This Is It (concert residency): Difference between revisions
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'''''This Is It''''' was a scheduled sellout series of 50 "comeback" concert performances by [[Michael Jackson]], which were intended to take place beginning on July 13, 2009, at [[The O2 arena (London)|The O<sub>2</sub> arena]] in [[London]] and continue throughout the year. Less than three weeks before the first show was to begin, Jackson suffered a [[cardiac arrest]] and died.<ref name="edeath">{{cite web |last=Ryan|first=Joal| title= Michael Jackson, Pop's Thrilling King, Dead at 50|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b131173_michael_jackson_pops_thrilling_king.html|date=2009-06-25|publisher=E! Online|accessdate=2009-06-25}}</ref> Fans are now calling for all the concerts to be replaced by tribute concerts featuring screen images of Jackson supported by the band and dancers originally planned fo the live events. |
'''''This Is It''''' was a scheduled sellout series of 50 "comeback" concert performances by [[Michael Jackson]], which were intended to take place beginning on July 13, 2009, at [[The O2 arena (London)|The O<sub>2</sub> arena]] in [[London]] and continue throughout the year. Less than three weeks before the first show was to begin, Jackson suffered a [[cardiac arrest]] and died.<ref name="edeath">{{cite web |last=Ryan|first=Joal| title= Michael Jackson, Pop's Thrilling King, Dead at 50|url=http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b131173_michael_jackson_pops_thrilling_king.html|date=2009-06-25|publisher=E! Online|accessdate=2009-06-25}}</ref> Fans are now calling for all the concerts to be replaced by tribute concerts featuring screen images of Jackson supported by the band and dancers originally planned fo the live events.{{fact}} |
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The shows, his first significant concert events since the [[HIStory World Tour]] in 1997, had been cited as one of the year's most important musical events. Each of the shows would have had a maximum capacity of 23,000, so it was estimated that more than one million people would have attended the shows. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of [[AEG Live]], stated that the first 10 dates alone would have earned the singer approximately £50 million, and all 50 shows would earn Michael over £200 million.{{Fact|date=June 2009}} The $US400 million would have covered his alleged debt of about the same figure.{{Fact|date=June 2009}} |
The shows, his first significant concert events since the [[HIStory World Tour]] in 1997, had been cited as one of the year's most important musical events. Each of the shows would have had a maximum capacity of 23,000, so it was estimated that more than one million people would have attended the shows. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of [[AEG Live]], stated that the first 10 dates alone would have earned the singer approximately £50 million, and all 50 shows would earn Michael over £200 million.{{Fact|date=June 2009}} The $US400 million would have covered his alleged debt of about the same figure.{{Fact|date=June 2009}} |
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Revision as of 21:51, 26 June 2009
| Tour by Michael Jackson | |
| File:ThisIsItMJ.jpg Promotional banner for Jackson's concert. | |
| Location | The O2 arena London, England, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Start date | Cancelled July 13, 2009 (scheduled) |
| End date | Cancelled March 6, 2010 (scheduled) |
| No. of shows | All cancelled Fifty were scheduled |
| Michael Jackson concert chronology | |
This Is It was a scheduled sellout series of 50 "comeback" concert performances by Michael Jackson, which were intended to take place beginning on July 13, 2009, at The O2 arena in London and continue throughout the year. Less than three weeks before the first show was to begin, Jackson suffered a cardiac arrest and died.[1] Fans are now calling for all the concerts to be replaced by tribute concerts featuring screen images of Jackson supported by the band and dancers originally planned fo the live events.[citation needed]
The shows, his first significant concert events since the HIStory World Tour in 1997, had been cited as one of the year's most important musical events. Each of the shows would have had a maximum capacity of 23,000, so it was estimated that more than one million people would have attended the shows. Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, stated that the first 10 dates alone would have earned the singer approximately £50 million, and all 50 shows would earn Michael over £200 million.[citation needed] The $US400 million would have covered his alleged debt of about the same figure.[citation needed]
