Welcome 2
Welcome 2 |
Banner advertisement for the North American leg of the tour |
Tour by Prince |
Start date |
December 15, 2010 (2010-12-15) |
End date |
December 19, 2011 (2011-12-19) |
Legs |
3 |
Shows |
48 in North America
24 in Europe
72 Total |
Prince tour chronology |
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Welcome 2 is the common name of the twenty-first concert tour by American musician Prince. The tour began on December 15, 2010 with a leg of the United States, respectively titled Welcome 2 America. It has traveled to Europe in the summer of 2011 under the name Welcome 2 Europe, and Canada in November as Welcome 2 Canada. The tour marks the singer's first performances in North America in over six years. The show is composed of the singer performing his hits with band, The New Power Generation. Along side Prince, various musicians will perform including Janelle Monáe, Esperanza Spalding and Cassandra Wilson. The title of the tour varied depending on the territory where it was performing. The tour placed 39th on Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour", earning nearly $20 million dollars.1[1]
Background
Prince announced the tour on October 14, 2010 at the famed Apollo Theater in New York City.[2] He stated the tour would began in Greater New York. He further explained to the audience each show would be different. "Come early, come often. I have a lot of hits... no two shows will be the same". For the tour, Prince will play a custom gold Fender Stratocaster (made by the Fender Custom Shop), which will auctioned off at the end of the tour. The proceeds will benefit the Harlem Children's Zone.[3]
The concerts are staged in the round, with the stage shaped like the singer's iconic love symbol.[4] During shows, Prince invited several celebrities to come onstage and "jam out" with him. The is numerous and includes: Naomi Campbell, Whoopi Goldberg, Jamie Foxx, Alicia Keys, Leighton Meester, ?uestlove, Sherri Shepherd and Cornel West.[5][6] He also performed duets with specials guests throughout the shows in North America. For "The Beautiful Ones", Prince is joined onstage by ballet dancer, Misty Copeland.[7] During the concert at Madison Square Garden on December 29, 2010, Janelle Monáe performed "If I Was Your Girlfriend" with the singer. During the same show, Cyndi Lauper and Egypt Sherrod performed "Jungle Love".[6]
Following his shows in Greater New York, Prince expanded the tour to include the San Francisco Bay Area and The Carolinas. In April, he announced he would perform a twenty-one night residency show at The Forum in Inglewood, California, during an appearance on Lopez Tonight.[8] Dubbed, "Welcome 2 America: 21-Night Stands", the singer performed throughout the months of April and May, including stops in Fresno, San Jose and Sacramento. As the tour continued, Prince performed at several music festivals in Europe. In the fall of 2011, he announced he would bring his tour to Canada, his first performances in the territory in nearly ten years.
Opening acts
Setlist
The following is a comprehensive list of songs performed during specific shows during the tour. They are not representative of the entire trek.
February 23, 2011
- "Let's Go Crazy"
- "Delirious"
- "1999"
- "Little Red Corvette"
- "The Glamorous Life" (contains elements of "Soul Sacrifice") (performed with Sheila E.)
- "Somewhere Here on Earth"
- "I Love U, but I Don't Trust U Anymore"
- "Controversy" (contains elements of "Batdance")
- "Play That Funky Music"
- "A Love Bizarre" (performed with Sheila E.)
- Medley: "Sexy Dancer" / "Le Freak" / "Love Rollercoaster"
- "Controversy" (Reprise) (contains excerpts from "Housequake")
- "If I Was Your Girlfriend"
- "Kiss"
- "Purple Rain"
- Encore
- "Dance (Disco Heat)" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "Baby I'm a Star"
- Medley: "When Doves Cry" / "Nasty Girl" / "Sign '☮' the Times" / "Alphabet St."
- "My Love Is Forever"
- "Darling Nikki" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "Pop Life" (contains excerpts from "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)")
- "Black Sweat"
- "Jungle Love"
April 14, 2011
- "D.M.S.R."
- "Pop Life"
- "Extraordinary"
- Medley: "Uptown" / "Raspberry Beret" / "Cream"
- "Cool" (contains elements of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough")
- "Let's Work"
- "U Got the Look"
- "Purple Rain"
- "Let's Go Crazy"
- "Delirious"
- "1999"
- "The Beautiful Ones"
- "Little Red Corvette"
- "Kiss"
- Medley:
- "When Doves Cry"
- "Nasty Girl"
- "Sign '☮' the Times"
- "Darling Nikki" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "777-9311"
- "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "If I Was Your Girlfriend"
- "Insatiable"
- "Scandalous!"
