Nothing but Love World Tour explained
Concert Tour Name: | Nothing but Love World Tour |
Artist: | Whitney Houston |
Album: | I Look to You |
Start Date: | December 9, 2009 |
End Date: | June 17, 2010 |
Number Of Legs: | 4 |
Number Of Shows: | 35 in Europe 6 in Oceania 7 in Asia in total 48 |
Gross: | $36.3 million ($ in dollars) |
Last Tour: | Soul Divas Tour (2004) |
This Tour: | Nothing but Love World Tour (2009–10) |
Next Tour: | An Evening with Whitney (2020–23) |
The Nothing but Love World Tour was the ninth and final concert tour by American recording artist Whitney Houston.[1] It was her first major tour in almost a decade and was used to promote her seventh studio album I Look to You released in 2009.
Prior to Houston performing two dates in Russia mid-December 2009, the official tour started on February 6, 2010, in Asia; also visiting Australia and Europe. The tour was the 34th highest-earning of 2010, grossing over $36 million with 48 to 50 shows performed.[2]
Background
The tour was announced on October 12, 2009, on Houston's official website.[3] By way of introduction, she stated:
The tour began with two rehearsal dates in Russia, under an unadvertised title.[4] At the end of the rehearsal, the tour's title was changed to "Nothing But Love World Tour" with an "official" commencement in February 2010. Houston explained the meaning behind her tour's title is how she overcame her tough times. "I chose this title because what I had under any circumstance was love […] I wouldn't have overcome tough time without my mom and my daughter. My daughter is especially like a friend who supported me and stayed with me at the studio when I was working on the album."[5]
Public criticism
On February 22, the opening night of the Australian leg of the tour suffered negative reviews from critics. Her performance in the Brisbane Entertainment Centre was poorly received, and some fans reportedly walked out of the arenas.[6] Houston's vocal condition was described as sounding hoarse and weak; one particularly low moment occurred when she paused for several minutes in the middle of performing "I Will Always Love You" to sip some water.[7] [8]
Houston's promoter commented that Houston's use of cigarettes was partly to blame for her strained voice and stated "It is what it is. She's comfortable with the show she's performing. She knows she's not hitting every note like she used to. But it's value for money; it's Whitney Houston warts and all."[9] Houston received a similar response during her concert at the Forum Copenhagen. Some spectators stated the performance was not up to par on what they had expected; others stated that the singer is a legend, has been on the music scene for 25 years at the time, and considering what she had been through, the performance was fine.[10] Having grossed over $36 million, the tour itself was a financial success; however, the promoter, Andrew McManus, lost $2 million bringing her to Australia.[11]
Opening acts
Setlist
Notes
- December 12: the concert in Saint Petersburg, Houston performed "Step by Step", in place of "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)."
- During the concerts in March "Missing You" was not performed.
- Houston did not perform "Step by Step" and "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" during shows in Dublin and select dates in England.
- March 1: the concert in Melbourne, Australia, Houston did not perform "I Didn't Know My Own Strength", "If I Told You That" and "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)." Additionally, she briefly performed "Never Can Say Goodbye" and "Like I Never Left".
- March 4: the concert in Adelaide, Australia, Houston performed "Who Would Imagine a King" and "I Have Nothing" with a fan.[18]
- April 13: the concert in Birmingham, England, Houston performed "I Am Changing." Additionally, Houston included the video interlude for "One Moment in Time".
- April 20: the concert at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland, Houston was joined on stage by an audience member to perform "Greatest Love of All". On select tour dates in Europe, Houston performed "Stormy Weather" as a tribute to legendary singer/actress Lena Horne.
- May 1: at the SEC Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, Houston did not perform "It's Not Right but It's Okay." The song was also not performed in Milan, Italy and in Zurich, Switzerland. May 3, the concert at the Mediolanum Forum in Milan, Italy and May 9, at Hallenstadion in Zurich, Switzerland, Houston began the encore with "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)", in place of "Million Dollar Bill".