Promotion
The announcement of Jackson's first 10 performances was made by the singer himself, during a press conference at The O2 arena on March 5, 2009. Thousands of fans—reportedly as many as 7,000 fans and 350 reporters—awaited Jackson's arrival, some donning his signature outfits.[2][3][4][5] He commented, "I just wanted to say that these will be my final show performances in London. When I say this is it, it really means this is it", adding that it was his "final curtain call".[6] Organizers touted the residency as, "dramatic shows [that] promise an explosive return with a band of the highest calibre, a state-of-the-art stage show and incredible surprise support acts".[7]
Hours before the press conference, promotional posters for the residency were displayed around London. The promotion took up an entire commercial break period on ITV London during Dancing on Ice, the first time this has ever happened for a musical artist. The advert, which cost £1 million to air, was viewed by 11 million people.[8][9][10][11]
Significance of proposed concerts
The shows, his first significant concert events since the HIStory World Tour in 1997, had been cited as one of the year's most important musical events.[12][13] Randy Phillips, president and chief executive of AEG Live, stated that the first 10 dates would earn the singer approximately £50 million.[4] The Guardian characterized the announced 10 concerts as an "astonishing comeback for a man who in recent years has been dogged by controversy", adding that the entertainer still had "enormous commercial clout".[14] The Evening Standard, stated that the deal was the "showbiz coup of the decade" for AEG Live.[15] The Independent stated that the finalized 50 concerts would provide London with a "much-needed" economic boost.[16] Joe Cohen, chief executive of Seatwave, told BBC 6 Music that the shows would generate £1 billion for the economy.[17]
Public interest
Some websites offered early tickets, which the Association of Secondary Ticket Agents warned were fake. "We are warning people not to buy tickets that are not yet on sale because it is unlikely that they will receive those tickets", announced the organization's chief, Graham Burns. He concluded, "It's impossible when the dates haven't been announced to be selling tickets for something when there are no announced dates".[18] Jackson's official website allowed fans to register early for a "pre-sale" draw. The website could not deal with the large number of registrations—reportedly up to 16,000 applications a second—some fans had difficulty applying. A spokeswoman for the singer said that they were investigating the reported problems.[19] In the space of 24 hours, nearly a million people registered for pre-sale tickets, enough to fill the venue 50 times over.[20] Fans from over 200 countries registered for the pre-sale draw.[21] Tickets that had not even been printed were selling on eBay for £300.[14] Sales of Jackson's albums increased following the press conference. Overnight, sales of Off the Wall rose 200%, Bad rose 110%, Dangerous rose 165% and Thriller 25 rose 155%.[22]
The two day pre-sale began on March 11, and 40 extra dates were added to meet high demand—five of these dates were reserved in their entirety for the public sale.[23] More than 1.5 million fans caused two sites offering pre-sale tickets to crash within minutes of going online.[24] In the space of two hours, 190,000 tickets were sold.[25] Two million people tried to buy pre-sale tickets in the space of 18 hours.[26] Veronica Schmidt of The Times, stated of the reception, "Michael Jackson has floored his critics",[27] while organizers proclaimed it was a "cultural phenomenon".[28] Jackson broke the previous record, for the number of shows performed by an artist at a single venue, which was set by Prince, who hosted a 21-date residency at the same arena. According to Jackson's website, the following records were broken: "The biggest audience ever to see an artist in one city", "The most amount of people to attend a series of arena shows", "The fastest ticket sales in history".[23] Randy Phillips acknowledged that Jackson could have sold out even more dates, but this would have conflicted with other career plans the singer has.[29] On March 13, the other 50% of seats for dates 1-45 and all the seats for dates 46-50 went on sale to the general public. Within a few hours, all 50 dates had sold out.[30] At this stage, sales of King of Pop were up 400% and sales of Thriller were up 200%.[31] Tickets appeared on eBay for as much as £10,000.[32]
Preparation and concert details
