Last Girl on Earth

Last Girl on Earth[1] was the third concert tour by Barbadian recording artist Rihanna. The tour visited Europe, Asia, North America and Australia to support her fourth studio album, Rated R (2009).

Last Girl on Earth Tour
Tour by Rihanna
Promotional poster for the tour
Associated albumRated R
Loud
Start dateApril 16, 2010 (2010-04-16)
End dateMarch 12, 2011 (2011-03-12)
Legs3
No. of shows67
Rihanna concert chronology

The tour was announced through MTV News in December 2009. In the interview, Rihanna stated, "It's going to be a worldwide tour, so it's going to be a very long tour. We'll definitely be in your city, so look out for that."[2] The tour received generally positive reception.

Background and development

Performing "Russian Roulette" during the tour premiere in Antwerp

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Rihanna explained the tour's title. She stated, "I like to think about myself as 'The Last Girl on Earth' because sometimes people make decisions based on the outlook of others and, you know, to me, my life is my life. It's my world, and I'm going to live it the way I want to. That's how I think about everything, that way I'm focused on me, and my work. It's a really narrow space, a focus."[3]

The tour, choreographed by Tina Landon, was officially announced on December 9, 2009, while on the set of the music video for "Hard".[2] She also announced some dates for the European leg of the tour on her official website. It went on to gross over $9.1 million in North America from 26 shows according to Pollstar and the 2011 Australian leg of the tour added another $10 million to the total. English singer-songwriter Pixie Lott was selected as the opening act for the UK shows, along with last minute additions of Tinchy Stryder and Tinie Tempah.[4][5] In an interview with MTV, she stated, "We've been ... coming out with different ideas and cool things that we can do. Things that we've never seen before, daring things – but now is when we really start with the rehearsal and we get into the nitty-gritty and the details of everything" while describing the vibe of the tour as "daring".[2] She continued to comment on the tour stating, "expect some sexy surprises when I come to the UK. I'll go all out on the tour, which I hope to bring to some UK festivals."[6]

During rehearsals for the tour, Rihanna also took drum lessons from Travis Barker. This practice was later used during her cover of "The Glamorous Life" originally performed by Sheila E.[7] In April 2010, the North American dates for the tour were announced.[8] Although rapper Nicki Minaj was originally scheduled as an opening act, she withdrew from the tour to continue work on her debut album.[9]

In March 2010, Israeli newspapers reported that Rihanna would play a date at Bloomfield Stadium, in Tel Aviv on May 30, 2010. The concert was sponsored by Orange Rockcorps. This organization allows those who volunteer in their community for at least four hours to attend the concert at no cost. It was later announced Rihanna will join the volunteers before the concert to do local work in the community.[10]

Performing "Hard" in Antwerp

In an interview with AOL, Rihanna revealed that fans should expect a big upgrade in comparison to her previous tours. She commented, "[w]e've never done a tour to this capacity. The production is unbelievable and the costumes, we just took it to a whole new level. Visually and sonically it's going to be a big step up from the last time. We just keep growing, and this time it is a massive production that I cannot wait for."[8]

The tour is directed by Jamie King, who has previously worked with Madonna, Britney Spears and Avril Lavigne. Tina Landon, who has worked with Janet Jackson, will serve as choreographer. The creative director for the tour is Simon Henwood who was also the creative director of her 2009 album.[11] Henwood explained: "[w]e talked extensively for months before the album's release, and looked at every aspect of the campaign – from styling to stage ideas and visuals [...] There is a great story that will unfold through the campaign, and finally reveal on the tour.. partly inspired by the film – The Omega Man and of course ideas from the songs – as well as Rihanna's personal visions."[12]

Extreme's guitarist, Nuno Bettencourt, has signed on to lead the band.[13] Bettencourt explained that the rehearsals have been "better than what I expected because she also has the most incredible band, and I get the privilege to add to their wall of sound. It's gonna be fun."[13]

