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A Summer Night with Olivia Newton-John

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A Summer Night with Olivia Newton-John
Tour by Olivia Newton-John
Promotional poster for tour
Associated albumA Few Best Men
Start date24 February 2012
End date17 March 2013
Legs7
No. of shows
  • 7 in Australia
  • 8 in Asia
  • 38 in North America
  • 6 in Europe
  • 59 in total
Olivia Newton-John concert chronology

A Summer Night with Olivia Newton-John was the eighteenth concert tour by Australian singer Olivia Newton-John, in support of her sixth soundtrack A Few Best Men. The tour name drifts from her 1978 hit, "Summer Nights", from the musical film Grease. It is Newton-John largest tour since the Heartstrings World Tour, which runs from 2002 to 2005. It was her first tour in the United Kingdom in over 30 years.

It was followed by a concert tour of similar name, Summer Nights, which is mostly a residency show.

Background and development

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The tour first leg began in February in Australia, where Newton-John did seven concerts (two added by popular demand). The West Australian Symphony Orchestra participated to the Perth concerts, Melbourne Pops Orchestra to the Melbourne concerts and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra to the Sydney concerts.[1]

A new medley with some songs from A Few Best Men was added to the setlist.[2] Newton-John also performed on a few dates of her Australian leg the Australian Bicentenary song, "It's Always Australia for Me", from the 1988 album, The Rumour.

Olivia also did an interview by David Campbell to Australian talk show Morning about the concerts and her long career. She and Campbell sang "You're the One That I Want" at a Sydney concert. In Asia, she received extensive exposure by local media and was interviewed to newspapers such as Jakarta Globe, Bangkok Post and The Philippine Star.

The tour North American leg began in August, with a concert at Northalsted Market Days. The medley from A Few Best Men was removed, but "Weightless" continued in the setlist. A new medley with three old ballads by Newton-John was added; it consists of "Suspended in Time" (from Xanadu soundtrack), "Boats Against the Current" (from Totally Hot album) and "Shaking You" (from Two of a Kind soundtrack). The two later were performed for the first time by Olivia. The 2013 setlists doesn't have any songs from A Few Best Men soundtrack, and the ballads medley was withdrawn (only "Suspended in Time" was performed at North American concerts). United Kingdom concerts had a new medley added recalling Newton-John's participation on Eurovision Song Contest 1974, consisted of "Long Live Love" (UK's entrant to that year contest), "Angel Eyes" (another choice to represent the UK) and a cover of "Waterloo" (1974 Eurovision winner by Swedish group ABBA).

Critical response

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Ross McRae, from the newspaper The West Australian did a positive review to the first Perth concert, saying that Newton-John "led the enthusiastic crowd through a journey of her extensive 40-year career", but stated the medley of A Few Best Men "seemed misguided and unnecessary".[2] Kittipong Thavevong from The Nation made a mixed review to the Bangkok show, writing: "Those who expected her to perform with the same voice quality as in her heyday left feeling disappointed. But those who simply wanted to a long-time favourite singer perform live were more than satisfied".[3]

About her Singapure concert, Christopher Toh, from Today gave a rave review, wrote that "she hit notes that were seemingly impossible; notes that soared up into the stratosphere" and "was just perfect in almost every sense of the word".[4] Nancy Koh from The Straits Times commented that "her moves were slick, her dancing sexy, and she even skipped like a delighted schoolgirl after receiving a few presents from the audience", but also criticised the medley of A Few Best Men.[5] Nur Aqidah Azizi, from the Malaysian newspaper New Straits Times wrote: "Newton-John made her way to centre stage with her seven-piece band, it was evident that the crowd could not contain their excitement – the arena was ringing with rapturous cheer. [...] Her voice was still as sweet as how many would have remembered it. Heartfelt yet powerful, it was perfect in every way".[6] Mike Bradstone from the Sri Lankan Sunday Observer commented that "Newton-John certainly has not lost the charisma and voice and could easily go on for many more years. I would sum up the evening up by saying 'Elegant, classy, graceful, entertaining and well-choreographed'."[7] Lynda Mills from The Jakarta Post wrote: "With her still youthful looks, a voice that remains clear and pure, and an ability to shimmy and shake with the best of them, Olivia belies her 63 years."[8]

