Back to Basics Tour
The Back to Basics Tour was the fourth concert tour and third world tour by American singer Christina Aguilera. The tour was launched to support her fifth studio album, Back to Basics (2006). It visited Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia from late 2006 to mid 2007. Though initially planned, four dates for New Zealand and Australia were cancelled due to Aguilera's pregnancy with her first child, Max Liron Bratman, born January 12, 2008. In October 2008, three extra dates to Ukraine and Abu Dhabi were added; therefore, the tour was Aguilera's first to visit the Middle East.
| Tour by Christina Aguilera | |
| Location |
|
|---|---|
| Associated album | Back to Basics |
| Start date | November 17, 2006 |
| End date | October 24, 2008 |
| Legs | 4 |
| No. of shows |
|
| Box office | US$48,173,773 (63 dates) ($70,787,845.54 million in 2023 dollars)[1] |
| Christina Aguilera concert chronology | |
The concert was divided into four acts: 1920s, which displayed elements of R&B, funk, rock, and hip hop, Duke Joint, during which Aguilera performed in a red bodysuit, Circus, which employed the circus as the main theme, and the encore. The show in Abu Dhabi was shorter and did not include the encore due to its complexity with choreography and costume changes. The tour received positive reviews from music critics, some of whom were positive towards Aguilera's vocal performance and the show's background visuals, while some others approved the setlist, opining that the songs matched perfectly with each other.
The European leg of the Back to Basics Tour gained a large amount of commercial gross, with two sold-out shows in Dublin and Birmingham. The North American leg in 2007 grossed a total of US$30.6 million and sold 391,428 tickets. Overall, it became the highest-grossing concert tour by a female artist of the year, grossing US$48,287,793 and sold 907,568 tickets.. At the 2007 Billboard Touring Awards, the tour received two nominations for Breakthrough Act and Top Package. A video album, Back to Basics: Live and Down Under, which features the show at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, was released in 2008.
Background edit
Aguilera's fifth studio album titled Back to Basics was released in August 2006. It was described by Aguilera herself as a record utilizing elements of 1920s-1940s jazz, soul, and blues "with a modern twist."[2] The album debuted at number one on record charts of thirteen countries, including the US Billboard 200.[3] Subsequently, Aguilera announced in September 2006 that she would embark on a worldwide concert tour named the Back to Basics Tour, which was described as an "intimate blues/jazz club tour", revealing the first European dates.[4] The following month, dates for U.S. and Canada shows and that both the Pussycat Dolls & Danity Kane would be two of the opening acts for the U.S. leg were announced.[5][6]
On July 31, 2007, a statement was released cancelling the last two shows from the tour, in Auckland, New Zealand, due to the singer's illness. Other two concerts in Melbourne had been previously canceled. She said:[7]
"I would like to apologize once again to all of my fans here in New Zealand for having to cancel my last two shows of my tour. This is my first time in your beautiful country and I have really been looking forward to performing for you all. Unfortunately, I caught a bad flu virus and I have not been able to recover in time. Thank you all for your continued love and support and I can't wait for the next time.
Development edit
After releasing Back to Basics, Aguilera considered launching a tour of small clubs like the Blue Note in New York. "I think there is something really special about doing a performance like that and feeling the energy of a more intimate audience, and that is something we are definitely, definitely going to entertain in the future", she stated.[8] However, Aguilera considered that it is "a more vulnerable approach for your performance. You can't hide behind anything. It's just you, and your audience is right in front of you, but I still love it. I love to perform more than anything else in the world, being on that stage and feeling the energy of the crowd enjoying your music".[8] However, an arena tour would give her more time to work the bigger show and then strip it down to something raw and organic. Before the tour's launching, Aguilera stated that it was her my most inspired show to date. "[Expect] lots of amazing circus elements and throwback elements to the past and the areas that I am inspired by. It's just an interesting show to watch and to be a part of and to use your imagination", she said.[9] Aguilera gave details of the concert, saying:
