Texas superstar Demi Lovato brings confidence to the HoustonRodeo

Fans of Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Banda El Recodo and Siggno pose for a photo before the show Sunday, March 19, 2017, in Houston. Fans of Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Banda El Recodo and Siggno pose for a photo before the show Sunday, March 19, 2017, in Houston. Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Photo: Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 176 Caption Close Texas superstar Demi Lovato brings confidence to the HoustonRodeo 1 / 176 Back to Gallery

Demi Lovato's Tuesday performance was her third trip around RodeoHouston. But in many ways, it felt like her first time.

She performed alongside Jonas Brothers in 2010 and with San Antonio's Austin Mahone in 2013. But this was her first solo headlining slot.

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She seemed truly taken aback by the cheers and the size of the crowd, which numbered 66,740.

"There's a lot of people here. And the stage moves. This is kinda new for me," she said.

"This is amazing. "I don't know what else to say so I'll just sing the next song."

But when the Dallas native mentioned her hometown, it was met with a wave of boos that surprised her.

"Hey, y'all, don't boo. Texas is Texas," she said with a nervous laugh.

Some folks cheered. Others yelled," "No, it's not!"

She took the stage in flowing white, sporting a shorter new haircut. She frequently flashed a wide smile and strutted down the multiple runways in powder blue heels.

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Lovato replaced the previously announced Meghan Trainor, who pulled out under doctor's orders to rest her voice.

She charged through pop anthems "Confident" and "Heart Attack," the thrashing rock of "Got Dynamite" and the Kelly Clarkson-esque "For You." Slinky single "Body Say" was a standout.

Lovato has an astonishingly powerful, criminally underappreciated voice. It pierced through the aisles and soared past the venue's top levels.

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She made brave song choices, forgoing past hits and obvious covers, except for "Natural Woman," for a number of deep album cuts ("Old Ways," "Fix a Heart," "Warrior") that made the most of her vocals.

The crowd roared throughout "Nightingale" and "Stone Cold," a pair of mournful ballads she filled with impressive runs and visceral emotion. That's no small feat in such a cavernous setting.

Lovato's most recognizable tunes -- "Skyscraper," "Neon Lights," "Give Your Heart a Break," "Cool for the Summer" -- came at the end of her set. But even without the hits, there were already plenty of rewards.

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