Shows
List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, tickets sold, number of available tickets and amount of gross revenueDate | City | Country | Venue | Attendance | Revenue |
---|
Europe[19] [20] |
December 9, 2009 | Moscow | Russia | Olimpiyskiy | rowspan=2 |
December 12, 2009 | Saint Petersburg | Ice Palace |
Asia[21] |
February 6, 2010 | Seoul | South Korea | Olympic Gymnastics Arena | rowspan=7 |
February 7, 2010 |
February 11, 2010 | Saitama | Japan | |
February 13, 2010 |
February 14, 2010 |
February 17, 2010 | Osaka | Osaka-jō Hall |
February 18, 2010 |
Oceania[22] [23] |
February 22, 2010 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | 7,386 / 7,732 | $1,083,980 |
February 24, 2010 | Sydney | Acer Arena | 11,157 / 11,634 | $1,610,830 |
February 27, 2010 | Pokolbin | Hope Estate Winery Amphitheatre | | |
March 1, 2010 | Melbourne | Rod Laver Arena | 10,366 / 11,206 | $1,375,490 |
March 4, 2010 | Adelaide | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | rowspan=2 |
March 6, 2010 | Melbourne | MCEC Plenary Hall |
Europe[24] [25] |
April 13, 2010 | Birmingham | England | LG Arena | rowspan=6 |
April 14, 2010 | Nottingham | Trent FM Arena |
April 17, 2010 | Dublin | Ireland | The O2 |
April 18, 2010 |
April 20, 2010 |
April 22, 2010 | Newcastle | England | Metro Radio Arena |
April 25, 2010 | London | The O2 Arena | 40,937 / 43,773 | $5,271,620 |
April 26, 2010 |
April 28, 2010 |
May 1, 2010 | Glasgow | Scotland | SECC Concert Hall 4 | rowspan=8 |
May 3, 2010 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum |
May 4, 2010 | Rome | PalaLottomatica |
May 9, 2010 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion |
May 10, 2010 | Geneva | SEG Geneva Arena |
May 12, 2010 | Berlin | Germany | O2 World |
May 13, 2010 | Leipzig | Arena Leipzig |
May 16, 2010 | Hanover | TUI Arena |
May 17, 2010 | Hamburg | O2 World Hamburg | 6,377 / 9,953 | $527,352 |
May 19, 2010 | Vienna | Austria | Wiener Stadthalle | rowspan=3 |
May 21, 2010 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle |
May 22, 2010 | Stuttgart | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle |
May 24, 2010 | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis | 11,629 / 12,399 | $957,024 |
May 26, 2010 | Oberhausen | Germany | König Pilsener Arena | rowspan=9 |
May 27, 2010 | Nuremberg | Arena Nürnberger Versicherung |
May 29, 2010 | Mannheim | SAP Arena |
May 31, 2010 | Frankfurt | Festhalle Frankfurt |
June 3, 2010 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Forum Copenhagen |
June 4, 2010 |
June 6, 2010 | Stavanger | Norway | Sørmarka Arena |
June 8, 2010 | Stockholm | Sweden | Ericsson Globe |
June 10, 2010 | Helsinki | Finland | Hartwall Areena |
June 16, 2010 | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena | 8,831 / 12,265 | $1,087,150 |
June 17, 2010 |
TOTAL | 86,683 / 108,692 | $11,913,446 |
---|
|
- Cancellations and rescheduled shows
< | --Date--> | < | --City, (State or Country)--> | < | --Venue--> | < | --Reason/Additional Info--> |
---|
March 6, 2010 | New Plymouth, New Zealand | TSB Bowl of Brooklands | Cancelled[26] |
March 6, 2010 | Perth, Australia | Members Equity Stadium | Cancelled[27] |
March 7, 2010 | Perth, Australia | Members Equity Stadium | Cancelled |
April 6, 2010 | Paris, France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy | This performance was postponed to June 1, 2010 |
April 8, 2010 | Manchester, England | Manchester Evening News Arena | This performance was postponed to June 16, 2010[28] |
April 9, 2010 | Manchester, England | Manchester Evening News Arena | This performance was postponed to June 17, 2010 |
April 11, 2010 | Glasgow, Scotland | SECC Concert Hall 4 | This performance was postponed to May 1, 2010 |
April 30, 2010 | Santa Cruz, Spain | El Recinto de la Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz | Cancelled[29] [30] |
June 1, 2010 | Paris, France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy | Cancelled[31] |
|
Critical reception
Despite upsets from spectators, the tour received mixed to negative reviews from critics for the Australian and European legs of the tour.
