The A Millions Lights Tour was the debut concert tour by English recording artist Cheryl Cole. It promoted Cole's third studio album, A Million Lights. The tour marks Cole's first solo venture, touring extensively from 2005 to 2009 with pop group Girls Aloud. The show ran during October 2012, with 11 shows in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Background
With the release of her latest album only one week away, the tour was announced via Cole's website on 12 June 2012.[1]
Rehearsal for the tour began late August 2012 at Studio 1342 in Los Angeles.[2] The sessions were cut short as Cole and will.i.am were involved in car accident during the early morning.[3] The singer returned to the UK in an arm sling to complete promotional radio spots, with rehearsals continuing in London. During the radio spots, the singer stated the tour would feature will.i.am. and Wretch 32 at one of the concerts.[4] She also stated costumes were being designed by Renelou Padora.[5] During the final weeks, Cole and crew rehearsed the production at the Olympic Basketball Arena, before heading to Belfast. While in Northern Ireland, dancing Tre Holloway fractured his leg, causing him to be absent from the first three shows of the jaunt.[6]
Critical reception
The tour received mixed reviews from critics and fans. For the debut concert in Belfast, Ashleigh Rainbird from Daily Mirror gave the show four out of five stars. She proclaims the concert was a "first night triumph".[7]
At The O2 in Dublin, Ed Power of The Daily Telegraph gave the Irish gig three out of five stars. He states, "[T]hough her vocals were generally strong, Cheryl never imprinted her personality on the performance. At times the music felt like a calculating mash-up of chart trends—a little Rihanna here, a hint of Britney and Beyoncé there. How strange that, surrounded by state of the art production and dazzling costumery, one of the most recognisable women in pop should seem so faceless".[8]
In London, André Paine writing for London Evening Standard gave the show three out of five stars, calling the show uneven yet ultimately enjoyable. He continues, "It was all over in 70 minutes and while Cheryl did just enough to justify her solo career, you suspect she's looking forward to being part of a girl group again".[9] At the same concert, Robert Copsey from Digital Spy gave Cole's performance three out of five stars, saying the singer's performance was surprising flat. He says, "The flashes of brilliance in 'Under The Sun', '3 Words'—which featured a surprise appearance by friend and mentor will.i.am—and 'Fight for This Love' proved that she is capable of holding her own in front of a larger crowd. Though with a new book out and a number of well-publicised TV and film spots on the horizon, it proved all-too-easy to remember that she's a celebrity as much as a poster".[10]
During the final shows at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, Jessica Philips of Sunderland Echo called the homecoming concert triumphant but short. She also stated, "Her fellow Geordies were practically effervescent in their enthusiasm for their idol, chanting her name with all their might".[11]
Broadcasts and recordings
Shortly after the tour was completed, a DVD release was issued for November 2012. In November, Cole had two specials airing on ITV2. The first was a behind-the-scenes documentary titled, "Cheryl: All Access Areas". The special showed footage from the London concert, along with rehearsals and intimate moments with Cole.[12] The special aired 20 November 2012, to an audience of over 800,000 viewers.[13] The second was an abbreviated concert special, filmed at The O2 Arena in London. The special, "Cheryl: Live in Concert—A Million Lights Tour", aired 25 November 2012. The DVD titled A Million Lights: Live at The O2, was released on 26 November 2012.[14][15]
Set list
This set list is representative of the 3 October 2012 show in Belfast. It does not represent all dates of the tour.[16]
"Call My Name" (Reprise) (contains elements of the Wideboys Remix)
Notes
During the concert in London, Cole was joined onstage by will.i.am. during the performance of "3 Words". Later in the concert, Cole was joined by Wretch 32 for "Screw You".
Tour dates
List of concerts, showing date, city, country and venue and opening acts
^"Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Vol. 124, no. 44. New York. 24 November 2012. ISSN0006-2510. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
^"Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. Vol. 124, no. 45. New York. 1 December 2012. ISSN0006-2510. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 25 November 2012.
