing though his lips weren't moving and his mouth wasn't near his hand-held mic.

"This might as well be a listening party," an adult male grumbled to me during a restroom pit stop.

But there was no denying the delight Bieber brought to the crowd, most of whom were in the 15-to-17 age range.

We know that, because Bieber polled them by individual age, starting with age 11.

How many 13-year-olds are here tonight? Fourteen? Fifteen? Bieber went one-by-one, with each year well represented through about 23. From 26 on, "It keeps getting quieter, and quieter," noted Bieber, who gave up after 30 where the audience cheers could have been drowned out by chirping crickets.

Bieber, himself 22, began his performance singing "Mark My Words" while boxed inside a see-through cube that rose high above the stage. (A shout-out to Twitter follower Ron Ramsey for tweeting me "Hasn't he heard of Spinal Tap?")

No, there were no Tap-like malfunctions with the props or stage, which had a light-absorbing ramp resembling a skateboard park and a diamond-shaped extension with a catwalk down the middle so the blond Bieber could get closer to fans. He took things to a higher level when a platform, like the ones Drake and One Direction have used, lifted him and his dozen dancers high above the stage. Bieber customized that platform with a trampoline that allowed him to do a few aerial somersaults.

Clutching an acoustic guitar, Bieber plopped down on a purple couch for a two-song acoustic segment where he encountered equipment fails. He couldn't get the amplification he wanted at the start of "Insecurities" and awkwardly stopped during the first verse of "Love Yourself" to adjust his mic. Three-and-a-half months into the tour, you'd hope it would run like clockwork. Still, once "Love Yourself" got rolling, the audience loved it, singing as loudly as you'll ever hear in the arena. I saw an usher singing along.

At that midway point, the show got interesting. Bieber performed the catchy "Been You" with its crisp dance beat that made good use of his drummer and bassist. (Aliquippa native Wizard Jones is no longer the keyboardist).

"Children" featured four regional contest-winning kids getting to dance alongside Bieber. He took time to introduce them all.

His past antics have earned eyerolls from adults though Bieber didn't say anything cringe-worthy Wednesday. Before next-to-the-last song "Purpose" he delivered a nice message to young fans reminding them they each have a purpose, and that tough times can be overcome.

"I'm here with you, I'm going through it with you. We can get through it together," he said.

The question is will he mature as an artist before his fans' musical tastes do? For that to happen, he will need to assure everyone he's singing 100 percent live.

I went to Bieber's show hoping to become like those first reviewers of Justin Timberlake in 2002, or Nick Jonas in 2014, who said, "Hey, forget about his past: He's a credible artist now."

Not yet.

Bieber set up "I'll Show You" Wednesday as his song aimed at critics who say he's not good enough. "I want to look them in the face and say, 'I'll show you,'" he said.

I'm still waiting.

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