Hannah Montana has everyone singing

Little girls in pink took over Seattle Center Monday night.

Still holding parents' hands, they made their way to watch the Jonas Brothers and Hannah Montana at KeyArena, stalling traffic along the way. And as they pumped their pint-size fists, the sheer volume of their screams was deafening.

It was the show of the season, where tickets sold out in minutes thanks to scalpers (prices rose to more than a hundred times their value), and adding to the luxury of the night, limos pulled up after the show.

Whether the concert was worth the thousands some parents may have paid is hard to say. It was sugary pop at its best — the kind of music one ends up humming to whether they like it or not. Miley Cyrus (who plays Hannah Montana on her hit Disney show) sang flat during her encore, but her audience didn't care.

Because this is what's hot now. It's not necessarily musical sophistication but catchy singable tunes, danceability and charisma; parents and even the glow-stick salesman were singing along to Cyrus' songs like "The Best of Both Worlds" and the Jonas Brothers' hit, "S.O.S."

There were also elements of what worked in the past. Hannah Montana's thematic songs and Technicolor costumes were reminiscent of Madonna, Cyndi Lauper and even Michael Jackson. And, the Jonas Brothers are comparable to the Hanson Brothers with the potential to turn into the likes of *NSYNC, New Kids on the Block or New Edition.

Disney used to sell dreams, princes and princesses. Now, it's all about being able to relate. The Jonas Brothers are cute class clowns. And, Cyrus is like the girl next door. While she sang "Nobody's Perfect," the screens at KeyArena displayed red marks on homework and even a C+ grade.

The show's feel was overall very wholesome. Nothing really risque for the parents to worry about, but topics cool enough for the kids. At 17, Britney Spears made her mark with a shortened schoolgirl outfit and the song "... Baby One More Time," insinuating plenty. But, at 14, Cyrus dressed age-appropriate, donning a longer schoolgirl skirt and singing about not caring about a crush in "East Northumberland High."

And the two-hour show ended a little after 9 o'clock, just in time to tuck those little ones into bed on a school night.

Marian Liu: 206-464-3825 or mliu@seattletimes.com