| 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]
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]
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]
| Date | City | Country | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 October 2009 | Nottingham | England | Royal Centre |
| 21 October 2009 | Reading | The Hexagon | |
| 23 October 2009 | Cardiff | Wales | St David's Hall |
| 26 October 2009 | Liverpool | England | Philharmonic Hall |
| 27 October 2009 | Glasgow | Scotland | Glasgow ABC |
| 28 October 2009 | Newcastle | England | Newcastle City Hall |
| 30 October 2009 | Manchester | Manchester Apollo | |
| 2 November 2009 | Cambridge | Cambridge Corn Exchange | |
| 3 November 2009 | Birmingham | Birmingham Symphony Hall | |
| 4 November 2009 | Bristol | Colston Hall | |
| 6 November 2009 | Folkestone | Leas Cliff Hall | |
| 9 November 2009 | Ipswich | Regent Theatre | |
| 10 November 2009 | Southend-on-Sea | Cliffs Pavilion | |
| 12 November 2009 | London | Shepherd's Bush Empire | |
| 16 November 2009 | Lincoln | Engine Shed | |
| 17 November 2009 | Southampton | Southampton Guildhall | |
| 19 November 2009 | Brighton | Brighton Dome |