The Alesha Show (tour)
| Concert tour by Alesha Dixon | |
| Associated album | The Alesha Show |
|---|---|
| Start date | 20 October 2009 |
| End date | 19 November 2009 |
| Legs | 1 |
| No. of shows | 17 |
| Alesha Dixon concert chronology | |
The Alesha Show is a 17-date 2009 concert tour of the United Kingdom by Alesha Dixon, to support her second album, The Alesha Show. The Alesha Show is Dixon's first headlining tour as a solo artist. Dixon stated in an interview prior to the tour's announcement that her biggest goal would be to embark on a concert tour, saying, "The whole concept of a stage show is the most exciting part of what you do so to tour it would be fantastic."[1]
Background
Tickets went on general sale in May, however, members of Dixon's official site had access to the tickets 48 hours prior to general sale.[2]
In July 2009 it was confirmed that Dixon would take on the role of judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Because the show is broadcast live on Saturday night, Dixon had to reschedule three shows in Lincoln, Southampton and Brighton. The tickets purchased for the original dates still remain valid. Dixon made a statement via her official website saying, "I'm so sorry to all my fans for having to change some of my dates. I'm really looking forward to playing live. I can't wait for the tour to start as I have been working so hard for a long time to achieve my dream of my first solo tour. I hope everyone can understand due to the emotional connection I have with the show, it was an exciting opportunity I could not turn down."[3]
Concert synopsis
The main theme of the concerts was a showgirl theme, which Dixon followed throughout, dressing in various showgirl-style costumes and using props such as canes and top hats. The shows typically lasted approximately 70 minutes (excluding the supporting acts' time onstage).[citation needed]
Dixon started the show performing the aptly named track "Welcome to the Alesha Show" whilst descending onto the stage sat on a giant swing wearing a sequin-clad leotard combined with fishnet tights, which had also had sequins sown into them in places.
David Sinclair of The Times commented on "an air of mild hysteria" among the audience at the shows.[4] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian commented on the shows' themes, saying "Her stage act is best thought of as a Venn diagram that incorporates the showgirl elements of Kylie Minogue and the sassy oomph of Beyoncé, with a set-jawed determination that is hers alone".[5] She continued to note that "the production budget, too, is a fraction of the Kylies and Beyoncés of this world: she makes do and mends with just one costume change and a tireless six-man band".[5] Sullivan reviewed the Shepherds Bush Empire show, rewarding it 4 out of 5 stars, and complemented its "good deal of burlesque-style embellishment".[5] She also complimented vocal ability whilst in concert, stating "it was her singing that made the impression: she's more powerful than you would imagine, and when pitted against her band at their most blaring, she more than held her own".[5]
Supporting acts
Setlist
Act 1:
- "Welcome To The Alesha Show" (Introduction)
- "Fired Up"
- "Let's Get Excited"
- "Cinderella Shoe"
- "Chasing Ghosts"
Act 2:
Costume change
- "Breathe Slow"
- "Can I Begin" (Acoustic version)
- "Don't Ever Let Me Go"
Act 3:
Costume change
- Mis-Teeq Medley ("All I Want", "B With Me", "One Night Stand", "Why?")
- "Scandalous"
- "Hand It Over"
- Dance Break (contains elements of the N.E.R.D song "She Wants to Move")
- "Play Me"
- "Lipstick"
- "Knockdown"
- "To Love Again"
Encore:
Costume change
Dance Break
Tour dates
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 October 2009 | Nottingham | England | Royal Centre |
| 21 October 2009 | Reading | The Hexagon | |
| 23 October 2009 | Cardiff | Wales | St David's Hall |
| 26 October 2009 | Liverpool | England | Philharmonic Hall |
| 27 October 2009 | Glasgow | Scotland | Glasgow ABC |
| 28 October 2009 | Newcastle | England | Newcastle City Hall |
| 30 October 2009 | Manchester | Manchester Apollo | |
| 2 November 2009 | Cambridge | Cambridge Corn Exchange | |
| 3 November 2009 | Birmingham | Birmingham Symphony Hall | |
| 4 November 2009 | Bristol | Colston Hall | |
| 6 November 2009 | Folkestone | Leas Cliff Hall | |
| 9 November 2009 | Ipswich | Regent Theatre | |
| 10 November 2009 | Southend-on-Sea | Cliffs Pavilion | |
| 12 November 2009 | London | Shepherd's Bush Empire | |
| 16 November 2009 | Lincoln | Engine Shed[a] | |
| 17 November 2009 | Southampton | Southampton Guildhall[a] | |
| 19 November 2009 | Brighton | Brighton Dome[a] |
- Notes
^ a The Lincoln, Southampton and Brighton dates were rescheduled due to Dixon's role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
Alterations
- During the Manchester concert Dixon invited 13 members of the audience to dance to "Knockdown" with her on stage.[6]
- During the Birmingham concert there was a technical problem with the live band, which led a delay in the concert. During this time Alesha performed a freestyle rap apologizing for the problems, which were resolved during the rap.[7]
References
- ^ "Talking Shop: Alesha Dixon". BBC News. 7 November 2008. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
- ^ http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/news,ticket-ordering-problems-this-morning_95.htm[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2011.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ Sinclair, David (23 October 2009). "Alesha Dixon at the Hexagon, Reading". The Times. London. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d Sullivan, Caroline (13 November 2009). "Alesha Dixon Shepherd's Bush Empire, London". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 March 2010.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 December 2010. Retrieved 5 November 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ http://aleshadixon.net/blog/?p=1703[permanent dead link]