"[We are] trying to make it as big as possible... my band gets involved in some of the choreography. It's amazing that everybody sort of gets involved. We're all such teammates with each other when we're on that stage and we just all have such fun together. And then we go into sort of a juke joint feel where we kind of you know, slash that with going to church [...] And then we open it up to a circus element (scene), so there's a – so there's quite a journey that goes on, on stage for my audience and as a performer. But it all does have a tie together, so it all kind of makes sense. You really just got to come see the show, all right. It's so much fun to put on and we have a blast with it".[10]
On the stage were at least 600 moving lights and 820 pounds of confetti.[8] Jamie King was hired as the tour director.[11] On her team there were at least 20 members, including her dancers, who "went into training. I'm so proud of them. "They learned how to stilt-walk, how to trapeze, fire-throw. There are so many different circus elements that are involved in the show, and it's just super fun".[8] Aguilera also recruited Roberto Cavalli, who designed ten costumes. All the costumes have a vintage flare, referencing everything from 1940's-era Marlene Dietrich to 1960's bathing suits. He explained: "I am fascinated by the evolution of Christina's musical style, as well as her personal style, which has become increasingly glamorous and sophisticated with amazing attention to detail — all values I share in my design sensibility".[12]
Concert synopsis edit
The show was divided into four sections: 1920s, Duke Joint, Circus and the encore, and lasted for 90 minutes.[13][14] Performances in the 1920s section showcased elements of traditional rhythm and blues, funk, rock, and hip hop.[15] Following a video introduction of "Intro (Back to Basics)", Aguilera appeared onstage and performed "Ain't No Other Man" with eight back-up dancers dressed in sharp white suits.[16] Subsequently, she performed "Back in the Day" as images of classic jazz and soul artists including John Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, and Louis Armstrong appeared on the backdrop.[13] Following that, she performed "Understand" in a mini-dress with long train,[17] and a salsa version of "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)", which featured a reggae beat.[18][19] For the follow-up performance of "Slow Down Baby", Aguilera appeared in a white bodysuit; afterwards, she put on black lace thigh-highs and performed "Still Dirrty" featuring excerpts from "Can't Hold Us Down" as newspapers headlines such as "Christina goes from 'dirrty' to demure" and "Christina cleans up her act" were shown on screens.[18]
The second act, Duke Joint, began with an erotic video interlude of "I Got Trouble", featuring scenes of Aguilera touching herself on bed and bathing in an old fashioned bathtub.[15][20] For this section, Aguilera dressed in a sparkling red bodysuit.[14] Aguilera performed "Makes Me Wanna Pray" on top of a piano, which was backed by a gospel choir.[21] A remake of "What a Girl Wants" followed, featuring elements of reggae music.[22] Duke Joint ended with Aguilera performing "Oh Mother" alone as images of a man repeatedly punching a woman as blood dripped from her face shown on the backdrop.[16]
The third segment, Circus, opened with an interlude of "Enter the Circus" and a brief performance of "Welcome", which portrayed a circus-inspired stage as dancers swung on trapezes and breathed fire.[16] For the performance of "Dirrty", which incorporated elements from "Cell Block Tango" from the Broadway musical Chicago and the classic march "Entrance of the Gladiators" by Julius Fučík, Aguilera rode a carousel horse.[23] Next was the performance of "Candyman", in which Aguilera and the female dancers dressed in sailor styled suits and paid tribute to The Andrews Sisters, recreating a World War II theme.[22][24] For the next number, "Nasty Naughty Boy", Aguilera expressed her S&M fantasy as she took a random male audience member onstage and attached him to the Wheel of Death.[25] For the followup, "Hurt", Aguilera performed alone onstage in a plume outfit while a giant crescent moon descended from the ceiling.[26] The section concluded with "Lady Marmalade", during which Aguilera performed in a pink embellished corset.[27] The encore began with a video interlude of "Thank You (Dedication to Fans...)", featuring excerpts from Aguilera's previous music videos and voice mails from her fans.[22] Aguilera then performed "Beautiful" alone onstage before ended the concert with "Fighter" with her dancers, at the end of which confetti rained down.[28]
2008 Abu Dhabi setlist edit
The 2008 setlist of the Back to Basics Tour in Abu Dhabi, UAE was slightly similar to the 2006-07 setlist, but was shorter and did not have the encore due to the show's complexity.[29] The electropop version of "Genie in a Bottle", titled "Genie 2.0", was performed before the closing song "Fighter".[30]
