Keys to the Summer Tour explained

Concert Tour Name:Keys to the Summer Tour
Artist:Alicia Keys
Type:Continental
Location:North America
Start Date:June 28, 2023
End Date:August 2, 2023
Number Of Legs:1
Number Of Shows:22
Last Tour:Alicia + Keys World Tour
(2022–2023)
This Tour:Keys to the Summer Tour
(2023)
Next Tour:...

Keys to the Summer Tour was the seventh concert tour by American singer and songwriter Alicia Keys. The tour started on June 28, 2023, at the FLA Live Arena in Sunrise, FL, and concluded on August 2, 2023, at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA, United States.

Background

Keys announced the tour and unveiled the tour dates on April 18, 2023.[1] The tour will present Keys in a 360-degree production stage, allowing "fans to experience her live performance in an entirely new and exhilarating way". Keys stated that "This is my first time creating a 360 experience and we’ve made sure it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen! Pre-sale for the tour took place from April 18 to April 20 and the general sale began on April 21, 2023.[2] The tour's setlist included "deep cuts" as well as well known songs from Songs in A Minor (2001), The Diary of Alicia Keys (2003), As I Am (2007) and The Element of Freedom (2009).[3]

Critical reception

In his review of the concert at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, Théoden Janes from The Charlotte Observer wrote that Keys "gave a positively massive performance that pulled no punches as it sailed boldly through her stunning catalog of R&B-, hip-hop- and pop-inflected tracks", adding that from midpoint onwards came "the most powerful portions of the show" culminating in a "goosebump-inducing" rendition of "If I Ain't Got You".[4] Reviewing Keys' concert at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Olivia Wakim from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution commented that "One of the most immersive aspects of the show were the light displays and visuals" but concluded that "Keys’ vocal and musical talents were the star of the show. The moments where her voice was on full display topped even the most impressive display of lights.[5] Maura Johnston from The Boston Globe, wrote that "Keys whirled through her discography and a few well-chosen covers during a triumphant set for both performer and audience" and according to her, the concert was "all about reveling in human connection".[6] Jane Stevenson from the Toronto Sun rated the concert Scotiabank Arena four out of four stars and commented that Keys has evolved into a "top-notch and blessedly natural performer" while Nick Krewen from Toronto Star rated the same show three stars, commenting that Keys was "immaculate in her performance".[7] [8] Malcolm Abraham from Cleveland.com wrote that Keys "made sure to hang out, dance and show love to fans" throughout the concert and described Keys's vocals as "impassioned and strong".[9]

Brian McCollum from Detroit Free Press commented that Keys' concert at Little Ceasars Palace was "at turns elegant and empowering, intimate and anthemic" and where "the lighting was dazzling, the onscreen visuals sharp and lively", concluded in his review that "despite all the production trimmings, the show maintained a close-knit feel". Britt Julious from the Chicago Tribune wrote that the "songs blended seamlessly into one another, threading a connection between genre (soul and pop) and the phases of Keys’ career" while the round stage "makes for a lovely viewing experience" and mentioned that "perhaps most interesting about her live performances is how she is able to represent the dual sides of her career and her sound".[10] In his review of the Louisville concert, J. Tyler Franklin from Louisville Public Media complimented the concert's song selection and stage design and concluded that "the charisma, talent and showmanship on display at the Keys to the Summer Tour is enough to silence any critic".[11] Steve Leftridge from Riverfront Times commented that Keys' voice at Enterprise Center was "resplendent all night" and added that the concert was "as defined by intimate gestures, songful recitations and intimate connections with the audience as by musical combustion, vocal infernos and stagecraft conflagrations".[12] Of Keys' concert at Austin’s Moody Center, Deborh Sengupta Stith from Austin American-Statesman said that "Keys performs with pure emotion". She praised Keys' performance, writing that Keys "came to slay" and offered a "musical odyssey marked by jaw-dropping technical prowess, exultant sing-alongs and a joyous celebration of love in all its many forms".[13]

Opening acts

Set list

This set list is representative of the concert in Tampa on June 30, 2023.[15] It does not represent all concerts for the tour.

