The Justified & Stripped Tour
Continental tour by Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera | |||||||||||||
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Location | North America | ||||||||||||
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Associated albums | |||||||||||||
Start date | June 4, 2003 | ||||||||||||
End date | September 2, 2003 | ||||||||||||
No. of shows | 45 | ||||||||||||
Supporting act(s) | Black Eyed Peas | ||||||||||||
Attendance | 546,483 | ||||||||||||
Box office | US$30,261,670 | ||||||||||||
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The Justified & Stripped Tour was a co-headlining concert tour by American recording artists Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. It was launched in support of Timberlake's debut studio album, Justified (2002), and Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped (2002). Timberlake announced that he would go on a co-headlining tour at the 2003 American Music Awards on January 13, 2003, and it was officially announced the following day that Aguilera would be the co-headlined artist of the tour. Tour dates were revealed on February 21, 2003; it kicked off on June 4, 2003 in Phoenix, Arizona and visited 45 cities in North America. The Black Eyed Peas were serviced as the tour's supporting act.[1]
The set list was composed generally from Timberlake's Justified and Aguilera's Stripped. However, both artists also added material from their early works, including Timberlake's work with NSYNC and Aguilera's self-titled debut album; she also performed two of Etta James's songs: "At Last" and "I Prefer You". The Justified and Stripped Tour was divided into five segments, two for Aguilera and three for Timberlake, with each segment being followed by an interlude to the next segment, and it ended with an encore, lasting for a total of 160 minutes.
The tour was met with mixed reviews from most contemporary music critics. Some praised the maturities of the two artists, while others criticized their vocal abilities during the tour. They also believed that Aguilera's image during the tour resembled that of American recording artist Cher, and her part concentrated too much on her vocal abilities, while Timberlake's part worked his considerable sex appeal. However, the tour was a commercial success, garnering more than US$30 million and becoming the fifth-highest-grossing tour in 2003.[2] It also became the third-highest-grossing co-headlining tour of the year. In late 2003, the tour's extension, The Stripped Tour was held to promote Aguilera's Stripped without Timberlake's act. An extended play, entitled Justin & Christina, was released exclusively at Target Stores to support the tour.
Development
[edit]When she was asked why they decided to go on tour together, Aguilera replied, "We both put out records around the same time that kind of introduced ourselves to the world as new artists, in a way. So it was just a good time. And I've known Justin since the Mickey Mouse Club days, since we were twelve or thirteen, so we go back in our friendship, and it kind of works."[3]
Concert synopsis
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/ETTA_JAMES.jpg/170px-ETTA_JAMES.jpg)
The concert began with the video introduction of "Stripped Intro", featuring Aguilera handcuffed, blindfolded and sitting in a chair as the words "scandal", "gossip" and "lies" flashed across the screen.[4] Backed by a five-piece band and eight back-up dancers, Aguilera strutted out singing "Dirrty" and "Get Mine, Get Yours", with curly black hair, a black and "hot-pink halter with belly-baring plunging neckline", pants and spiked heels.[5] She performed "The Voice Within" as the follow-up, with a long black dress. During the acoustic version of "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)", she gave a speech, "Thank you so much for coming ... I'm getting that feeling again and it's a blessing. Yes, I've grown up a little bit. Now I'm 22... I'm so happy you've grown with me".[5] Aguilera went onstage again, performing the "Egyptian-turned-metal" version "Genie in a Bottle", where she rolled on a giant "X" which portrayed her then newly established alter ego "Xtina".[5][6] Wearing "hot pink straps attached to her outfit", she slowly unraveled herself as the "genie" in the song, provocatively dancing her way out of the bottle.[5] The performance of "Can't Hold Us Down" featured a pink "spark-shooting" motorcycle.[6] Then, she belted out "Make Over" with the "rhythmic trot of a Spanish spaghetti Western",[7] featuring "chain-link fence".[6]