Critical response edit
The Back to Basics Tour received generally positive reviews from music critics. Jim Farber from the New York Daily News praised the show's accompaniment with a "horn-punctuated" band, the background visuals and the choreography, but called out Aguilera for her oversinging.[31] An editor of the South China Morning Post, Paul Kay, provided a positive review toward the tour, applauding its synopsis and Aguilera's voice.[32] Katie Boucher writing for the Abu Dhabi journal The National complimented the concert's setlist and Aguilera's attitude, writing that "you couldn't fail to be impressed by her spirit".[30] Likewise, The Miami Student's Nicole Smith opined that "she really does prove that she is a fighter, through domestic violence, deceit and the basic wear and tear of fame".[19]
An editor from Manchester Evening News opined that the concert had "unusually-genuine message of empowerment" and compared its setlist to Britney Spears's The Onyx Hotel Tour (2004).[33] In a journal for The Press of Atlantic City, Regina Schaffer noted the similarities between the show and Madonna's Confessions Tour (2006) and was not impressed towards the makeovers of Aguilera's previous singles, such as "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" and "What a Girl Wants".[18] Writing for The New York Times, Kelefa Sanneh called the tour "disappointing" because of Aguilera's "misguided" voice.[22] On a more positive side, Cameron Adams from the Herald Sun and Cathy Garcia from The Korea Times praised Aguilera's vocals on the Back to Basics Tour.[34][35]
Barry Walters from Rolling Stone wrote that, "Whereas Madonna pioneered her brand of bustier feminism with knowing finesse, Aguilera and pals opt for strip-club bombast, even when belting pro-female anthems. Now more woman than girl, Aguilera's looking and sounding stronger than ever, but could benefit from a little adult nuance".[16] Joey Guerra, on a review for the Houston Chronicle, praised Aguilera for being "no mere copycat" but "[taking] essential pieces from other performers, other sounds, other eras and blends them into her own sexy style", further concluding that the artist "claims her pop throne".[17] Daily Trojan's Michael Cooper labelled the tour "an almost-perfect pop concert" and commended on the show's "eye-catching" background and Aguilera's costumes.[36]
Conversely, Sarah Godfrey from The Washington Post criticized the setlist and Aguilera's "overconfidence" during the show, but she noted that it was "insignificant" due to Aguilera's vocal performance.[37] Dave Simpson of The Guardian gave the tour a two out of five stars rating, calling the song selection for the setlist "equally confusing" and opined that the tour was "delivered in a similar Mariah Carey tinnitus-inducing wail and the subject matter, generally, is that X-Tina is fantastic, is tough, is a victim and still enjoys sex – though hopefully not at the same time".[14] Critic Kitty Empire from The Observer and Dave Tianen from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted that the songs on the show did not go well with each other.[20][38]
Commercial performance edit
After the United Kingdom leg, the Back to Basics Tour gained a huge number of tickets sold and revenue, with the tickets sold out in Dublin and Birmingham.[39] Combined with the Belgium show, Billboard Boxscore calculated that the 9 shows garnered about $7.8 million.[40] For the North America leg, although Billboard Boxscore did not calculate the attendance and gross for each date, the forty-one date run grossed a total of $28,921,000, with 391,700 tickets sold.[41] After ten concerts held in Asia in early-July 2007, the Back to Basics Tour grossed $43,566,000, and became the second highest-grossing concert tour as of mid year 2007, only behind Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveShow (with $52,187,000 grossed).[42] The concert on July 6 in Taguig, Philippines, was attended by 30,000 people.[43]
Aguilera initially planned a six date tour for the Australian leg. Subsequently, all of the tickets for the six dates had been sold out, leading Aguilera to expand the tour for three more dates in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.[44] Four other dates for Melbourne and Auckland (New Zealand) were also planned, but was cancelled due to Aguilera suffering flu virus.[45][46] The Back to Basics Tour garnered a total of $48.1 million in 2007, becoming the highest-grossing concert tour by a female of the year.[47] At the 2007 Billboard Touring Awards, the Back to Basics Tour received two nominations: "Breakthrough Act" and "Top Package".[48]
Broadcasts and recordings edit
The show filmed at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in Adelaide, Australia on July 17 and 18, 2007, entitled Back to Basics: Live and Down Under, was aired on VH1 at 10 PM on January 26, 2008.[49] RCA Records released the DVD for sales on February 4, 2008.[50]
