Let's Talk About Love World Tour | ||||
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Promotional poster for 1999 tour |
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Tour by Celine Dion | ||||
Associated album | Let's Talk About Love S'il suffisait d'aimer |
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Start date | August 21, 1998 | |||
End date | December 31, 1999 | |||
Legs | 5 | |||
Shows | 71 in North America 6 in Asia 11 in Europe 88 Total |
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Celine Dion tour chronology | ||||
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The Let's Talk About Love World Tour is the eighth concert tour by Canadian recording artist Celine Dion. Visiting North America, Asia and Europe; the trek supported Dion's fifth English studio album Let's Talk About Love and her eleventh French studio album, S'il suffisait d'aimer. Initially planned for 1998, the success of the tour continued into 1999. In 1998, the tour earned nearly $30 million dollars from its concerts in North America.[1] It was also nominated for "Major Tour of the Year" and "Most Creative Stage Production" at the Pollstar Industry Awards.[2]
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During a press conference following her win at the 25th Annual American Music Awards, Dion stated she would like to start touring during the summer of 1998. Following the award show appearance, the singer performed at the The Crown Showroom in Melbourne and the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu with a set list similar to that in the Falling Into You Tour, but also including "The Reason" and "My Heart Will Go On." The tour was officially announced in February 1998. Originally called Celine Dion: On Tour 1998[3], the tour was set to begin August in Boston, this would mark the third time Dion has begun a tour in the city.[4] She says it is the closet U.S. city to Montreal and considers it a "lucky charm".[4]
The tour was sponsored by Procter & Gamble (Canada), Avon (Europe)[5] and Ericsson (United States).[3] The telecommunications company initiated an aggressive campaign with Dion. Commercials were shown throughout the US and Canada showing concertgoers using their cell phones as lighters during Dion's performance.[3] Those who purchased an Ericsson phone were given a special behind-the-scenes tour video entitled "Celine Dion: In Her Own Words".[3] The tour was met early with controversy as the singer's performance at Madison Square Garden was subject to a ticket scam.[6] During the trek, Dion opened the Broward County Civic Arena. The concert was attended by nearly 20,000 spectators and was sold out with 2 two hours.[7]
Dion further remarked the setlist of the tour will contain songs from her current album, her hits and a few French selections. She continued:
"I'm going to definitely sing the new songs and a few French ones and definitely people's favorite. I can't do them all, unfortunately, because I have to do a two-hour show. It would take a long time to sing all my songs. I hope we have chosen the right ones for people to hear."[8]
During the course of the tour, Dion released a French-language album entitled, S'il suffisait d'aimer and a Christmas album called, These Are Special Times.[4] In November 1998, Dion had her first CBS special promoting the album. It featured Rosie O'Donnell performing "Do You Hear What I Hear?" with Dion. The show received two Emmy Award nominations.[9]The singer ended the year with performing at the Billboard Music Award, Top of the Pops and an appearance on Touched by an Angel.
As the tour continued into 1999, Dion performed in Hong Kong, Japan and an additional outing for North America. During this time, Dion's husband René Angélil was diagnosed with skin cancer.[10] This forced the singer to postponed the remaining dates in the U.S. and the entire European leg. Dion resumed the tour in mid-June and thanked fans for their support during the rough period. After her tour of Europe, Dion's team announced the singer would give a special New Year's Eve concert in Montreal. Dubbed "The Millennium Concert" the show featured a new setlist and special appearances by prominent Canadian singers.[11] At the same time, David Foster began negotiations to have Dion, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston and Luciano Pavarotti to conduct a mini-tour titled "Three Divas and a Tenor". The tour never came to fruition.[12]
In October, Dion opened the new Pepsi Center in Denver, replacing the McNichols Sports Arena. Dion dedicated the concert to the victims and survivors of the Columbine High School massacre. All proceeds from the show were donated to Colorado Organization of Victim Assistance. The singer was joined onstage by the Colorado Children's Chorale to perform "Let's Talk About Love" and "Friend of Mine Columbine"— a memorial song written by Stephen and Jonathan Cohen.[13] The singer stated it would be her last tour as she wanted to focus on becoming a mother.[11] Later, Dion released her first English greatest hits album, All the Way... A Decade of Song. The album was promoted by Dion's second CBS special, taking place at Radio City Music Hall. The special featured Dion performing her classics along with new songs on the album. The show featured duets with 'N Sync and Gloria Estefan. After her break, Dion began her first residency show at the The Colosseum at Caesars Palace from 2003 to 2007. The tour serves as Dion's final concert tour until 2008 for the Taking Chances Tour.