The 50-concert run was originally scheduled to start on July 8, 2009 and conclude on March 6, 2010.[33] Each of the shows would have been performed at The O2 arena in London, England which has a capacity of 23,000—therefore a total of 1,150,000 people would have attended.[34] Christian Audigier, a fashion designer (and personal friend of Jackson), worked on the clothing for the shows.[35] Jay Ruckel from La Crasia Gloves created Jackson's iconic single glove for the concerts.[36] The costumes he was set to wear during the shows were encrusted with 300,000 Swarovski crystals.[37] In May 2009, thousands of dancers flew in from all around the world to audition for Jackson, who helped select the 12 finalists in person. Kenny Ortega, who has collaborated with Jackson previously, was to work on the overall design and direction of concerts. Ortega said that the final product would have been a "theatrical musical experience".[38][39][40] According to Randy Philips, £13 million were to be spent on producing the concerts, which would have included 18-22 songs and 22 different sets. There also would have been aerial dancing similar to routines by Cirque du Soleil.[39] Carla Ferrigno told Reuters that her husband had been helping Jackson train in advance of the shows. Jackson and Ferrigno have worked together in the past.[41]
On May 20, it was announced that the first concert would be pushed back five days to July 13 and three other July dates would be rescheduled for March 2010. AEG Live said the delay was necessary because more time was needed for dress rehearsals.[33] Some fans petitioned for the reversal of AEG Live's decision.[42] In late June, several hundred seats for each of the dates were put on sale. These seats were held back until production logistics were worked out.[43]
Cancelled Dates
| July 2009 |
|---|
| July 13, 2009 |
| July 16, 2009 |
| July 18, 2009 |
| July 22, 2009 |
| July 24, 2009 |
| July 26, 2009 |
| July 28, 2009 |
| July 30, 2009 |
| August 2009 |
|---|
| August 1, 2009 |
| August 3, 2009 |
| August 10, 2009 |
| August 12, 2009 |
| August 17, 2009 |
| August 19, 2009 |
| August 24, 2009 |
| August 26, 2009 |
| August 28, 2009 |
| August 30, 2009 |
| September 2009 |
|---|
| September 1, 2009 |
| September 3, 2009 |
| September 6, 2009 |
| September 8, 2009 |
| September 10, 2009 |
| September 21, 2009 |
| September 23, 2009 |
| September 27, 2009 |
| September 29, 2009 |
| January 2010 |
|---|
| January 7, 2010 |
| January 9, 2010 |
| January 12, 2010 |
| January 14, 2010 |
| January 16, 2010 |
| January 18, 2010 |
| January 23, 2010 |
| January 25, 2010 |
| January 27, 2010 |
| January 29, 2010 |
| February 2010 |
|---|
| February 1, 2010 |
| February 3, 2010 |
| February 8, 2010 |
| February 10, 2010 |
| February 12, 2010 |
| February 16, 2010 |
| February 18, 2010 |
| February 20, 2010 |
| February 22, 2010 |
| February 24, 2010 |
| March 2010 |
|---|
| March 1, 2010 |
| March 3, 2010 |
| March 6, 2010 |
Litigation
In June 2009, concert promoter Allgood Entertainment sued Jackson for $40 million, claiming that the singer, through his manager, had agreed to a single, $30 million reunion concert with his siblings from The Jackson 5, as well as Janet Jackson. According to the concert promoter, the alleged contractual agreement prevented the singer from performing elsewhere before the reunion concert or for a three month period after it—thus agreeing to a 50 date residency at The O2 arena was an alleged breach of the Allgood Entertainment contract. Allgood Entertainment state that AEG Live knew of the alleged agreement with Jackson and used their dominance in the industry to coerce Jackson into agreeing to the residency.[45][46][47]
Jackson's death and its implications
Jackson died on June 25, 2009, following a suspected cardiac arrest, less than three weeks before his planned first show. Even after Jackson's death had been confirmed, the O2 website was still advertising the tour.
AEG Live, who persuaded Jackson to sign up for the shows, is currently facing a liability of up to £300 million and an empty venue for the next nine months.[48] The company said that all customers would get a full refund for their tickets. Ticketmaster, which also sold Jackson tickets, has a policy of refunding the face value of the ticket, plus the booking fee.
Personnel
- Show Directors: Michael Jackson, Kenny Ortega
- Musical Director: Michael Bearden
- Choreographer: Travis Payne
- Assistant Choreographers: Stacy Walker, Tony Testa
- Dance Coach for Michael Jackson: David Elsewhere [49]
- Associate Producer: Alif Sankey
- Production Designers: Michael Cotten, Michael Curry
- Lightning Design: Patrick Woodroffe
- Casting Director: Gregg Smith
- Promotor: AEG Live
References
- ^ Ryan, Joal (2009-06-25). "Michael Jackson, Pop's Thrilling King, Dead at 50". E! Online. Retrieved 2009-06-25.
