Why Olivia Rodrigo chose intimate venues for her massive debut Sour concert tour
In short: When Olivia Rodrigo announced her debut concert tour in 2022, tickets vanished in minutes, sparking intense frustration among fans and media. While many blamed scalpers and small venue choices for the scarcity, the singer maintained a deliberate strategy to avoid skipping steps in her professional development as a live performer.
The Sour Tour, supporting Rodrigo’s 2021 studio album, officially commenced on April 5, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. Spanning North America and Europe, the tour comprised 49 shows before concluding in London on July 7. The path to this tour was delayed by prior television commitments and contractual obligations with Disney, which prevented the singer from touring until the year following the album's release. An official announcement was made via social media on December 6, 2021, with tickets becoming available to registered fans four days later.
The decision to book smaller venues rather than large arenas became a significant point of contention. As tickets sold out almost instantly, some were listed on secondary markets for prices exceeding $9,000. Critics argued that the venue size was the primary barrier for fans, but Rodrigo defended the choice to the Los Angeles Times, emphasizing that she did not want to skip any steps in her career. She assured her audience that this was merely the beginning, promising that more tours would follow in the future.
The tour was notable for its evolving set list and high-profile guest appearances. While the show in Portland established an initial structure, the performances were fluid. Throughout the tour, Rodrigo invited various artists to join her on stage, including Conan Gray in Vancouver, Avril Lavigne in Toronto, and Alanis Morissette in Los Angeles. In Pilton, she performed with Lily Allen, while the London shows featured Natalie Imbruglia. The set list also saw frequent changes, such as the addition of 'All I Want' in Orem and the rotation of various covers, including tributes and songs like 'Just a Girl' and 'Ready to Go', reflecting a dynamic approach to live performance.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Sour Tour
- Also: Wikidata — Sour Tour · CC0
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