The tour brought a new aspect to performing for Dion. The show was presented in the round. The stage designer Yves Aucoin states he wanted the show to be a big production while having an intimate feel.[14] The stage itself was shaped like a heart with five circular platforms that raised and lowered the members of the stage.[14] Above, four large video screens formed a circular pattern. The floor the stage was three large video screen utilizing the JumboTron technology.[14] Dion initially was nervous performing in the way, as the performer has very little time to relax while on stage.[8] She continues to say she got the idea from attending a Stevie Wonder concert during her childhood.[8] The entire production cost more than $10 million dollars.[15]
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Date | City | Country | Venue | ||
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North America[19][20][21] | |||||
August 21, 1998 | Boston | United States | FleetCenter | ||
August 22, 1998 | |||||
August 25, 1998 | Philadelphia | CoreStates Center | |||
August 26, 1998 | Washington, D.C. | MCI Center | |||
August 30, 1998 | East Rutherford | Continental Airlines Arena | |||
August 31, 1998 | Uniondale | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | |||
September 3, 1998 | New York City | Madison Square Garden | |||
September 4, 1998 | |||||
September 8, 1998 | Toronto | Canada | Molson Amphitheatre | ||
September 9, 1998 | |||||
September 14, 1998 | Chicago | United States | United Center | ||
September 15, 1998 | |||||
September 18, 1998 | Cleveland | Gund Arena | |||
September 19, 1998 | Cincinnati | The Crown | |||
September 22, 1998 | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | |||
September 23, 1998 | |||||
September 25, 1998 | Chapel Hill | Dean Smith Center | |||
September 27, 1998 | Charlotte | Charlotte Coliseum | |||
September 28, 1998 | Nashville | Nashville Arena | |||
September 30, 1998 | Tampa | Ice Palace | |||
October 2, 1998 | Orlando | Orlando Arena | |||
October 3, 1998 | Sunrise | Broward County Civic Arena | |||
October 7, 1998 | Calgary | Canada | Canadian Airlines Saddledome | ||
October 9, 1998 | Vancouver | General Motors Place | |||
October 10, 1998 | Seattle | United States | KeyArena | ||
October 13, 1998 | Oakland | The Arena in Oakland | |||
October 14, 1998 | San Jose | San Jose Arena | |||
October 16, 1998 | Las Vegas | Thomas & Mack Center | |||
October 21, 1998 | Inglewood | Great Western Forum | |||
October 22, 1998 | Anaheim | Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim | |||
October 25, 1998 | Phoenix | America West Arena | |||
November 29, 1998 | Pittsburgh | Civic Arena | |||
December 1, 1998 | Albany | Pepsi Arena | |||
December 5, 1998 | Halifax | Canada | Halifax Metro Centre | ||
December 7, 1998 | Montreal | Molson Centre | |||
December 8, 1998 | |||||
December 11, 1998 | |||||
December 12, 1998 | |||||
December 13, 1998 | |||||
December 17, 1998 | |||||
December 18, 1998 | |||||
Asia[21] | |||||
January 25, 1999 | Kowloon Bay | Hong Kong | Kai Tak Airport | ||
January 28, 1999 | Osaka | Japan | Osaka Dome | ||
January 29, 1999 | |||||
January 31, 1999 | Tokyo | Tokyo Dome | |||
February 1, 1999 | |||||
February 3, 1999 | Nagoya | Nagoya Dome | |||
North America[21][22] | |||||
February 12, 1999 | Honolulu | United States | Aloha Stadium | ||
