Soul2Soul: The World Tour explained

Concert Tour Name:Soul2Soul: The World Tour
Artist:Tim McGraw and Faith Hill
Number Of Legs:3
Number Of Shows:109 North America
3 in Europe
112 total
Gross:$100.3 million 107 Shows
Last Tour:Soul2Soul II Tour
(2006–07)
This Tour:Soul2Soul: The World Tour
(2017)

The Soul2Soul: The World Tour is the third co-headlining tour by American country music recording artists, and husband and wife, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. It marked the first time the duo have toured together since 2007. It began on April 7, 2017, in New Orleans. Performances consist of a setlist of duets between the couple and solos. The first leg of the tour played seventy shows, and as of December 11, 2017, every show was sold out, and grossed over 79 million dollars. According to Pollstar's 2017 Mid-Year report, it was ranked the 24th best tour.[1]

Background

In October 2016, a special concert was planned at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Under the moniker "Sam & Audrey", the duo performed their hits, while announcing the forthcoming 2017 tour.[2] The itinerary was released the following day.[3] On January 31, 2017, McGraw and Hill announced the opening acts via Facebook Live.[4] Each weekend will feature a different opening act, handpicked by the duo. They also revealed additional tour dates and plans to perform shows outside North America. When introducing the tour, Hill stated:

"We have the best fans in the world, who have been with us through our entire journey and we are so excited to celebrate with them by going back on the road and showcasing an exciting new show. It's always great when we get to work together and it's been awhile since we got to do that."[5]

On September 28, 2017, Bob Harris revealed on his BBC Radio 2 show that McGraw and Hill were the first announced headliners for the 2018 festival which takes place in London, Glasgow and Dublin.[6] In November 2017, a second American leg of the tour was announced.

The show and the stage

The show begins with a ten-second countdown clock, after that futuristic music begins to play. Hill and McGraw begin to say a speech which ends with, "face to face, heart to heart, and soul to soul." Then two black boxes rise up onto the b-stage, as the boxes descends both Hill and McGraw appear, and perform Aretha Franklin and George Michael's "I Knew You Were Waiting For Me". During "Break First" (a new pop centric song from the couple), the video screens displays fragments of glass shattering behind them. When McGraw performs "Angry All the Time", Hill plays the acoustic guitar while singing background vocals. The show lasts for two hours and fifteen minutes with a setlist of thirty songs. They go back and forth singing with each other and alone during solos. McGraw and Hill perform their past hits and songs off their upcoming album. They close with "I Need You".[7] [8]

The stage and production is made up of laser lights, risers, special effects, eighty-foot wide video board, HD and LED screens. During the show family photos are projected onto the eighty-foot wide video board. A ten piece band backs the couple.[7] [9] [10]

Opening acts

Source:[11]

Setlist

The following setlist was performed at the concert held on April 21, 2017, at the Legacy Arena in Birmingham, Alabama. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.[12]

McGraw and Hill
  1. "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)"
McGraw
  1. "Felt Good on My Lips"
Hill
  1. "The Lucky One"
McGraw
  1. "I Like It, I Love It"
Hill
  1. "The Way You Love Me"
McGraw and Hill
  1. "Like We Never Loved at All"
  2. "Break First"
  3. "Telluride"
  4. "Devil Calling Me Back"
Hill
  1. "Free"
  2. "This Kiss"
  3. "Breathe"
  4. "Wild One"
  5. "Stronger"
  6. "Piece of My Heart"
McGraw and Hill
  1. "Angry All the Time"
McGraw
  1. "One of Those Nights"
  2. "Real Good Man"
  3. "Shotgun Rider"
  4. "Humble and Kind"
  5. "Live Like You Were Dying"
McGraw and Hill
  1. "Speak to a Girl"
  2. "It's Your Love"
Hill
  1. "Mississippi Girl"
McGraw
  1. "Something Like That"
McGraw and Hill
  1. "I Need You"