- Kathy McCabe (The Daily Telegraph) was not impressed with Houston's performance at the Acer Arena. She states, "Her acoustic set of old favourites unfortunately could not hide the very obvious problems with her voice, the strain and those coughs that punctuated the Brisbane show were back. By the time she got to the gospel section of the show a steady stream of disappointed, saddened and angry fans started streaming out the doors."[32]
- Cameron Adams (Herald Sun) gave Houston's performance at the Rod Laver Arena a positive review, despite media upset from her performance in Brisbane. He writes, "Houston is just a more human superstar in 2010, now with added flaws that give her character. She hits all the right notes in I Look to You, the new song about what she calls her 'down times'. Indeed every time she hits a huge note her devoted audience break into applause."[33]
- Candice Keller (The Advertiser) states that Houston still has "it" after viewing her performance at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre. She continues to write, "She knows how to engage a crowd and keep the fans eating from the palm of her hand. She'll tease with a knowing and tuneful hum, or tell a story about what brought her to today."[34]
- Morwenna Ferrier (The Observer) applauds Houston's concert at the Trent FM Arena Nottingham. She further writes, "She kicks off successfully with two ballads from her 2009 album, I Look to You, 'For the Lovers' and 'Nothin' But Love' (love really is a theme with Houston.) The crowd, now warmed up, begins rattling with joy as she struts around all finger-clicky, black and proud during 'It's Not Right'. The songs include moments of genuine bonkersness."[35]
- John Meagher (The Independent) praised Houston's backing vocalist and her brother, Gary Houston for the performance at The O2 in Dublin. He continues to write, "She spends more time chatting to the audience than singing in the early stages, although her conversation rarely strays beyond the 'I love you, Dublin' type. At one point she fixates on a young girl in the front row, but what initially is charming tries the patience of the audience and eventually becomes tedious. Even the more tolerable songs -- 'My Love is Your Love', for instance -- are carried by the strength of her backing vocalists and the enthusiastic singing of the crowd. There are slivers of the super-talented young Whitney -- a high note here, a spine-tingling pause there on 'I Will Always Love You' -- but they arrive so infrequently it hardly matters. Instead, you are left with the memory of her botched attempts to wring some magic from 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' and 'How Will I Know?'"[36]
- John Aizlewood (Evening Standard) gave her performance at The O2 Arena one out of five stars, stating "Where once she soared, now she wheezes and croaks, bludgeoning her perfect pop single I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) into karaoke submission; stripping the moving My Love Is Your Love of all emotion and inflicting grisly carnage on I Will Always Love You (if she is late-period Judy Garland, this is her Over The Rainbow)."[37]
- Fiona Shepherd (The Scotsman) gave the show at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre two out of four stars. She writes, "It was obvious from this performance that she has lost her vocal agility, her stamina, her poise and her wits – or so it seemed from her nervous laughter, repetitive thank yous and rambling personal tributes. Her band were practiced at covering for her while she took time out to pat away the sweat, re-apply her make-up, impart another nugget of eccentric insight and generally procrastinate."[38]
Personnel
Band
- Musical Director / Drums – Michael Baker
- Percussion – Bashiri Johnson
- Keyboards – Jetro DaSilva
- Acoustic guitar – Jetro DaSilva
- Bass guitar – Matthew Garrison
- Keyboards – Shedrick Mitchell
- Guitar – Sherod Barnes
- Keyboards/Orchestrator – Adi Yeshaya
- Background vocalists – Gary Houston, Sharlotte Gibson, Cindy Mizelle, Valerie Pinkston
Choreography
- Choreographer – Jeri Slaughter
- Assistant choreographer – Paul Monte
Dancers
- Dres Reid, Ryan Chandler, Tre Holloway, Shannon Holtzappfel
- Tour Management
Notes and References
- Sources for tour:
- Web site: Top Five Divas to Come Back in Concert . Marikar . Sheila . March 29, 2010 . . January 7, 2018.
- Web site: WHITNEY HOUSTON . December 2009 . McManus Entertainment . January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20110707134906/http://www.ampresents.com/?module=events&action=showact&id=80 . July 7, 2011.
- Web site: 2010 Year End: Top 50 Worldwide Concert Tours . January 2011 . . January 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160415222738/http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/Charts2010/2010YearEndTop50WorldwideConcertTours.pdf . April 15, 2016 . dead .