Setlist edit
The following set list was obtained from the concert held on November 30, 2006, at the Wembley Arena, in London, England. It does not represent all concerts from the duration of the tour.[13]
- "(Back to Basics)" (video introduction)
- "Ain't No Other Man"
- "Back in the Day"
- "Understand"
- "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)" (jazz mix)
- "Slow Down Baby"
- "Still Dirrty" (contains excerpts from "Can't Hold Us Down")
- "I Got Trouble" (video interlude)
- "Makes Me Wanna Pray"
- "What a Girl Wants" (Reggae Mix)
- "Oh Mother"
- "Enter the Circus" (video interlude)
- "Welcome"
- "Dirrty" (contains elements of "Cell Block Tango" and "Entrance of the Gladiators")
- "Candyman"
- "Nasty Naughty Boy"
- "Hurt"
- "Lady Marmalade"
Encore
Shows edit
Cancelled shows edit
| Date (2007) | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 29 | Melbourne | Australia | Rod Laver Arena | Illness[45][46] |
| July 30 | ||||
| August 2 | Auckland | New Zealand | Vector Arena | |
| August 3 |
Personnel edit
- Tour Director – Jamie King
- Musical Director – Rob Lewis
- Choreographer – Jeri Slaughter
- Costume Design – Roberto Cavalli
- Shoes – Christian Louboutin
- Tour Promoter – AEG Live
- Tour Sponsors – Verizon Wireless, Orange, Sony Ericsson
Band edit
- Guitar – Tariqh Akoni and Errol Cooney
- Bass – Ethan Farmer
- Drums – Brian Frasier-Moore
- Saxophone – Randy Ellis and Miguel Gandelman
- Trumpet – Ray Monteiro
- Trombone – Garrett Smith
- Percussion – Ray Yslas
- Background vocals – Sha'n Favors, Sasha Allen (North American & Pacific Leg), Erika Jerry and Belle Johnson (European Leg)
- Dancers – Paul Kirkland, Kiki Ely, Tiana Brown, Dres Reid, Gilbert Saldivar, Monique Slaughter, Nikki Tuazon, Marcel Wilson and Jeri Slaughter
Crew edit
- Stylist – Simone Harouche
- Hair & Make-Up Designer – Steve Sollitto
- Concert Video Design – Dago Gonzalez for Veneno, Inc.
See also edit
References edit
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ Moss, Carey (May 6, 2006). . MTV News. Archived from the original on October 12, 2014.
- ^ . Sony BMG Australia. 28 August 2006. Archived from the original on September 4, 2007.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 11, 2006). "Christina Aguilera Reveals European Tour — Next Up, U.S. Clubs". MTV News.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer. . MTV News. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011.
- ^ http://newstimes.com/news/article/Danity-Kane-making-new-fans-on-Christina-Aguilera-46913.php
- ^ Schulz, Chris (August 2, 2007). "Christina Aguilera cancels Auckland shows". Stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008.
- ^ a b c d "Christina's Tour Takes Fans To Circus, Cabaret Club — And Church?". MTV News.
- ^ "Christina Tells Fans To Expect 'Amazing Circus,' Throwbacks On Tour". MTV News.
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-06-27.
- ^ (BW) Christina Aguilera Back to Basics 2007 North American Tour Houston Chronicle
- ^ . Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
- ^ a b c Walsh, Ben (December 17, 2006). "Christina Aguilera, Wembley Arena, London". The Independent. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ a b c Simpson, Dave (November 24, 2006). "Christina Aguilera, MEN Arena, Manchester". The Guardian. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ a b Varga, George (March 5, 2007). . U-T San Diego. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ a b c d Walters, Barry (April 5, 2007). . Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on December 13, 2013.
- ^ a b Guerra, Joey (February 20, 2007). . Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014.
- ^ a b c Schaffer, Regina (April 2, 2007). . The Press of Atlantic City. Archived from the original on September 12, 2007.
- ^ a b Smith, Nicole (April 12, 2007). . The Miami Student. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
- ^ a b Empire, Kitty (December 3, 2006). "Christina Aguilera, Wembley Arena". The Observer. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ Stevenson, Jane (March 26, 2007). "ACC, Toronto – March 25, 2007". Jam!. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ a b c d Sanneh, Kelefa (March 26, 2007). "Dirrty Girl, Sometimes It's Hard to Be a Woman". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ "Christina's back, better than ever". The Calgary Herald. March 16, 2007.
- ^ Beck, Aaron (April 12, 2007). "Aguilera turns up the volume in glitz-laden spectacle". The Columbus Dispatch. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ "Pyrotek Special Effects Inc. On Tour With Christina Aguilera". Live Design. April 25, 2007. Retrieved July 22, 2014.
- ^ Powers, Ann (March 7, 2007). . Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013.