March 25, 1999 | Minneapolis | Target Center | |||
March 26, 1999 | Milwaukee | Bradley Center | |||
March 29, 1999 | Kansas City | Kemper Arena | |||
March 31, 1999 | Indianapolis | Market Square Arena | |||
April 2, 1999 | Dallas | Reunion Arena | |||
April 4, 1999 | San Antonio | Alamodome | |||
April 6, 1999 | Memphis | Pyramid Arena | |||
April 7, 1999 | Birmingham | BJCC Coliseum | |||
April 11, 1999 | Houston | Compaq Center | |||
April 12, 1999 | New Orleans | Louisiana Superdome | |||
Europe[22][23] | |||||
June 14, 1999 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Amsterdam Arena | ||
June 16, 1999 | Brussels | Belgium | King Baudouin Stadium | ||
June 18, 1999 | Paris | France | Stade de France | ||
June 19, 1999 | |||||
June 20, 1999 | |||||
July 1, 1999 | Zurich | Switzerland | Letzigrund | ||
July 3, 1999 | Munich | Germany | Olympic Stadium | ||
July 6, 1999 | Sheffield | England | Don Valley Stadium | ||
July 8, 1999 | Edinburgh | Scotland | Murrayfield Stadium | ||
July 10, 1999 | London | England | Wembley Stadium | ||
July 11, 1999 | |||||
North America[22][23] | |||||
September 8, 1999 | Montreal | Canada | Molson Centre | ||
September 9, 1999 | |||||
September 11, 1999 | Quebec City | Quebec Coliseum | |||
September 13, 1999 | Ottawa | Corel Centre | |||
September 14, 1999 | |||||
September 17, 1999 | Toronto | Air Canada Centre | |||
September 18, 1999 | |||||
September 20, 1999 | Buffalo | United States | Marine Midland Arena | ||
September 24, 1999 | Boston | FleetCenter | |||
September 25, 1999 | Providence | Providence Civic Center | |||
September 27, 1999 | Columbus | Value City Arena | |||
September 29, 1999 | Omaha | Omaha Civic Auditorium | |||
October 1, 1999 | Denver | Pepsi Center | |||
October 3, 1999 | St. Louis | Kiel Center | |||
October 22, 1999 | Atlantic City | Circus Maximus Theater | |||
October 23, 1999 | |||||
October 24, 1999 | |||||
November 5, 1999 | Sunrise | National Car Rental Center | |||
December 31, 1999 | Montreal | Canada | Molson Centre |
April 16, 1999 | Buffalo, New York | Marine Midland Arena | Rescheduled to September 20, 1999[24] |
April 17, 1999 | Columbus, Ohio | Value City Arena | Rescheduled to September 27, 1999[24] |
April 19, 1999 | Providence, Rhode Island | Providence Civic Center | Rescheduled to September 25, 1999[24] |
April 29, 1999 | Toronto, Canada | Air Canada Centre | Rescheduled to September 17, 1999[24] |
April 30, 1999 | Toronto, Canada | Air Canada Centre | Rescheduled to September 18, 1999[24] |
May 5, 1999 | Ottawa, Canada | Corel Centre | Rescheduled to September 13, 1999[24] |
May 6, 1999 | Montreal, Canada | Molson Centre | Rescheduled to September 13, 1999[24] |
May 7, 1999 | Montreal, Canada | Molson Centre | Rescheduled to September 14, 1999[24] |
May 27, 1999 | Dublin, Ireland | Croke Park | Cancelled[25] |
May 29, 1999 | Belfast, Northern Ireland | Belfast Botanic Gardens | Cancelled[25] |
May 31, 1999 | Birmingham, England | Alexander Stadium | Cancelled[25] |
June 3, 1999 | Frankfurt, Germany | Waldstadion | Cancelled[25] |
June 5, 1999 | Gothenburg, Sweden | Ullevi Stadium | Cancelled[25] |
June 8, 1999 | Vienna, Austria | Praterstadion | Cancelled[25] |
June 12, 1999 | Cologne, Germany | Müngersdorfer Stadion | Cancelled[25] |
June 22, 1999 | Lyon, France | Stade de Gerland | Cancelled[25] |
