JANET TAKES 2 (SONGS) TO TANGO.

Byline: Bill Hetherman Staff Writer

Maybe it was the heat, or perhaps Janet Jackson had seats waiting for her at the Lakers game.

Whatever the reason, the pop diva's highly anticipated appearance at 102.7 KIIS-FM's Wango Tango On-Air 2004 concert at the Rose Bowl on Saturday featured one of the shortest set lists.

After just two songs, highlighted by the funky ``All Nite (Don't Stop)'' from the ``Damito Jo'' CD, she told the audience, ``I love you, good night.''

Jackson's speedy departure was reminiscent of the hasty retreat of Britney Spears during the radio station's Jingle Ball concert in December, who didn't even bother to say Merry Christmas.

In all fairness to Jackson, William Hung was on the elevated center stage for only five minutes when he capped off the 12 hours of artist performances with, what else, ``She Bangs.''

Jackson's tomboyish wardrobe, complete with a cap, white jacket and blue jeans, helped make sure there were no wardrobe malfunctions.

But many of the concert's long list of bland performers would have been better off trimming their number of songs, or not coming at all. Further, some were plagued by pitch problems in their voices, but shamelessly used their time to pitch their new CDs and television appearances.

That meant the seventh Wango Tango was not a lucky one for those fans who braved the sweaty temperatures. Just two years ago the same event presented such talents as Mary J. Blige, No Doubt, Celine Dion, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Pink and Alanis Morissette.

That's been a tough lineup to match or beat. So, by having the likes of Jessica Simpson as a headliner and American Idol alumni Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke further down on the bill Saturday, the goal of promoters to present the best Wango Tango never had a chance.

Singing her rendition of Berlin's ``Take My Breath Away,'' Simpson showed she is no Terri Nunn. Listening to her own hits, such as ``Irresistible'' and her personal current favorite, ``Angels,'' is worse than watching ``Newlyweds.''

Even more bad news came when the Backstreet Boys made a special appearance to announce that the group's new CD is almost complete. The band gave an a cappella version of one new song, ``Movin' On.''

Many of the fans apparently knew the concert promoters had lowered the bar, given the smattering of seats that remained empty.

To be sure, the crowd loved every moment of J.C. Chasez and Enrique Iglecias. Fans also saw a world premiere of a video of Chasez's ``All Night Long I Dream About Sex'' on the big screens, then got to hear him sing it again live.

Iglecias once again brought a starry-eyed female fan from the audience for ``Hero.'' She reached behind him and put her hands in a place that had the rest of the women present screaming with envy.

But for those who came to rock, Lenny Kravitz was the only one who delivered, with all due respect to Maroon 5 and Rooney.

Kravitz's cover of the Guess Who's ``American Woman'' is every bit as good as the original and seems strikingly contemporary. The audience joined him in singing several hits, including ``Fly Away.''

Although many fans left the arena as Kravitz walked off the stage, those who stayed weren't sorry they got to hear OutKast's Big Boi deliver a solid set that featured ``The Way You Move'' and ``The Whole World.''

Good Charlotte, normally seen on stage at KROQ-FM concerts, joined N.E.R.D for ``Jump.'' But the talented, free-wheeling trio didn't need any help with its rowdy gems ``She Wants to Move'' and ``Backseat Love.''

Hilary Duff was satisfying with ``Girl Can Rock,'' but she ought to avoid such pablum as ``So Yesterday'' in the future or it could become an unintended description of her music.

Duff was joined by her talented, more attractive big sister, Haylie Duff, for a crowd-pleasing performance of the Go-Gos' ``Our Lips Are Sealed.''

CAPTION(S):

4 photos

Photo:

(1) Hilary Duff performs during 102.7 KIIS-FM's Wango Tango On-Air 2004 concert Saturday at the Rose Bowl.

(2) Lenny Kravitz offered some rockin' relief belting out his hits, such as ``American Woman,'' at the otherwise dull Wango Tango in Pasadena.

(3) A well-clothed Janet Jackson got her groove on for only two songs.

(4) Pop starlet Jessica Simpson works the stage

during her performance at Wango Tango.

Photos by Chris Pizzello/Associated Press