The Best Damn World Tour

The Best Damn World Tour

Promotional poster for tour
Tour by Avril Lavigne
Associated album The Best Damn Thing
Start date March 5, 2008
End date October 6, 2008
Legs 4
Shows 55 in North America
33 in Europe
22 in Asia
110 Total
Avril Lavigne concert chronology
Bonez Tour
(2004–05)		 The Best Damn World Tour
(2008)		 The Black Star Tour
(2011–12)

The Best Damn World Tour is the third concert tour by Canadian recording artist, Avril Lavigne. Supporting her third studio album, The Best Damn Thing, the tour played over 100 concerts in North America, Europe and Asia. The trek was recorded at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto for a live DVD set entitled, The Best Damn Tour: Live in Toronto.

Background

The tour was announced on November 6, 2007.[1] Lavigne performed a private concert at the West Hollywood nightclub, Whisky a Go Go, where she announced her tour produced by Live Nation.[2][3] The singer stated the tour would be "bright" and "colorful" in contrast to her previous shows. Lavigne told the press she felt her previous tours were "stagnant" and "dark".[4] She continued to say she wanted her upcoming trek to be a big flashy production, with a party theme.[5] She would also try to attempt to sing her latest single, "Girlfriend", in different languages. Commenting on her tour announcement, Lavigne elaborated:

"We finally get to go out [on tour] after a year of promo, a lot of hard work, so I'm excited to go out and play live. There's gonna be dancing; it's going to be really upbeat. I'm taking my show to the next level. It's still gonna be very me, and rock-influenced … but it's also gonna be diverse. It's going to open with a bang and dancers, and in the middle of the set [we're] coming down and doing acoustic stuff and me performing by myself. Being that it's my third album, I feel like I'm a lot better now. And I've got, like, 10 singles to play now, which makes it so much easier and so much better. When you play the hits onstage, it's the most exciting part of the show. And I have more to work with now … I have slower songs, songs like 'Sk8r Boi' and 'Girlfriend,' which are more upbeat. There's a lot to it. It's definitely not going to be boring."[2]

The tour premiered in Victoria, British Columbia on March 5, 2008. On the same day, Kohl's launched Lavigne's clothing line, Abbey Dawn.[6] It ended in Beijing; she was the first western artist to do a full tour in China. The tour faced slight controversy when the political group, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party protested the concert. The group felt that Lavigne's "punk" image was not suitable for children and was not appropriate during Merdeka (Independence Day).[7] The concert was initially cancelled but resumed according to plan a few days later.[8] The tour faced additional troubles when Lavigne was forced to cancel the remaining nine shows on her North American leg. The singer cited laryngitis for the cancellations while news outlets cited poor ticket sales.[9] The singer posted an apology on her website and stated if possible, she would make the dates.

Critical reception

The tour received mixed reviews from music critics in the United States and Canada. Mike Devlin (Times Colonist) gave the premiere concert in Victoria, British Columbia two and a half out of five stars. He says, "Granted, it was the opening night of her world tour—which includes 15 dates in Canada—but the so-billed Best Damn Tour wasn’t even the Somewhat OK Damn Tour; it was just plain disappointing. And with tickets in the range of $60, the 75-minute concert clocked in just shy of one dollar per minute. Methinks some parents are feeling the sting right about now".[10] Mike Ross (Jam!) gave the show at Rexall Place three and a half out of five stars. He explains, "I had the knives out last night, but was sadly disappointed that the show at Rexall Place wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. There is precedent: Last time through town, back in ought-five, Lavigne couldn't rock, couldn't sing and couldn't communicate with an audience".[11]

Jason MacNeil (Jam!) felt the show at the Air Canada Centre was one of the best concerts in 2008. He elaborates, "However, when Lavigne strapped on a guitar, as she did during 'My Happy Ending', she appeared to be in her comfort zone, strumming along as hordes of glowsticks and camera flashes dotted the arena. Later on when she sat behind a pink piano for 'When You're Gone', she looked quite at ease".[12] Miriam Ramierez (The Monitor) gave a positive review of the show at the Dodge Arena. She writes, "The excitement was hard to contain and any inkling of a struggling tour was put in the backburner here in the Rio Grande Valley. These kids were ready to party no matter what. I tried so hard to nit pick-tried so hard to find any slip up. And any which way she sang it was on point, full of energy (genuine or not) and super entertaining".[13]

