Jesus Christ Supertour
| Jesus Christ Supertour | ||||
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| World tour by Alesha | ||||
| Location | Asia, Australia, Europe, North & South America | |||
| Associated album | Alesha Is the Queen | |||
| Start date | August 1, 2008 | |||
| End date | December 8, 2008 | |||
| Legs | 3 | |||
| Shows | 80 | |||
| Alesha tour chronology | ||||
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| Jesus Christ Supertour: Live at Madison Square Garden | ||||
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| Video by Alesha | ||||
| Released | March 2009 | |||
| Recorded |
November 21 – 22, 2008 Madison Square Garden, New York | |||
| Genre | Pop, electronic, alternative | |||
| Length | 87:59 | |||
| Label | Ensemble | |||
| Alesha video chronology | ||||
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The Jesus Christ Supertour is the second world tour (and fourth overall) by British recording artist Alesha to promote her fifth studio album The Second Coming (2008). It was announced in May 2008, with dates for European venues revealed. The set list consisted mainly of songs from the supporting studio album, as well as singles from Alesha's previous album Alesha Is the Queen (2007). The tour started on August 1, 2008 in Belfast, Northern Island and concluded four months later on December 8, 2008 in Vancouver, Canada.
The concert tour was divided into four parts: Alesha of Nazareth, Disciplinary Discoteque, Smoking Gun and Crucify. The stage for the main show was planned similarly to that of her previous 2007 The Queen Tour. The costumes were designed by legendary fashion designer Alexander McQueen, with creative input from Alesha herself. The tour generated positive reviews from critics. After its ending, the Jesus Christ Supertour was dubbed as the highest grossing tour ever for a female artist at its time, grossing over US $194.7 million.
Alesha's performance of the song "Crucify" while hanging on a giant mirrored cross wearing a crown of thorns was met with strong negative reaction from religious groups, angering the Vatican especially. Her concerts in Kansas City was picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church. The Jesus Christ Supertour has been broadcast on a number of private channels and a DVD and Blu-ray version of the performances, was released in March 2009. A tour edition of The Second Coming was release to coincide with the tour, including Alesha's cover of Splinter's "God's Got a Glowstick" (as performed live) and recent collaborations.
Background and development[edit | edit source]
The world tour was officially confirmed on May 8, 2008 through a post on Alesha's official website. Billboard confirmed the tour was to begin on August 1, 2008 in Belfast, Northern Island, with performances throughout the rest of the year. It was titled Jesus Christ Supertour and planned to visit five continents on 70–80 dates. The tour was produced globally by Live Nation and promoted Madonna's studio album The Second Coming (2008). The show featured four acts, plus an encore: Alesha of Nazareth, depicting Alesha as a Messianic figure; "Disciplinary Discoteque," which featured a military theme; "Smoking Gun," and "Crucify," a ballad section which saw the "crucifixion" of Alesha.
Costumes for the tour were designed by legendary British fashion designer Alexander McQueen (before his untimely death in February 2010), with creative input from Alesha herself. The stage and associated props took twenty-four semi-trailer trucks to transport. The setup consisted of a main stage with three elevators and a turntable (which rose and lowered), a central runway with LED and strobe lights connected to a central stage with a LED view screen in the construction and an elevator. The two secondary runways were raised up into the stands and also had view screens inside the construction. Two projection screens were raised above the audience so those who couldn't get a clear view of the stage could still see the performance. There were also 3 LED screens that moved around during the performance, including one semicircular transparent screen lowered onto the stage during the video interludes.
Broadcast and recordings[edit | edit source]
HBO filmed a special of the Jesus Christ Supertour during Alesha's November 21–22, 2008 shows at Madison Square Garden. The special, titled Alesha Presents the Jesus Christ Supertour: Live at Madison Square Garden, aired on HBO in December 14 and Sky1 on December 25, 2008 in the United States and the United Kingdom respectively. The special showed the whole of the Jesus Christ Supertour, and some backstage footage, which was shown in black-and-white. DVD and Blu-Ray releases of the concert special were issued in March 2009.
After its broadcast, the special received critical acclaim; critics praised Alesha's performance. The special was nominated for five honors at the 61st Primetime Emmy Awards: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special; Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special; Outstanding Technical Direction, Camerawork, Video Control for a Miniseries, Movie or a Special; Outstanding Picture Editing for a Special (Single or Multi-Camera); and Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special.
Support acts[edit | edit source]
Vinyl Dolls were chosen as the support act for the tour. The band had won Uraps: Unsigned, a reality television show where unsigned bands competed for a record deal. Alesha was the host of the show and publicly supported them, contributing songwriting credits to their debut album. Vinyl Dolls are also managed by the same person as Alesha's close friend Putanovska.
- "In Flames"
- "Rave"
- "Good as Gold"
- "Wolves with Pretty Lips"
- "Do What You Want (The Pin-Up Song)"
- "World Domination" (interlude) / "Mockery"
- "Universe from You"
- "Strip Poker"
- "Playing Devil's Advocate"
- "The Wrath of Veronica"
Setlist[edit | edit source]
- Alesha of Nazareth
- "Intro" / "Jesus Christ Supermodel"
- "Power Power"
- "Diamonds & Dollars"
- "Blow Your Speakers Out" / "Boombox Lover"
- "Playing the Darling" / "Dollar Bill"
- "Just for the Thrills"
- Disciplinary Discoteque
- "My Teaches" / "Disciplinary"
- "Original Sin"
- "Hunting for Love"
- "God's Got a Glowstick"
- "Fashion Kills"
- "Sheep & Wolf"
- Smoking Gun
- "Smoking Gun (Fuckery)"
- "Guerrilla"
- "Warning! Fragile Popstars"
- "Devils to the Ground
- "Fear the Call"
- "The Angels in This City"
- Crucify
- "Infernal Superstar" / "Devil's Centrefold"
- "Timebomb"
- "Candy Cigarettes"
- "Those Who Love Me Can Take the Train"
- "Crucify"
- Tsunami of the Soul
- Notes
- On the opening night, Alesha was joined by both Putanovska and Ryan Dawson. Putanovska performed with her on songs taken from the "Diamonds & Dollar Bills" EP, as well as "Just For The Thrills". Ryan performed the army chant on "Disciplinary" and sang "Original Sin" with Alesha. Putanovska and Ryan sang their duet "Make-Up Sex" while Alesha changed costumes.
Tour dates[edit | edit source]
Europe[edit | edit source]
Australasia[edit | edit source]
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North/South America[edit | edit source]
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