Stronger Tour

Background

During an interview with MTV News, Clarkson stated a tour was being planned for "sometime in 2012". The tour was officially announced on November 14, 2011 with over 30 shows in the United States and Canada. Joining the singer on tour is Matt Nathanson as the opening act on select shows. Clarkson mentioned she was looking forward to performing "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)". She explained, "I can't wait to perform What Doesn't Kill You. We've already rehearsed it, and it's so much fun. It's like this big dance anthem". For the show, Clarkson asked her fans to votes to requests on Twitter.

Opening acts

• Matt Nathanson (North America) (select dates)
• Carolina Liar (North America) (select dates)
• The Fray (Australia)
• Sarah De Bono (Australia)
• Cover Drive (Europe)

Setlist

1. "Dark Side"
2. "Behind These Hazel Eyes"
3. "Since U Been Gone"
4. "Gone"
5. "You Love Me"
6. "Heavy in Your Arms" (Florence + the Machine cover)
7. Fan Request
8. Medley: "The Trouble With Love Is" / "Walk Away" / "How I Feel" / "I Want You"
9. "I Know You Won't" (Carrie Underwood cover)
10. "Einstein"
11. "Don't You Wanna Stay"
12. "Let Me Down"
13. "I Forgive You"
14. "Already Gone"
15. "Breakaway"
16. "You Still Won't Know What It's Like"
17. "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)"
18. "Never Again"
19. "Because of You" ;Encore
20. "My Life Would Suck Without You"
21. "Mr. Know It All"
22. "Miss Independent" Source: ;Notes:

• During the concert at the Radio City Music Hall, Clarkson performed "I'd Rather Go Blind".
• During her concert in Grand Prairie, Clarkson sang Bonnie Raitt's "Something To Talk About" with her friend April Beck.
• During the concert in Los Angeles Clarkson performed "When You Believe" with Tamyra Gray, "Leave the Pieces" with Michelle Branch, "Don't You Wanna Stay" with Blake Shelton and "Because of You" with Reba McEntire.

1. "My Life Would Suck Without You"
2. Behind These Hazel Eyes"
3. "I Forgive You"
4. "Dark Side"
5. "Walk Away"
6. "You Love Me"
7. "We Are Young" (fun. cover)
8. Already Gone"
9. Don't You Wanna Stay"
10. Fan request
11. "Because of You"
12. "Catch My Breath"
13. "Let Me Down"
14. "Breakaway"
15. "Since U Been Gone" ;Encore
16. "Never Again"
17. "Mr. Know It All"
18. "Miss Independent"
19. "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)"

;Notes:

• In Perth, Clarkson, The Fray & Sarah De Bono all sang fun.'s "Some Nights".
• "Catch My Breath" was only performed in Europe.

Fan requests

• Ledyard: "Forget You" – (Cee-Lo Green cover)
• Atlantic City: "The War Is Over"
• Albany: "Fix You" – (Coldplay cover)
• Verona: "Breaking Your Own Heart"
• New York: "My Man" – (Barbra Streisand cover)
• Manchester: "The Sun Will Rise"
• Boston: "What About Love"? – (Heart cover)
• Johnstown: "Sober"
• Durham: "Gravity" – (Sara Bareilles cover)
• Jacksonville: "Save You"
• Bossier City: "Crazy For You" – (Madonna cover)
• San Antonio: "Einstein"
• Austin: "Hell on Heels" – (Pistol Annies cover)
• Grand Prairie: "Anytime"
• Biloxi: "Open Arms" w/special guest Clay Aiken
• Hollywood: "Beautiful Disaster"
• Orlando: "Skyscraper" – (Demi Lovato cover)
• Tampa: "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" – (Pat Benatar cover)
• Atlanta: "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)" – (Whitney Houston cover) w/special guest Tamyra Gray
• Champaign: "Maybe"
• Greenville: "Wild Horses" – (The Rolling Stones cover)
• Niagara Falls; March 2: "Hello"
• Niagara Falls; March 3: "You Don't Know Me" – (Eddy Arnold cover)
• London: "F**kin' Perfect" – (P!nk cover)
• Windsor: "You're Still the One" – (Shania Twain cover)
• Hammond: "The Only Exception" – (Paramore cover)
• Sioux Falls: "No Bad News" – (Patty Griffin cover)
• Springfield: "Turpentine" – (Brandi Carlile cover)
• St. Louis: "Give Me One Reason" – (Tracy Chapman cover)
• Broomfield: "Top of the World – (Patty Griffin cover)
• West Valley City: "Iris" – (Goo Goo Dolls cover)
• Kent: "Oh! Darling" – (The Beatles cover)
• Boise: "Beautiful" – (Christina Aguilera cover)
• San Jose: "It Will Rain" – (Bruno Mars cover)
• Bakersfield: "Creep" – (Radiohead cover)
• Reno: "Ready For Love" – (India.Arie cover)
• Los Angeles: "Till the World Ends" – (Britney Spears cover)
• Paradise: "Hopelessly Devoted To You" – (Olivia Newton-John cover from "Grease")
• Indio: "Secret Garden" – (Bruce Springsteen cover)
• San Diego: "Poison & Wine" and "Georgia on my Mind" (with her two duet partners for Duets)
• Wenatchee: "Can't Let Go" – (Mariah Carey cover)
• Pullman: "To Make You Feel My Love" – (Bob Dylan cover)
• Brisbane: "Someone Like You" – (Adele cover)
• Sydney: "Breathe Me" – (Sia cover)
• Melbourne: "Honestly"
• Adelaide: "Total Eclipse of the Heart" – (Bonnie Tyler cover)
• Perth: "Blown Away" – (Carrie Underwood cover)
• Dublin: "Nothing Compares 2 U" – (Sinéad O'Connor cover)
• Manchester: "Wonderwall" – (Oasis cover)
• Birmingham: "Changes" – (Black Sabbath cover)
• Glasgow: "Walking On Broken Glass" – (Annie Lennox cover)
• Sheffield: "The Writer" – (Ellie Goulding cover)
• London: "When It Don't Come Easy" – (Patty Griffin cover)

