Music Saved My Life Tour

Music Saved My Life Tour
Promotional poster for 2010 tour
Tour by Mary J. Blige
Associated album	Stronger with Each Tear
Start date	October 1, 2010 (2010-10-01)
End date	February 8, 2011 (2011-02-08)
Legs	4
Shows	13 in North America 5 in Asia 5 in Europe 6 in Australasia 29 Total
Mary J. Blige tour chronology
Love Soul Tour (2008) Music Saved My Life Tour (2010-11)

The Music Saved My Life Tour is the ninth concert tour by American recording artist, Mary J. Blige. Visiting North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia, the tour supports Blige's ninth studio album, Stronger with Each Tear.

Background

Universal Music Group announced Blige's tour on September 1, 2010. The tour was described as Blige venturing back to her R&B roots from her previous festival performances, which focused on a heavy rock sound. Blige states the tour's title comes from her personal viewpoint of music after her battles with drug and alcohol abuse.^[1] She further commented:

"Music makes us want to live. You don't know how many times people have told me that they'd been down and depressed and just wanted to die. But then a special song caught their ear and that helped give them renewed strength. That's the power music has. I believe there are certain things that God uses to get us out of a bad situation, and I believe music was one of the things he used for me. The first time I heard 'Keep on Moving' by Soul II Soul, I felt like somebody pumped a new spirit in me that made me want to go on. [Without music] I honestly think I would be in a really bad situation. I don't take it for granted. I have no doubt I was born to do this.^[2][3]

During the October 10 concert at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Blige performed "I'm Goin' Down" with Katlyn Nichol, the newest artist to her record company.

Opening acts

• Jazmine Sullivan (North America)^[4]
• El DeBarge (North America)^[4]
• Miguel (North America)^[5]
• Lemar (England)^[6]
• Gyptian (England)^[7]
• Beatbox Drase (Manchester)
• Minmi (Japan)^[8]
• Mye (Japan)^[8]

Setlist

1. Medley:
   1. "MJB da MVP"
   2. "The One"
   3. "Enough Cryin"
   4. "You Bring Me Joy"
   5. "Be Happy"
   6. "You Remind Me"
   7. "Real Love"
   8. "Everyday It Rains"
   9. "I'm The Only Woman"
   10. "I Love U (Yes I Du)"
2. "Love Is All We Need"
3. "Reminisce"
4. "Love No Limit"
5. "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
6. "Good Woman Down"
7. "Everything"
8. "All That I Can Say"
9. "I Never Wanna Live Without You"
10. "Seven Days"
11. "Your Child" (contains elements of "The Lady in My Life")
12. "Deep Inside"
13. "I Am"
14. "Sweet Thing"
15. "Not Gon' Cry"
16. "I'm Going Down"
17. "Take Me As I Am"
18. "No More Drama"
19. "I Love You" (Instrumental Interlude)
20. "I Can Love You"
21. "Work That"
22. "Just Fine"
23. "Family Affair"

Encore

25. "Be Without You"

Source:^[9][10][11]

Additional notes

• During the October 12th concert at the Radio City Music Hall (New York City, New York), Blige performed "Fancy" with rapper Swizz Beatz. At the same show, Blige and Swizz Beatz performed "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)" alongside Jazmine Sullivan. These performances were performed in lieu of "i Love You, "I Can Love You" and "Work That".
• "Family Affair" was not included in the performance at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, California.
• "Stairway to Heaven" was performed in Basel, Switzerland.
• "One" was performed on select dates.

Tour dates

Date	City	Country	Venue
North America[6][12][13]
October 1, 2010[A]	Mobile	United States	Miller Lite Stage
October 2, 2010	Atlanta		Chastain Park Amphitheatre
October 3, 2010	Virginia Beach		Virginia Beach Amphitheater
October 7, 2010	Bristow		Jiffy Lube Live
October 8, 2010	Atlantic City		Borgata Events Center
October 10, 2010	Ledyard		MGM Grand at Foxwoods
October 11, 2010	New York City		Radio City Music Hall
October 12, 2010
October 15, 2010	Detroit		Fox Theater
October 16, 2010	St. Louis		Fabulous Fox Theatre
October 17, 2010	Chicago		Chicago Theatre
October 20, 2010	Los Angeles		Gibson Amphitheatre
October 23, 2010	Concord		Sleep Train Pavilion
Europe[6][14][15]
October 29, 2010	Basel	Switzerland	Messe Basel
October 30, 2010
November 2, 2010	London	England	The O2 Arena
November 3, 2010	Birmingham		LG Arena
November 5, 2010	Manchester		Manchester Evening News Arena
Asia[16]
January 16, 2011	Seoul	South Korea	Grand Peace Palace
January 19, 2011	Tokyo	Japan	JCB Hall
January 20, 2011
January 22, 2011	Osaka		Namba Hatch
Australasia[6][13][17]
January 26, 2011[B]	Perth	Australia	Fremantle Oval
January 28, 2011[B]	Sydney		Parramatta Park
January 29, 2011[B]	Melbourne		Sidney Myer Music Bowl
January 30, 2011[B]	Brisbane		Brisbane River Stage
February 2, 2011[B]	Adelaide		Thebarton Theatre
February 5, 2011[B]	Rotorua	New Zealand	Rotorua International Stadium
Asia[18]
February 8, 2011	Kuala Lumpur	Malaysia	Plenary Hall

Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

^A This concert was a part of Bayfest^[19]

^B These concerts are a part of the Raggamuffin Music Festival^[20]

Cancellations and rescheduled shows

October 5, 2010	Raleigh, North Carolina	Raleigh Memorial Auditorium	Cancelled
October 16, 2010	Chicago, Illinois	Chicago Theater	The concert was moved to October 17, 2010
October 22, 2010	Las Vegas, Nevada	Pearl Concert Theatre	Cancelled
October 26, 2010	Amsterdam, Netherlands	Heineken Music Hall	Cancelled
December 18, 2010	Harare, Zimbabwe	Jaggers Msasa Warehouse	This concert was moved to the Harare International Conference Centre then postponed indefinately[21][22]
January 28, 2011	Melbourne, Australia	Royal Melbourne Showgrounds	This concert was moved to January 29, 2010 for Sidney Myer Music Bowl
January 29, 2011	Brisbane, Australia	Pine River Park	This concert was moved to January 30, 2010 to the Brisbane Riverstage due to the Queensland Floods[23]
January 30, 2011	Port Macquarie, Australia	Cassegrain Winery	Cancelled
February 2, 2011	Adelaide, Australia	Memorial Drive Park	This concert was moved to the Thebarton Theatre
February 3, 2011	Sydney, Australia	Sydney Entertainment Centre	Cancelled

Box office score data

Venue	City	Tickets Sold / Available	Gross Revenue
Radio City Music Hall	New York City	11,150 / 11,896 (94%)	$1,200,835[24]
Fox Theatre	Detroit	4,091 / 4,260 (96%)	$392,465[24]
Chicago Theatre	Chicago	3,481 / 3,481 (100%)	$330,390[24]
The O2 Arena	London	8,148 / 8,148 (100%)	$550,439[24]
Manchester Evening News Arena	Manchester	3,530 / 4,413 (80%)	$245,030[24]
TOTAL		30,400 / 32,198 (94%)	$2,719,159

Critical reception

Overall, the tour received praise from music critics and spectators alike. Blige was noted for her positive messages through her performances encouraging women to believe in themselves and know there is something "better" plan for them. Ines Min (The Korea Times) wrote, "A soulful train of songs, including 'Reminisce', was accompanied by her smooth dancing skills before breaking down the stage with the pique song 'Good Woman Down'. The performer shook, jumped and shimmied in perfect motion, spurring the crowd to rise in an emotional fervor."^[25] Anthony Langone (The Depaula) continued the praise for Blige noting, "Never have I seen such a venue this alive. The entire crowd was on its feet singing every word. This is a true testament of Blige's star power. The ability to not only command the stage, but all the people in a sold-out venue is no easy task. Blige did it with ease, making it look easy."^[26] Jon Pareles (The New York Times) stated, "In her songs Ms. Blige transmutes setbacks into determination; she confronts trouble, she cries, she wills herself to get over it, she finds the next love. Onstage she’s a pop star as life coach, preaching sermons in self-esteem with gospel cadences."^[9]

