Doll Domination Tour

The Doll Domination Tour was the second concert tour by American girl group The Pussycat Dolls. It was launched in support of their second studio album, Doll Domination (2008). The tour was announced in October 2008 with dates in Europe and Oceania revealed in the following month, the tour contained six legs and 50 shows. It began in Aberdeen, Scotland on January 18, 2009, and concluded in Beirut, Lebanon on July 31, 2009. In-between the first two legs, the group supported the first leg of The Circus Starring Britney Spears in North America. The setlist for the concerts included songs from PCD (2005) and Doll Domination as well a cover of Shirley Bassey's Big Spender. Nineteen shows were submitted to Billboard's boxscore grossing $14.3 million, with 231,711 fans attending the performances.

Doll Domination Tour
World tour by The Pussycat Dolls
Promotional poster for the tour
Associated albumDoll Domination
Start dateJanuary 18, 2009
End dateJuly 31, 2009
Legs3
No. of shows
  • 34 in Europe
  • 9 in Oceania
  • 6 in Asia
  • 2 in North America
  • 51 total
The Pussycat Dolls concert chronology

Background

In August 2008, in an interview with FemaleFirst.co.uk, Ashley Roberts said that their world tour would start January 2009 adding "we're gonna be hitting everywhere around the world and taking over."[1] The tour was officially announced on October 7, 2008. Initial dates were confirmed in the UK with Ne-Yo tapped as a support act.[2] The following month Lady Gaga was announced as an opening act in Europe and in Oceania which marked their first time touring there, while the US shows were to be announced shortly.[3] On December 2, 2008, Britney Spears announced the first leg of twenty-five dates in the US for The Circus Starring Britney Spears with The Pussycat Dolls as the opening act.[4] The tour kicked off on January 18 in Aberdeen, Scotland with the first leg ending in Belgrade, Serbia. Before heading to the Oceania shows, The Pussycat Dolls supported Spears on her tour visiting 27 venues in North America.[5] Following Oceania, they visited Asia and North America and in July they visited England and Ireland for various festivals. Eight weeks before the tour started Jimmy Iovine stated that the group had sold 150,000 out of 160,000.[6]

Development

The stage screens for the tour were created by Stimulated, Inc.[7] The videos included original design and animation looks for 25 songs.[8] The company spent two months at its Burbank studio creating the visual content for the tour. The opening video sequence of the tour was filmed at a sound stage in Hollywood, California. The group were riding motorcycles against a green screen backdrop. Then, along with The Pussycat Dolls they traveled to Leeds, United Kingdom. Along with Robb Wagner and his team, the Dolls and their creative team, worked hand-in-hand polishing the media content.[7] The Pussycat Dolls spent six days in the Litestructures Studios for a full production rehearsal.[9] The stage was designed by Litestructures. It marked the fourth time that the company worked with The Pussycat Dolls. It measured 32 ft(w) x 24 ft(deep) and 8 ft(tall) – made to fit on 60 ft x 44 ft house stage. It featured includes three custom-built staircases which were made of small aluminium frame with a makrolon top.[9]

The set list of the shows included songs from the standard and deluxe edition of Doll Domination (2008) as well songs from their debut studio album, PCD (2005). Big Spender by Shirley Bassey was covered by Melody Thornton, as well cover versions of other artists which were used as snippets to songs. During the performances, the group was backed by five male dancers and two percussionists. During the opening leg of the tour, each show was recorded live and then loaded to The Pussycat Dolls wristband that plugs into any USB port or compatible microSD phone.[10][11] According to Metro The Pussycat Dolls were reportedly planning to make a behind-the-scenes movie about life on their tour. According to an insider, the band had started filming for the movie which was described "as part documentary and part entertainment." Despite this, no official recording has been released of the concert tour.[12] Jessica Sutta suffered a back injury during the first Sydney show, leaving the group performing as a foursome throughout the following shows.[13][14]