- European Tour Dates . Whitney Houston Official Website. Sony Music International . October 12, 2009 . October 27, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20091016015419/http://www.whitneyhouston.com/at/node/13059 . October 16, 2009.
- Web site: Double Date Begins Whitney's Comeback. December 7, 2009. December 14, 2009. Galouchko. Ksenia. The Moscow Times. Sanoma Corporation. https://web.archive.org/web/20110622103007/http://www.themoscowtimes.com/arts_n_ideas/article/double-date-begins-whitneys-comeback/390995.html . June 22, 2011.
- Web site: Whitney Houston to Begin World Tour in Seoul. February 3, 2010. February 9, 2010. The Dong-a Ilbo.
- Web site: Comeback Whitney hits a flat note Down Under. February 23, 2010. January 1, 2011. American Free Press. https://web.archive.org/web/20100227025634/https://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jywVjy1tl6g0b640dKUt6xpLh-KA . February 27, 2010.
- News: This just in: Whitney Houston disappoints in Australia, Charlie Sheen enters rehab, Placido Domingo to undergo surgery . The Washington Post. May 10, 2010. February 24, 2010. Argetsinger. Amy. Roberts. Roxanne.
- Web site: Whitney Houston's disappoints fans. February 25, 2010. January 1, 2011. NDTV Movies. https://web.archive.org/web/20111004214939/http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?Section=Movies&ID=ENTEN20100132662&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=music . October 4, 2011.
- Web site: Whitney Houston's smoking to blame for tour problems. February 27, 2010. January 1, 2011. MSN Music. Microsoft Corporation. https://web.archive.org/web/20100304055225/http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=485258 . March 4, 2010.
- http://www.cphpost.dk/component/content/49148.html?task=view
- Web site: Promoter Andrew McManus's year of dud deals | Herald Sun . www.heraldsun.com.au . 6 June 2022 . https://archive.today/20121231001602/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/promoter-andrew-mcmanuss-year-of-dud-deals/story-e6frf96f-1226223322391/ . 31 December 2012 . dead.
- Web site: 22years on, Whitney Houston returns to Brisbane. November 29, 2009. February 9, 2010. Brisbane Times. Fairfax Digital.
- Web site: Whitney Houston . Stockholm Globe Arenas . January 1, 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100628222735/http://www.globearenas.se/en/event/18749/21495/whitney-houston.aspx . June 28, 2010 .
- Web site: Waylon on tour with Whitney Houston . Dutch Daily News Staff . April 2, 2010 . Dutch Daily News . January 1, 2011.
- Web site: Supporting Whitney Houston in Glasgow was fantastic, says rising Scots star Alex Gardner . May 6, 2010 . . January 1, 2011.
- Web site: Karima: il nuovo album, aspettando Whitney Houston. Karima: the new album, waiting for Whitney Houston. April 13, 2010. Virgilio Musica. January 1, 2011. it. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110722065734/http://musica.virgilio.it/news/pop/karima-presenta-suo-nuovo-album.html. July 22, 2011.
- Web site: Heiss auf Eis und Whitney Houston. Lanz, Barbara . May 7, 2010 . . Schweizer Wochenmagazin . January 1, 2011. de.
- Web site: Whitney Houston Surprises Daughter with Cake – and Tunes – on Stage . Bachelor, Blane. Jordan, Julie . April 3, 2010 . . January 1, 2011.
- Web site: Events. November 3, 2009. Whitney Houston Official Website. Sony Music Entertainment. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100113015309/http://www.whitneyhouston.com/us/events. January 13, 2010.
- Web site: Whitney Houston: Concert Schedule. November 23, 2009. Pollstar. https://web.archive.org/web/20110715103023/http://pollstar.com/resultsArtist.aspx?ID=2247&SortBy=Date&SearchBy=whitney%20houston. July 15, 2011. dead.
- Sources for tour dates in Asia:
- Web site: 단독오픈: 현대카드슈퍼콘서트 VIII – 휘트니 휴스턴 첫 내한공연. January 7, 2010. 2010-01-07. ko. Solo Open: Hyundai Card Super Concert VIII – Whitney Houston's first performance. https://web.archive.org/web/20100108202706/http://ticket.yes24.com/Home/InfoCenter/PerfNoticeRead.aspx?bid=2127&page=1&IdCode2=&Gcode=000_006. January 8, 2010. dead.