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenueOpening actsAttendanceRevenue
North America Leg 1[13]
April 7, 2017New OrleansUnited StatesSmoothie King CenterBrothers Osborne14,959 / 14,959 $1,324,355[14]
April 9, 2017TupeloBancorpSouth Arena8,323 / 8,323 $685,612
April 20, 2017North CharlestonNorth Charleston ColiseumNEEDTOBREATHE9,097 / 9,097$798,478[15]
April 21, 2017BirminghamLegacy Arena11,259 / 11,259 $821,751
April 23, 2017AtlantaPhilips Arena13,033 / 13,033$1,170,004
April 27, 2017St. LouisScottrade CenterSeth Ennis12,906 / 12,906 $1,066,330
April 28, 2017LouisvilleKFC Yum! Center14,653 / 14,653 $1,220,499
April 29, 2017IndianapolisBankers Life Fieldhouse12,726 / 12,726 $999,040
May 4, 2017NewarkPrudential CenterThe Shadowboxers11,815 / 11,815 $1,134,267[16]
May 5, 2017UncasvilleMohegan Sun Arena11,686 / 11,686 $1,532,244
May 6, 2017
May 11, 2017TulsaBOK CenterJon Pardi11,391 / 11,391 $818,172
May 12, 2017LincolnPinnacle Bank Arena13,853 / 13,853 $1,262,422
May 13, 2017Oklahoma CityChesapeake Energy Arena11,490 / 11,490 $859,619
May 18, 2017SpokaneSpokane Veterans Memorial ArenaChris Lane10,700 / 10,700 $887,903
May 19, 2017BozemanBrick Breeden Fieldhouse15,544 / 15,544 $1,181,828
May 20, 2017
May 25, 2017BoiseTaco Bell ArenaJoseph9,156 / 9,156 $829,945
May 26, 2017PortlandModa Center13,736 / 13,736 $1,192,723
May 27, 2017TacomaTacoma Dome16,744 / 16,744 $1,321,429
May 31, 2017VancouverCanadaRogers ArenaMidland12,756 / 12,756$1,021,510
June 2, 2017CalgaryScotiabank Saddledome12,765 / 12,765 $1,170,500
June 3, 2017EdmontonRogers Place13,358 / 13,358$1,126,310
June 4, 2017SaskatoonSaskTel Centre12,709 / 12,709 $1,095,770
June 7, 2017WinnipegMTS CentreCaitlyn Smith11,581 / 11,581 $915,797
June 9, 2017Sioux FallsUnited StatesDenny Sanford Premier Center11,127 / 11,127$1,088,360[17]
June 10, 2017Des MoinesWells Fargo Arena13,236 / 13,236$1,256,399
June 15, 2017Grand RapidsVan Andel ArenaHigh Valley11,788 / 11,788$1,079,900
June 16, 2017MilwaukeeBMO Harris Bradley Center12,137 / 12,137$974,098
June 17, 2017MolineiWireless Center10,670 / 10,670$891,006
June 22, 2017OttawaCanadaCanadian Tire CentreCharlie Worsham13,396 / 13,396$1,112,650[18]
June 23, 2017TorontoAir Canada Centre26,956 / 26,956$2,241,830
June 24, 2017
July 7, 2017 United StatesTD GardenLori McKenna24,187 / 24,187$2,132,287[19]
July 8, 2017
July 13, 2017Las VegasT-Mobile ArenaRachel Platten6,611 / 6,611$783,705
July 14, 2017Los AngelesStaples Center25,571 / 25,571$2,028,973
July 15, 2017
July 21, 2017GlendaleGila River ArenaRhiannon Giddens13,540 / 13,540$1,264,313
July 22, 2017OntarioCitizens Business Bank Arena8,903 / 8,903$963,746
July 23, 2017San DiegoValley View Casino Center10,290 / 10,290$846,246
July 28, 2017SacramentoGolden 1 CenterDevin Dawson13,540 / 13,540$1,413,260[20]
July 29, 2017San JoseSAP Center12,385 / 12,385$1,122,601
July 31, 2017DenverPepsi Center23,073 / 23,073$1,568,171
August 1, 2017
August 3, 2017North Little RockVerizon Arena-
August 4, 2017NashvilleBridgestone ArenaAndra Day28,357 / 28,357 $2,231,533
August 5, 2017
August 17, 2017ClevelandQuicken Loans ArenaMaggie Rose11,290 / 11,290 $834,495
August 18, 2017PhiladelphiaWells Fargo Center14,370 / 14,370$1,115,596
August 19, 2017AlbanyTimes Union Center9,094 / 9,094$667,410
August 24, 2017FargoFargodomeNatalie Hemby14,146 / 14,146$1,097,627
August 25, 2017Saint PaulXcel Energy Center29,842 / 29,842$2,815,245
August 26, 2017
August 31, 2017RosemontAllstate ArenaBen Rector22,912 / 22,912$1,797,553
September 1, 2017
September 2, 2017CincinnatiU.S. Bank Arena11,456 / 11,456 $780,635
September 7, 2017ColumbusNationwide ArenaBrent Cobb13,822 / 13,822$1,223,715