- "Adore"
- "A Love Bizarre" (performed with Sheila E.)
- Encore
- "Play That Funky Music"
- "Controversy" (contains excerpts from "Housequake")
- "The Glamorous Life" (contains elements of "Soul Sacrifice") (performed with Sheila E.)
- "Peach" (performed with Sheila E.)
- "Dance (Disco Heat)"
- "Baby I'm a Star"
- "Stratus" (Instrumental Interlude)
- Medley:
- "Sometimes It Snows in April"
- "Laydown"
- "Endorphinmachine"
- "She's Always in My Hair"
- "Dreamer"
- "Welcome 2 America"
March 24, 2011
- Medley:
- "When Doves Cry"
- "Nasty Girl"
- "Darling Nikki" (Instrumental Interlude)
- "Sign '☮' the Times"
- "777-9311"
- "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"
- "Uptown"
- "Raspberry Beret"
- "Cream"
- "Cool" (contains elements of "Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough")
- "Let's Work"
- "U Got the Look"
- "Nothing Compares 2 U"
- "Take Me with U"
- "Anotherloverholenyohead"
- "Controversy" (contains elements of "Batdance")
- "Play That Funky Music"
- "Which Way Is Up?"
- "Controversy" (Reprise) (contains excerpts from "Housequake")
- "I Want to Be Free"
- "Shhh"
- "The Beautiful Ones"
- "Diamonds and Pearls"
- "Something in the Water (Does Not Compute)"
- "How Come U Don't Call Me Anymore?"
- "If I Was Your Girlfriend"
- "Kiss"
- "Purple Rain"
- Encore
- "Dance (Disco Heat)"
- "Baby I'm a Star"
Tour dates
Date |
City |
Country |
Venue |
North America[9][3][17] |
December 15, 2010 |
East Rutherford |
United States |
Izod Center |
December 17, 2010 |
December 18, 2010 |
New York City |
Madison Square Garden |
December 29, 2010 |
January 18, 2011 |
February 7, 2011 |
February 21, 2011 |
Oakland |
Oracle Arena |
February 23, 2011 |
February 24, 2011 |
March 21, 2011 |
Columbia |
Colonial Life Arena |
March 23, 2011 |
Raleigh |
RBC Center |
March 24, 2011 |
Charlotte |
Time Warner Cable Arena |
March 26, 2011 |
Greensboro |
Greensboro Coliseum |
March 28, 2011 |
Greenville |
BI-LO Center |
March 30, 2011 |
North Charleston |
North Charleston Coliseum |
April 14, 2011[A] |
Inglewood |
The Forum |
April 21, 2011[A] |
April 22, 2011[A] |
April 23, 2011[A] |
April 28, 2011[A] |
April 29, 2011[A] |
April 30, 2011[A] |
May 5, 2011[A] |
May 6, 2011[A] |
May 7, 2011[A] |
May 13, 2011[A] |
May 14, 2011[A] |
May 18, 2011 |
Fresno |
Save Mart Center |
May 19, 2011 |
San Jose |
HP Pavilion at San Jose |
May 21, 2011 |
May 22, 2011 |
Sacramento |
Power Balance Pavilion |
May 27, 2011[A] |
Inglewood |
The Forum |
May 28, 2011[A] |
May 29, 2011[A] |
June 24, 2011[B] |
Montreal |
Canada |
Métropolis |
June 25, 2011[B] |
Europe[18][19] |
June 30, 2011 |
Paris |
France |
Stade de France |
July 2, 2011[C] |
Gdynia |
Poland |
Babie Doły Airfield |
July 3, 2011[D] |
Beltring |
England |
Hop Farm Country Park |
July 5, 2011 |
Ghent |
Belgium |
Sint-Pietersplein |
July 6, 2011 |
July 8, 2011[E] |
Rotterdam |
Netherlands |
Ahoy Rotterdam |
July 9, 2011[E] |
July 10, 2011[E] |
July 13, 2011 |
Esch-sur-Alzette |