Tour dates

;Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

Box office score data

Personnel

The Band

• Kelly Clarkson – Lead vocals
• Aben Eubanks – Guitar, backup vocals
• Cory Churko – Guitar, violin, backup vocals (North American leg)
• Chris Rodriguez – Guitar, backup vocals Australian & European leg)
• Einar Pedersen – Bass, backup vocals
• Jason Halbert– Keyboards, musical director
• Miles McPherson – Drums
• Jill Pickering – Backup vocalist, guitar
• Kate Rapier – Backup vocalist, assistant
• Nicole Hurst – Backup vocalist

The Glam Team

• Ashley Donovan – Makeup & hair
• Steph Ashmore – Stylist
• Layne Lewis – Wardrobe

The Crew

• Dennis Sharp – Tour manager
• Alan Hornall – Production manager
• Christopher Dye-Technical director
• Jim Collins – Tour accountant
• Harold Behrens – Stage manager
• Tricia Farrow – Production assistant
• Brian Butner – Security
• Chris Michaelessi – FOH engineer
• Robert Miller – Monitor engineer
• Bryan Jones – Guitar tech
• James Fridley – Guitar tech
• Peter Moffett – Drum tech
• Douglas McKinley – Audio system tech
• Jeffrey Wuerth – Audio system tech
• Kevin Gorge – Audio crew
• Chris Berry – Audio crew
• Fraser MacKeen – Lighting director
• Leroy Bennett – Production lighting manager
• Ron Schilling – Lighting crew chief
• Ben Meserole – Lighting tech
• Jessica Quinn – Lighting tech
• Wade Cotton – Lighting tech
• Cory FitzGerald – Lighting programmer
• William Parisien – Video director
• Nathaniel Fountain – Projectionist
• Nick Strand – Projectionist
• Stephen Haskins – Video tech
• Randall Ice – Video tech
• Martin Capiraso – Head carpenter
• Michael Kinnard – Carpenter
• Bob Powers – Rigger

Other

• Narvel Blackstock & Starstruck Management – Management
• Flood, Bumstead, McCreedy & McCarthy Inc. & Kristen Braaksma – Business management
• CAA & Darryl Eaton – Booking agency
• Preferred Travel – Travel agency
• NPB Companies, Inc. – Security
• Upstaging Inc. – Lighting
• Clair Brothers, 8th Day Sound – Sound
• Tait Towers – Staging/Set
• Chaos Visual Productions – Video company
• Janco Ltd. – Trucking
• Rockit Cargo – Freight
• Rich Koffer & Bravado – Merchandise

Critical reception

The show has received universal critical acclaim, praising Clarkson's vocals, as well as the production of the show and the set list. Michele Amabile from The Hollywood Reporter says that "Clarkson's personable nature and powerhouse vocals prove that she is growing stronger with each album and tour." Kevin McSheffrey from Boston Music Spotlight said "The Wang was sold out and Clarkson's adoring fans stood throughout the performance, dancing along to lively tunes like Since U Been Gone and new single What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger), while still standing for ballads such as You Still Won’t Know What It's Like and Don’t You Wanna Stay, complete with Jason Aldean appearing virtually through a curtain screen." Glenn Gamboa from the Long Island Newsday stated "That Clarkson can transform that pain into something so beautiful and a concert so enjoyable shows that she is so much more than a great singer. She's a great artist". Greg Haymes from Timesunion.com said "While the simple but versatile stage set (featuring her backing musicians on two multi-level platforms) and the lighting both dazzled, they never over-powered Clarkson and her strong, supple voice". After performing close to her hometown in Dallas, Texas, Rich Lopez from Dallasvoice.com stated "She really is the girl next door with her aw shucks sassy and fun demeanor. Every little comment she made about being home resulted in deafening roars and she punctuated her homegrown flavor with a thick "kuntry" accent. Clarkson was without any doubt, the homecoming queen for the night". Preston Jones from dfw.com called I Know You Won't and Don't You Wanna Stay the songs that stood out the most in her show in Dallas, and also added: The combination of her personable nature with songs expressing deep vulnerability gave a jolt of feeling to a show that often felt like a giddy karaoke party in a superstar's living room.

