Demi Lovato rocks, shows pride, and dedicates song to 'boyfriend' at the Stone Pony

Monster guitar riffs, head-banging and sonic caterwauls.

No, that wasn't a Ronnie James Dio concert Friday, June 16 at the outdoor Stone Pony Summer Stage in Asbury Park. It was pop star Demi Lovato rocking Ocean Avenue with a three piece all-female rock band.

She released her inner rock child.

Lovato, in a black top and black baggy pants outfit, came on stage to cheers with a guitar and black hair flying while she and her band played “Confident.”

“What's wrong with being confident,” sang Lovato and her group.

They rocked with an attitude where confidence is key. The approximately 3,500 at the Summer Stage were ready to ride it out. There was squealing feedback from guitarist Constance Day, Lovato dramatically on her knees for the final notes of “Substance,” and fans' arms in the air for “4 Ever 4 Me.”

Lovato dedicated the ballad “4 Ever 4 Me” to her “boyfriend,” a point she clarified Saturday, June 17 on social media.

“If I was engaged I’d announce it!!!!!” said Lovato on her Instagram Story. “I went to say favorite person and glitched and said boyfriend.”

Lovato added that she is indeed obsessed with Canadian musician Jordan Lutes and he is both her favorite person and boyfriend.

Guitarist Nita Strauss came out for Lovato's recent single, “Heart Attack,” toward the end of the hour and half performance. There was no opener.

The show was Lovato's Asbury Park debut even though the 30-year old has played multiple times in the state. Lovato, who has often voiced support for the LGBTQ community, fit right in here, noting the signs her fans held up in the crowd.

One stated that they would stop dating men for Lovato's affection, albeit a lot more crudely.

“That makes me really happy,” Lovato quipped. “Thank you.”

Lovato dined at the Break restaurant on the boardwalk across the street from the Pony on Thursday, June 15.

“She loved the place,” said Peter Mantas, entertainment director of the Break and the adjacent Low Dive. “She said that she loves Asbury Park.”

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“You know what I was noticing on the drive over here? There's so many pride flags,” said Lovato from the stage on Friday. “It's so heart warming and so amazing to see this many pride flags driving in. It just made me so happy -- that was awesome. I'll never forget that.”

Lovato, a former Disney star, wrapped a pride flag over her shoulders as she exited the stage on Friday.

Leeann Reeves drive three miles from Nicholson, Pa. with pre-teen daughter Gielle, sporting a pink tutu, to see the show

“Mommy grew up watching Demi Lovato and passed it on to Gielle,” said Reeves, wearing a white gauzy top that complemented her daughters pink tutu.

The concert was part of the North 2 Shore festival, which remains in Asbury Park through Sunday June 18 before moving to Newark. Upcoming Asbury Park shows include the B-52s Saturday at the Stone Pony Summer Stage and the Smithereens at the Wonder Bar.

Visit northtoshore.com for more information.

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Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Demi Lovato rocks and shows pride at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park