The Glassheart Tour was the second headlining concert tour by English singer Leona Lewis. It was launched in support of her third studio album, Glassheart (2012). Announced on 8 October 2012, with an initial run of sixteen dates in the United Kingdom, the Glassheart Tour was extended to include five dates in Germany and one in Switzerland. English singer-songwriter Ryan Keen served as the support act. It marks the first time that Lewis has performed material in Europe as part of a headline tour; her previous tour The Labyrinth (2010), only visited the UK.
| Tour by Leona Lewis | |
 | |
| Location | Europe |
|---|---|
| Associated album | Glassheart |
| Start date | 15 April 2013 |
| End date | 13 July 2013 |
| Legs | 1 |
| No. of shows | 24 in Europe |
| Leona Lewis concert chronology | |
Lewis was inspired by American hip hop artist and music producer Kanye West's style of performance and noted English playwright William Shakespeare as inspiration for the tour. Lewis performed the set list with her band which consisted mostly of a string quartet and acoustic song arrangements. It was the acoustic performances and Lewis' vocals that garnered the most praise from critics; however, there was a mixed reaction to some of the arrangements such as the reggae influences on "Better in Time". Critics were also divided over the lack of diversity from previous live performances though Lewis' stage presence was commended.
Background and development
editLewis released her third studio album Glassheart on 12 October 2012, almost a year after the original release date of November 2011.[1] The album had been conceptualised in July 2010, following Lewis' completion of her first tour, The Labyrinth.[2] The album title Glassheart was inspired from a conversation that Lewis had with Ryan Tedder. During the conversation, Tedder asked Lewis about her past experiences with love and life in general. Lewis' response led him to the word "Glassheart." During an interview with Clyde 1 radio, Lewis said "Glassheart represents protecting your heart, yourself and protecting your emotions, its very poignant".[3] On 8 October 2012, a week before the album's UK release, Lewis announced her supporting tour of the same name.[4] The tour is named after the album, and although Lewis said she is not American hip hop artist and music producer Kanye West's "biggest fan", she was inspired by his tour performances where he appeared on stage alone and just "did his thing".[5]
During an interview with Digital Spy, Lewis told Tom Eames that Glassheart has a running theme about "star-crossed lovers that can't be together", and so it was likely that this idea would feature on the tour. Lewis also cited William Shakespeare as another source of inspiration.[6] She spent the three days of the final tour rehearsals at The Backstage Centre in Purfleet, Essex (UK).[7] The Glassheart Tour was scheduled to visit twenty-one venues across Germany and the United Kingdom. The tour was expected to begin on 15 April in Berlin.[8] The list had expanded from an initial sixteen to include five dates in Germany.[9] Lewis would then proceed with UK dates beginning in Glasgow, including two dates at London's Royal Albert Hall before finishing on 18 May in Plymouth.[10] Speaking about the tour, Lewis said "I can't wait to get out there and play my new songs. I had such fun on my last tour and I'm really excited about doing it again next year."[8] Barclaycard ran a competition which gave fans the chance to win tickets to 6 May concert at Birmingham's National Indoor Arena.[11]
Critics' reviews
edit
In a review for the Express & Star, Elizabeth Joyce said although Lewis was not like her contemporaries: "meat dress-wearing" Lady Gaga or the Russell Brand-marrying Katy Perry, "no one can reach those soft lows or soaring highs quite like her".[12] Joyce praised the concert for showing the best of Lewis' vocal abilities. Focussing predominately on songs from Spirit (2007) and Glassheart (2012), the concert was largely acoustic music with a band and string quartet. In particular Joyce praised Lewis' performances of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and "Bleeding Love" which earned her standing ovations, in addition to the "note perfect" rendition of "Run".[12] Katherine Hollisey-McLean for the Worthing Herald largely agreed, commenting that if anyone expected Lewis to be "belting out song after song" they were right. Hollisey-McLean praised the decisions to switch the song arrangements, for example adding reggae beats to "Better in Time" and performing the acoustic version of "Trouble".[13] She ended by saying that Lewis' vocals were "flawless" and that her stage presence and confidence had vastly improved over the last seven years.[13]