Following the video interlude of "Loving Me 4 Me", she performed the ballad "Impossible".[8] She later changed into a "silky empire-waisted" red dress to channel her favorite singer, Etta James, and performed two of James' hits, "At Last" and "I Prefer You".[5] The rendition of "Lady Marmalade" from the soundtrack Moulin Rouge! was described as "a playful romp" between four male dancers dressed as sailors and four female members of the troupe in lingerie.[5][9] During the medley of two Spanish songs from Mi Reflejo, "Contigo en la Distancia" and "Falsas Esperanzas", a male dancer ripped off the skirt she wore, revealing tiny denim boy-cut shorts underneath.[9] Later, she "saucily" replied, "Just because my album name is Stripped, doesn't mean you can take my clothes off".[5][9] She continued with the "gorgeous ache" of "Walk Away".[7] The performance of "Fighter" "had more feelings and excitements",[10] and the performance version of "What a Girl Wants" was provided with some "well-deserved" dance moves, in which she wore a purple shirt and shorts.[8] Aguilera ended her part with "Beautiful",[8] wearing jeans and a T-shirt which emblazoned with the words "God sees no color".[5]
Timberlake's part began with a video interlude of "Ghetto Blaster", followed by the performance of "Rock Your Body". He yelled, "Scream!", "What's up?", "We got some crazy people in the crowd tonight", he responded. "I'll be your host for this evening. I'm gonna test your knowledge a little bit with this one. Let's see if you can spot this one".[4][5]
Justin & Christina
[edit]Justin & Christina | ||||
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EP by | ||||
Released | July 1, 2003 | |||
Genre | ||||
Label | ||||
Justin Timberlake chronology | ||||
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Christina Aguilera chronology | ||||
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Aguilera and Timberlake released a promotional limited edition extended play (EP) titled Justin & Christina. It was released on July 1, 2003 by RCA, Jive and BMG Records. The EP was released exclusively held at the American retail chain Target. The material featured in the EP included two original compositions from each artist, "That's What Love Can Do" by Aguilera and "Why, When, How" by Timberlake, as well as four remixes of two of Aguilera and Timberlake's own songs.[11]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Writer(s) | Performer | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "That's What Love Can Do" | Aguilera | 3:44 | |
2. | "Why, When, How" |
| Timberlake | 4:01 |
3. | "Beautiful" (Valentin Club Mix) | Linda Perry | Aguilera | 5:56 |
4. | "Rock Your Body" (Paul Oakenfold Mix) |
| Timberlake | 5:38 |
5. | "Fighter" (Hellraiser Remix) |
| Aguilera | 5:13 |
6. | "Cry Me a River" (Bill Hamel Justinough Vocal Mix) |
| Timberlake | 7:44 |
Total length: | 32:16 |
Reception
[edit]The Justified and Stripped Tour garnered mixed reviews from contemporary critics. Longtime critic Robert Hilburn for the Los Angeles Times called Aguilera's part "tedious" and her stage persona "uncertain", while praising Timberlake's act, considering him "born for the stage (with) the savvy instincts to put together a show that works. Rather than make himself the constant center of attention, he was comfortable enough at times simply to be part of a talented ensemble."[12] By contrast, the Orange County Register's Ben Wener complimented Aguilera's performance, writing "I'd favor Aguilera's sex-appeal feast over Timberlake's club jam... Christina is simply a more well-rounded entertainer."[12] Meanwhile, he criticized Timberlake's part and compared him to George Michael.[12] Darryl Morder from The Hollywood Reporter was not impressed with either artist, naming the tour "more a case of egofied and cluttered."[12] Morder further said that Aguilera's numbers were "too often swathed in bloated arrangements", while Timberlake's voice was "whiny and thin."[12]
Multiple critics also believed that Aguilera's image during the tour resembled Cher's look during the 1980s. Christina Fuoco from MTV News drew similarities between the two artists: big curly black locks, a black and hot-pink halter with belly-baring plunging neckline, pants, and spiked heels.[5] Writing for the San Francisco Chronicle, Neva Chonin also compared Aguilera to Cher, with "a torso-baring black ensemble, a shock of dark hair exploding from the back of her head".[5] In 2003, the tour was the sixteenth-highest-grossing tour of the year, with a total gross of US$30,261,670.[2] 546,483 tickets were sold out of 592,360 available (approximately 92%), including 23 sellout shows out of 45 (approximately 51%).[2] It was also the third-top-grossing co-headlining tour of the year, only behind Face to Face by Billy Joel and Elton John, and Rocksimus Maximus by Aerosmith and Kiss.[2]