  1. "Fallin'"
  2. "New Day"
  3. "Love Looks Better"
  4. "Limitedless"
  5. "You Don't Know My Name"
  6. "Teenage Love Affair"
  7. "Karma"
  8. "Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart"
  9. "Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)"
  10. "Underdog"
  11. "Blended Family (What You Do For Love)"
  12. "Holy War"
  13. "Come for Me"
  14. "My Boo"
  15. "City of Gods (Part II)"
  16. "How Come U Don't Call Me"
  17. "The Thing About Love"
  18. "A Woman's Worth"
  19. "Superwoman"
  20. "Not Even The King"
  21. "Butterflyz"
  22. "That's How Strong My Love Is"
  23. "Diary"
  24. "Like You'll Never See Me Again"
  25. "I Need You"
  26. "The Gospel"
  27. "Where Do We Go from Here"
  28. "Girl on Fire"
  29. "Empire State of Mind"
  30. "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
  31. "In Common"
  32. "No One"
Encore
  1. "If I Ain't Got You"
Notes

Tour dates

Date! width="150"
CityCountryVenueAttendanceRevenue
June 28, 2023SunriseUnited StatesFLA Live Arena
June 30, 2023TampaAmalie Arena
July 2, 2023CharlotteSpectrum Center
July 3, 2023AtlantaState Farm Arena7,856 (92,76%)$527,995
July 5, 2023MemphisFedExForum
July 7, 2023Washington, D.C.Capital One Arena7,977 (79,43%)$823,630
July 9, 2023BostonTD Garden8,597 (85,36%)$852,160
July 10, 2023PhiladelphiaWells Fargo Center
July 12, 2023New York CityBarclays Center
July 14, 2023TorontoCanadaScotiabank Arena
July 15, 2023ClevelandUnited StatesRocket Mortgage FieldHouse
July 17, 2023DetroitLittle Caesars Arena
July 18, 2023ChicagoUnited Center
July 20, 2023LouisvilleKFC Yum! Center
July 21, 2023St. LouisEnterprise Center
July 23, 2023New OrleansSmoothie King Center
July 24, 2023AustinMoody Center
July 27, 2023DenverBall Arena
July 28, 2023West Valley CityMaverik Center
July 30, 2023SeattleClimate Pledge Arena
August 1, 2023OaklandOakland Arena
August 2, 2023InglewoodKia Forum
Total24,430$2,203,785

Notes and References

  1. Rowley, Glenn . Alicia Keys Announces 'Keys to the Summer' Tour: See the Dates . . 2013-06-20 . 2023-04-18.
  2. Web site: Samuels, Keithan . Alicia Keys Announces 'Keys to the Summer Tour' Dates . . 2023-06-20 . 2013-04-18.
  3. Web site: Alvarado, Holly . Alicia Keys Ends Tour With a Brilliant Final Performance in Inglewood . Daily Breeze . 2023-08-27 . 2023-08-03.
  4. Web site: Janes, Théoden . Review: Alicia Keys Put on a Big, Bold Show. But Was It Missing a Few (Thousand) Things? . . 2023-07-03 . 2023-07-03.
  5. Web site: Wakim, Olivia . Concert Review: Alicia Keys Keeps Energy High at 'Summer' Stop in Atlanta . . 2023-07-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230708114703/https://www.ajc.com/things-to-do/concert-review-alicia-keys-keeps-energy-high-at-summer-stop-in-atlanta/FVK36DPJF5EP7JTFHP7JKULS6U/ . 2023-07-08 . 2023-07-04 . live.
  6. Web site: Johnston, Maura . Maura Johnston . Alicia Keys Has a Bonding Experience at TD Garden . . 2023-07-17 . 2023-07-10.
  7. Web site: Stevenson, Jane . Alicia Keys 'on fire' During Soulful Toronto Arena Performance . . 2023-06-15. 2023-08-25.
  8. Web site: Krewen, Nick . Alicia Keys, immaculate from the First Note, Captivates Scotiabank Crowd . . 2023-07-15. 2023-08-25.
  9. Web site: Abram, Malcolm . Alicia Keys Charms Cleveland Crowd with a Career-Spanning Set of Hits and Fan Favorites (Photos) . . 2023-08-26 . 2023-07-17.
  10. Web site: Julious, Britt . Review: Alicia Keys Spreads Her Energy All Around the United Center on Her Keys to the Summer Tour . . 2023-07-19. 2023-07-23.
  11. Web site: Franklin, J. Tyler . Alicia Keys Brings Keys To The Summer Tour to KFC Yum! Center . . 2022-08-26 . 2022-07-22.
  12. Web site: Leftridge, Steve . Alicia Keys Brought Her Fire to Enterprise Center . . 2023-07-25. 2023-08-25.
  13. Web site: Alicia Keys Raises a Banner for Unity and Love with Epic Keys to the Summer Tour in Austin . Sengupta Stith, Deborah . . 2023-07-25. 2023-08-25.
  14. Web site: Goldstein, Tiffany . Alicia Keys Announces Summer Tour Openers . . May 12, 2023 . 2023-06-21.
  15. Web site: Roa, Ray . Review: Alicia Keys Delivers Triumphant Tampa Set as She Kicks Off Summer Tour in Florida [PHOTOS] ]. Creative Loafing Tampa Bay . 2023-07-01 . 2023-07-01.
  16. Web site: McCollum, Brian . Alicia Keys Is Enthralling at Little Caesars Arena as New Production Shakes Things Up . . 2023-07-18. 2023-07-23.