8701 Evolution Tour
Tour by Usher | |
Associated album | 8701 |
---|---|
Start date | April 25, 2002 |
End date | July 7, 2002 |
Legs | 3 |
No. of shows | 46 |
Usher concert chronology |
8701 Evolution Tour was the debut concert tour by American recording artist Usher. Visiting North America, Asia, Canada, and Africa the tour accompanies his third studio album, 8701 (2001). Following a milestone, 8701 sold 6 million copies worldwide and spawning two Billboard Hot 100 number one singles "U Remind Me", "U Got It Bad" and hit song "U Don't Have To Call".[1]
Background
Usher originally planned to embark on a supporting tour for the album with a starting date of November 29, 2001 in Baltimore to an end date of December 30 in Los Angeles.[2] Titled by his fans the Evolution 8701 Tour, the original tour plan—to which Usher would perform in venues that held 5,000 to 12,000 seats—was postponed, due to Usher dislocating his shoulder during a rehearsal.[3] Once recovered, Usher announced new tour dates, and commented: "I'm really looking forward to getting out and performing live onstage. Now that my arm is healed, I'm ready to get out there and interact with my fans. Nothing compares to that excitement and energy."[4] Usher would perform in over forty North America Cities, with opening acts including singer Faith Evans, and rappers Nas and Mr. Cheeks.[5] The tour commenced on April 25, 2002, in Denver and concluded on July 7, 2002, in New Orleans.
Concert synopsis
The show began with his guitarist playing the National Anthem proceeding with an introduction in the background while his dancers hit the stage, Usher emerges jumping from the top of the spiral stage wearing a leather vest and shorts. Kicking off with "I Don’t Know" then going into "If I Want To" sparkles and pyrotechnics off his latest, 8701.
Set list
- "National Anthem into Bio Video"
- "I Don't Know"
- "If I Want To"
- "Just Like Me"
- "I Can't Let U Go"
- "Romantic Transition Video"
- "Bedtime"
- "Nice & Slow"
- "I Need a Girl"
- "Twork It Out"
- "8701 Interlude"/"U Got It Bad"
- "My Way"
- "You Make Me Wanna..."
- "U Remind Me"
- "U Don't Have to Call"
- "What's Going On"
Critical reception
The tour garnered generally positive reviews from critics.[1] Randy Lewis from the Los Angeles Times stated "The choreography was sporadically dazzling, and in a brief solo number near the end of the show, he suddenly pulled together a routine hinting that he might give Prince or Michael Jackson of yore a run for their money."[7] A reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle says "Usher is so smooth, he literally slides. Usher arrived with a burst of fireworks and an energetic performance and showed why he's made a successful transition. The audience loved it all and sang along lustily to a string of hits." Soren Baker from the Cincinnati Enquirer praised "the 23-year-old Atlantan proved you can sing and dance at the same time. Of course, that's how James Brown, Jackie Wilson and Usher's most obvious role model Michael Jackson did it, but in today's high-tech, gimmicky concerts, it's a lost art."[8]
Opening acts
- Source:[4]
Date
Date | City | Country | Venue |
---|---|---|---|
North America | |||
April 25, 2002 | Denver
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United States | Pepsi Center
|
April 26, 2002 | Albuquerque | Journal Pavilion
| |
April 27, 2002 | Phoenix | Cricket Wireless Pavilion
| |
April 28, 2002 | Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay Events Center
| |
May 2, 2002 | San Diego | Coors Amphitheatre
| |
May 3, 2002 | Irvine | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
| |
May 4, 2002 | Sacramento | Valley Amphitheatre
| |
May 5, 2002 | Concord | Concord Pavilion | |
May 8, 2002 | Calgary | Canada | Pengrowth Saddledome
|
May 10, 2002 | Vancouver | General Motors Place
| |
May 11, 2002 | Seattle | United States | KeyArena
|
May 12, 2002 | Portland | Rose Garden Arena
| |
May 16, 2002 | Minneapolis | Target Center | |
May 17, 2002 | Tinley Park | Tweeter Center
| |
May 18, 2002 | Maryland Heights | Riverport Amphitheatre
| |
May 19, 2002 | Bonner Springs | Sandstone Amphitheater | |
May 23, 2002 | Columbus | Polaris Amphitheater
| |
May 24, 2002 | Cincinnati | Riverbend Music Center | |
May 25, 2002 | Clarkston | Pine Knob Music Theatre | |
May 26, 2002 | Cleveland
|
Gund Arena
| |
May 30, 2002 | Nashville | AmSouth Amphitheatre
| |
May 31, 2002 | Charlotte | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
| |
June 1, 2002 | Raleigh | Alltel Pavilion
| |
June 2, 2002 | Virginia Beach | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
| |
June 6, 2002 | Miami
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American Airlines Arena
| |
June 7, 2002 | Atlanta | Chastain Park | |
June 8, 2002 | Tampa | Ice Palace
| |
June 11, 2002 | Orlando | TD Waterhouse Centre
| |
June 13, 2002 | Holmdel
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PNC Bank Arts Center | |
June 14, 2002 | Wantagh | Jones Beach Theater | |
June 15, 2002 | Mansfield | Tweeter Center
| |
June 16, 2002 | Camden | Tweeter Center
| |
June 20, 2002 | Toronto
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Canada | Air Canada Centre
|
June 21, 2002 | Albany | United States | Pepsi Arena
|
June 22, 2002 | Hartford | ctnow.com Meadows Music Theatre
| |
June 23, 2002 | Buffalo | HSBC Arena
| |
June 27, 2002 | Noblesville | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
| |
June 28, 2002 | Hershey | Hersheypark Stadium | |
June 29, 2002 | Bristow | Nissan Pavilion
| |
June 30, 2002 | Burgettstown | Post-Gazette Pavilion
| |
July 4, 2002 | Selma | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre
| |
July 5, 2002 | Dallas | Smirnoff Music Center
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July 6, 2002 | Houston | Compaq Center
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July 7, 2002 | New Orleans
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Louisiana Superdome
|
Personnel
- Keys: Rudolfo Valdez Brantley & Buddy Strong
- Drums: Mike 'Big Mike' Clemons
- Guitar & Keys: Natural
References
- ^ "Grammy Award Winning Superstar Usher Gears Up for 8701 Evolution Tour". Digitaljournal.com. 2002-10-02. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (October 11, 2001). "Usher Lets Fans Title Upcoming Tour". MTV News (MTV Networks). Archived from the original on September 4, 2012. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ Reid, Shaheem (November 13, 2001). "Usher Tour On Hold After Singer Dislocates Shoulder". MTV News (MTV Networks). Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved August 3, 2012.
- ^ a b Moss, Corey (February 13, 2002). "Usher Announces Rescheduled 8701 Tour Dates". MTV News (MTV Networks). Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 7, 2010.
- ^ "Usher's Spring/Summer Tour Evolves". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Usher Takes Audience Member To Bed At Seattle Tour Opener". MTV News. Archived from the original on June 1, 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2019.
- ^ "For R&B;'s Usher, Ego Is Still Instrumental". 20 May 2002. Retrieved 20 April 2019 – via LA Times.
- ^ Tribune, Soren Baker Special to the (24 May 2002). "Usher brims with new confidence". Chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 20 April 2019.