Opening acts

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Setlist

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Australia / Asia
  1. "Pearls on a Chain"
  2. "Have You Never Been Mellow"
  3. "A Little More Love"
  4. "Sam"
  5. "Xanadu"
  6. "Magic"
  7. "Suddenly"
  8. Country Medley:
    1. "If Not for You"
    2. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)"
    3. "Banks of the Ohio"
    4. "Let Me Be There"
    5. "Please Mr. Please"
  9. "Physical" (contains elements of "Physical" (Acoustic version))
  10. "Send In the Clowns"
  11. "Not Gonna Give into It"
  12. "Grace and Gratitude"
  13. A Few Best Men Medley:
    1. "Mickey"
    2. "Daydream Believer"
    3. "I Think I Love You"
    4. "Sugar, Sugar"
  14. "Weightless"
  15. "You're The One That I Want"
  16. "Hopelessly Devoted To You"
  17. "Summer Nights"
  18. "We Go Together"
  19. "I Honestly Love You"
Additional notes
  • During her performances in Melbourne, Newton-John performed "It's Always Australia for Me" before "I Honestly Love You".
  • The country medley of Asian leg consisted of the songs: "If Not for You", "Let Me Be There", "Please Mr. Please", "Jolene", "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)" and "Take Me Home, Country Roads". The medley of A Few Best Men had an alternative order ("I Think I Love You" was performed before "Daydream Believer").
  • During her Asian leg, Newton-John performed "Don't Stop Believin'" after "Grace and Gratitude".
  • At the concert in Jakarta, Andy Timmons performed "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" to his wife, Martha.[8]
Northalsted Market Days
  1. "Xanadu"
  2. "Magic"
  3. "Suddenly"
  4. "Have You Never Been Mellow"
  5. "Physical"
  6. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
  7. "You're the One That I Want"
  8. "I Honestly Love You"
  9. "Summer Nights"
  10. "Let Me Be There" (Acapella)
North America [2012]
  1. "Have You Never Been Mellow" (contains elements of "I Honestly Love You")
  2. "A Little More Love"
  3. "Sam"
  4. "Xanadu"
  5. "Magic"
  6. "Suddenly"
  7. Country Medley:
    1. "If Not for You"
    2. "Let Me Be There"
    3. "Please Mr. Please"
    4. "Jolene"
    5. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)"
  8. "Physical" (contains elements of "Physical" (Acoustic version))
  9. Ballads Medley:
    1. "Boats Against the Current"
    2. "Suspended in Time"
    3. "Shaking You"
  10. "Weightless"
  11. "Don't Stop Believin'"
  12. "Not Gonna Give into It"
  13. "Deeper Than the Night"
  14. "You're the One That I Want"
  15. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
  16. "Summer Nights"
  17. "We Go Together"
  18. "Grace and Gratitude"
  19. "I Honestly Love You"
Additional notes
  • The songs "Don't Stop Believin'", "We Go Together" and "Grace and Gratitude" weren't performed at the Pacific National Exhibition concert.
  • The songs "Come on Over" and "Take Me Home, Country Home" were performed on the country medley in selected separated dates. The chronology of the songs performed on this medley also varies slightly.
  • A short acapella version of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" was performed before "You're the One That I Want" in selected dates.
North America [2013]
  1. "Pearls on a Chain"
  2. "Have You Never Been Mellow"
  3. "What Is Life"
  4. "A Little More Love"
  5. "Sam"
  6. "Xanadu"
  7. "Magic"
  8. "Suddenly"
  9. Country Medley:
    1. "If Not for You"
    2. "Let Me Be There"
    3. "Please Mr. Please"
    4. "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
    5. "Jolene"
    6. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)"
  10. "Physical"
  11. "Suspended in Time"
  12. "Make a Move on Me"
  13. "Not Gonna Give into It"
  14. "You're the One That I Want"
  15. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
  16. "Summer Nights"
  17. "We Go Together"
  18. "I Honestly Love You"
United Kingdom
  1. "Pearls on a Chain"
  2. "Have You Never Been Mellow"
  3. "What Is Life"
  4. "A Little More Love"
  5. "Sam"
  6. "Xanadu"
  7. "Magic"
  8. "Suddenly"
  9. Country Medley:
    1. "If Not for You"
    2. "Let Me Be There"
    3. "Banks of the Ohio"
    4. "Please Mr. Please"
    5. "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
    6. "Jolene"
    7. "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)"
  10. "Physical"
  11. Eurovision Medley:
    1. "Long Live Love"
    2. "Angel Eyes"
    3. "Waterloo"
  12. "Make a Move on Me"
  13. "Cry Me a River"
  14. "Don't Cut Me Down"
  15. "Not Gonna Give into It"
  16. "You're the One That I Want" (contains elements of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee")
  17. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
  18. "Summer Nights"
  19. "We Go Together"
  20. "Grace and Gratitude"
  21. "I Honestly Love You"