Accolades
[edit]Year | Ceremony | Category | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Pollstar Awards | Most Creative Tour Package | Nominated | [13] |
Most Creative Stage Production | Nominated | |||
2003 | Teen Choice Awards | Teen Choice Award for Choice Music – Tour | Won | [14] |
2003 | Teen People Choice Awards | Best Tour | Won | [15] |
2004 | Rolling Stone Music Awards | Best Tour – Public's Choice | Won | [16] |
Set lists
[edit]- "Stripped Intro" (Video Introduction)
- "Dirrty"
- "Get Mine, Get Yours"
- "The Voice Within"
- "Genie in a Bottle"
- "Can't Hold Us Down"
- "Make Over"
- "Contigo en la Distancia" / "Falsas Esperanzas"
- "Infatuation"
- "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)"
- "Loving Me 4 Me" (Video Interlude)
- "Impossible"
- "At Last"
- "I Prefer You"
- "Lady Marmalade"
- "Walk Away"
- "Fighter"
- "What a Girl Wants"
Encore
- "Ghetto Blaster" (contains elements of "Like I Love You", "Girlfriend" and "Rock Your Body") (Video Introduction)
- "Rock Your Body"
- "Right For Me"
- "Gone" / "Girlfriend" / "Señorita"
- "Still On My Brain"
- "Nothin' Else"
- "Tap Dance" (Dance Interlude)
- "Cry Me a River"
- "Let's Take A Ride"
- "Beat Box" (Dance Interlude)
- "Last Night"
- "Take It From Here"
Encore
Shows
[edit]Date (2003) | City | Country | Venue | Opening act[20] | Attendance[21] | Revenue |
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June 4 | Phoenix | United States | America West Arena | The Black Eyed Peas | 12,584 / 12,988 | $672,922 |
June 6 | Oakland | The Arena in Oakland | 12,194 / 14,200 | $699,827 | ||
June 8 | Tacoma | Tacoma Dome | 13,063 / 15,763 | $657,736 | ||
June 10 | Portland | Rose Garden | — | — | ||
June 13 | Sacramento | ARCO Arena | 10,653 / 12,200 | $552,815 | ||
June 14 | San Jose | HP Pavilion | 13,934 / 13,934 | $733,800 | ||
June 16 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | 44,188 / 44,589 | $2,708,186 | ||
June 17 | ||||||
June 20 | ||||||
June 21 | Las Vegas | MGM Grand Garden Arena | 12,030 / 12,030 | $1,036,214 | ||
June 23 | Denver | Pepsi Center | 10,838 / 12,428 | $513,210 | ||
June 25 | Oklahoma City | Ford Center | 12,050 / 13,300 | $633,787 | ||
June 26 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | 12,613 / 13,025 | $717,161 | ||
June 28 | San Antonio | SBC Center | 11,002 / 12,800 | $507,977 | ||
June 29 | Houston | Compaq Center | 10,980 / 11,347 | $659,540 | ||
July 5 | St. Louis | Savvis Center | — | — | ||
July 6 | North Little Rock | Alltel Arena | ||||
July 8 | New Orleans | New Orleans Arena | ||||
July 9 | Bossier City | CenturyTel Center | ||||
July 11 | Memphis | Pyramid Arena | ||||
July 12 | Atlanta | Philips Arena | ||||
July 14 | Tampa | St. Pete Times Forum | ||||
July 15 | Orlando | TD Waterhouse Centre | ||||
July 16 | Sunrise | Office Depot Center | ||||
July 22 | Rosemont | Allstate Arena | 13,732 / 13,732 | $822,466 | ||
July 23 | Chicago | United Center | 13,422 / 13,422 | $846,143 | ||
July 25 | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | 15,316 / 15,316 | $897,043 | ||
July 26 | Cincinnati | U.S. Bank Arena | — | — | ||
July 28 | Pittsburgh | Mellon Arena | 12,349 / 12,349 | $639,450 | ||
July 29[a] | Toronto | Canada | Air Canada Centre | — | — | |
July 31 | ||||||
August 1 | Buffalo | United States | HSBC Arena | |||
August 3 | Columbus | Value City Arena | ||||
August 5 | Boston | FleetCenter | 26,877 / 27,149 | $1,694,442 | ||
August 6 | ||||||
August 8 | Philadelphia | First Union Center | — | — | ||
August 18[b] | Uniondale | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | 23,304 / 23,688 | $1,464,069 | ||
August 19[c] | ||||||
August 20[d] | East Rutherford | Continental Airlines Arena | 15,391 / 15,391 | $913,208 | ||
August 22[e] | Hartford | Hartford Civic Center | 10,848 / 11,884 | $572,185 | ||
August 23[f] | Albany | Pepsi Arena | — | — | ||
August 25[g] | Washington, D.C. | MCI Center | 12,921 / 12,921 | $789,050 | ||
August 31[h] | Indianapolis | Conseco Fieldhouse | 9,357 / 14,951 | $480,706 | ||
September 1[i] | Milwaukee | Bradley Center | 9,909 / 15,179 | $572,185 | ||
September 2[j] | Saint Paul | Xcel Energy Center | 12,016 / 12,016 | $762,307 | ||
Total | 546,483/592,360 (92.25%) | $30,261,670 |
Cancelled shows
[edit]Date (2003) | City | Country | Venue | Reason |
---|---|---|---|---|
June 11 | Vancouver | Canada | Pacific Coliseum | Unable to cross the border[22] |
August 9 | Atlantic City | United States | Boardwalk Hall | Lighting grid collapse[19] |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^ The show on July 29, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 3, 2003.
