The Frontier Touring Company and Roundhouse Entertainment are thrilled to confirm the return of R&B superstar Alicia Keys to Australian and New Zealand shores this December. Alicia will return for her biggest shows to date Down Under, and will also perform a series of winery shows. Special guests on this tour will be Jordin Sparks and Lowrider (AUS only).
With 30 millions album sales, 11 Grammy Awards, 4 US #1 albums, a name-check from Bob Dylan, and most recently being awarded the prestigious honour of recording the Bond theme with Jack White, Alicia Keys has set herself apart from her contemporaries. Selling almost 20 million singles, Alicia has created instant classics with the likes of ‘Fallin’, ‘A Woman’s Worth’, ‘Karma’ and ‘Superwoman’, and has become one of the brightest stars of this decade.
The release of her fourth album As I Am received a rapturous response from fans, as they sent it sailing to a #1 debut on the US Billboard chart, achieving the highest first week sales of any female R&B artist in history. ‘No One’ received two Grammy Awards, as the single peaked at #2 in both Australia and New Zealand. The media have been just as taken with what is, arguably, Alicia’s finest work to date.
Spin announced that: “On her melodically powerful third studio album, she matures into the matriarch of her genre,” and Billboard mirrored their sentiments: “The strong stories that Keys spins are complemented by deft musical arrangements that integrate more rock and pop into her enriched old-school vibe.”
Blender were awestruck, offering: “The music is dizzying, even mesmerizing.” The New York Times pronounced that “As I Am radiates not just confidence but also experience. On the whole it’s her strongest effort yet.” And People Magazine declared that Alicia continued to “scale artistic heights on As I Am" ranking the album their #1 for the year.
Those witnessing the live shows have been similarly wowed. The Independent enthused that “Keys proves she's still in a league of her own,” while the Manchester Evening News gushed “Despite lyrics bursting with attitude and huge critical acclaim the performing arts school valedictorian remarkably remains more dignified than diva. And it is that, teamed with her ability to both silence and excite her audience through her performance at the piano that secures Keys' place among modern R&B royalty.”
Alicia’s special guest at all shows will be the esteemed Jordin Sparks. Winner of American Idol in 2007, it took Jordin little time to establish herself as one of the stars of 2008. Capturing a worldwide audience following the release of her debut album Jordin Sparks and single ‘Tattoo’, it wasn’t until Jordin handed the reins to her fans, that things really took off. Allowing them the privilege of choosing her second single, they settled on ‘No Air’ which saw Jordin hit #1 around the world – including Australia and New Zealand. Playing her first live shows in Australia and New Zealand as part of this tour, there’s no doubt that those before her will be left in awe.
Hip-hop funk enthusiasts Lowrider will open all Australian shows for Alicia on this tour. Lowrider drew major attention upon securing the opening slot for Christina Aguilera’s Australian 2007 tour. 2008 saw more milestones achieved as they toured nationally with the Big Day Out and released their sophomore record Diamond Amongst The Thieves (out now through Illusive). Boasting radio favourites ‘Be Bad’ and ‘Friend’, Diamond Amongst The Thieves introduced Lowrider to a new audience, and drew rave reviews. Inpress described the album best, writing: “The foursome are not bound by where their sound goes or what path their sound follows. Instead they appear to have free rein to let their sound, style and range develop.”
On her last Australian and New Zealand tour in 2004, Alicia Keys sold out every show. There’s no doubt tickets to see Alicia live this December will sell fast. Secure yours when they go on sale this Friday 22 August.