Critical response

While reviewing the opening concert in Aberdeen, Colene McKessick of The Press and Journal described it as a "roof-raising show." The writer praised the show for its "risque dance moves and infectious energy." She also commended Nicole Scherzinger's ability to carry most of the vocals and was impressed by her bandmates describing them as "talented singers too."[15] Sally Hind of the Evening Express lauded the opening night writing "they came to dominate and that’s what they did." She went on to praise the group's energy, "the five foxy felines didn’t once pause for breath. They were on the move from the minute they appeared on stage on shiny motorbikes until they took their final bow." She also praised the costumes of the show that "kept everyone fixated."[16] Writing for the Evening Times Maureen Ellis described the show as a "high-octane set" whilst noting that even though they "tried to showcase each of the band members in solo sections, it was only ever The Nicole Show."[17] Barbara Hodgson of The Journal described the show as "a solid three hours-plus of pure entertainment."[18] A writer for the Evening Chronicle thought that both Lady Gaga and Ne-Yo raised the standard too high, but went on to praise the group for "somersaulted over it."[19] Lauren Richards of the Birmingham Mail graded it four out five describing it "spectacular, fast paced and great fun."[20] Zoe Kirk of the Nottingham Post commented "this is more than just an ordinary, flimsy girl band; this is the manifestation of some of the best choreographers, beat-makers and catchy pop lyricists the mainstream has to offer." She ended her review writing "This was the Doll Domination their latest album promises."[21] Andy Nicholls of the Bournemouth Echo wrote that "[Scherzinger] may have taken center stage for most of the songs, Ashley, Jessica, Melody and Kimberly all proved they too had star quality."[22] On the contrary to Nicholls, Alex Macpherson from The Guardian felt that the remaining four members "are mere backing singers and dancers" and described Scherzinger as a "revelation, a switched-on, precision-engineered performer." He singled out "I Hate This Part" as the "Dolls' finest moment."[23] Eamon Sweeney of the Irish Independent commented that "despite a dramatic entrance on customized motorbikes, the early segment of the show seems like a massive anti-climax," but later noted that the group "soon get in their stride." He further noted that previous shows at The O2 in Dublin were musically superior, "but few can match this for sheer attitude."[24] A writer for the Belfast Telegraph described the show as "excellent".[25]

For the opening night of the Oceanian leg of the tour in Auckland, New Zealand, Joanna Hunkin of the New Zealand Herald felt that Lady Gaga "group out-sang, outshone and out-sexed the Dolls, in half the time and half the space." Hunkin, who described the group as "poster girls"," criticized the "disappointingly budget set" and the lack of live musicians calling the show as "a glorified karaoke night [...] at the strip club." She concluded her negative review writing the "show proved the Dolls aren't dominating anything."[26] Reviewing the same show, Clio Francis from the Stuff.co.nz agreed with Hunkin praising Gaga for "outshin[ing] the tawdry sexuality of the headliners." He also criticized the basic production while noting the "sound quality throughout their set was mediocre at best, with the over heavy bass at times smothering any passable melodies." However he noted that the night's encore "[brought] the night to a satisfying conclusion for most young fans."[27] Marissa Calligeros from The Sydney Morning Herald echoed previous comments, commending Gaga for "outshin[ing] and outclass[ing] the factory-made act of the headliners." She went to describe the Pussycat Dolls as "a teen dance troupe leading an amateur high school musical production," noting throughout show the audience largely stood motionless, due to the heavy bass. However she did praise Scherzinger's vocals calling them "impressive".[28] Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun praised Gaga's vocal and piano skills whilst criticizing the group for an over-priced concert that looked more as "a shopping center performance than a headline arena show."[29]

In July 2009, Billboard magazine released their Mid-Year List Of Top 25 Tours where data was collected between December 6, 2008 through June 20, 2009, the Pussycat Dolls were listed at number 25 with gross of $14.3 million and 231,711 fans attended the reported 23 shows of which, the twelve were sold-out.[30]

Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on February 24, 2009, at the Incheba Expo Arena in Bratislava, Slovakia. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.[31]

  1. "Takin' Over the World"
  2. "Beep"
  3. "I Don't Need a Man"
  4. "Elevator"
  5. "I Hate This Part"
  6. "Buttons"
  7. "Wait a Minute"
  8. "Love the Way You Love Me” (interlude)
  9. "Space" (Thornton solo)
  10. "Played" (Roberts solo)
  11. "Don't Wanna Fall In Love" (Wyatt solo)
  12. "If I Was a Man" (Sutta solo)
  13. "Hush Hush" (Scherzinger solo)
  14. "Big Spender" (Thornton solo)
  15. "Whatcha Think About That"
  16. "Whatchamacallit" (interlude)
  17. "Magic"
  18. "Bottle Pop"
  19. "Halo" (Scherzinger solo)
  20. "Stickwitu"
Encore
  1. "Don't Cha"
  2. "When I Grow Up"
Notes