- ^ The show on August 18, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 16, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 19, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 17, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 20, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 13, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 22, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 14, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 23, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 11, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 25, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 19, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on August 31, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 21, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on September 1, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 23, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
- ^ The show on September 2, 2003 was originally scheduled to take place on August 24, 2003, but was postponed due to a lighting grid collapse.
References
[edit]- ^ "Black Eyed Peas Join Justin/Christina Tour". Billboard. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Billboard Boxscore Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 52. New York: VNU eMedia Inc. December 27, 2003. p. YE-48. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ Dunn, Jancee (June 26, 2003). "Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera: Double Trouble". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ^ a b A. Jasmin, Ernest (June 9, 2003). "Christina and Justin dazzle fans". The News Tribune. Archived from the original on March 19, 2005. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Fuoco, Christina (June 5, 2013). "Christina Does Her Cher Impression, Justin Fights The Screams At Tour Kickoff". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on May 6, 2012. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e Chonin, Neva (June 9, 2013). "Aguilera, Timberlake aging well / Sexy, soulful show in Oakland". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- ^ a b Elfman, Doug (June 23, 2003). "Aguilera Skillfuly Blends Her Two Sides". Las Vegas Review-Journal. ISSN 1097-1645.
- ^ a b c Kroll, Katy (June 26, 2003). "Concert Review: Justin Timberlake / Christina Aguilera". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 11, 2003. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
- ^ a b c Sitt, Pamela (June 9, 2003). "Aguilera gets down and 'Dirrty' in Tacoma". The Seattle Times. ISSN 0745-9696.
- ^ Strauss, Neil (June 6, 2003). "Pop Review: A Maturity In Being 22, As the Fans Come Along". The New York Times. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- ^ Justin & Christina - Justin & Christina, July 2003, retrieved 2022-08-20
- ^ a b c d e M. Silverman, Stephen (June 19, 2003). "Critics Dump on Justin and Christina". People. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
- ^ "Pollstar Awards: 2003". Pollstar. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ Worth 2015, p. 52.
- ^ "Fifth Annual Teen People Choice Awards". Teen People. No. 203. Time Inc. December 2003. p. 25. ISSN 1096-2832.
- ^ "Walk of Fame Stars: Christina Aguilera". Hollywood Walk of Fame. October 25, 2019. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
- ^ Tour dates:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20030604074447/http://christinaaguilera.com/tour.html
- Downey, Ryan J. (2003-02-21). "Justin Timberlake/ Christina Aguilera Tour Dates Announced". MTV News. Archived from the original on February 3, 2009. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- Dansby, Andrew (2003-08-14). "Christina, Justin Tour On". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 7, 2003. Retrieved 2008-12-23.
- ^ Vineyard, Jennifer (August 11, 2003). "Justin And Christina's Tour Stripped Of Lights, Cameras, Action Due To Accident". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on November 7, 2012. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
- ^ a b Zahalway, Jon (2003-08-14). "Justin and Christina reschedule 'Justified & Stripped' tour dates". LiveDaily. Archived from the original on August 30, 2003. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
- ^ Hall, Rashaun (June 28, 2003). "Black Eyed Peas Get Some 'Love'". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 26. p. 13. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- ^ North America box score:
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 28. Prometheus Global Media. July 12, 2003. p. 16. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 29. Prometheus Global Media. July 19, 2003. p. 17. Retrieved August 18, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 30. Prometheus Global Media. July 26, 2003. p. 18. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 36. Prometheus Global Media. September 6, 2003. p. 24. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 37. Prometheus Global Media. September 13, 2003. p. 20. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 115, no. 39. Prometheus Global Media. September 27, 2003. p. 23. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
- ^ "Loose Ends: Justin And Christina Justify Their Cancellation". Chart Attack. June 12, 2003. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved July 2, 2016.
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Bibliography
[edit]- Worth, Richard (2015). Christina Aguilera: Pop Singer. Enslow Publishing. ISBN 978-0-7660-7180-3.