June 24, 1999 | Marseille, France | Stade Vélodrome | Cancelled[25] |
June 27, 1999 | Lisbon, Portugal | Estádio José Alvalade | Cancelled[25] |
June 29, 1999 | Barcelona, Spain | Palau Sant Jordi | Cancelled[25] |
Venue | City | Tickets Sold / Available | Gross Revenue |
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FleetCenter | Boston | 35,342 / 35,342 (100%) | $1,950,481[26] |
CoreStates Center | Philadelphia | 19,428 / 19,438 (~100%) | $1,110,747[27] |
Continental Airlines Arena | East Rutherford | 19,075 / 19,075 (100%) | $1,172,810[28] |
Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Uniondale | 16,909 / 16,909 (100%) | $1,004,330[28] |
Madison Square Garden | New York City | 37,448 / 37,448 (100%) | $2,256,115[28] |
United Center | Chicago | 38,436 / 38,436 (100%) | $2,402,720[29] |
The Palace of Auburn Hills | Auburn Hills | 41,212 / 41,212 (100%) | $2,253,511[30] |
Dean Smith Center | Chapel Hill | 19,942 / 19,942 (100%) | $1,031,378[30] |
Nashville Arena | Nashville | 17,895 / 17,895 (100%) | $980,536[31] |
Ice Palace | Tampa | 17,987 / 19,558 (92%) | $986,115[30] |
General Motors Place | Vancouver | 18,858 / 18,858 (100%) | $653,579[32] |
KeyArena | Seattle | 14,986 / 14,986 (100%) | $844,925[32] |
The Arena in Oakland | Oakland | 17,832 / 17,832 (100%) | $1,115,100[32] |
San Jose Arena | San Jose | 17,648 / 17,648 (100%) | $1,073,177[32] |
Thomas & Mack Center | Las Vegas | 17,013 / 17,842 (95%) | $1,178,721[33] |
Great Western Forum | Inglewood | 14,821 / 14,821 (100%) | $894,590[34] |
Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim | Anaheim | 16,043 / 16,043 (100%) | $923,845[33] |
America West Arena | Phoenix | 17,489 / 17,489 (100%) | $995,343[33] |
Civic Arena | Pittsburgh | 17,347 / 17,347 (100%) | $986,476[35] |
Pepsi Arena | Albany | 13,774 / 13,774 (100%) | $853,295[36] |
Molson Centre | Montreal | 204,152 / 204,340 (99%) | $8,038,183[37][38][39] |
Target Center | Minneapolis | 17,791 / 18,174 (98%) | $963,771[40] |
Bradley Center | Milwaukee | 18,765 / 18,765 (100%) | $1,019,734[40] |
Kemper Arena | Kansas City | 18,471 / 18,471 (100%) | $982,038[41] |
Market Square Arena | Indianapolis | 15,697 / 15,697 (100%) | $898,713[41] |
Reunion Arena | Dallas | 17,765 / 17,765 (100%) | $992,233[41] |
Alamodome | San Antonio | 17,715 / 17,715 (100%) | $1,047,750[42] |
Pyramid Arena | Memphis | 15,991 / 17,000 (94%) | $948,130[43] |
Compaq Center | Houston | 15,847 / 15,847 (100%) | $904,499[42] |
Louisiana Superdome | New Orleans | 20,047 / 20,047 (100%) | $1,153,582[43] |
Corel Centre | Ottawa | 32,437 / 32,437 (100%) | $1,435,498[44] |
Air Canada Centre | Toronto | 37,138 / 37,138 (100%) | $1,786,345[44] |
Marine Midland Arena | Buffalo | 18,070 / 18,070 (100%) | $977,299[38] |
Value City Arena | Columbus | 16,370 / 16,370 (100%) | $924,251[45] |
Kiel Center | St. Louis | 19,354 / 19,354 (100%) | $1,089,942[45] |
National Car Rental Center | Sunrise | 18,179 / 18,701 (97%) | $1,114,765[46] |
TOTAL | 933,274 / 937,786 (99%) | $48,944,527 |
