[Watch] Kelly Clarkson Rocks 2013 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony @ Rockefeller Center

Kelly Clarkson brought a change of pace to the proceedings to the 2013 Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Rockefeller Center.

Wrapped up all in red, like a pregnant present, the singer gave a belting performance of Run Run Rudolph. It was an energetic rendition that was exhilarating to watch. Of course Kelly's vocals were on point, but something about this performance was even more impressive than usual- that closing riff was something! This was the best vocal of the night for me.

From Rock to Blues, Kelly was serving variety with song number two- and Elvis cover- Blue Christmas. Though changes were heard in the tempo and style, the vocal remained unflinchingly gorgeous, with both songs benefiting from her (slightly) raspy delivery.

I tell you what, Wrapped in Red's lead single Underneath The Tree didn't exactly light up my world. However, these two performances have done what that failed to do and has convinced  me to pick up Kelly's Christmas album, post haste.

[Watch] Leona Lewis Takes Christmas To The 2013 Rockefeller Tree Lighting Ceremony

Leona Lewis was hit and miss for me during her set for the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Rockefeller center.

Singing three songs from her own Christmas album, Christmas, With Love, the Diva gave one great rendition and another not so great. I've yet to see the third performance, so don't know if it was another iffy showing from the singer- something that seems to be more common these days- or overall a good set, minus the one mishap.

One More Sleep was the track Leona handled well. The possible reason for this could have something to do with her having sung it live a few times already, thus being more confident with it. White Christmas was the mess. Either she was doing some crazy jazz interpretation or was just flat and off- I'm going with the latter. And even if it was the former, it still wasn't pleasant to my ears. I wish it could be Christmas Everyday, AKA the "decider", was the one performance I couldn't seem to track down. I will update if and when I find.

Christmas, With Love is out now!

[Watch] Ariana Grande Wows With "Love Is Everything" And "Last Christmas" @ Rockefeller Center

Ariana Grande continued her consistent streak of great live performances this year at the 2013 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Singing original song Love is Everything, and a cover of Last Christmas, the pint-sized singer didn't miss a note, bringing effortless vocals despite the cold conditions. There was also a noticeable and appreciated change in her delivery style- being less overtly showy (in range and melisma) than usual. I'm not sure what else to add other than she was great and looked as cute as a button!

[Excuse the "watercolour" recording of Last Christmas, I couldn't find a better copy. You should still be able to hear Ariana's vocal under the person's voice]

[New Music] Leona Lewis Serves Up Operatic Vocals On "Ave Maria"

Fine, so it's not legitimately "operatic"- more a faux-classical sound- but it does allow us to hear some of the classical training Leona Lewis received as a youngster put to use. It's not a style of singing we hear often from the X-Factor winner, but it's certainly a direction she should consider venturing into if the pop career fails to reignite.

Sang over a simple piano accompaniment, the Diva's take on Ave Maria shows off Leona's effortless head-voice, beautifully. There is a little too much reverb on the vocal for my liking, however I can appreciate that it does add to the ethereal/Churchy feel of the Schubert classic.

Ave Maria is taken from the Diva's Christmas album, Christmas, With Love, which was released on the 29 November.

[Music Video] Lorde Bases "Team" Video On A Dream.

Lorde is still riding that counter-culture with new single Team and its accompanying video. The singer-songwriter offered up this explanation on the visuals via her Facebook page (which thankfully means I don' t have to spend all day trying to decipher the meaning behind it):

“This video was borne from a dream I had a few months ago about teenagers in their own world, a world with hierarchies and initiations, where the boy who was second in command had acne on his face, and so did the girl who was Queen. I dreamt about this world being so different to anything anyone had ever seen, a dark world full of tropical plants and ruins and sweat. And of this world, I dreamt about tests that didn’t need to be passed in order to be allowed in: sometimes the person who loses is stronger. Enjoy.”

Source: Facebook