Personnel

Vocals

Band

Shows
List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, opening act, tickets sold, amount of available tickets and gross revenue
Date City Country Venue Opening acts Attendance Revenue
Europe[32][33][34]
January 18, 2009 Aberdeen Scotland Press & Journal Arena Lady Gaga N/A N/A
January 19, 2009 Glasgow SECC Concert Hall 4 Lady Gaga
Ne-Yo
January 21, 2009 Newcastle England Metro Radio Arena 9,500 / 9,500 $436,100
January 22, 2009 Birmingham National Indoor Arena 11,494 / 11,494 $517,217
January 24, 2009 Nottingham Trent FM Arena 7,955 / 7,955 $355,081
January 25, 2009 Bournemouth Windsor Hall Lady Gaga N/A N/A
January 27, 2009 London The O2 Arena Lady Gaga
Ne-Yo		 28,305 / 28,305 $1,285,759
January 28, 2009
January 29, 2009 Manchester Manchester Evening News Arena 14,766 / 14,766 $684,047
January 30, 2009 Cardiff Wales Cardiff International Arena 7,434 / 7,434 $343,835
February 1, 2009 Dublin Ireland The O2 Lady Gaga 12,417 / 12,417 $751,286
February 3, 2009 Belfast Northern Ireland King's Hall 7,331 / 7,331 $377,315
February 5, 2009 Sheffield England Sheffield Arena 10,041 / 10,041 $434,768
February 6, 2009 Liverpool Echo Arena 9,543 / 9,543 $415,705
February 8, 2009 Paris France Zénith de Paris N/A N/A
February 9, 2009 Amsterdam Netherlands Heineken Music Hall Lady Gaga
Queensberry
February 10, 2009 Frankfurt Germany Jahrhunderthalle
February 12, 2009 Zürich Switzerland Hallenstadion
February 13, 2009 Forest Belgium Forest National Lady Gaga
February 14, 2009 Munich Germany Zenith Lady Gaga
Queensberry
February 15, 2009 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg Rockhal
February 17, 2009 Monte Carlo Monaco Salle des Princes
February 18, 2009 Düsseldorf Germany Philips Halle Queensberry
February 19, 2009 Berlin Max-Schmeling-Halle
February 21, 2009 Prague Czech Republic Tesla Arena Victoria
February 23, 2009 Vienna Austria Bank Austria Halle Queensberry
February 24, 2009 Bratislava Slovakia Incheba Expo Arena Marian Cekovsky
Laci Strike
February 25, 2009 Belgrade Serbia Belgrade Arena Lady Gaga
Oceania[35][36][37]
May 16, 2009 Auckland New Zealand Vector Arena Lady Gaga 11,556 / 12,216 $713,927
May 19, 2009 Brisbane Australia Brisbane Entertainment Centre Lady Gaga
Havana Brown		 9,090 / 11,420 $765,095
May 21, 2009 Newcastle Newcastle Entertainment Centre N/A N/A
May 22, 2009 Sydney Acer Arena 22,468 / 23,270 $2,129,922
May 23, 2009
May 26, 2009 Melbourne Rod Laver Arena 23,323 / 26,548 $1,966,724
May 27, 2009
May 28, 2009 Adelaide Adelaide Entertainment Centre 7,903 / 9,888 $681,753
May 30, 2009 Perth Burswood Dome 12,852 / 16,881 $1,075,415
Asia[35][38]
June 2, 2009 Jakarta Indonesia Istora Senayan N/A N/A N/A
June 3, 2009 Bangkok Thailand Indoor Stadium Huamark
June 4, 2009 Kallang Singapore Singapore Indoor Stadium
June 6, 2009 Seoul South Korea Olympic Cycling Stadium After School
Son Dam-bi
June 11, 2009 Manila Philippines Mall of Asia Concert Grounds Q-York
North America[39]
June 13, 2009 Honolulu United States Blaisdell Arena N/A N/A N/A
June 27, 2009 Las Vegas Pearl Concert Theater
Europe
July 17, 2009[lower-alpha 1] Suffolk England Newmarket Racecourse N/A N/A N/A
July 18, 2009[lower-alpha 2] Killarney Ireland Fitzgerald Stadium
July 22, 2009[lower-alpha 3] Liverpool England Echo Arena
July 24, 2009[lower-alpha 4] Northampton Silverstone Circuit
July 25, 2009[lower-alpha 5] Kent Quex Park
July 29, 2009[lower-alpha 6] Esher Sandown Park
Asia[46]
July 31, 2009 Beirut Lebanon Beirut International Exhibition & Leisure Center N/A N/A N/A
Total 205,978 / 219,009 (94%) $12,934,053

Cancelled shows
List of cancelled concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, and reason for cancellation
Date City Country Venue Reason
August 22, 2009 Copenhagen Denmark Gentofte Stadium

Notes
  1. The July 17, 2009 concert in Suffolk was a part of the Newmarket Nights.[40]
  2. The July 18, 2009 concert in Killarney was a part of the Killarney Summerfest.[41]
  3. The July 22, 2009 concert in Liverpool was a part of the Summer Pops Festival.[42]
  4. The July 24, 2009 concert in Northampton was a part of the Silverstone Classic.[43]
  5. The July 25, 2009 concert in Kent was a part of the Sound Island Music Festival.[44]
  6. The July 29, 2009 concert in Esher was a part of Music Nights.[45]
gollark: Break the Computron.
gollark: How strange.
gollark: What is it?
gollark: Um. Possibly another one. Hmm.
gollark: ”Ammonium“.