September 8, 2017Auburn HillsThe Palace of Auburn Hills13,445 / 13,445$1,212,946
September 9, 2017Fort WayneAllen County War Memorial Coliseum9,602 / 9,602$800,062
September 14, 2017KnoxvilleThompson–Boling ArenaEric Paslay8,164 / 8,164$628,975
September 15, 2017GreenvilleBon Secours Wellness Arena10,470 / 10,470$849,741
September 16, 2017JacksonvilleJacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena10,651 / 10,651$798,041
September 21, 2017WichitaIntrust Bank ArenaBrandy Clark10,982 / 10,982$889,516
September 22, 2017OmahaCenturyLink Center Omaha14,277 / 14,277$1,054,164
September 23, 2017Kansas CitySprint Center13,132 / 13,132$1,083,278
September 27, 2017Salt Lake CityVivint Smart Home ArenaCam12,528 / 12,528$1,189,950
September 29, 2017FresnoSave Mart Center11,703 / 11,703$1,033,055
September 30, 2017BakersfieldRabobank Arena8,741 / 8,741$828,635
October 5, 2017San AntonioAT&T CenterChris Janson11,471 / 11,471$934,996
October 6, 2017HoustonToyota Center11,284 / 11,284$987,317
October 7, 2017DallasAmerican Airlines Center13,255 / 13,255 $1,260,647
October 12, 2017PittsburghPPG Paints ArenaSteve Moakler11,414 / 11,414$885,368
October 13, 2017Washington, D.C.Capital One Arena13,537 / 13,537$1,200,627
October 14, 2017GreensboroGreensboro Coliseum12,043 / 12,043$974,210
October 19, 2017SunriseBB&T CenterLoCash9,281 / 9,281$667,022
October 20, 2017TampaAmalie Arena12,108 / 12,108$960,177
October 21, 2017OrlandoAmway Center12,071 / 12,071$1,058,484
October 26, 2017BuffaloKeyBank CenterMargo Price12,042 / 12,042$909,707
October 27, 2017BrooklynBarclays Center12,501 / 12,501 $1,023,077
Europe
March 9, 2018 LondonEnglandThe O2 ArenaKelsea Ballerini
Old Dominion
March 10, 2018GlasgowScotlandSSE Hydro
March 11, 2018DublinIreland3Arena
North America Leg 2[21]
May 31, 2018 RichmondUnited StatesRichmond Coliseum9,489 / 9,489$873,206
June 1, 2018 CharlestonCharleston Civic Center8,483 / 8,483$647,498
June 2, 2018 LexingtonRupp Arena9,560 / 9,560$643,856
June 5, 2018BaltimoreRoyal Farms Arena10,899 / 10,899$727,114
June 7, 2018Grand RapidsVan Andel Arena10,936 / 10,936$816,874
June 8, 2018ToledoHuntington Center14,963 / 14,963$1,268,897
June 9, 2018
June 12, 2018HersheyGiant Center9,257 / 9,257$905,605
June 14, 2018UniondaleNassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum8,734 / 8,734$751,624
June 15, 2018UncasvilleMohegan Sun Arena7,807 / 7,807$781,038
June 16, 2018ManchesterSNHU Arena8,499 / 8,499$772,539
June 18, 2018HamiltonCanadaFirstOntario Centre10,708 / 10,708$797,048
June 19, 2018LondonBudweiser Gardens7,887 / 7,887$743,975
June 22, 2018RaleighUnited StatesPNC Arena12,093 / 12,093$859,715
June 23, 2018DuluthInfinite Energy Arena9,912 / 9,912$674,997
June 26, 2018Bossier CityCenturyLink Center10,228 / 10,228$598,411
June 29, 2018SpringfieldJQH Arena8,024 / 8,024$644,900
June 30, 2018Des MoinesWells Fargo Arena11,436 / 11,436$839,144
July 6, 2018Green BayResch Center8,242 / 8,242$875,724
July 7, 2018MinneapolisTarget Center11,748 / 11,748$712,738
July 8, 2018Sioux FallsDenny Sanford Premier Center8,797 / 8,797$695,622
July 10, 2018Grand ForksRalph Engelstad Arena6,512 / 6,512$387,300
July 13, 2018SeattleKeyArena11,146 / 11,146$842,978
July 14, 2018EugeneMatthew Knight Arena9,413 / 9,413$781,752
July 18, 2018Salt Lake CityVivint Smart Home Arena12,405 / 12,405$992,034
July 20, 2018PhoenixTalking Stick Resort Arena12,773 / 12,773$886,518
July 21, 2018Los AngelesStaples Center11,812 / 11,812$803,817
July 22, 2018SacramentoGolden 1 Center12,189 / 12,189$944,746
July 24, 2018Paso RoblesMid State Fair
Total1,207,593 / 1,207,593 $100,367,633
A. These shows will be part of the festival.