Synopsis

The concert starts off with an anonymous source spraying "Avril" on the screen in black graffiti, and then is colored in with a bright pink. When its fully colored, pink lights shine, stars flash on the screen, and her back up dancers run on with pink flags displaying the logo of her third album. A short instrumental of "Girlfriend" plays, as the flags are waved across the stage. Lavigne comes up on an elevator to perform "Girlfriend". Lavigne briefly talks to the audience, and introduces the next track I Can Do Better. Throughout the concert, Lavigne plays acoustic and electric guitar, drums and piano. A selection of tracks include "Sk8er Boi", "My Happy Ending", "When You're Gone", and the remix of "Girlfriend" featuring Lil' Mama.

Broadcast and recordings

Avril Lavigne: The Best Damn Tour – Live in Toronto was recorded in Toronto, Canada, on April 7, 2008, and released on DVD on 5 September of that year. It was certified Gold in countries such as Argentina, Canada and the U.S. and Silver in the UK.[14][15]

Opening acts

Setlist

  1. "Intro" (Video Introduction)
  2. "Girlfriend"
  3. "I Can Do Better"
  4. "Complicated"
  5. "My Happy Ending"
  6. "I'm with You"
  7. "I Always Get What I Want"
  8. "Best Damn Breakdance" (contains elements of "Unwanted" and "Bleed It Out") (Dance Interlude)
  9. "When You're Gone"
  10. "Innocence"
  11. "Don't Tell Me"
  12. "Hot"
  13. "Losing Grip"
  14. "Bad Reputation" (Video Interlude)
  15. "Everything Back But You"
  16. "Runaway"
  17. "Hey Mickey"
  18. "The Best Damn Thing"
  19. "I Don't Have to Try"
  20. "He Wasn't"
Encore
  1. "Girlfriend" (Dr. Luke Remix)
  2. "Sk8er Boi"

Source:[10]

