The Last Girl on Earth Tour[1] is the third concert tour by Barbadian singer Rihanna. It supports her fourth studio album Rated R. The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009. In the interview, Rihanna stated, "It's going to be a worldwide tour, so it's going to be a very long tour. We'll definitely be in your city, so look out for that."[2] Pixie Lott will be the support act for the UK dates leg whilst Tinchy Stryder appears in the rest of Europe and Ke$ha serves as the opening act of the North American leg.
Background
The tour was officially announced on December 9, 2009, while on the set of the music video for "Hard".[2] She also announced the dates for the European leg of the tour on her official website.[3][4] English singer-songwriter Pixie Lott was selected as the supporting act for the tour. Lott will join the tour during the UK leg beginning on May 7, 2010.[5] In an interview with MTV, she stated, "We've been ... coming out with different ideas and cool things that we can do. Things that we've never seen before, daring things — but now is when we really start with the rehearsal and we get into the nitty-gritty and the details of everything" while describing the vibe of the tour as "daring".[2] The tickets for the currently known dates are selling out fast. She recently released an extra date in Dublin for this reason.[6] During an interview, Rihanna commented, "expect some sexy surprises when I come to the UK. I'll go all out on the tour, which I hope to bring to some UK festivals."[7] Rihanna also took drum lessons for her tour from Blink-182's drummer Travis Barker at the Hollywood Center Studios.[8]
In November 2009, Rihanna performed on The X Factor where she announced that she would be coming back to Britain in May 2010 for her tour. Orange RockCorps will sponsor the concert in Israel on May 30, 2010, and will also give out free tickets for people who contribute four volunteer hours to the community in Israel.[9] On April 5, 2010, the North American dates for the tour were announced.[1] The North American leg of the tour was scheduled to be supported by rapper Nicki Minaj and pop singer Ke$ha,[1][10] but Minaj withdrew two days later.[11] It was reported shortly before the tour's start that Tinchy Stryder would be the European supporting act.[12] Rihanna was announced as a headlining performer for Capital FM's Summertime Ball, which will be held at Wembley Stadium on June 6, 2010.[13]
Before the launch of the tour, Rihanna released a behind-the-scenes video of the tour rehearsals.[14] Tickets for the tour-opening show on April 16, 2010, in Belgium sold out.[15]
Development
Serving as the tour director will be Jamie King, who has previously worked with Madonna, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears. Serving as tour choreographer is Tina Landon, who has worked as Rihanna's director and choreographer since March of 2007. Rihanna enlisted Simon Henwood as the creative director for Rated R.[16] He designed the logo and conceived the brand and styling of the album, videos and TV spots. He will contribute to the forthcoming tour, including the show's stage design, costumes and background visuals.[17] Henwood explained: "We talked extensively for months before the album's release, and looked at every aspect of the campaign – from styling to stage ideas and visuals [...] There is a great story that will unfold through the campaign, and finally reveal on the tour.. partly inspired by the film – The Omega Man and of course ideas from the songs – as well as Rihanna's personal visions."[17] The stage design for Rihanna's promotional concert in London was described as "a futuristic TV scrapyard", as there were many television sets and dummies on stage.[18] Extreme's guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt, has signed on to lead the band.[19] Bettencourt explained that the rehearsals have been "better than what I expected because she also has the most incredible band, and I get the privilege to add to their wall of sound. It's gonna be fun."[19] In an interview with AOL, Rihanna revealed that fans should expect a big upgrade in comparison to her previous tours.[1] She commented,
"We've never done a tour to this capacity. The production is unbelievable and the costumes, we just took it to a whole new level. Visually and sonically it's going to be a big step up from the last time. We just keep growing, and this time it is a massive production that I cannot wait for."[1]
In regards to the title of the tour, Rihanna explained to Entertainment Tonight s Kevin Frazier, "I like to think about myself as 'The Last Girl on Earth' because sometimes people make decisions based on the outlook of others and, you know, to me, my life is my life. It's my world, and I'm going to live it the way I want to. That's how I think about everything, that way I'm focused on me, and my work. It's a really narrow space, a focus."[20]
Reception
Neon Limelight gave the tour five out of five stars saying, "Rihanna’s latest tour is the biggest in her short, but incredible career. The set is a high-energy factory of hits spanning her four albums... The production is also bigger than ever — and the costumes are some of the most, uh, creative you’ll ever see."[21]
Hospital Incident
On 19th April 2010, Rihanna made newspaper headlines when she was taken to hospital after her performance in Zurich. It is unknown why she was taken to hospital, but it has been confirmed that Rihanna was taken straight to the accident and emergency unit.
Alenka Ambroz, head of the clinic's corporate communications said: "Rihanna arrived at the accident and emergency unit. We're not going to give any details."
Rihanna, however, was still able to perform at the next show in Lyon, France, on the 20th April. More details are expected to be given away soon.
Opening acts
- Pixie Lott (UK only)[5]
- Ke$ha (North America)[24]
- Tinchy Stryder (Europe)[12]
Set list
Below is the set list from the Arnhem show early in the tour, which may be representative of other shows in the tour.[25]
- "Mad House" (video introduction)
- "Russian Roulette"
- "Hard"
- "Shut Up and Drive "
- "Fire Bomb"
- "Disturbia"
- "Rockstar 101"
- "Rude Boy"
- "Hate That I Love You"
- "Rehab"
- "Unfaithful"
- "Stupid in Love"
- "Te Amo"
- "Photographs"
- "Pon de Replay" (video interlude)
- "Don't Stop the Music"
- "Breakin' Dishes"
- "The Glamorous Life" (Sheila E. cover)
- "Let Me"
- "SOS"
- "Take a Bow"
- "Wait Your Turn"
- "Live Your Life"
- "Run This Town"
- "Umbrella"
Tour dates
Below is a list of currently known tour dates. More dates may be added in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Oceania.