The Guardian's Malcolm Jack was less impressed; he stated that when Lewis tried to diversify the show by dancing or switching the arrangements, she risked becoming the British diva that pop music forgot.[14] Jack said that during a "sassy dance routine" for "Forgive Me" Lewis came off as a "budget Beyoncé", whilst on the "cringey windin' and grindin' reggae take on 'Better in Time' song" she comes across like a "reasonably priced Rihanna".[14] Jack concluded by saying the show was in need of a shot of "adrenaline".[14] In writing for the Nottingham Post, Paul Hindle agreed, saying that when the tempo increased and choreography was introduced "Lewis looked endearingly uncomfortable"; however, Hindle was positive about Lewis' vocals, calling her vocal performance "virtuoso".[15] He concluded that Lewis' "spellbinding rendition" of "Run" was a highlight of the concert, and that fans should not have left disappointed.[15]
Set list
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The following set list is representative of the show in Berlin. It is not intended to represent the all shows throughout the tour.[13][16]
- "Come Alive"
- "Fireflies"
- "A Moment Like This"
- "Collide"
- "Forgive Me"
- "Better in Time" (contains elements of "Man Down")
- "Happy"
- "Sugar"
- "I to You"
- "Broken"
- "Trouble"
- "Locked Out of Heaven"
- "Footprints in the Sand"
- "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
- "Bleeding Love"
- "Glassheart"
- "Run"
Shows
edit
References
edit- ^ Anon. (25 January 2012). "Leona Lewis – Leona Lewis' Album Pushed Back Again". Contactmusic.com. Archived from the original on 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2012.
- ^ Lewis, Leona (28 February 2010). "Under the Skin of Leona Lewis" (Interview). Interviewed by Rick Edwards. London: 4 Music. Archived from the original on 21 August 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
- ^ Leona Lewis Interview. Clyde 1 Radio. (Global Radio Group). [Radio Interviewer]. Aired 17 September 2012.
- ^ "X Factor winner Leona Lewis coming to Sheffield – 2013 Tour Details". Sheffield Telegraph. Johnston Publishing. 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Leona Lewis brings Glassheart tour to Plymouth Pavilions in 2013 (news)". SouthWestShows.co.uk (News and Media Republic Ltd). 8 October 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2012.
- ^ Corner, Lewis; Mansell, Tom (16 October 2012). "Leona Lewis interview: "I'd like to release another uptempo single"". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Archived from the original on 18 October 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.
- ^ "Leona Lewis prepares for tour at The Backstage Centre in Purfleet". Your Thurrock. 18 April 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
- ^ a b Newsbeat (8 October 2012). "Leona Lewis announces 16-date UK arena tour for 2013". BBC Radio 1. (BBC). Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Leona Lewis Germany Tour 2013". Sony Music Germany. 4 December 2012. Archived from the original on 11 January 2013. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
- ^ Anon. (8 October 2012). "Leona Lewis UK Tour". LeonaLewisMusic.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Prize Draw Offers Chance to Win Tickets to See Leona Lewis at the NIA, Courtesy of Barclaycard Unwind". Marketwire.com. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
- ^ a b Joyce, Elizabeth (7 May 2013). "Review – Leona Lewis – Birmingham NIA". Express & Star. Midlands News Association. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 8 May 2013.
- ^ a b c Hollisey, Katherine. "Review: Leona Lewis at the Brighton Centre – What's On". Worthing Herald. Archived from the original on 13 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ a b c Malcolm Jack (28 April 2013). "Leona Lewis – review | Music". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on 24 May 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ a b Hindle, Paul (1 May 2013). "Review: Leona Lewis, Royal Concert Hall". This is Nottingham. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (17 April 2013). "Leona Lewis begins 'Glassheart' tour in Germany – pictures". Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
- ^ Joanou, Andy (13 July 2013). "Leona Lewis covers Rihanna's 'Diamonds' – listen". Digital Spy. (Hearst Magazines UK). Archived from the original on 15 July 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2013.
- ^ Corner, Lewis (17 April 2013). "Ryan Keen opens for Leona in the UK". Plymouth Pavilions. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 17 April 2013.