Glassheart Tour

Glassheart Tour
European tour by Leona Lewis
Associated album Glassheart
Start date 15 April 2013
End date 13 July 2013
Legs 1
Shows 24
Leona Lewis concert chronology
The Labyrinth
(2010)		 Glassheart Tour
(2013)

The Glassheart Tour was the second headlining concert tour by British recording artist Leona Lewis. It was launched in support of her third studio album, Glassheart (2012). Announced on 8 October 2012, with an initial run of sixteen dates in the United Kingdom, the Glassheart Tour was extended to include five dates in Germany and one in Switzerland. English singer-songwriter Ryan Keen served as the support act. It marks the first time that Lewis has performed material in Europe as part of a headline tour; her previous tour The Labyrinth (2010), only visited the UK.

Lewis was inspired by American hip hop artist and music producer Kanye West's style of performance and noted British playwright William Shakespeare as inspiration for the tour. Lewis performed the set list with her band which consisted mostly of a string quartet and acoustic song arrangements. It was the acoustic performances and Lewis' vocals that garnered the most praise from critics; however, there was a mixed reaction to some of the arrangements such as the reggae influences on "Better in Time". Critics were also divided over the lack of diversity from previous live performances though Lewis' stage presence was commended.

Background and development

Lewis released her third studio album Glassheart on 12 October 2012, almost a year after the original release date of November 2011.[1] The album had been conceptualised in July 2010, following Lewis' completion of her first tour, The Labyrinth.[2] The album title Glassheart was inspired from a conversation that Lewis had with Ryan Tedder. During the conversation, Tedder asked Lewis about her past experiences with love and life in general. Lewis' response led him to the word "Glassheart." During an interview with Clyde 1 radio, Lewis said "Glassheart represents protecting your heart, yourself and protecting your emotions, its very poignant".[3] On 8 October 2012, a week before the album's UK release, Lewis announced her supporting tour of the same name.[4] The tour is named after the album, and although Lewis said she is not American hip hop artist and music producer Kanye West's "biggest fan", she was inspired by his tour performances where he appeared on stage alone and just "did his thing".[5][6]

During an interview with Digital Spy, Lewis told Tom Eames that Glassheart has a running theme about "star-crossed lovers that can't be together", and so it was likely that this idea would feature on the tour. Lewis also cited William Shakespeare as another source of inspiration.[7] She spent the three days of the final tour rehearsals at The Backstage Centre in Purfleet, Essex (UK).[8] The Glassheart Tour was scheduled to visit twenty-one venues across Germany and the United Kingdom. The tour was expected to begin on 15 April in Berlin.[9] The list had expanded from an initial sixteen to include five dates in Germany.[10] Lewis would then proceed with UK dates beginning in Glasgow, including two dates at London's Royal Albert Hall before finishing on 18 May in Plymouth.[11] Speaking about the tour, Lewis said "I can't wait to get out there and play my new songs. I had such fun on my last tour and I'm really excited about doing it again next year."[9] Barclaycard ran a competition which gave fans the chance to win tickets to 6 May concert at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.[12]

Critics reviews

Lewis performing "Better in Time"/"Man Down" at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 May 2013.

In a review for the Express & Star, Elizabeth Joyce said although Lewis was not like her contemporaries: "meat dress-wearing" Lady Gaga or the Russell Brand-marrying Katy Perry, "no one can reach those soft lows or soaring highs quite like her".[13] Joyce praised the concert for showing the best of Lewis' vocal abilities. Focussing predominately on songs from Spirit (2007) and Glassheart (2012), the concert was largely acoustic music with a band and string quartet. In particular Joyce praised Lewis' performances of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Bleeding Love" which earned her standing ovations, in addition to the "note perfect" rendition of "Run".[13] Katherine Hollisey-McLean for the Brighton Herald largely agreed, commenting that if anyone expected Lewis to be "belting out song after song" they were right. Hollisey-McLean praised the decisions to switch the song arrangements, for example adding reggae beats to "Better in Time" and performing the acoustic version of "Trouble".[14] She ended by saying that Lewis' vocals were "flawless" and that her stage presence and confidence had vastly improved over the last seven years.[14]

The Guardian‍ '​s Malcolm Jack was less impressed; he stated that when Lewis tried to diversify the show by dancing or switching the arrangements, she risked becoming the British diva that pop music forgot.[15] Jack said that during a "sassy dance routine" for "Forgive Me" Lewis came off as a "budget Beyoncé", whilst on the "cringey windin' and grindin' reggae take on 'Better in Time' song" she comes across like a "reasonably priced Rihanna".[15] Jack concluded by saying the show was in need of a shot of "adrenaline".[15] In writing for the Nottingham Post, Paul Hindle agreed, saying that when the tempo increased and choreography was introduced "Lewis looked endearingly uncomfortable"; however, Hindle was positive about Lewis' vocals, calling her vocal performance "virtuoso".[16] He concluded that Lewis' "spellbinding rendition" of "Run" was a highlight of the concert, and that fans should not have left disappointed.[16]