Tour dates

Lavigne performing in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Date City Country Venue
North America[2][5]
March 5, 2008 Victoria Canada Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre
March 7, 2008 Vancouver General Motors Place
March 8, 2008 Kamloops Interior Savings Centre
March 9, 2008 Kelowna Prospera Place
March 11, 2008 Prince George CN Centre
March 12, 2008 Edmonton Rexall Place
March 13, 2008 Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome
March 15, 2008 Regina Brandt Centre
March 16, 2008 Saskatoon Credit Union Centre
March 18, 2008 Winnipeg MTS Centre
March 20, 2008 Minneapolis United States Target Center
March 21, 2008 Rosemont Allstate Arena
March 22, 2008 Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills
March 25, 2008 Pittsburgh A.J. Palumbo Center
March 26, 2008 Cleveland Quicken Loans Arena
March 28, 2008 Atlantic City Borgata Event Center
March 29, 2008 Buffalo HSBC Arena
March 30, 2008 East Rutherford Izod Center
April 1, 2008 Boston Agganis Arena
April 2, 2008 Montreal Canada Bell Centre
April 3, 2008 Ottawa Scotiabank Place
April 7, 2008 Toronto Air Canada Centre
April 8, 2008 Kingston K-Rock Centre
April 9, 2008 London John Labatt Centre
April 11, 2008 Uniondale United States Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
April 12, 2008 Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena
April 13, 2008 Manchester Verizon Wireless Arena
April 15, 2008 Fairfax Patriot Center
April 18, 2008 Atlanta Philips Arena
April 19, 2008 Tampa St. Pete Times Forum
April 20, 2008 West Palm Beach Sound Advice Amphitheatre
April 21, 2008 Miami American Airlines Arena
April 22, 2008 Biloxi Hard Rock Live
April 24, 2008 Hidalgo Dodge Arena
April 25, 2008 Houston Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
April 26, 2008 Dallas Smirnoff Music Centre
April 27, 2008 Selma Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
April 29, 2008 Las Vegas Pearl Concert Theatre
Europe[21][22]
May 26, 2008 Glasgow Scotland Carling Academy Glasgow
May 27, 2008
May 29, 2008 Manchester England Manchester Evening News Arena
May 30, 2008 Birmingham NEC Arena
May 31, 2008 Cardiff Wales Cardiff International Arena
June 1, 2008 Plymouth England Plymouth Pavilions
June 3, 2008 Bournemouth Windsor Hall
June 4, 2008 London The O2 Arena
June 6, 2008 Dublin Ireland RDS Simmonscourt
June 7, 2008 Belfast Northern Ireland Odyssey Arena
June 9, 2008 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg Rockhal
June 10, 2008 Paris France Zénith de Paris
June 12, 2008 Bolzano Italy PalaOnda
June 13, 2008 Milan DatchForum di Assago
June 14, 2008 Monte Carlo Monaco Grimaldi Forum
June 17, 2008 Munich Germany Zenith die Kulterhalle
June 18, 2008 Düsseldorf Philipshalle
June 20, 2008 Amsterdam Netherlands Heineken Music Hall
June 21, 2008 Brussels Belgium Forest National
June 22, 2008 Mannheim Germany Mannheimer Rosengarten
June 23, 2008 Dresden Freilichtbühne Großer Garten
June 24, 2008 Berlin Columbiahalle
June 26, 2008 Copenhagen Denmark K.B. Hallen
June 28, 2008 Stockholm Sweden Annexet
June 30, 2008 Helsinki Finland Helsinki Ice Hall
July 1, 2008 Tallinn Estonia Saku Suurhall Arena
July 2, 2008 Riga Latvia Arena Riga
July 3, 2008 Vilnius Lithuania Siemens Arena
July 5, 2008 Wrocław Poland Centennial Hall
July 7, 2008 Budapest Hungary Petőfi Csarnok Szabadtér
July 8, 2008 Prague Czech Republic O2 Prague
July 9, 2008 Leoben Austria Hauptplatz Leoben
North America[21][23]
July 22, 2008 Maryland Heights United States Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
July 23, 2008 Noblesville Verizon Wireless Music Center
July 25, 2008 Hershey Hersheypark Stadium
July 26, 2008 Hartford XL Center
July 28, 2008 Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center
July 29, 2008 Charlotte Time Warner Cable Arena
July 30, 2008 Raleigh RBC Center
August 1, 2008[A] Bethleham RiverPlace on Sand Island
August 2, 2008 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Performing Arts Center
August 3, 2008[B] Toms River Township TR North Campus
August 5, 2008 Sudbury Canada Sudbury Community Arena
August 6, 2008 Toronto Molson Amphitheater
August 8, 2008 Saint John Harbour Station
August 9, 2008 Moncton Moncton Coliseum
August 10, 2008 Halifax Halifax Metro Centre
August 12, 2008 St. John's Mile One Centre
August 13, 2008
Asia[20][23][24]
August 29, 2008 Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Stadium Merdeka
September 1, 2008 Seoul South Korea Melon-AX Hall
September 3, 2008 Quezon City Philippines Araneta Coliseum
September 5, 2008 Taipei Taiwan TWTC Hall
September 7, 2008 Kallang Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium
September 10, 2008 Hamamatsu Japan Hamamatsu Arena
September 11, 2008 Niigata International Exhibition Hall
September 13, 2008 Tokyo Yoyogi National Gymnasium
September 14, 2008
September 16, 2008 Tokyo Dome
September 17, 2008 Nagoya Nagoya Rainbow Hall
September 18, 2008
September 20, 2008 Osaka International Conference Hall
September 21, 2008
September 22, 2008 Fukuoka Marine Messe Fukuoka
September 24, 2008 Hiroshima Hiroshima Sun Plaza
September 26, 2008 Cotai Macau Venetian Arena
September 28, 2008[C] Guangzhou China Guangzhou Gymnasium
September 30, 2008 Chengdu Chengdu Sports Centre
October 2, 2008[D] Lijiang Shuhe Sanduo Plaza
October 4, 2008 Shanghai Shanghai Indoor Stadium
October 6, 2008 Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances
A This concert was a part of "Musikfest"[25]
B This concert was a part of "Toms River Fest"[26]
C This concert was a part of the "Shenzhen International Summer Music Festival"
D This concert was a part of the "Lijiang Snow Mountain Music Festival"[27]
Cancellations and rescheduled shows
April 30, 2008 San Diego, California Cox Arena at Aztec Bowl Cancelled[28]
May 2, 2008 Phoenix, Arizona Cricket Wireless Pavilion Cancelled[28]
May 3, 2008 Anaheim, California Honda Center Cancelled[28]
May 4, 2008 Los Angeles, California Gibson Amphitheatre Cancelled[28]
May 6, 2008 Santa Barbara, California Santa Barbara Bowl Cancelled[28]
May 7, 2008 San Jose HP Pavilion at San Jose Cancelled[28]
May 9, 2008 Spokane, Washington Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena Cancelled[28]
May 10, 2008 Everett, Washington Comcast Arena Cancelled[28]
June 15, 2008 Badalona, Spain Palau Municipal d'Esports de Badalona Cancelled[28]
June 30, 2008 Helsinki, Finland Hartwall Areena Moved to Helsinki Ice Hall
July 8, 2008 Prague, Czech Republic T-Mobile Arena Moved to O2 Prague
September 1, 2008 Seoul, South Korea Jamsil Arena Moved to Melon-AX Hall