The first glimpse of the tour came via Dion's music video to "S'il suffisait d'aimer", which was recorded during her concert in Chicago. Footage of that show, along with footage of one the December 1998 Montreal concerts was also shown on the TV special "Un An Avec Céline" hosted by Julie Snyder. The final show at the National Car Rental Center was filmed and showed on The Oprah Winfrey Show. The special also includes a behind the scenes feature. The singer also performed "To Love You More" live in Tokyo for the United Negro College Fund's "An Evening of Stars." The millennium concert was aired on TVA (Canada).
The concerts at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis were recorded for a CD/DVD package. The performances were released under the title Au cœur du stade (meaning At the Heart of the Stadium). The package were released separately with DVD following the CD release. The DVD includes exclusive footage from the making of S'il suffisait d'aimer and Let's Talk About Love. It features an appearance by guest star Sir George Martin, and rare footage of Céline Dion, Barbra Streisand, David Foster, and the "Tell Him" lyricists chatting around the piano.
For the show, Jean-Jacques Goldman joined Celine Dion on "J'irai où tu iras", "To Love You More" features Taro Hakase on violin, and Diana King can be seen on a screen during "Treat Her Like a Lady." The CD contains an abbreviated version of the concert, primarily showcasing her French-language songs. A live video of 'Dans Un Autre Monde" was used to promote both the CD and DVD packages. The anglophone version of the tour has not been released to the public.
For the tour, Dion received many positive reviews from music critics. Many of the writers commended the singer's connection with the audience, despite the massive size. For the inaugural concert in Boston, Steve Morse (The Boston Globe) writes despite Dion's nerves, she was able to pull off a successful concert. He continues, "For pure entertainment, however, this was a volcanic triumph. Dion thanked Boston fans for being "lucky charm people"; this was the third time she opened a world tour here. This was the biggest, for Queen Celine now reigns".[47]
At The Arena in Oakland, James Sullivan (San Francisco Chronicle) felt the night showed off Dion's prowess as a performer. He elaborated, "Easily the best part of the 80-minute set came when Dion summoned her band to center stage, where they sat on the lip of the riser as she essayed a medley of some favorite songs. Roberta Flack's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', the Beatles' 'Pet Sounds'-inspired 'Because' and Eric Clapton's 'Tears in Heaven' were all delivered with tender care—no small feat in a basketball gym. Even Sinatra's 'All the Way' steered clear of swagger, and the accordion gave all four songs a touch of Dion's romantic French-language roots".[48]
Adam Sandler (Variety) provided a positive review of Dion's concert at the Great Western Forum. He states, "To her credit, Celine Dion kept the vocal histrionics and hyper stage movements she has become known for to a minimum during her sold-out show Wednesday at the Forum, preferring instead to illustrate her evolution as an artist through singing prowess and a relaxed stage manner".[49] Jane Stevenson (Jam! Music) gave the singer's show at the new Air Canada Centre four out of five stars. She says, "But as the first song of the night, 'Let's Talk About Love', progressed, her nine-person band eventually rose up alongside her, while a children's choir later took the stage for the song's big ending".[50]
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