References
  1. "The Pussycat Dolls get their claws out". FemaleFirst.co.uk. August 18, 2008. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  2. "Pussycat Dolls And Special Guest Ne-yo To Tour The UK". Contactmusic.com. October 7, 2008. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  3. Lane, Terry (November 27, 2008). "Lady GaGa & the Pussycat Dolls Tour Dates". Buzzin Pop Music. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  4. Montgomery, James; Matt, Elias (December 8, 2008). "Pussycat Dolls 'Jumped' When They Found Out They're Touring With Britney Spears, Hope To Collaborate On Track". MTV. Retrieved August 29, 2013.
  5. "Doll Domination Continues On Tour With Britney Spears". Interscope Records. 2008. Archived from the original on September 30, 2012. Retrieved September 8, 2013.
  6. Cohen, Jonathan (November 24, 2008). "Exclusive: Iovine Talks Axl, U2, Dre, Eminem". Billboard. Retrieved October 29, 2015.
  7. "Stimulated & Pussycat Dolls Dominate". Stimulated, Inc. January 7, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  8. "2009 Recap". Stimulated, Inc. 2009. Archived from the original on January 7, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  9. "Doll Domination with Litestructures". LiveDesignOnline.com. January 27, 2009. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  10. , Review of the week: Pussycat Dolls.
  11. , Take Home PCD LIVE – USB Wristband
  12. "Pussycat Dolls 'planning tour documentary'". Digital Spy.
  13. "Injured Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta sits out Sydney show". News.com.au. May 25, 2009. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  14. Dave, Dondoneau (June 14, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls end tour in style at Blaisdell Arena". The Honolulu Advertiser. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
  15. McKessick, Colene (January 19, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls dominate the stage at AECC". The Press and Journal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  16. Hind, Sally (January 19, 2009). "Purr-fect Pussycat Dolls hit Aberdeen". Evening Express. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  17. Ellis, Maureen (January 20, 2009). "REVIEW: Purr-fect Dolls conquer Glasgow". Evening Times. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  18. Hodgson, Barbara (January 23, 2009). "Review: Pussycat Dolls, Metro Radio Arena". The Journal. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  19. "Pussycat Dolls thrill Metro Radio Arena fans". Evening Chronicle. January 22, 2009. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  20. Richards, Lauren (January 23, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls thrill Metro Radio Arena fans". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  21. Kirk, Zoe (January 26, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls dominate at Nottingham Arena". Nottingham Post. Archived from the original on January 15, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  22. Nicholls, Andy (January 26, 2009). "Don't Cha wish you were at the Pussycat Dolls at the BIC?". Bournemouth Echo. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  23. Macpherson, Alex (January 29, 2009). "Pop review: The Pussycat Dolls, O2 Arena, London - Music". The Guardian. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  24. Sweeney, Eamon (February 2, 2009). "Review of the week: Pussycat Dolls". Irish Independent. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  25. "In Pictures: Pussycat Dolls, Kings Hall, Belfast". The Belfast Telegraph. February 4, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  26. Hunkin, Joanna (May 18, 2009). "Review: Pussycat Dolls and Lady Gaga at Vector Arena". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  27. Francis, Clio (May 17, 2009). "Gig review: Pussycat Dolls". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved September 12, 2016.
  28. Calligeros, Marissa (May 20, 2009). "Pussycat fans go Gaga instead". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  29. Adams, Cameron (May 26, 2009). "Lady Gaga upstages Pussycat Dolls at Rod Laver Arena". Herald Sun. Retrieved May 11, 2009.
  30. "Top 25 Tours". Billboard. 121 (29): 32. July 25, 2009. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  31. Mikl, Dodo (February 25, 2009). "Sexy pussy burned Incheba". Aktuality.sk (in Slovak). Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  32. "Pussycat Dolls : Tour & Events". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  33. Box office score data:
  34. Sources for opening acts during their European leg:
  35. "Pussycat Dolls : Tour & Events". Interscope Records. Archived from the original on April 13, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  36. Sources for opening acts during their Austalasian leg:
  37. Box office score data:
  38. Sources for opening acts during their Asian leg:
  39. Sources about tour dates in North America:
  40. Scutts, Andrew (May 2, 2009). "Pussycat Dolls complete Newmarket line-up". Racing Post. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  41. "A purrfect Summerfest with the Pussycat Dolls". Irish Independent. May 5, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  42. "Pussycat Dolls back for Summer Pops". Liverpool Echo. May 1, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  43. "Santana and Pussycat Dolls to play F1 venue Silverstone". NME. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  44. "Sound Island Music Festival". Efestivals.co.uk. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  45. "Evening racing and the Pussycat Dolls!". Getsurrey.co.uk. June 11, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  46. "Pussycat Dolls - Lebanon 2009". DowntownBeirut.com. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
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