Box office score data

Venue City Tickets Sold / Available Gross Revenue
Target Center Minneapolis 8,312 / 8,312 (100%) $395,643[29]
Agganis Arena Boston 4,683 / 4,683 (100%) $157,428[30]
Bell Centre Montreal 9,636 / 9,636 (100%) $472,144[31]
John Labatt Centre London 8,968 / 8,968 (100%) $461,080[32]
Patriot Center Fairfax 6,691 / 6,691 (100%) $218,484[33]
Philips Arena Atlanta 8,347 / 8,347 (100%) $171,294[34]
Carling Academy Glasgow Glasgow 4,800 / 4,839 (~100%) $261,386[35]
Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester 11,000 / 11,000 (100%) $540,414[35]
NEC Arena Birmingham 10,000 / 10,000 (100%) $515,176[35]
Cardiff International Arena Cardiff 3,800 / 3,800 (100%) $201,476[35]
Plymouth Pavilions Plymouth 4,000 / 4,000 (100%) $108,192[35]
Windsor Hall Bournemouth 5,662 / 5,662 (100%) $252,121[35]
The O2 Arena London 15,000 / 15,000 (100%) $787,493[35]
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater Maryland Heights 20,606 / 20,606 (100%) $687,270[36]
Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville 24,249 / 24,249 (100%) $647,086[36]
Hersheypark Stadium Hershey 29,130 / 29,130 (100%) $1,882,950[37]
XL Center Hartford 21,830 / 21,830 (100%) $801,643[37]
Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati 20,319 / 20,319 (100%) $648,323[37]
Time Warner Cable Arena Charlotte 18,647 / 18,647 (100%) $777,974[37]
RBC Center Raleigh 19,914 / 19,914 (100%) $685,949[37]
Sudbury Community Arena Sudbury 4,400 / 4,400 (100%) $224,312[38]
Air Canada Centre Toronto 12,500 / 12,500 (100%) $429,580[39]
Harbour Station Saint John 4,283 / 4,283 (100%) $194,089[37]
Moncton Coliseum Moncton 4,324 / 4,324 (100%) $187,414[37]
Halifax Metro Centre Halifax 7,735 / 7,735 (100%) $313,627[37]
Mile One Centre St. John's 12,249 / 12,249 (100%) $577,039[38]
TOTAL 300,237 / 300,237 (100%) $12,997,983

Personnel

Crew[40]
Band[41]