Critical reception

Rihanna performing during the tour

The Telegraph said, "On the opening night of the UK leg of her world tour, US R&B superstar Rihanna was taking no prisoners. She kicked off with the homicidal pop-rock ballad Russian Roulette to screen imagery of burning naked mannequins and had shed most of her clothes by her second song, which saw her straddling the gun barrel of a life-size pink tank while a semi-naked, military dance troupe twirled their rifles. Sex, violence and pyrotechnics (including big-screen mushroom clouds to accompany the incendiary Fire Bomb) were the themes of the evening. [...] Rihanna has a set full of hits and each is delivered with maximum bang for the audience's bucks, with revealing costumes, salacious dance routines, eye-catching props and sci-fi screens. [...] Her young, predominantly female fans genuinely adore Rihanna, and were full-throated whenever given the chance to join in. Sex and violence might make for effective 21st-century blockbuster entertainment but the price has been a loss of innocence, charm and individuality."[14] BBC Radio 1 said, "The 22-year-old star wore a floor-length black dress with red flashing lights on it to kick off the show at The O2 Arena, which began with last year's single, Russian Roulette. [...] Speaking afterwards most of the audience appeared impressed with the show. [...] The gig ended with the star's biggest hit to date, Umbrella, which managed to hold the number one spot for 10 weeks in 2007.[15] The Daily Mirror said, "Kicking off the Last Girl On Earth tour, where the running theme is Rihanna as the last human alive, she launches into a fiery Russian Roulette. [...] There was no miming. She's stepped up her game and ready to battle it out with the best of the new female acts."[16] Mikael Wood from Rolling Stone reviewed the concert in Los Angeles and said that Rihanna held the "audience's attention throughout a nearly two-hour show full of costume changes, video bits and complicated set pieces [...]".[17]

Rihanna performing "Rockstar 101" with a black guitar in front of her, stylistically reminiscent of particular scenes shown in the song's music video.

Jason Clevett of GayCalgary considered the show's theme reminiscent of Janet Jackson's The Velvet Rope Tour, particularly comparing Jackson's live renditions of "Rope Burn", "in which she tied an audience member to a bed and proceeded to seduce them", to Rihanna's performance of "Skin."[18] Clay Clane of BET said of the show: "There may have been doubts, but Rihanna proved she has the star power to command a stage for nearly two hours. [...] Rihanna can sing and there were no signs of lip-synching. Rih never said she was Whitney Houston, and while she doesn't have a massive vocal range, she uses her voice well, sounding just like her records and belting out some notes that I didn't know were in her.[19] The New York Post said, "Rihanna is a dream girl", who "kept the set lively with fireworks, an arsenal of gun props and a program that wove together the bubbly dance pop and the harder rock-flavored material featured on her recent Rated R record." From the show opener, "Russian Roulette", to the last encore song – her megahit "Umbrella" – Rihanna was electric for a performance that was amped-up and aggressive.[20]

Show incidents

On April 19, 2010, Rihanna made newspaper headlines when she was taken to hospital after her performance in Zürich. Rihanna's spokesperson says that she "had an injured rib and went to have it looked at to be sure it was nothing serious, and it wasn’t". Alenka Ambroz, head of the clinic's corporate communications said: "Rihanna arrived at the accident and emergency unit. We're not going to give any details." Rihanna, however, was still able to perform at the next show in Lyon, France, on April 20.[21]

Broadcasts and recordings

One of the two concerts at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, was recorded and partially broadcast by several radio stations across Europe on May 26, 2010.[22] The concert in Manchester was recorded and later broadcast by a German radio station. Additionally, the concert on June 5 at the Rock in Rio Festival in Madrid, Spain, was broadcast by Spanish television network TVE. No official DVD for the tour has been released or announced.