References

1. ^ McLean, Craig (01 November 2011). "Mary J Blige - devil diva? Exclusive interview". The Daily Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/8081247/Mary-J-Blige-devil-diva-Exclusive-interview.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
2. ^ Vaziri, Aidin (17 October 2010). "Mary J. Blige beats high odds". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-10-17/entertainment/24138086_1_tears-home-shopping-network-odds. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
3. ^ Roura, Phil (02 Ocotber 2010). "Moving spirit: Mary J. Blige is on a soul-stirring crusade while on tour". Daily News. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music/2010/10/02/2010-10-02_moving_spirit_mary_j_blige_is_on_a_soulstirring_crusade_while_on_tour.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
4. ^ ^{a b} Concepcion, Mariel (01 September 2010). "Mary J. Blige Announces Tour with Jazmine Sullivan, El DeBarge, Miguel". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/news/mary-j-blige-announces-tour-with-jazmine-1004112257.story#/news/mary-j-blige-announces-tour-with-jazmine-1004112257.story. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
5. ^ Bland, Bridget (13 October 2010). "Newcomer Miguel Making Big Moves With Opening Gigs for Mary J. Blige, Usher". Black Voices. AOL, Inc.. http://www.bvnewswire.com/2010/10/13/miguel-interview-mary-j-blige-usher-mark-pitts?icid=sphere_billboard. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
6. ^ ^{a b c d} Smith, Jay (01 September 2010). "Blige Taps Sullivan, Miguel For Tour". Pollstar. Associated Press. http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2010/09/01/738503.aspx. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
7. ^ "Gyptian joins forces with Mary J Blige". The Jamaica Observer. 06 October 2010. http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Gyptian-joins-forces-with-Mary-J-Blige_8028355. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b} "MINMI and Mye to join Mary J. Blige on her Japanese tour". Tokyo Hive. 6Theory Media, LLC.. 26 November 2010. http://www.tokyohive.com/2010/11/minmi-and-mye-to-join-mary-j-blige-on-her-japanese-tour/. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
9. ^ ^{a b} Pareles, Jon (12 October 2010). "Attention, Ladies: After Heartbreak Can Come Redemption". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/13/arts/music/13maryj.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
10. ^ "Mary J. Blige set list". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Lee Enterprises. 17 October 2010. http://www.stltoday.com/article_778c9354-da1c-11df-8590-00127992bc8b.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
11. ^ Cox, Calvin (17 October 2010). "Show Review: Mary J Blige, El DeBarge and Jazmine Sullivan Thrill at the Fabulous Fox, Saturday, October 16". Riverfront Times. Village Voice Media. http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/atoz/2010/10/mary_j_blige_jazmine_sullivan_miguel_el_debarge_fabulous_fox_2010_st_louis_setlist_october_16.php. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
12. ^ "Events: Tour Archive". Mary J. Blige's Official Website. Universal Music Group. http://www.mjblige.com/events/default.aspx?arch=arch. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
13. ^ ^{a b} Hall, Tara (02 September 2010). "Mary J. Blige hits the road with Jazmine Sullivan". SoundSpike. MTV Networks. http://www.soundspike.com/news/tour/593-mary_j_blige_tour_mary_j_blige_hits.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
14. ^ "Mary J Blige announces UK tour". The Belfast Telegraph. Independent News & Media. 01 September 2010. http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/music/news/mary-j-blige-announces-uk-tour-14930975.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
15. ^ Williams, Sarah (01 September 2010). "Mary J. Blige Returns To U.K.". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/news/e3i66e68dededaa1102a56202fedb3d0ff2. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
16. ^ "Mary J. Blige: Music Saved My Life Tou". CNNGo. Turner Broadcasting System. 10 January 2011. http://www.cnngo.com/tokyo/play/mary-j-blige-music-saved-my-life-tour. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
17. ^ "Mary J Blige to headline Raggamuffin". Fairfax New Zealand. 14 October 2010. http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/4231940/Mary-J-Blige-to-headline-Raggamuffin. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
18. ^ "MARY J BLIGE TO PERFORM IN KUALA LUMPUR" (Press release). PR Canada. 08 January 2011. http://pr-canada.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=321522&Itemid=59. Retrieved 26 January 2011. 
19. ^ Specker, Lawerence F. (08 July 2010). "BayFest adds R&B superstar Mary J. Blige to lineup". Press-Register. Advance Publications. http://blog.al.com/entertainment-press-register/2010/07/bayfest_adds_rb_superstar_mary.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
20. ^ McCabe, Kathy (26 January 2011). "Putting her soul into it". The Daily Telegraph. News Limited. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/putting-her-soul-into-it/story-fn6ccwsa-1225994434168. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
21. ^ Showbiz Reporter (19 December 2010). "Mary J Blige pulls plug on Zimbabwe tour". New Zimbabwe. http://www.newzimbabwe.com/showbiz-4095-Mary+J+pulls+plug+on+Zim+show/showbiz.aspx. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
22. ^ Manhango, Simbarashe (19 December 2010). "Fans wait in vain as Mary J Blige gig is cancelled". The Standard. http://www.thestandard.co.zw/local/27743-fans-wait-in-vain-as-mary-j-blige-gig-is-cancelled-.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
23. ^ "Mary J Blige gigs to raise flood funds". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 18 January 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/01/18/3115694.htm. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
24. ^ ^{a b c d e} "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2010-11-27. http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/charts/currentboxscore.jsp. Retrieved 2010-11-18. 
25. ^ Min, Ines (17 January 2011). "Mary J. Blige breaks down the walls". The Korea Times. Hankook Ilbo. http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/01/143_79803.html. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 
26. ^ Langone, Anthony (25 October 2010). "Mary J. Blige serenades Chicago Theater". The Depaulia. DePaul University. http://media.www.depauliaonline.com/media/storage/paper1414/news/2010/10/25/Entertainment/Mary-J.Blige.Serenades.Chicago.Theater-3949043.shtml. Retrieved 25 January 2011. 

External links

• Blige's Official Website