Luxembourg |
Rockhal |
July 15, 2011[F] |
Perugia |
Italy |
Arena Santa Giuliana |
July 16, 2011[G] |
Lucca |
Piazza Napoleone |
July 21, 2011 |
Helsinki |
Finland |
Hartwall Areena |
July 24, 2011 |
Amsterdam |
Netherlands |
Melkweg |
July 25, 2011 |
July 26, 2011 |
Rotterdam |
Ahoy Rotterdam |
July 28, 2011 |
Cologne |
Germany |
Lanxess Arena |
July 30, 2011 |
Malahide |
Ireland |
Malahide Castle |
August 2, 2011 |
Oslo |
Norway |
Oslo Spektrum |
August 3, 2011 |
August 6, 2011[H] |
Copenhagen |
Denmark |
10 Øren |
August 7, 2011[H] |
August 9, 2011[J] |
Budapest |
Hungary |
Óbuda Island |
August 12, 2011[K] |
Gothenburg |
Sweden |
Slottsskogen |
August 17, 2011 |
Zurich |
Switzerland |
Hallenstadion |
North America[20][21] |
November 25, 2011 |
Toronto |
Canada |
Air Canada Centre |
November 26, 2011 |
November 30, 2011 |
Halifax |
Halifax Metro Centre |
December 2, 2011 |
Montreal |
Bell Centre |
December 3, 2011 |
Ottawa |
Scotiabank Place |
December 5, 2011 |
London |
John Labatt Centre |
December 8, 2011 |
Winnipeg |
MTS Centre |
December 13, 2011 |
Edmonton |
Rexall Place |
December 14, 2011 |
Calgary |
Scotiabank Saddledome |
December 16, 2011 |
Vancouver |
Rogers Arena |
December 17, 2011 |
Victoria |
Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre |
December 19, 2011 |
Tacoma |
United States |
Tacoma Dome |
- Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
- Cancellations and rescheduled shows
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December 14, 2010 |
East Rutherford, New Jersey |
Izod Center |
Cancelled[9] |
February 4, 2011 |
Dallas, Texas |
theEvent Tent Complex |
Cancelled.[30] The concert was to benefit the Goss-Michael Foundation |
July 23, 2011 |
Oslo, Norway |
Oslo Spektrum |
Rescheduled to August 2, 2011 due to the 2011 Norway attacks |
July 24, 2011 |
Oslo, Norway |
Oslo Spektrum |
Rescheduled to August 3, 2011 due to the 2011 Norway attacks |
August 4, 2011 |
Berlin, Germany |
O2 World |
Cancelled |
December 11, 2011 |
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan |
Credit Union Centre |
Cancelled |
Box office score data
Venue |
City |
Tickets Sold / Available |
Gross Revenue |
Madison Square Garden[A] |
New York City |
70,855 / 72,911 (97%) |
$7,592,092[31] |
Oracle Arena |
Oakland |
42,475 / 42,475 (100%) |
$4,418,308[32] |
Save Mart Center |
Fresno |
11,918 / 13,028 (91%) |
$837,960[33] |
Bell Centre |
Montreal |
8,753 / 10,900 (80%) |
$1,113,260[34] |
John Labatt Centre |
London |
8,790 / 9,053 (97%) |
$958,695[34] |
- Notes
- A The gross for the January 18th concert at Madison Square Garden placed second on Billboard's "Hot Tours", for the month of January 2011.[35]
Notes
- 1.^ The annual Pollstar raking of the concert industry's top performing artists is tabulated for all worldwide shows, worked between January 1 and June 30, 2011. All ticket sales figures are calculated in U.S. dollars and are based on reported information and extensive research by Pollstar.