References

  1. ↑ Ingrassia, Lisa (6 November 2007). "Avril Lavigne Announces Tour". People. Time Inc. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Montgomery, James; Hernandez, Liz (7 November 2007). "Avril Lavigne Promises 2008 Jaunt Will Be Her Best Damn Tour Yet". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 17 October 2011. Retrieved 17 October 2011.
  3. ↑ "Avril Lavigne Announces 'Best Damn Tour'" (Press release). PR Newswire. 6 November 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  4. ↑ Mervis, Scott (20 March 2008). "Music Preview: 'Girlfriend' put Avril Lavigne back on the charts and on tour". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Block Communications. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Vineyard, Jennifer; Richard, Yasmine (26 February 2008). "Avril Lavigne Is Tickled Pink About Her Best Damn Tour". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. ↑ "Kohl’s Partners with Rocker Avril Lavigne for New Juniors’ Lifestyle Brand to Launch July 2008" (Press release). Kohl's Corporation. 5 March 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  7. ↑ Teh, Jo (12 August 2008). "Groups slam call to ban concert". The Star. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  8. ↑ Aziz, Faisal; Miglani, Sanjeev (23 August 2008). "Malaysia allows Avril Lavigne to hold concert". Reuters. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  9. ↑ "Singer Avril Lavigne cancels concert". KABC-TV. American Broadcasting Company. 4 May 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Devlin, Mike (6 March 2008). "Hot topics – Avril Lavigne review: Best Damn Show? Not even close". Times Colonist. Postmedia Network. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  11. ↑ Ross, Mike (13 March 2008). "Concert Review: Avril Lavigne Rexall Place, Edmonton – March 12, 2008". Jam!. Quebecor. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  12. ↑ MacNeil, Jason (8 April 2008). "Concert Review: Avril Lavigne ACC, Toronto – April 7, 2008". Jam!. Quebecor. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  13. ↑ Ramirez, Miriam (30 April 2008). "'Best Damn' show ... no joke". The Monitor. Freedom Communications. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  14. ↑ US Billboard Top Music Video
  15. ↑ KohlsCorporation.com
  16. ↑ Grossweiner, Bob; Cohen, Jane (31 March 2008). "Jonas Brothers joining Avril Lavigne's upcoming tour". TicketNews. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  17. ↑ "Calendar". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. 13 July 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  18. ↑ Guimond, Vanessa (22 March 2008). "Quand jeunesse rime avec succès" [When youth is synonymous with success]. Canadian Online Explorer (in French). Sun Media. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  19. ↑ News Staff (7 July 2008). "illScarlett replaces Boys like Girls on Avril Lavigne tour". The Telegram. Transcontinental. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 "Avril Lavigne: The Best Damn Tour". Creativeman Productions (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Tour Dates". Avril Lavigne's Official Website. Archived from the original on 9 May 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  22. ↑ "Avril’s "Best Damn Tour" Dates". PopSugar. Sugar Inc. 25 December 2007. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Tour Dates". Avril Lavigne's Website. Archived from the original on 3 July 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  24. ↑ Additional sources for The Best Damn Tour in Asia:
  25. ↑ "Twenty-fifth Musikfest under way in Bethlehem". The Express-Times. Advance Publications. 1 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  26. ↑ Lustig, Jay (31 July 2008). "'American Idol' alums to headline musical weekend in Toms River". The Star-Ledger. Advance Publications. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  27. ↑ "Midday Update". Pollstar. Pollstar, Inc. 4 August 2008. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 28.5 28.6 28.7 28.8 Visakowitz, Susan (5 May 2008). "Avril Lavigne postpones six U.S. dates". Reuters. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  29. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (49). 29 November 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  30. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (27). 5 July 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  31. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (16). 19 April 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  32. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (17). 26 April 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  33. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (23). 7 June 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  34. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (21). 24 May 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 35.4 35.5 35.6 "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (44). 2 November 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (33). 16 August 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 37.2 37.3 37.4 37.5 37.6 37.7 "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (34). 23 August 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (35). 30 August 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  39. ↑ "Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard (New York City, New York: Nielsen Business Media, Inc.) 120 (37). 13 September 2008. ISSN 0006-2510.
  40. ↑ Hall, Evan; Peskie, Matt; Yakabuski, Jim (October 2011). "On-the-Road Perspectives from The Best Damn Tour". Front of House (Las Vegas: Timeless Communications Corp) 7 (1): 22–23. ISSN 1549-831X. Archived from the original on 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  41. ↑ Personnel for "The Best Damn Tour" at AllMusic. Retrieved 19 October 2011c.