The Alesha Show (tour) explained

Concert Tour Name:The Alesha Show
Artist:Alesha Dixon
Location:United Kingdom
Album:The Alesha Show
Start Date:20 October 2009
End Date:19 November 2009
Number Of Legs:1
Number Of Shows:17
Last Tour:Enrique Iglesias UK Tour 2009
This Tour:The Alesha Show
(2009)

The Alesha Show was a 17-date 2009 concert tour of the United Kingdom by Alesha Dixon, to support her second album, The Alesha Show. The Alesha Show is Dixon's first headlining tour as a solo artist. Dixon said in an interview before the tour's announcement that her biggest goal would be to embark on a concert tour, saying, "The whole concept of a stage show is the most exciting part of what you do so to tour it would be fantastic."[1]

Background

Tickets went on general sale in May with members of Dixon's official website having access to the tickets 48 hours before the general sale.[2]

In July 2009, it was confirmed that Dixon would become a judge on Strictly Come Dancing. Because the show is broadcast live on Saturday nights, Dixon had to reschedule three shows in Lincoln, Southampton and Brighton. Tickets purchased for the original dates remained valid. Dixon said her official website, "I'm so sorry to all my fans for having to change some of my dates. I'm really looking forward to playing live. I can't wait for the tour to start as I have been working so hard for a long time to achieve my dream of my first solo tour. I hope everyone can understand due to the emotional connection I have with the show, it was an exciting opportunity I could not turn down."[3]

Concert synopsis

The main theme of the concerts was a showgirl theme, which Dixon followed throughout, dressing in various showgirl-style costumes and using props such as canes and top hats. The shows typically lasted approximately 70 minutes (excluding the supporting acts' time onstage).

Dixon started the show performing the aptly named track "Welcome to the Alesha Show" whilst descending onto the stage sitting on a giant swing wearing a sequin-clad leotard combined with fishnet tights, which also had sequins sown into them in places.

David Sinclair of The Times commented on "an air of mild hysteria" among the audience at the shows.[4] Caroline Sullivan of The Guardian commented on the show's themes, writing, "Her stage act is best thought of as a Venn diagram that incorporates the showgirl elements of Kylie Minogue and the sassy oomph of Beyoncé, with a set-jawed determination that is hers alone." She continued to note that "the production budget, too, is a fraction of the Kylies and Beyoncés of this world: she makes do and mends with just one costume change and a tireless six-man band." Sullivan reviewed the Shepherd's Bush Empire show, awarding it 4 out of 5 stars, and complimented its "good deal of burlesque-style embellishment". She also complimented vocal ability in concert, writing, "it was her singing that made the impression: she's more powerful than you would imagine, and when pitted against her band at their most blaring, she more than held her own."[5]

Supporting acts

Tour dates

DateCityCountryVenue
20 October 2009NottinghamEnglandRoyal Centre
21 October 2009ReadingThe Hexagon
23 October 2009CardiffWalesSt David's Hall
26 October 2009LiverpoolEnglandPhilharmonic Hall
27 October 2009GlasgowScotlandGlasgow ABC
28 October 2009NewcastleEnglandNewcastle City Hall
30 October 2009ManchesterManchester Apollo
2 November 2009CambridgeCambridge Corn Exchange
3 November 2009BirminghamBirmingham Symphony Hall
4 November 2009BristolColston Hall
6 November 2009FolkestoneLeas Cliff Hall
9 November 2009IpswichRegent Theatre
10 November 2009Southend-on-SeaCliffs Pavilion
12 November 2009LondonShepherd's Bush Empire
16 November 2009LincolnEngine Shed
17 November 2009SouthamptonSouthampton Guildhall
19 November 2009BrightonBrighton Dome
Notesa The Lincoln, Southampton and Brighton dates were rescheduled due to Dixon's role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.

Alterations

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Talking Shop: Alesha Dixon . BBC News . 7 November 2008 . 25 May 2010.
  2. http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/news,ticket-ordering-problems-this-morning_95.htm{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
  3. Web site: Alesha confirmed as new Strictly Come Dancing judge. Alesha Dixon blog . 1 December 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090714224030/http://www.aleshadixon.co.uk/blog%2Calesha-confirmed-as-new-strictly-come-dancing-judge_121.htm . 14 July 2009 .
  4. News: Sinclair. David. 23 October 2009. Alesha Dixon at the Hexagon, Reading . . 2 March 2010 . London.
  5. News: Sullivan. Caroline. 13 November 2009. Alesha Dixon Shepherd's Bush Empire, London . . 2 March 2010.
  6. Web site: The Alesha Show Manchester Tour Post. Alesha Dixon blog . 5 November 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20101213010035/http://aleshadixon.net/blog/?p=1687 . 13 December 2010 .
  7. http://aleshadixon.net/blog/?p=1703{{Dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=no }}