Critical reception

Tulsa World's Andrea Eger says "the electricity they generated could have powered their megawatt stage production with no help from PSO"[9] According to the Orange County Registers Kelli Sky Fadroski, she was impressed with Hill's return to the tour stage stating that "she brought her A game" during her solo moments. For the duo's performance she described it as, "a connection and tenderness between them that just can't be faked."[22]

Reviewing the show in London, Pip Ellwood-Hughes of Entertainment Focus gave the set a 4.5/5 rating, stating that booking country music royalty McGraw and Hill was "a real coup for the Country to Country festival and stating that they were "warm and funny on stage" and their set was "inspiring". Mentioning that anticipation was high for the duo's first ever UK performance, Ellwood-Hughes noted that their "packed" set drew "huge cheers from the arena crowd", citing Break First as an early highlight. He stated that the best parts of the set where when McGraw and Hill sang together, referring to their chemistry as "magical" and "off the charts as they trade glances, interact with one another and, at times, look at each other as if there is no one else in the room". Regarding the solo performances, he praised Hill's "energy and enthusiasm", citing This Kiss as a "one of the night's special moments" when Hill "became visibly choked up" as an international audience loudly sang along. Additionally, he called Hill's rendition of Breathe "stunning" and her Piece of My Heart cover a "powerhouse performance". Similarly, McGraw's "confident charisma" was praised and the moment where the audience burst into a spontaneous singalong of Humble and Kind which left McGraw visibly "overwhelmed" was picked as a highlight. Ellwood-Hughes called their performance of Speak to a Girl "beautiful and timely" and said that It's Your Love was a "perfect way to end the night and absolutely stunning". He was critical of sound issues that resulted in complaints from a large number of audience members who were unable to hear the artists because of loud bass reverb, causing many to leave midway through.[23]