- ^ Rodriguez, Aurora (May 6, 2007). "Aguilera Goes 'Back to Basics' on Tour". The Ledger. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Usinger, Mike (March 14, 2007). . The Georgia Straight. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ Swan, Melanie (October 25, 2008). . The National. Abu Dhabi. Archived from the original on April 13, 2012.
- ^ a b Boucher, Katie (October 25, 2008). "Christina Aguilera, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi". The National. Abu Dhabi. from the original on July 14, 2014.
- ^ Farber, Jim (March 24, 2007). "Christina glitzes up Garden". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Kay, Paul (July 4, 2007). "An Evening of High Notes with Aguilera". South China Morning Post. from the original on July 20, 2014.
- ^ . Manchester Evening News. August 29, 2007. Archived from the original on July 30, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ Adams, Cameron (July 28, 2007). "Christina Aguilera gets on with show". Herald Sun. from the original on March 8, 2016.
- ^ Garcia, Cathy (June 25, 2007). "Christina Aguilera Shows Off Impressive Vocals". The Korea Times. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ Cooper, Michael (March 8, 2007). . Daily Trojan. Archived from the original on August 2, 2007.
- ^ Godfrey, Sarah (April 3, 2007). "Christina Aguilera: Chops, Not Chaps". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 12, 2014.
- ^ Tianen, Dave (April 22, 2007). "Aguilera shows she has moved on by stepping back". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved July 21, 2014.
- ^ a b "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 1. January 6, 2007. p. 14.
- ^ a b "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 4. January 27, 2007. p. 14.
- ^ a b "Christina Aguilera: Back to Basics Tour – Special Thanks to: Christina Aguilera". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 23. June 9, 2007. p. 45.
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Top Tours, Mid-Year! (43 Million for Christina)". Billboard. July 25, 2007.
- ^ "Back to Basics Tour | Xtina Web". xtina-web.com. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2023-12-25.
- ^ a b . Take 40 Australia. 10 May 2007. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ a b Jessen, Monique (July 30, 2007). . People. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011.
- ^ a b Schulz, Chris (August 2, 2007). "Christina Aguilera cancels Auckland shows". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ Waddell, Ray (December 13, 2007). "The Police Score Top-Grossing Tour Of '07". Billboard. Retrieved June 13, 2014.
- ^ "Billboard: Finalists Unveiled For 2007 Billboard Touring Awards". October 31, 2007.
- ^ Maynard, John (January 26, 2008). "Highlights". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ^ "Back To Basics Live And Down Under [2007] [DVD] [2008]". Amazon.co.uk. 4 February 2008. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (September 11, 2006). . MTV News. Archived from the original on October 23, 2012.
- ^ "Christina Aguilera at Air Canada Centre (Toronto) on 23 Apr 2007". Last.fm. Retrieved 2021-05-11.
- ^ Moss, Corey (July 2, 2007). "Christina's Tour Takes Fans To Circus, Cabaret Club – And Church?". MTV News. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (November 10, 2006). "Christina Aguilera's Heading Back On Tour For 41 North American Dates". MTV News. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
- ^ Asian tour dates for Back to Basics Tour:
- Japan: Brown, Joseph (July 1, 2007). "Christina Aguilera at Cameo Nightclub in Miami Beach". South Beach Magazine. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- Korea: Garcia, Cathy (June 25, 2007). "Christina Aguilera Shows Off Impressive Vocals". The Korea Times. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- China: . Shanghai Daily. June 20, 2007. Archived from the original on January 21, 2008.
- Thailand: "Christina Aguilera Back to Basics Tour – June 28, 2007". Discoverythailand.com. Clicksee Network. from the original on June 17, 2007.
- Singapore: "Celcom Malaysia Flags Off Christina Aguilera in Singapore". HardwareZone. Singapore Press Holdings. July 4, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- Hong Kong: Kay, Paul (July 4, 2007). "An Evening of High Notes with Aguilera". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014.
- Philippines: "Christina Aguilera to Perform in Manila". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 1, 2007. p. 40. Retrieved April 18, 2016.
- ^ . Take 40 Australia. April 16, 2007. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 31. August 4, 2007. p. 14.
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 119, no. 32. August 11, 2007. p. 12.
- ^ "Christina Aguilera to give a double show". Kyiv Post. 8 October 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
- ^ "Aguilera set for Middle East debut". The National. 23 October 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
External links edit
- Aguilera's official website
- AEG official website