- Web site: 휘트니휴스턴 첫 내한공연 '10년만의 정규 월드투어 한국서 시작'. YES24. Hansae Co., Ltd.. ko. Whitney Houston, Her First World Tour in 10 Years Will Begin in South Korea.. January 7, 2010. January 7, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20120401140453/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201001070909331001. April 1, 2012.
- Web site: Japan Tour 2010. October 27, 2009. Sony Music Entertainment Japan. Sony Music. ja. https://web.archive.org/web/20091027010417/http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/International/Arch/BV/whitneyhouston/m_live.html. October 27, 2009.
- Sources for tour dates in Australia:
- Web site: Whitney Houston Australian Tour. November 23, 2009. November 2009. LiveGuide. https://web.archive.org/web/20091217105451/http://www.liveguide.com.au/Tours/649941/Whitney_Houston/Whitney_Houston_Nothing_But_Love_Tour . December 17, 2009.
- Web site: Whitney Houston for Mardi Gras?. Taylor. Christian. November 18, 2009. November 23, 2009. SameSame. https://web.archive.org/web/20091121151036/http://www.samesame.com.au/news/local/4800/Whitney-Houston-For-Mardi-Gras.htm . November 21, 2009.
- Australia Boxcore Data:
- March 6, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 9. 10. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- March 13, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 10. 12. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- May 1, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 17. 10. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- Web site: Whitney Houston til Sørmarka Arena. no . Whitney Houston to Sørmarka Arena . Tore Lindø . Leif . Rege Olsen . Olav . November 17, 2009 . . Schibsted Schibsted Media Group. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20091222195130/https://www.aftenbladet.no/kultur/1113825/Whitney_Houston_til_Soermarka_Arena.html . December 22, 2009.
- Europe Boxcore Data:
- June 19, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 24. 11. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- October 16, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 41. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- November 27, 2010. Boxscore: Concert Grosses. Billboard. 122. 47. Nashville, Tennessee. 0006-2510. January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123044905/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. January 23, 2013. dead. Alt URL
- . Whitney Houston – NZ Concert Cancelled . Wellington, New Zealand . Publicity Plus . . February 17, 2010 . January 7, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20100324173036/http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1002/S00330.htm . March 24, 2010.
- Web site: Whitney Houston heads to New Zealand. January 31, 2010. February 9, 2010. TVNZ. Television New Zealand Limited.
- Web site: Whitney Houston postpones three UK gigs . Kilkelly, Daniel . April 7, 2010 . Digital Spy . January 1, 2011.
- Web site: Whitney Houston viajará a Tenerife dispuesta a exhibir su buena forma. Whitney Houston will travel to Tenerife ready to show in good manner. April 14, 2010. October 3, 2010. Paroles Paroles.
- Web site: Music superstar Whitney Houston arrives in Scotland with a scowl. May 1, 2010. October 3, 2010. Lyons. Beverly. Daily Record.
- News: Whitney Houston cancels Paris concert over illness . April 6, 2010. . January 1, 2011.
- News: Sydney fans bail on woeful Whitney Houston . McCabe, Kathy . 2010-02-25 . . 1 January 2011.
- Web site: Willing Melbourne fans urge on Whitney Houston at Rod Laver show . Adams, Cameron . 2010-03-02 . . 1 January 2011.
- Web site: Whitney shows fans at Adelaide Entertainment Centre concert she still has diva quality . Keller, Candice . 2010-03-04 . . 1 January 2011.
- News: Whitney Houston: Trent FM Arena, Nottingham. Ferrier, Morwenna . 2010-04-18 . . 1 January 2011 . London.
- News: Review: Whitney Houston, The 02, Dublin . Meagher, John . April 19, 2010. . 1 January 2011.
- Web site: A horrible and heartbreaking evening with Whitney Houston . Aizlewood, John . 2010-04-26 . . 1 January 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100915162858/http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/music/review-23827905-a-horrible-and-heartbreaking-evening-with-whitney-houston.do . 15 September 2010 . dead .
- News: Music review: Whitney Houston, SECC, Glasgow . Shepherd, Fiona . 2010-05-03 . . 1 January 2011 . Edinburgh.