Organizers postponed the "A Different Me Tour" at the DeSoto Civic Center on June 12 due to a power outage, but at Monday's rescheduled show, headliner Keyshia Cole gave an electrifying performance.

The R&B songstress took the stage rocking ripped, fitted jeans. Her boundless charisma filled up the three-level set that resembled an apartment building complete with fire escape and garbage cans with simulated flames.

Keyshia Cole gave a highly-charged performance on Monday night at the DeSoto Civic Center.

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"Thank God that we were able to come back tonight," she said to the audience, acknowledging the show's earlier cancellation.

Yet, only a slim number of concertgoers witnessed her supreme showmanship. The Southaven hall that seats about 7,000 for concerts was a quarter full Monday night.

Cole's latest album, "A Different Me," was one the No. 1 R&B album in the country earlier this year and she stars in the popular BET reality show "The Way It Is". So, the sparse crowd most likely resulted from the last minute date change, a sluggish economy and rain part of the night.

The faithful few who came gathered on and around the arena floor to get a closer look at the multi-platinum selling artist. The petite, Atlanta beauty was hard to miss as her costume changed from home-girl denim to glamorous sparkling mini dresses.

In a vibrant blue sequined dress Cole skipped and swirled across the stage as she sang hip-hop infused tunes like "Let it Go" and "Last Night". During "Make Me Over," the down-to-earth diva brought a little girl from the audience on stage to dance with her.

"If the baby can do it, I know you can do it," Cole said, challenging the crowd to dance during the finale.

Cole was the one bright spot in an otherwise lackluster concert. Mississippi native Bobby Valentino opened the night by apologizing for downgrading from his regular show. And airwaves queen Keri Hilson deviated little from her scripted performance. Hilson left the stage by telling the crowd to "get ready for my brother The-Dream."

Concert organizers announced last week that R&B hit-maker The-Dream would not appear at the rebooked show. Fortunately, Hilson's flub came early during the three-hour concert and Cole's powerful performance was more than enough to energize the night.

-- Cathryn Stout: 529-2320