Notes
- Vorlage:Note labelThis concert is part of the Rock in Rio Madrid 2010 Festival.[32]
- Vorlage:Note labelThis concert is part of Capital FM's Summertime Ball.[33]
- Vorlage:Note labelThis concert is part of Lilith Fair.[34]
- Vorlage:Note labelThis concert is part of Great New York State Fair.[13]
References
- ↑ a b c d e f MTV News staff: Rihanna Announces Last Girl On Earth Tour With Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj. In: MTV News. MTV Networks, 5. April 2010, abgerufen am 7. April 2010.
- ↑ a b c Jocelyn Vena: Rihanna Preps For 'Daring' World Tour. In: MTV. MTV Networks, 3. Dezember 2009, abgerufen am 3. Dezember 2009.
- ↑ TJ: Rihanna Announces Dates For “Rated R” European And UK Tour. Neon Limelight, 9. Dezember 2009, abgerufen am 2. April 2010.
- ↑ a b c d Events. The Island Def Jam Music Group, 9. Dezember 2009, abgerufen am 15. Dezember 2009.
- ↑ a b Pixie Lott to support Rihanna on tour. In: 4music website. 19. Februar 2010, abgerufen am 27. Februar 2010.
- ↑ Rihanna announces second O2 date. Hot Press, 19. Januar 2010, abgerufen am 1. Februar 2010.
- ↑ Nadine Linge: RIHANNA BOUNCES BACK HOTTER THAN EVER. In: Daily Star website. Northern and Shell Media Publications, 27. Februar 2010 .
- ↑ James Montgomery: Rihanna Takes Drum Lessons From Travis Barker Before Tour. In: MTV. MTV Networks, 24. März 2010, abgerufen am 6. April 2010.
- ↑ "orange time - Rihanna" (in Hebrew). No English translation available for non-Hebrew speakers.
- ↑ Rihanna Announces ‘Last Girl on Earth’ Tour with Ke$ha. In: Rap-Up. 5. April 2010, abgerufen am 7. April 2010.
- ↑ Brad Wete: Nicki Minaj drops out of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth tour. In: Entertainment Weekly. 7. April 2010, abgerufen am 7. April 2010.
- ↑ a b "Rihanna Invites Tinchy Stryder As Tour Support". AngryApe. April 14, 2010.
- ↑ a b Rihanna to perform at the New York State Fair 2010-04-16. In: New York State Fair Web site. Empire Expo Center
- ↑ "Behind The Scenes: Rihanna Launches ‘Last Girl On Earth’ Tour With Another Preview". Neon Limelight. April 16, 2010.
- ↑ "Rihanna kicks of Last Girl On Earth Tour in Europe". Dutch Daily News.
- ↑ bandweblogs: Artist Simon Henwood - Rihanna 'Rated R' + World Tour, Stage Design, Costumes. Band Weblogs, 24. Dezember 2009, abgerufen am 3. April 2010.
- ↑ a b Rihanna Works With Simon Henwood on Creative Direction for "Rated R". ArjanWrites, 4. Dezember 2009, abgerufen am 3. Januar 2010.
- ↑ David Sinclair: Rihanna at the Brixton Academy, SW9. In: Times Online Web site. 18. November 2009, abgerufen am 12. März 2010.
- ↑ a b Rihanna Starts Recruiting Band For 2010 Tour. In: The Hot Hits Live from LA. 18. November 2009, abgerufen am 12. März 2010.
- ↑ Rihanna Talks 'Idol' and Her New Tour. In: Entertainment Tonight. 7. April 2010, abgerufen am 8. April 2010.
- ↑ "5 Of The Best Videos From Opening Night Of Rihanna’s ‘Last Girl On Earth’ Tour In Antwerp". Neon Limelight. April 17, 2010.
- ↑ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/usa/2941658/Rihanna-ok-after-hospital-visit-in-Switzerland.html
- ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/news/a215697/rihanna-rushed-to-hospital-after-concert.html
- ↑ Gina Serpe: Chris Brown Who? Rihanna Recruits Ke$ha for the Party In: E!, E! Online, April 6, 2010. Abgerufen am 8. April 2010
- ↑ "Rihanna lights up the Netherlands with electrifying performance and SEVEN costume changes". Mail Online. April 19, 2010.
- ↑ a b c Rihanna Dates. In: Pollstar. Abgerufen am 7. April 2010.
- ↑ Rihanna to Perform at Jaffa's Bloomfield Stadium, 5/30. In: Broadway World. Broadway World, 2. April 2010, abgerufen am 2. April 2010.
- ↑ http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a215131/jls-rihanna-confirmed-for-summertime-ball.html
- ↑ Rihanna w/ Ke$ha. 15. April 2010, abgerufen am 16. April 2010 (englisch).
- ↑ Mark Bialczak: Rihanna to play at New York State Fair's grandstand. In: The Post-Standard. Syracuse Online LLC., 16. April 2010, abgerufen am 20. April 2010.
- ↑ Rihanna Last Girl On Earth Tour Comes to the AT&T Center. In: AT&T Center Website. 9. April 2010, abgerufen am 20. April 2010.
- ↑ Rock in Rio Madrid News. 28. Februar 2010, abgerufen am 3. März 2010 (spanisch).
- ↑ Robert Copsey: JLS, Rihanna confirmed for Summertime Ball. In: Digital Spy. Digital Spy Limited, 19. April 2010, abgerufen am 19. April 2010.
- ↑ Lilith Fair adds Rihanna, announces complete North American tour itinerary. In: The Independent. Independent Print Limited, 12. April 2010, abgerufen am 19. April 2010.