References
- ^ "Top 50 Worldwide Tours (01/01/2011 – 06/30/2011)". Pollstar. July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320333100RYTMYKPBRO. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (14 October 2010). "Prince Announces 'Welcome 2 America' Tour". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320235415FXBQTLDPJW. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b "PRINCE "WELCOME 2 AMERICA" EXCLUSIVE NORTH AMERICAN PERFORMANCES IN NEW YORK AREA" (Press release). Izod Center Official Website. 25 October 2010. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320238886JTUCFTGVCG. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ "Seating Chart for Prince – Welcome 2 America". Izod Center Official Website. New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320241060PHDYTDJOAI. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Johnston, Maura (20 December 2010). "Prince Parties With Naomi Campbell, Whoopi Goldberg Onstage at MSG". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320236738KLCQCJDMJY. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b Perpetua, Matthew (30 December 2010). "Prince Performs Killer Show With Help From Janelle Monáe, Cyndi Lauper". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media LLC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320236210JFBGOICKAD. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Cohen, Stefanie (26 December 2010). "Prince finds a ballet muse". New York Post. News Corporation. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320235577HUBOOJJDYU. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b Evans, Rob (8 April 2011). "Prince plans extended "Welcome 2 America" run for Los Angeles". SoundSpike. SoundSpike Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320241257BDNWQAJBOI. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f "Prince – Welcome 2 America". Izod Center Website. New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320237664TTRNBRSHSK. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ "Live Review: Prince at the Oracle Arena". San Francisco Bay Guardian. 22 February 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320242303GHQEHYXAPI. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b Anderson, Kyle (30 December 2010). "Prince Keeps The Party Hot At Madison Square Garden 'Welcome 2 America' Show". MTV Newsroom. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320237099JMDJGCKVRI. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Reitz, Allison (11 March 2011). "Prince tours Carolinas with six new 'Welcome 2 America' concerts". Ticket News. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320314620YEHRCVXUGC. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Little, Caryn (16 March 2011). "Prince Announces Opening Act for Charlotte Tour". WCCB. Bahakel Communications. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320314401MYWYGRKCYX. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Sources for selected setlists in the Greater New York area:
- ^ Sources for selected setlist in the California area:
- ^ Hahne, Jeff (25 March 2011). "Live review: Prince". Creative Loafing. Archived from the original on 3 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320321180BBYXWKIFER. Retrieved 3 November 2011.
- ^ Additional sources for dates in North America:
- ^ Narlian, Laure (30 June 2011). "Prince jeudi soir au Stade de France [Prince: Thursday night at the Stade de France]" (in French). France 2. France Télévisions. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320245313IWSHYUBCVO. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Additional sources for dates in Europe:
- ^ Evans, Rob (28 October 2011). "Prince unveils "Welcome 2 Canada" tour". SoundSpike. SoundSpike Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320244557QMSHRBVWOQ. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ http://www.thenewstribune.com/2011/11/15/1906724/tacoma-purple-will-rain-on-the.html
- ^ Thompson, Arienne (15 June 2011). "Prince performing at Montreal Jazz fest". USA Today. Gannett Company. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320244483SMVTMRMUFR. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Reevers, China (5 May 2011). "Open'er Festival Announces Prince As Headliner". Paste. Wolfgang's Vault. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320245643LAXXZXZHTC. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Horan, Tom (4 July 2011). "Prince, Hop Farm Festival 2011, review". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320245929SEFBDVJWPR. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ "North Sea Jazz 2011 opens in Rotterdam". Radio Netherlands Worldwide. 8 July 2011. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320246439YKFDHOAGOL. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ a b Paloscia, Fulvio (24 June 2011). "Lucca vuole Prince ed è polemica con Umbria Jazz [Prince wants to Lucca and controversy with Umbria Jazz]" (in Italian). la Repubblica. Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320247229JDYWXYPHRI. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Michaels, Sean (19 July 2011). "Prince to curate music festival in Denmark". The Guardian. Guardian Media Group. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320249073ZWAABDKKQU. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Gregory, Jason (11 August 2011). "Prince Dedicates Song To Amy Winehouse At Sziget Festival". Gigwise. Giant Digital. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320249606DNCHAWPSJM. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Osorio, Kim (15 August 2011). "Prince Brings Out Kanye West in Sweden". BET News. BET Networks. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320249803YYCWJGKFVO. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Tarradell, Mario (5 February 2011). "Did Prince dis Dallas? Some truth behind his no-show for Super Bowl concert". The Dallas Morning News. A. H. Belo. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320250422LHGHCSLJWO. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
- ^ Sources for Madison Square Garden Boxscore:
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard (New York City, New York: Prometheus Global Media) 123 (14). 2 April 2011. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 18 June 2011. Archived from the original on 15 June 2011. http://webcitation.org/5zSnmfjuV. Retrieved 15 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard (New York City, New York: Prometheus Global Media) 123 (46). 17 December 2011. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on 8 December 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/63nKJbnDI. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
- ^ Allen, Bob (27 January 2010). "Hot Tours: Garth Brooks, Prince, Jeff Foxworthy". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on 2 November 2011. http://www.freezepage.com/1320240845EQKASANZBZ. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
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