Kelly Clarkson on Tour - Summer 2005



[ About the Tour | Tour Dates | The Review | Where to Order | WIN ]

With a third track from her sophomore album moving into the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100, Kelly Clarkson is gearing up for her second North American tour of the year. The Behind These Hazel Eyes tour shares its name with the single that bolts 18-8 on the latest Hot 100.

The trek will open June 29 in Del Mar, Calif., and will wrap Sept. 10 in Las Vegas after 47 shows. Whereas the first 2005 tour saw Clarkson performing in theaters, this time around the venues are larger, with arenas and amphitheaters making up many of the stops.

Beforehand, Clarkson has one international gig on her itinerary, a June 19 appearance at the Party in the Park in Cardiff, South Wales. Also on the bill for the event, staged by radio station Red Dragon FM, are Daniel Bedingfield, Charlotte Church, the Faders, Noise Next Door and the reunited Bananarama.

"Behind These Hazel Eyes" is taken from "Breakaway," Clarkson's second RCA album released since she took the crown on the first season of "American Idol." Previous singles from the set, "Since U Been Gone" and the title track, reached No. 2 and No. 6, respectively, on the Hot 100. The latter is No. 1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary airplay chart, a position it has held for 13 weeks.

Released in December, "Breakaway" debuted at No. 3 on The Billboard 200 and has sold 2.16 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Her 2003 debut, "Thankful," opened at No. 1 and has sold 2.2 million.

Order Breakaway from Amazon.com

Order Thankful from Amazon.com

Order Behind These Hazel Eyes from Amazon.com

Tour Dates:

June 19: Cardiff, South Wales (Coopers Field)
June 29: Del Mar, Calif. (Del Mar Fairgrounds)
July 1: Kelseyville, Calif. (Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa)
July 2: Salt Lake City (Rice-Eccles Stadium)
July 4: Greeley, Col. (Greeley Independence Stampede)
July 6: Lubbock, Texas (Civic Center Auditorium)
July 7: Austin, Texas (Frank Erwin Center)
July 9: San Antonio, Texas (Municipal Auditorium)
July 10: New Orleans (UNO Lakefront Arena)
July 12: Pensacola, Fla. (Pensacola Civic Center)
July 14: Hollywood, Fla. (Seminole Paradise Live @ Hard Rock)
July 15: Estero, Fla. (Germain Arena)
July 17: Orlando, Fla. (UCF Arena)
July 18: Jacksonville, Fla. (Moran Theatre)
July 20: Birmingham, Ala. (Boutwell Auditorium)
July 21: Nashville (Grand Ole Opry House)
July 23: Knoxville, Tenn. (Knoxville Auditorium & Coliseum)
July 24: Charlotte, N.C. (Cricket Arena)
July 26: Norfolk, Va. (Constant Convocation Center)
July 27: Atlantic City, N.J. (Borgata Hotel & Casino)
July 29: Pittsburgh (A.J. Palumbo Center)
July 30: Toms River, N.J. (Ritacco Center)
Aug. 1: Glens Falls, N.Y. (Glens Falls Civic Center)
Aug. 2: Portland, Maine (Cumberland County Civic Center)
Aug. 4: Manchester, N.H. (Verizon Wireless Arena)
Aug. 5: Uncasville, Conn. (Mohegan Sun Casino)
Aug. 7: Wilkes-Barre, Pa. (Wachovia Arena)
Aug. 8: Hershey, Pa. (Giant Center)
Aug. 10: Ottawa (Corel Centre)
Aug. 11: Kitchener, Ontario (Centre in the Square)
Aug. 13: Chicago (Northerly Island Amphitheater)
Aug. 14: Green Bay, Wis. (Resch Center)
Aug. 16: Battle Creek, Mich. (Kellogg Arena)
Aug. 17: Saginaw, Mich. (Wendler Arena @ Dow Event Center)
Aug. 19: Dayton, Ohio (Hara Arena)
Aug. 20: St. Louis (Fox Theatre)
Aug. 22: Toledo, Ohio (SeaGate Convention Centre)
Aug. 24: Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Gardens)
Aug. 26: West Lafayette, Ind. (Elliott Hall of Music)
Aug. 27: Memphis (Mud Island Amphitheatre)
Aug. 29: Denver (Colorado Convention Center)
Aug. 30: Salt Lake City (Abravanel Hall)
Sept. 1: Bozeman, Mont. (Brick Breeden Fieldhouse)
Sept. 2: Nampa, Idaho (Idaho Center Amphitheatre)
Sept. 5: Santa Barbara, Calif. (Santa Barbara Bowl)
Sept. 7: Irvine, Calif. (Bren Events Center)
Sept. 9: Reno, Nev. (Reno Events Center)
Sept. 10: Las Vegas (Aladdin Hotel & Casino)

Visit Kelly Clarkson's Offical Website: www.kellyclarkson.com/

The Review:

Having just seen Kelly Clarkson on tour this past spring on her Breakaway Tour, I wasn't sure what to expect this time around. I wondered how this show could be different, and whether it would be worth spending the money to see her again so soon.

I decided to attend the show in Nashville at the Grand Ol' Opry on July 21st. With me in attendance were my dearest, closest friend in the world (a non-Kelly fan), and her 9 year old niece (HUGE Kelly fan). It was an experience and a night I will treasure in my memory forever.

Kicking off the night was the Graham Colton Band, and they were as enjoyable this time around as they were back in April. But it was truly Kelly's night.

I was impressed by how different this show was from her earlier tour this year. From the stage, to the costumes, to the set list and even the vibe, this was a completely different show. It seemed to have more energy as they rocked through her hits. Kelly and her band changed things up a bit with a variety of covers (becoming the highlights of her shows) that I had yet to hear... including the brilliant "Why" by Annie Lennox.

It matters not that I have seen Kelly on stage before. I am beginning to learn that each time is like seeing her for the first time, as she grows by leaps and bounds as a performer.

Watching the show through a young fan's eyes brought back those great memories from when I was younger. It made me thankful that there are still talented artists that the younger set can look up to.

After the show I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Clarkson briefly. She is just this tiny little thing with a huge smile, a bigger personality, and a warmth that can not be faked. She greeted each fan with a welcoming hug, and talked easily with each person. I myself tried to bribe her to get an interview (something that we've been trying to secure since her American Idol days). So far it hasn't worked, but we're not giving up hope. With her tour lasting through September and new music in the works, we understand that Kelly is a bit busy. So for now, we are keeping our fingers crossed....

As for the thoughts from the non-fan after the show? She know understands my respect for Ms. Clarkson as a singer. ("I have to give major credit to anyone that can stand on stage and sing a capella and nail it like she does!"). As for the younger fan in our crowd... well I think she is probably still grinning from ear to ear. Being able to present Kelly with a gift, and getting her autograph was the highlight of her summer.

I just can't wait until the next tour rolls around and we can do this all over again!

~Trixie, July 2005

Read more about Kelly Clarkson on Girlposse.com:

• Kelly Clarkson Independent Tour Concert Review
• Behind These Hazel Eyes DVD Review
• "Breakaway" CD Review
• "Breakway" Tour Concert Review