I am not one to turn down an invitation to a free concert. So, when someone I knew had an extra ticket to Miley Cyrus’s extravaganza on Thursday, I jumped at the opportunity to go.

I entered the BJC, fully expecting the onslaught of the Disney money-machine, and that’s exactly what I got. Wal-Mart apparently has gotten in on the gig as well, as they are supporting Miley’s new clothing line.

Anyway, Miley was preceded by Metro Station, led by her older brother, Trace Cyrus. I have only a brief message to this interminably annoying pop group. If you are going to tell a group of mostly young girls that (paraphrased) “if you aren’t dancing, you need to go back to your car and go home” and “I don’t want to have to tell Miley that this is the worst crowd we have had yet,” you can’t then lack the talent to get people moving. Recognize your audience Trace, especially when riding on your little sister’s coattails.

Ok, on to the main event. Miley arrived to earth in an ice-prison amidst ear-splitting shrieks and cheers. She busted out of her cage and entered directly into one of her songs. Though the set-list lacked any of the Hannah Montana songs that are loved so much by her young fans, it was otherwise what you would expect. That is, an energetic and yet juvenile package of Disney-inspired pop rock…Wait…

Wait… was that a dueling guitar solo? A cover of “I Love Rock and Roll”? Nashville-influenced pop-rock?

Somewhere between my preconceptions and reality, I found myself at a rock concert. And yet the real word that I would choose to describe this concert is schizophrenic. Miley can really sing, and she is surrounded by a talented group of artists. But, that ability to really play is dulled by the flashy intros and floating motorcycles (yes, that happened). Miley turns 17 this month, and that Disney momentum is not going to last forever. Pretty soon, she is going to be tired of seeing only teeny-boppers at her concerts. At that point, Miley will have to make a choice. She can become Pat Benatar. Or, she can follow the well-worn path to the Disney graveyard. For such a talented and young entertainer, I hope for the former.