Opening act

Set list

Lewis performing "I to You" at the Royal Albert Hall on 9 May 2013

The following set list is representative of the show in Berlin on 15 April 2013. It may not represent the setlist from all of the shows.[18]

  1. "Come Alive"
  2. "Fireflies"
  3. "A Moment Like This" (Acoustic version)
  4. "Collide"
  5. "Forgive Me"
  6. "Better in Time" (contains elements of "Man Down", a song originally performed by Rihanna)
  7. "Happy"
  8. "Sugar"
  9. "I to You"
  10. "Broken"
  11. "Trouble" (Acoustic version)[14]
  12. "Locked Out of Heaven" (A cover originally performed by Bruno Mars)
  13. "Footprints in the Sand"
  14. "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
  15. "Bleeding Love"
  16. "Glassheart"
  17. "Run"
Notes

Tour dates

Lewis performed two concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
List of European tour dates and venues[9][10][19]
Date City Country Venue
15 April 2013 Berlin Germany Tempodrom
16 April 2013 Frankfurt Jahrhunderthalle
18 April 2013 Düsseldorf Mitsubishi Electric Halle
19 April 2013 Hamburg Congress Center Hamburg
21 April 2013 Munich Philharmonie
22 April 2013 Luzern Switzerland KKL
26 April 2013 Glasgow Scotland Clyde Auditorium
27 April 2013 Edinburgh Edinburgh Playhouse
29 April 2013 Ipswich England Regent
30 April 2013 Nottingham Nottingham Royal Concert Hall
2 May 2013 Newcastle Newcastle City Hall
3 May 2013 Sheffield Sheffield City Hall
5 May 2013 Brighton Brighton Centre
6 May 2013 Birmingham National Indoor Arena
8 May 2013 London Royal Albert Hall
9 May 2013
11 May 2013 Oxford New Theatre Oxford
12 May 2013 Cardiff Wales Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
14 May 2013 Manchester England Manchester Apollo
15 May 2013 Liverpool Echo Arena
17 May 2013 Bournemouth International Centre
18 May 2013 Plymouth Plymouth Pavilions
12 July 2013 Scarborough Scarborough Open Air Theatre
13 July 2013 Kew Gardens Royal Botanic Gardens

References

  1. ↑ Anon. (25 January 2012). "Leona Lewis – Leona Lewis' Album Pushed Back Again". Contactmusic.com. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
  2. ↑ Lewis, Leona (28 February 2010). Under the Skin of Leona Lewis (TELEVISION). Interview with Rick Edwards. London: 4 Music. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  3. ↑ Leona Lewis Interview. Clyde 1 Radio. (Global Radio Group). [Radio Interviewer]. Aired 17 September 2012.
  4. ↑ "X Factor winner Leona Lewis coming to Sheffield – 2013 Tour Details". Sheffield Telegraph. Johnston Publishing. 8 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  5. ↑ "Leona Lewis brings Glassheart tour to Plymouth Pavilions in 2013 (news)". SouthWestShows.co.uk (News and Media Republic Ltd). 8 October 2012. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  6. ↑ Dawson, Kim (12 October 2012). "Leona Lewis pens new tunes between the sheets". Daily Star. Northern Shell & Media. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
  7. ↑ Corner, Lewis; Mansell, Tom (16 October 2012). "Leona Lewis interview: "I'd like to release another uptempo single"". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 16 October 2012.
  8. ↑ "Leona Lewis prepares for tour at The Backstage Centre in Purfleet". Your Thurrock. 18 April 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Newsbeat (8 October 2012). "Leona Lewis announces 16-date UK arena tour for 2013". BBC Radio 1. (BBC). Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Leona Lewis Germany Tour 2013". Sony Music Germany. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  11. ↑ Anon. (8 October 2012). "Leona Lewis UK Tour". LeonaLewisMusic.com. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "Prize Draw Offers Chance to Win Tickets to See Leona Lewis at the NIA, Courtesy of Barclaycard Unwind". Marketwire.com. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 Joyce, Elizabeth (7 May 2013). "Review – Leona Lewis – Birmingham NIA". Express & Star. Midlands News Association. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Hollisey, Katherine. "Review: Leona Lewis at the Brighton Centre – What's On". Worthing Herald. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Malcolm Jack (28 April 2013). "Leona Lewis – review | Music". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Hindle, Paul (1 May 2013). "Review: Leona Lewis, Royal Concert Hall". This is Nottingham. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  17. ↑ Corner, Lewis (17 April 2013). "Ryan Keen opens for Leona in the UK". Plymouth Pavilions. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  18. ↑ Corner, Lewis (17 April 2013). "Leona Lewis begins 'Glassheart' tour in Germany – pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Joanou, Andy (13 July 2013). "Leona Lewis covers Rihanna's 'Diamonds' – listen". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Retrieved 13 July 2013.