Notable events

During the show in Dubin on March 11, 2018, McGraw collapsed following his performance of "Humble and Kind" and was carried offstage by members of his crew. After twenty minutes, Hill returned to the stage and announced that McGraw was doing fine but was suffering from dehydration and she had made the decision not to allow him back onstage. Hill and the band performed "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" as a final a capella song for the crowd before ending the show early. Although disheartened, the crowd applauded and began chanting "get well Tim". A statement from the couple stated that McGraw "was attended to by local medical staff on-site and will be fine" before adding that "he and Faith thank everyone for their love and support and look forward to seeing their Irish fans again soon".[24]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mid Year Worldwide 2017 Tickets Sales Top 100 Tour. Pollstar. January 4, 2018.
  2. Web site: Surprise Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Nashville show sells out in minutes. Watts. Cindy. Neysa-Alund. Natalie. October 3, 2016. The Tennessean. May 4, 2017.
  3. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill to Embark on New Joint Tour. Betts . Stephen L.. October 5, 2016. Rolling Stone. May 4, 2017.
  4. Web site: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Reveal More Dates and 26 Opening Acts For Soul2Soul Tour. Konicki. Lisa. January 31, 2017. Nash Country Daily . Cumulus Media. May 4, 2017.
  5. Web site: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Announce Pittsburgh Concert, Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 . . October 4, 2017. WDSY-FM. CBS Radio. May 4, 2017.
  6. 913475984564899841. BHarrisCountry. NP @TheTimMcGraw @FaithHill Speak To A Girl @WhisperingBob @BBCR2Country @C2Cfestival @C2CGlasgow @sandboxent… . 28 September 2017.
  7. Web site: Colurso. Mary. 16 224 shares Tim McGraw & Faith Hill romance a Birmingham audience in razzle-dazzle style on 'Soul2Soul' tour. al.com. Alabama Media Group. April 22, 2017. May 17, 2017.
  8. Williams. Lindsay. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul2Soul Tour: 9 Best Things We Saw. Rolling Stone. April 22, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  9. Web site: Eger. Andrea. REVIEW: Faith Hill and Tim McGraw bring pure chemistry to BOK Center. Tulsa World. TownNews.com. May 12, 2017. May 17, 2017.
  10. Vain. Madison. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill go behind the scenes of their over-the-top world tour. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc.. June 20, 2017. July 6, 2017.
  11. Web site: Stefano. Angela. Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Reveal 2017 Soul2Soul Tour Opening Acts. The Boot. Taste of Country Network. January 31, 2017. January 31, 2017.
  12. Tim McGraw and Faith Hill's Soul2Soul Tour: 9 Best Things We Saw . Williams . Lindsay . April 22, 2017 . Rolling Stone . Wenner Media, LLC . May 4, 2017.
  13. Sources for tour dates:
  14. Current Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. April 29, 2017. 129. 10. April 19, 2017. 0006-2510. https://web.archive.org/web/20170419191112/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. April 19, 2017.
  15. Current Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. May 27, 2017. 129. 12. May 19, 2017. 0006-2510. https://web.archive.org/web/20170519134119/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. live. May 19, 2017.
  16. Current Boxscore. https://web.archive.org/web/20170613230307/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. May 27, 2017. 129. 12. June 13, 2017. (webcit). June 13, 2017.
  17. Current Boxscore. https://web.archive.org/web/20170628013748/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. June 28, 2017. July 6, 2017. (webcit). June 28, 2017.
  18. Current Boxscore. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705175126/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. July 4, 2017. July 6, 2017. (webcit). July 5, 2017.
  19. Current Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. July 25, 2017. July 28, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170725213515/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. July 25, 2017.
  20. Current Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. August 22, 2017. August 22, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822213445/http://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. August 22, 2017.
    • Current Boxscore | Billboard. Billboard. June 14, 2018. http://www.freezepage.com/1528979495ZKUOUXIUOW?url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. June 14, 2018.
    • Current Boxscore | Billboard. Billboard. June 27, 2018. http://www.freezepage.com/1530103956GWDLIDYJHN?url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore. June 27, 2018.
  21. Web site: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill score again with revived Soul2Soul Tour in Los Angeles. Sky Fadroski. Kelli. Orange County Register. July 15, 2017. January 4, 2017.
  22. Web site: C2C: Country to Country 2018 – Faith Hill and Tim McGraw live review. 10 March 2018 .
  23. News: Tim McGraw collapses on stage in Ireland. BBC News. 12 March 2018.