Tour dates

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Date City Country Venue
Australia
24 February 2012 Perth Australia Burswood Theatre
25 February 2012
27 February 2012 Melbourne Regent Theatre
28 February 2012
1 March 2012 Sydney Sydney Opera House
2 March 2012
3 March 2012
Asia
23 March 2012 Bangkok Thailand BITEC Event Hall 106
27 March 2012 Marina Bay Singapore Esplanade Theatre
29 March 2012 Genting Highlands Malaysia Arena of Stars
31 March 2012 Quezon City Philippines Smart Araneta Coliseum
2 April 2012 Wan Chai Hong Kong HKCEC Grand Hall
4 April 2012 Colombo Sri Lanka Musaeus Auditorium
5 April 2012
8 April 2012 Jakarta Indonesia Grand Ballroom at Hotel Mulia
North America
12 August 2012[a] Chicago United States Rivers Casino Stage
3 September 2012[b] Vancouver Canada WestJet Concert Stage
6 September 2012 Eagle United States Eagle River Pavilion
7 September 2012 Sandy Sandy Amphitheater
8 September 2012 Layton Kenley Centennial Amphitheatre
10 September 2012 San Diego Humphrey's Concerts by the Bay
13 September 2012 San Francisco Golden Gate Theatre
14 September 2012 Reno Grande Exposition Hall
15 September 2012 Indio Fantasy Springs Special Events Center
21 September 2012 Rama Canada Casino Rama Entertainment Centre
22 September 2012
23 September 2012 Jackson United States Potter Center
24 September 2012 Minneapolis Guthrie Theater
27 September 2012[c] Minot All Seasons Arena
28 September 2012[c]
29 September 2012 Omaha Kiewit Concert Hall
30 September 2012
3 October 2012 Norman Showplace Theatre
5 October 2012 Greeley Monfort Concert Hall
6 October 2012 Cheyenne Cheyenne Civic Performing Arts Theatre
1 November 2012 Jackson Perkins Civic Center
2 November 2012 Thackerville Global Event Center
4 November 2012 San Antonio Majestic Theatre
7 November 2012 Carlton Otter Creek Event Center
9 November 2012 Kalamazoo Miller Auditorium
10 November 2012 Aurora Paramount Theatre
11 November 2012 Sault Ste. Marie DreamMakers Theater
15 November 2012 Huntington Paramount Theatre
16 November 2012 North Bethesda Music Center at Strathmore
17 November 2012 Atlantic City Etess Arena
6 December 2012 Newberry Newberry Opera House
8 December 2012 Pittsburgh Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts
9 December 2012 Cleveland Palace Theatre
11 December 2012 Newark Prudential Hall
19 February 2013 Durham Durham Performing Arts Center
21 February 2013 Easton State Theatre Center for the Arts
22 February 2013 Lancaster American Music Theatre
23 February 2013 Shippensburg Luhrs Performing Arts Center
Europe
10 March 2013 Cardiff Wales Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
11 March 2013 Bournemouth England Windsor Hall
13 March 2013 London Royal Albert Hall
14 March 2013 Brighton Brighton Centre
15 March 2013 Birmingham NIA Academy
17 March 2013 Manchester O2 Apollo Manchester
Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

^ a This concert is a part of the Northalsted Market Days.
^ b This concert is a part of the Pacific National Exhibition.
^ c These concerts are a part of the Norsk Høstfest.

Cancellations and rescheduled shows
18 March 2013 Glasgow, Scotland Clyde Auditorium Cancelled due to scheduling conflicts[10]

Personnel

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  • Andy Timmons – musical director, guitar, backing vocals
  • Dan Wojciechowski – drums
  • Lee Hendricks – bass
  • Catherine Marx – keyboards
  • Warren Ham – saxophones, backing vocals
  • Steve Real – backing vocals
  • Carmella Ramsey – backing vocals

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Adam Hills: Olivia Newton-John as Special Guest". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 24 February 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b "The West Australian: Music Review – Olivia Newton-John".
  3. ^ "The Nation: Devoted to Bangkok".
  4. ^ "Today: Concert review – Olivia Newton-John". Archived from the original on 3 April 2012.
  5. ^ "The Straits Times: Hopelessly Devoted – Olivia Newton-John Live in Singapore (concert review)".
  6. ^ a b "New Straits Times: Hopelessly Devoted to Olivia". Archived from the original on 11 May 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Sunday Observer: Olivia Newton-John still strong at 60". Archived from the original on 28 April 2012. Retrieved 3 May 2012.
  8. ^ a b "The Jakarta Post: Olivia Newton-John – From 'Neutron-Bomb' to... still going strong".
  9. ^ "Blaze & Kelly: Big News! We get to open for Olivia Newton-John!". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
  10. ^ "OliviaNewton-John: Olivia's Tour / Personal Appearances". Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 27 February 2013.
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