When the Florida native finally hit the stage, fans were ready to hear some of his hits, such as “Aaron’s Party (Come Get It)” and “That’s How I Beat Shaq.”

He opened up for eager fans with “I Want Candy” and his 2002 hit “Another Earthquake.”

When asked what song she looked forward to hearing Carter sing, mechanical engineering sophomore Leah Iseler and her group of friends simultaneously said, “I Want Candy”!

“I’ve been listening to him forever; since I was little,” Iseler said. “I grew up listening to songs like ‘That’s How I Beat Shaq.’”

After a hiatus, Carter, 25, has returned for The After Party Tour, his first tour in eight years.

Carter began his music career at age 7, singing lead for the band Dead End for two years. He released his first full-length album at age 9 self-titled “Aaron Carter” in 1997.

Since, Carter has had three studio albums: “The Party” in 2000, “Oh Aaron” in 2001 and “Another Earthquake” in 2002.

Lauren Godlesky, promotion and marketing coordinator of The Loft, said she expected a turnout of about 200 or more people and began preparing for the the concert a month before it was announced in May.

Opening act Grant Woell of Mason, Mich., said he always has been an Aaron Carter fan and jumped at the opportunity to open for him.

“His CD was the first CD I ever bought,” Woell said. “I was in first grade and I think that’s what inspired me to become a singer.”

“For the last few years I’ve been performing and just really figuring out who I want to be as an artist following the ways of Aaron Carter,” he said.

Grant’s mother, Heidi Woell, said she’s proud of her son, who has toured nationally and in Europe, for always going after exactly what he wants.

“He follows Aaron Carter on Twitter and when he found out he was coming to Lansing, he emailed his manager and asked if they had an opening act and just like that, he got the opportunity to open for someone he looks up to,” Heidi Woell said. “When he wants something he just goes for it.”

Lansing Community College student Haley McFarland said although she listened to Carter when she was young, she came to see Grant.

“I would describe Grant’s music as alternative pop, he’s really great,” McFarland said. “I grew up listening to Aaron Carter. My favorite song by him is ‘I Want Candy.’”