Doll Domination Tour

Doll Domination Tour was the second and final concert tour by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls. It was launched in support of their second studio album, Doll Domination (2008). Doll Domination Tour consisted of fifty two shows in 2009 in four legs with concerts in Europe, North America and in Oceania. Before heading to the Oceania shows The Pussycat Dolls supported Britney Spears in the first leg of The Circus Starring Britney Spears (2009). In July the group returned to England and Ireland headlining several festivals. The set list for the concerts included songs from PCD (2005) and Doll Domination as well a cover of Shirley Bassey's Big Spender.

Background

On August 2008, in an interview with FemaleFirst.co.uk, Ashley Roberts said that their world tour would start January 2009 adding "we're gonna be hitting everywhere around the world and taking over."^[1] The tour was officially announced on October 7, 2009. Initial dates were confirmed in the UK with Ne-Yo tapped as a support act.^[2] The following month Lady Gaga was announced as an opening act in Europe and in Oceania which marked their first time touring there, while the US shows were to be announced shortly.^[3] On December 2, 2008, Britney Spears announced the first leg of twenty-five dates in the US for The Circus Starring Britney Spears with The Pussycat Dolls as the opening act.^[4] The tour kicked off on January 18 in Aberdeen, Scotland with the first leg ending in Belgrade, Serbia. Before heading to the Oceania shows, The Pussycat Dolls supported Spears on her tour visiting 27 venues in North America.^[5] Following Oceania, they visited Asia and North America and in July they visited England and Ireland for various festivals.

Development

The stage screens for the tour were created by Stimulated, Inc.^[6] The videos included original design and animation looks for 25 songs.^[7] The company spent two months at its Burbank studio creating the visual content for the tour. The opening video sequence of the tour was filmed at a sound stage in Hollywood, California. The group were riding motorcycles against a green screen backdrop. Then, along with The Pussycat Dolls they traveled to Leeds, United Kingdom. Along with Robb Wagner and his team, the Dolls and their creative team, worked hand-in-hand polishing the media content.^[6] The Pussycat Dolls spent six days in the Litestructures Studios for a full production rehearsal.^[8] The stage was designed by Litestructures. It marked the fourth time that the company worked with The Pussycat Dolls. It measured 32ft(w) x 24ft(deep) and 8ft(tall) - made to fit on 60ft x 44ft house stage. It featured includes three custom-built staircases which were made of small aluminium frame with a makrolon top.^[8] The set list of the shows included songs from the standard and deluxe edition of Doll Domination (2008) as well songs from their debut studio album, PCD (2005). Big Spender by Shirley Bassey was covered by Melody Thornton, as well cover versions of other artists which were used as snippets to songs. During the performances, the group was backed by five male dancers and two percussionists. During the opening leg of the tour, each show was recorded live and then loaded to The Pussycat Dolls wristband that plugs into any USB port or compatible microSD phone.^[9][10] According to Metro The Pussycat Dolls were reportedly planning to make a behind-the-scenes movie about life on their tour. According to an insider the band had started filming for the movie which was described "as part documentary and part entertainment." Despite this no official recording has been released of the concert tour.^[11]

Critical response

While reviewing the opening concert in Aberdeen, Colene McKessick of the newspaper The Press and Journal described it as a "roof-raising show."^[12] The writer praised the show for its "risque dance moves and infectious energy." She also commended Nicole Scherzinger's ability to carry most of the vocals and was impressed by her bandmates describing them as "talented singers too."^[12] Sally Hind of the Evening Express gave a positive revire of the opening night writing "the five foxy felines didn’t once pause for breath. They were on the move from the minute they appeared on stage on shiny motorbikes until they took their final bow."^[13] She also praised the costumes of the show that "kept everyone fixated."^[13]

Barbara Hodgson of The Journal Her only complaint was that "they screamed too much." ^[14] A writer for the Evening Chronicle praised both Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo for setting the bar high for the group however he was later proved wrong writing "not only did they raise the bar but they somersaulted over it."^[15] The writer went on to praise Scherzinger calling her an "undisputed queen," and noted the "[proved] their critics wrong, the girls sang live and nailed every line.^[15] Lauren Richards of the Birmingham Mail graded it four out five describing it "spectacular, fast paced and great fun."^[16] Zoe Kirk of the Nottingham Post commented "This is more than just an ordinary, flimsy girl band; this is the manifestation of some of the best choreographers, beat-makers and catchy pop lyricists the mainstream has to offer." She ended her review writing "This was the Doll Domination their latest album promises."^[17]

Opening acts

• Lady Gaga (Europe, Oceania) (select dates)^[18]
• Ne-Yo (United Kingdom) (select dates)^[2]
• Queensberry (Europe) (select dates)
• Victoria (Czech Republic)^[19]
• Marián Čekovský and Laci Strike (Slovakia) ^[20]
• Havana Brown (Australia)
• Q-York (Philippines)^[21]
• After School (South Korea)^[22]
• Son Dam Bi (South Korea)^[22]

Setlist

The following set list is representative of the show on February 24, 2008. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.^[23]

1. "Takin' Over the World"
2. "Beep"
3. "I Don't Need a Man"
4. "Elevator"
5. "I Hate This Part"
6. "Buttons"
7. "Wait a Minute"
8. "Love the Way You Love Me"
9. "Space" (Melody Thornton solo)
10. "Played" (Ashley Roberts solo)
11. "Don't Wanna Fall In Love" (Kimberly Wyatt solo)
12. "If I Was a Man" (Jessica Sutta solo)
13. "Hush Hush" (Nicole Scherzinger solo)
14. "Hey Big Spender"
15. "Whatcha Think About That"
16. "Whatchamacallit" (Male dancers interlude)
17. "Magic"
18. "Bottle Pop"
19. "Halo" (Nicole Scherzinger solo)
20. "Stickwitu"

Encore

1. "Don't Cha"
2. "When I Grow Up"

Additional notes

• From January 18, 2009 the black outfits worn in the beginning of the show, were replaced by graffiti top style and check shorts/skirts. During the first costume change, they added only corsets.
• "Love The Way You Love Me" was performed only in the first show in Aberdeen. They later canceled it and made it an interlude for Nicole Scherzinger introducing the girls for their solo parts.
• On 28 January 2009 at London, England during the Bottle Pop Contest Robin Antin was a guest.
• On March 11, 2009 "Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny)" was added to the set list and they also re-arranged some of the songs.
• On March 23, 2009 The Pussycat Dolls did not perform due to Nicole Scherzinger being sick.^[24]
• On May 5, 2009 Girlicious performed instead of The Pussycat Dolls. Their final official show of this tour was May 3, 2009.
• On May 22, 2009 in Sydney Jessica Sutta broke her rib during the performance in Hush Hush; Hush Hush. She performed once more in the second show in Melbourne,^[25] but fractured her rib completely.
• During the show in Seoul, South Korea Melody Thornton injured her knee. She was only able to perform a few numbers with the Dolls, they re-scheduled the Taiwan show for 25 September, but then later cancelled it.

Tour dates

Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

^A This concert was a part of Cornell University's Slope Day.^[26]

^B This concert was a part of "Newmarket Nights".^[33]

^C This concert was a part of "Killarney Summerfest".^[34]

^D This concert was a part of "Summer Pops Festival".^[35]

^E This concert was a part of "Silverstone Nights".^[36]

^F This concert was a part of "Sound Island Music Festival".^[37]

^G This concert was a part of "Music Nights".^[38]

Cancelled shows

Box office score data

References