Opening acts

Setlist

Tour dates

List of shows in Europe and Asia[34][35][36]
Date City Country Venue
April 16, 2010 Antwerp Belgium Sportpaleis
April 17, 2010 Arnhem Netherlands GelreDome XS
April 19, 2010 Zürich Switzerland Hallenstadion
April 20, 2010 Lyon France Halle Tony Garnier
April 21, 2010 Marseille Le Dôme de Marseille
April 23, 2010 Frankfurt Germany Festhalle Frankfurt
April 25, 2010 Oberhausen König Pilsener Arena
April 27, 2010 Geneva Switzerland SEG Geneva Arena
April 28, 2010 Paris France Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
May 1, 2010 Hamburg Germany Color Line Arena
May 2, 2010 Berlin O2 World
May 4, 2010 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg Rockhal
May 7, 2010 Birmingham England LG Arena
May 8, 2010 Liverpool Echo Arena
May 10, 2010 London The O2 Arena
May 11, 2010
May 13, 2010 Sheffield Sheffield Arena
May 14, 2010 Nottingham Trent FM Arena
May 16, 2010 Manchester Manchester Evening News Arena
May 17, 2010 Newcastle Metro Radio Arena
May 19, 2010 Glasgow Scotland SECC Concert Hall 4
May 20, 2010
May 22, 2010 Dublin Ireland The O2
May 23, 2010[lower-alpha 1] Bangor Wales Vaynol Estate
May 24, 2010 Belfast Northern Ireland Odyssey Arena
May 26, 2010 Dublin Ireland The O2
May 30, 2010 Tel Aviv Israel Bloomfield Stadium
June 1, 2010 Piraeus Greece Karaiskakis Stadium
June 3, 2010 Istanbul Turkey Turkcell Kuruçeşme Arena
June 5, 2010[lower-alpha 2] Madrid Spain Ciudad del Rock
June 6, 2010[lower-alpha 3] London England Wembley Stadium
List of shows in North America[40]
Date City Country Venue
July 4, 2010 Vancouver Canada General Motors Place
July 5, 2010 Penticton South Okanagan Events Centre
July 6, 2010 Calgary Pengrowth Saddledome
July 9, 2010 Sacramento United States ARCO Arena
July 10, 2010 Mountain View Shoreline Amphitheatre
July 14, 2010 Albuquerque The Pavilion
July 17, 2010 Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Events Center
July 18, 2010 Anaheim Honda Center
July 21, 2010 Los Angeles Staples Center
July 22, 2010 Tucson Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater
July 24, 2010 Laredo Laredo Energy Arena
July 25, 2010 San Antonio AT&T Center
July 30, 2010 Tampa 1-800-ASK-GARY Amphitheatre
July 31, 2010 Miami American Airlines Arena
August 5, 2010 Toronto Canada Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
August 7, 2010 Montreal Bell Centre
August 8, 2010 Mansfield United States Comcast Center
August 11, 2010 Uncasville Mohegan Sun Arena
August 12, 2010 New York City Madison Square Garden
August 14, 2010 Atlantic City Borgata Event Center
August 15, 2010 Wantagh Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
August 18, 2010 Camden Susquehanna Bank Center
August 20, 2010 Bristow Jiffy Lube Live
August 21, 2010 Hershey Hersheypark Stadium
August 22, 2010 Clarkston DTE Energy Music Theatre
August 25, 2010 Chicago United Center
August 28, 2010[lower-alpha 4] Geddes Mohegan Sun Grandstand
List of shows in Australia[42]
Date City Country Venue
February 25, 2011 Brisbane Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre
February 26, 2011 Gold Coast GCCEC Arena
February 28, 2011 Newcastle Newcastle Entertainment Centre
March 4, 2011 Sydney Acer Arena
March 5, 2011
March 7, 2011 Melbourne Rod Laver Arena
March 8, 2011
March 10, 2011 Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre
March 12, 2011 Perth Burswood Dome