- ^ "Fans await announcement of Michael Jackson dates". Inthenews.co.uk. (March 5, 2009). Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Jackson set to announce shows". MTV. (March 5, 2009). Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Foster, Patrick (March 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson grand finale curtain-raiser". The Times. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^
Akbar, Arifa (March 6, 2009). "Jacko on tour: 'This will be the final curtain call. I love you, I love you all' - News, Music". The Independent. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^
Harris, Paul (March 6, 2009). "Trembling, gaunt and £100million in debt, Michael Jackson makes his final entrance". Daily Mail. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Khan, Urmee (March 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson announces comeback gigs". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
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Griffin, Zoe (March 5, 2009). "Michael Jackson has 50 medical tests to prove he can manage 02 Arena dates". Daily Mirror. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Youngs, Ian (March 5, 2009). "'Final curtain call' for Jackson". BBC. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
- ^ Barnett, Emma (March 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson takes entire three and a half minute ITV ad slot". www.mediaweek.co.uk. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
- ^ "Michael Jackson live dates ad during Dancing On Ice seen by 11m fans". Daily Mirror. (March 9, 2009). Retrieved March 9, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Swash, Rosie (March 5, 2009). "Michael Jackson can't fail to sell out the O2 arena". The Guardian. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson announces O2 Arena London gigs - and retirement?". NME. (March 5, 2009). Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Day, Elizabeth (March 8, 2009). "Off the wall but still invincible". The Guardian. Retrieved March 8, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Singh, Amar (March 13, 2009). "Detoxing Brand Jacko". Evening Standard. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "The Barometer: Michael Jackson; Angela Gheorghiu; Horne and Corden; Madonna in fancy dress". The Independent. (March 20, 2009). Retrieved March 25, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson in 'billion pound' boost to economy". Metro. (May 8, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson London 02 Arena ticket warning issued". NME. (March 5, 2009). Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Moore, Matthew (March 6, 2009). "Michael Jackson O2 ticket website attracting 16,000 visits a second". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson adds 10 more dates to comeback tour". Daily Mirror. March 6, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Michael Jackson Announces Dates". MTV. (March 10, 2009). Retrieved March 29, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "Jacko's album sales are backo". The Sun. (March 7, 2009). Retrieved March 7, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b Kreps, Daniel (March 12, 2009). "Michael Jackson's "This Is It!" Tour Balloons to 50-Show Run Stretching Into 2010". Rolling Stone. Retrieved March 24, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "1.5m fans crash sites in rush for Jacko gig". Evening Standard. March 11, 2009. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help); Text "http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/showbiz/article-23660868-details/1.5m+fans+crash+sites+in+rush+for+Jacko+gig/article.do" ignored (help) - ^ Cable, Simon (March 13, 2009). "Fans' fury as touts sell Michael Jackson concert tickets for up to £16,000 a pair on black market". Daily Mail. Retrieved March 30, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Miranda, David (March 12, 2009). "Michael Jackson doubles London shows after 2 million seek tickets". Herald Sun. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Schmidt, Veronica (March 11, 2009). "Michael Jackson sells out London concerts and adds more shows". The Times. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Jackson to play 50 gigs at the O2". BBC. (March 12, 2009). Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Waddell, Ray (March 12, 2009). "Update: Michael Jackson Up To 50 London Shows". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Jackson's Tears Of Joy As O2 Shows Sell Out". Sky News. (March 13, 2009). Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ "750,000 tickets for Jackson concerts sell in 4 hours". CNN. (March 13, 2009). Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Swash, Rosie (March 13, 2009). "Michael Jackson's 50 dates at London's O2 arena sell out". The Guardian. Retrieved April 1, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ a b "Jackson delays opening tour dates". BBC. (May 20, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Paine, Andre (March 5, 2009). "Michael Jackson Says London Concerts To Be 'Final Curtain Call'". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Madonna launches another of her own fashion lines". Daily Mirror. (March 6, 2009). Retrieved March 6, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Sherman, William (June 14, 2009). "Michael Jackson, Hubble Telescope draw from New York manufacturing". New York Daily News. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://www.nme.com/news/michael-jackson/45530
- ^ "Michael Jackson Gets Ready For Tour". Sky News. (May 12, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b "Michael Jackson enlists 'High School Musical' director for London O2 shows". NME. (May 12, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "This Is It: Jacko Picks Comeback Gig Dancers". Sky News. (May 19, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Dobuzinskis, Alex (June 19, 2009). "The Hulk trains Michael Jackson ahead of London concerts". Reuters. Retrieved June 19, 2009.
- ^ "Michael Jackson fans launch petition over O2 Arena postponement". NME. (May 21, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "More Jackson tickets up for sale". BBC. June 23, 2009. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
- ^ "Refund issues over Jackson gigs". BBC News. July 26, 2009. Retrieved July 26, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Jackson sued over reunion concert". BBC. (June 11, 2009). Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Michaels, Sean (June 12, 2009). "Michael Jackson sued for 02 Arena residency". The Guardian. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Michaels, Sean (June 12, 2009). "Michael Jackson comeback concerts in jeopardy?". The Guardian. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6580748.ece
- ^ "Michael Jackson's This Is It Tour opening this July in London!". McDonald Selznick Associates. (April 27, 2009). Retrieved April 27, 2009.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