References

References

1. "2012 Pollstar Year End Top 200".
2. Vena, Jocelyn. (24 October 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Calls Stronger Her 'Best Album'". [[MTV News]].
3. Michaud, Chris. (14 November 2011). "Kelly Clarkson to kick off North American tour in January". [[Reuters]].
4. Kaufman, Gil. (14 November 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Announces Stronger Tour Dates". MTV News.
5. (January 12, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Asks Fans For Setlist Requests For Her Tour". [[American Top 40]].
6. Reitz, Allison. (15 November 2011). "Kelly Clarkson sets 'Stronger' tour dates for 2012". TicketNews.
7. "97.7 KYSN Concert Calendar". [[Premiere Networks]].
8. (29 June 2012). "Voice finalist to support Kelly Clarkson". [[The Age]].
9. (16 May 2012). "Kelly Clarkson, Cover Drive announce UK arena tour". [[Newsbeat]].
10. Angermiller, Michelle Amabile. (16 January 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Gets Personal at Atlantic City Tour Stop: Concert Review". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
11. Finlayson, Ariana. (22 January 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Covers "I'd Rather Go Blind" in Honor of Etta James". [[Us Weekly]].
12. Roberts, Randall. (4 April 2012). "Review: Kelly Clarkson with Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire at Nokia". [[Los Angeles Times]].
13. "KCFCGermany, Kelly Clarkson fan requests (List)".
14. Staff Writer. (17 February 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Covers 'Open Arms' With Clay Aiken On Her 2012 Stronger Tour". [[CBS Radio]].
15. Ho, Rodney. (24 February 2012). "Kelly Clarkson rocks the Fox Theatre again". [[The Atlanta Journal-Constitution]].
16. O'Bryan, Ryan. (25 March 2012). "Watch Kelly Clarkson Cover the Goo Goo Dolls 'Iris' – [VIDEO]". [[Clear Channel Communications]].
17. Matson, Andrew. (24 March 2012). "Kelly Clarkson keeps it real at ShoWare Center". [[The Seattle Times]].
18. (November 16, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Reveals Stronger Tour Dates".
19. (December 2011). "Events (as of 12/15/2011)". Sony Music Entertainment.
20. (November 14, 2011). "Kelly Clarkson Coming To Universal's Mardi Gras". [[Hearst Television]].
21. (April 21, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Confirmed For Summertime Ball 2012". [[Global Radio]].
22. Mason, Kerri. (May 15, 2012). "Paris Hilton to Make DJ Debut at Pop Music Festival".
23. Bee, Trisha. (May 2, 2012). "Train, Kelly Clarkson slated to headline at Summerfest". [[Local TV LLC.
24. (June 28, 2012). "Nova's bringing Kelly Clarkson's Stronger tour to town". [[DMG Radio Australia]].
25. McCabe, Katy. (May 10, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson to headline iconic Deni Ute Muster in NSW Riverina town of Deniliquin". [[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney).
26. Stickler, Jon. (May 16, 2012). "Kelly Clarkson Announces New October UK & Ireland Arena Tour". Stereoboard.
27. (30 June 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
28. (26 May 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
29. (31 March 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
30. (3 March 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
31. (14 April 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
32. (10 March 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
33. (21 April 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
34. (2 June 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
35. (7 April 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
36. (12 May 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
37. (5 May 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
38. (23 June 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
39. (19 May 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
40. (6 October 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
41. (13 October 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
42. (1 December 2012). "Billboard Boxscore".
43. "PLSN | Kelly Clarkson".
44. "Kelly Clarkson Gets Personal at Atlantic City Tour Stop: Concert Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
45. "Kelly Clarkson gives strong performance in Boston".
46. "Review: Kelly Clarkson at Radio City".
47. (18 January 2012). "Kelly Clarkson at the Times Union Center, 1/17/12".
48. "REVIEW: Kelly Clarkson at Verizon Theatre on Friday".
49. "Kelly Clarkson is pumped for home crowd".