Cancellations shows

List of cancelled shows
Date City Country Venue Reason
July 2, 2010 Auburn United States White River Amphitheatre Production changes[43]
July 12, 2010 West Valley City USANA Amphitheatre Cancelled[44]
July 15, 2010 Greenwood Village Comfort Dental Amphitheatre Cancelled[45]
July 22, 2010 Phoenix, Arizona Cricket Wireless Pavilion Moved to the Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater in Tucson, Arizona [46]
July 24, 2010 Dallas Superpages.com Center Moved to the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas [47]
July 28, 2010 Atlanta Philips Arena Cancelled[48]
August 3, 2010 Noblesville Verizon Wireless Music Center Cancelled[49]

Box office score data

Venue City Tickets sold / Available Gross revenue
Sportpaleis Antwerp 15,653 / 15,862 (99%) $889,266[50]
Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy Paris 15,733 / 16,348 (96%) $1,184,640[51]
Color Line Arena Hamburg 7,927 / 11,589 (68%) $586,496[52]
LG Arena Birmingham 12,909 / 14,998 (86%) $812,909[53]
Echo Arena Liverpool 10,581 / 10,581 (100%) $654,120[53]
The O2 Arena London 30,813 / 33,018 (93%) $1,905,800[52]
Sheffield Arena Sheffield 8,091 / 10,140 (80%) $506,019[53]
Trent FM Arena Nottingham 8,022 / 9,567 (84%) $496,754[53]
Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester 12,678 / 13,631 (93%) $773,704[53]
Metro Radio Arena Newcastle 8,258 / 9,757 (85%) $503,928[53]
The O2 Dublin 21,535 / 24,078 (89%) $1,198,040[54]
Odyssey Arena Belfast 9,286 / 9,286 (100%) $529,312[54]
Shoreline Amphitheater Mountain View 19,678 / 22,000 (90%) $1,394,200[54]
Staples Center Los Angeles 19,992 / 19,992 (100%) $1,359,456[55]
Bell Centre Montreal 10,778 / 10,778 (100%) $785,707[56]
Madison Square Garden New York City 14,331 / 14,331 (100%) $1,271,547[57]
Hersheypark Stadium Hershey 11,400 / 14,567 (78%) $469,285[58]
DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston 14,381 / 14,381 (100%) $535,276[57]
Brisbane Entertainment Centre Brisbane 10,788 / 11,168 (97%) $1,415,830[59]
Newcastle Entertainment Centre Newcastle 6,505 / 7,243 (78%) $783,748[60]
Acer Arena Sydney 22,406 / 22,406 (100%) $2,929,180[61]
Rod Laver Arena Melbourne 23,090 / 23,650 (98%) $2,672,630[62]
Adelaide Entertainment Centre Adelaide 7,924 / 9,961 (79%) $866,215[63]
Burswood Dome Perth 11,655 / 22,024 (52%) $1,278,250[63]
TOTAL 294,744 / 329,364 (89%) $24,248,656

Notes

  1. This concert was part of the Radio 1's Big Weekend[37]
  2. This concert was part of the Rock in Rio Madrid[38]
  3. This concert was part of the Summertime Ball[39]
  4. This concert was part of the Great New York State Fair[41]

Personnel

Credits adapted from the official tour book:

References

  1. Sources for tour name:
  2. Vena, Jocelyn (December 3, 2009). "Rihanna Preps For 'Daring' World Tour". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 6, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2009.
  3. "Rihanna Talks 'Idol' and Her New Tour". Entertainment Tonight. CBS Television Distribution. April 7, 2010. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
  4. "Pixie Lott to support Rihanna on tour". 4music website. February 19, 2010. Archived from the original on February 23, 2010. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  5. Gregory, Jason (April 23, 2010). "Tinchy Stryder, Tinie Tempah and Pixie Lott to support Rihanna on UK tour". Gigwise. Giant Digital. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  6. Linge, Nadine (February 27, 2010). "Rihanna bounces back hotter than ever". Daily Star. Northern and Shell Media Publications. Retrieved February 27, 2010.
  7. Montgomery, James (March 24, 2010). "Rihanna Takes Drum Lessons From Travis Barker Before Tour". MTV. Retrieved April 6, 2010.
  8. "Rihanna Announces Last Girl On Earth Tour With Ke$ha, Nicki Minaj". MTV News. April 5, 2010. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  9. Wete, Brad (April 7, 2010). "Nicki Minaj drops out of Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth tour". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
  10. Glaser, Amalia (April 27, 2010). פרויקט ההתנדבות של אורנג' פותח את עונת הרחצה בניקוי חופים [Volunteer project of the Orange opens the swimming season beach cleanup]. News1 (in Hebrew). Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  11. Cowan, Katy (December 28, 2009). "Artist Simon Henwod generate the creative force behind Rihanna's Rated R". Creative Boom. Creative Industries Magazine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2011. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  12. "Rihanna Works With Simon Henwood on Creative Direction for "Rated R"". ArjanWrites. December 4, 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2010.
  13. "Rihanna Starts Recruiting Band For 2010 Tour". The Hot Hits Live from LA. November 18, 2009. Archived from the original on January 27, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  14. McCormick, Neil (May 10, 2010). "Rihanna at the NEC Birmingham, review". Telegraph.
  15. Savage, Maddy (May 11, 2010). "Review: Rihanna plays London gig". BBC.
  16. 3am (April 30, 2010). " Review of Rihanna live at Bercy Arena". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved June 18, 2010.
  17. Wood, Mikael (July 22, 2010). "Rihanna Kicks Off Tour With Special Guest Eminem". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
  18. "Rihanna Heats Up The Dome". GayCalgary. Clevett, Jason. Retrieved April 6, 2014.
  19. Clane, Clay (August 13, 2010). "Concert Review: Rihanna's Last Girl on Earth Tour". BET.com.
  20. Aquilante, Dan (August 14, 2010). "Rihanna's just dreamy!". New York Post.
  21. Nissim, Mayer (April 21, 2010). "Rihanna 'rushed to hospital after concert'". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi Médias. Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  22. ""Last Girl on Earth Tour" in Glasgow on the radio". Sky Rock. May 18, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  23. Merle, Patrick (April 22, 2010). "Rihanna, machine infernale" [Rihanna, infernal machine]. La Provence (in French). Retrieved May 6, 2010.
  24. Alush, Noy (May 24, 2010). הכינו את המטריות והפפראצי [Prepare your umbrellas, paparazzi]. Mako (in Hebrew). Mako. Retrieved May 24, 2010.
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  26. Serpe, Gina (April 6, 2010). "Chris Brown Who? Rihanna Recruits Ke$ha for the Party". E! Entertainment News. Time, Inc. Retrieved April 8, 2010.
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  31. daverh (November 26, 2010). "Calvin Harris returns in 2011…as Rihanna's support DJ on inthemix.com.au" Archived November 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine. inthemix.
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    • "Events". Rihanna's Official Website. The Island Def Jam Music Group. December 9, 2009. Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
    • "Rihanna Dates". Pollstar. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2010.
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  36. Sources for shows in Europe – June 2010:
  37. "Rihanna, Florence & The Machine and Pendulum in Bangor". BBC News. April 26, 2010. Retrieved April 27, 2010.
  38. "Rock in Rio Madrid News" (in Spanish). February 28, 2010. Archived from the original on March 3, 2010. Retrieved March 3, 2010.
  39. Copsey, Robert (April 19, 2010). "JLS, Rihanna confirmed for Summertime Ball". Digital Spy. Retrieved April 19, 2010.
  40. Sources for tour dates in North America: Bialczak, Mark (April 16, 2010). "Rihanna to play at New York State Fair's grandstand". The Post-Standard. Advance Publications. Retrieved April 20, 2010.
  41. "Rihanna to perform at the New York State Fair". New York State Fair Web site. Empire Expo Center. April 16, 2010. Archived from the original on November 27, 2010.
  42. Sources for tour dates in Australia:
  43. Jasmin, Ernest (June 28, 2010). "Rihanna cancels White River tour launch". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011. Retrieved July 1, 2010.
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