Furtado Showcases Her Many Influences

In a playful move that offered a hint at the kind of artist she aspires to be, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado took the Wiltern Theatre stage on Monday following a fanfare that recalled “Purple Rain”-era Prince.

Not that the 23-year-old Canadian--who is up for best new artist and several other awards associated with her 2000 debut album, “Whoa, Nelly!”--sounded at all like Prince on this sold-out first of two consecutive nights at the Wiltern.

But the nearly 90-minute show aimed for the multifaceted appeal of the erstwhile Artist in his heyday, or, perhaps more appropriately, of the unpredictable Beck.

If Furtado’s vision isn’t as arresting, it’s just as organic. Blending sass and introspection with unsinkable vigor, the engaging performer’s songs incorporated many influences, including styles from Portugal (her parents are from that nation’s Azores island group), Brazilian rhythms, R&B-pop; and modern rock.

It’s the sort of thing that once upon a time might have been deemed too confusing for a pop audience, but largely thanks to the mainstream absorption of hip-hop styles, Furtado’s mostly young fans take it all in stride, making her a rising star and Grammy contender rather than merely an interesting eccentric.

In fact, this time the singer-guitarist and her band more strongly emphasized the hip-hop aspect of her work, not just by goofing on Missy Elliott’s massive “Get Ur Freak On” and LL Cool J’s 1991 hit “Mama Said Knock You Out,” but also in a musical presentation that was even more percussive than in her previous shows.

But all the thumping on such upbeat numbers as the defiant “Baby Girl” diminished the impact of Furtado’s agile, quirky vocals, which skipped among scatting, freestyling and crooning. Other times the tunes proved less substantial, despite the undeniable catchiness of such standouts as the wistful folk-pop hit “I’m Like a Bird.”

Indeed, although Furtado mixes up what should be a signature sonic complex, in concert her high-energy persona doesn’t quite translate to actual individuality. Maybe the set’s breakneck pace and the restless genre-jumping are meant to make up for a lack of depth. Or maybe she just needs to relax and not let ambition overwhelm her.