Truth Tour

2004 concert tour by Usher

Truth TourTour by Usher

Promotional poster for the tour

Associated album| Confessions
Start date| May 21, 2004
End date| October 15, 2004
Legs| 3
No. of shows| 72
Supporting act(s)| Kanye West
Usher concert chronology

*   * 8701 Evolution Tour
(2002)
*   * Truth Tour
(2004)
*   * One Night Stand: Ladies Only
(2008)

The Truth Tour[1] was the second concert tour by American recording artist Usher. Visiting Africa, North America and Europe, the tour accompanies his fourth studio album, Confessions. The tour commenced on May 21, 2004, in Johannesburg and concluded on October 15, 2004, in Hartford. It was ranked as one of the highest-grossing tours of 2004 in North America, grossing $29.1 million.[2]

## Background

[edit]

This was Raymond's second tour. He stated to the Daily Press: "before I get ready to put my shows together, I always go to New York. I go to Vegas. I go to Atlantic City, and I sit down at the shows, and I get some inspiration from there", Usher said. He also looks at tapes of old "Soul Train" TV shows to get ideas for choreography.[3] Raymond enlisted stylist Tameka Foster to create his wardrobe for the tour.

## Concert synopsis

[edit]

The tour set featured a small stage up on top of the main stage, where the band played. Usher was occupied by his eight supporting dancers. Attached to the smaller stage was a mini platform which lowered to the main stage attached by two big staircases on both sides of it. To the left, a group of circular staircases climbed to the top, and to the right, there was a fire escape replete with steps and an elevator. Usher's entrance was a short movie showing him getting dressed and walking to the concert venue, following on with him performing the opening song "Caught Up", with Usher dressed in all white while wearing an all-white glove.

The second song performed was "You Make Me Wanna...", where two dancers stayed on the top stage with Usher while two male dancers came out to the lower level with two chairs each in their hands. Each dancer threw one chair up to the top, with Usher already in hand with his own chair, following a set dance routine from the video. Following this, Usher performed "U Remind Me", where he danced by himself during a breakdown of the track doing his signature handstand that makes the initials "UR".

Next he performed "My Way" dressed in the attire from his video doing similar routines after the song begun a dance break where Usher and his dancer began breakdancing. He changed wardrobe and appears on the small stage wearing a black dress shirt, black fedora a and white studded pants singing "Follow Me". This leads "That's What It's Made For", before he goes into his next song he shows gratitude to his audience. He begins singing excerpts from "Superstar" with the help of his background singers while on top of the small stage. He walks over to the circular staircase where his mic stand is and he begins singing "Nice & Slow". The mini platform lifts him in the sky as he begins to sing "U Got it Bad". Next he introduces his eight dancers into him singing "U Don't Have to Call".

Just Blaze playing tour DJ appears on the top platform plays the next song "Throwback" that he produced. Usher walks out in Michael Vick's Atlanta Falcons jersey to sing his verse, Rico Loves joins him on stage rapping his verse. Following on with the song "Bad Girl", where Usher was dressed up in a lavender suit and came out in a chrome chair. During the song, Usher picked out a female from the crowd, transitioning to "Superstar", singing to the fan. Usher continued singing to the fan, performing "Can U Handle It?", closing the song by kissing the fan who then left the stage. A video interlude played then Usher came out sitting in a chair performing with Confessions then Kanye West joins him rap his verse from Confessions Remix. Completing another wardrobe chain he comes out in his signature outfit an Atlanta Braves fitted cap, Blazer, and Jeans singing "Burn". He finishes his performance doing the hit single "Yeah!".

## Broadcasts and recordings

[edit]

The concert was recorded on October 2 and 3, 2004 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, GA.[4] Showtime broadcast the show during a special titled One Night, One Star: Usher Live at Coliseo de Puerto Rico.[5] Raymond during this concert special brought out special guests Lil Jon, Ludacris, Daddy Yankee, Fat Joe, and Beyoncé to perform a dance routine to "Bad Girl" choreographed by Frank Gatson, Jr.

On September 16, 2005, the DVD of The Truth Tour: Behind The Tour was certified 7× Platinum by RIAA.

## Personnel

[edit]

* Musical director: Valdez Brantley
* Drums: Aaron Spears
* Guitars: Juan "Johnny" Najera
* Keyboards/MD: Arthur "Buddy" Strong
* Background vocalist: Sy Smith, Di Reed, BJ Sledge, Brandon Rodgers, Ryon Lovett

## Opening acts

[edit]

* JoJo (Europe, select dates)[6]
* Kanye West (North America)[7]
* Christina Milian (North America, select dates)
* Cassidy (United Kingdom)

## Setlist

[edit]

The following setlist was obtained from the concert held on August 5, 2004, at the Hampton Coliseum in Hampton, Virginia. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.[8]

1. "Video Sequence"
2. "Caught Up"
3. "You Make Me Wanna..."
4. "U Remind Me"
5. "My Way"
6. "Follow Me"
7. "That's What It's Made For"
8. "Nice & Slow"
9. "U Got It Bad"
10. "Video Sequence"
11. "U Don't Have to Call"
12. "Throwback"
13. "Bad Girl"
14. "Can U Handle It?"
15. "Superstar"
16. "Do It to Me"
17. "Confessions (Interlude)" / "Confessions Part II"

Encore

1.   2. "Video Sequence"
3. "Burn"
4. "Yeah!"

## Tour dates

[edit]

Date  | City  | Country  | Venue

|
|
|

Africa
May 21, 2004  | Johannesburg | South Africa  | The Dome at Northgate
May 23, 2004  | Cape Town | Bellville Velodrome
May 25, 2004  | Durban | ICC Arena
May 27, 2004  | Johannesburg  | The Dome at Northgate
Europe[9]
June 4, 2004  | Stuttgart | Germany  | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle
June 5, 2004  | Oberhausen | König Pilsener Arena
June 6, 2004  | Frankfurt | Festhalle Frankfurt
June 8, 2004  | Copenhagen | Denmark  | Forum Copenhagen
June 9, 2004  | Stockholm | Sweden  | Stockholm Globe Arena
June 11, 2004  | Bremen | Germany  | Stadthalle Bremen
June 12, 2004  | Hamburg | Color Line Arena
June 13, 2004  | Berlin | Velodrom
June 14, 2004  | Munich | Kulturhalle Zenith
June 16, 2004  | Marseille | France  | Le Dôme de Marseille
June 17, 2004  | Münchenstein | Switzerland  | St. Jakobshalle
June 19, 2004  | Forest | Belgium  | Forest National
June 20, 2004  | Paris | France  | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy
June 21, 2004  | Rotterdam | Netherlands  | Rotterdam Ahoy Sportpaleis
June 23, 2004  | Manchester | England  | Manchester Evening News Arena
June 24, 2004  | London | Wembley Arena
June 25, 2004
June 28, 2004
June 30, 2004  | Manchester  | Manchester Evening News Arena
July 1, 2004  | Birmingham | NEC Arena
July 2, 2004  | Glasgow | Scotland  | SECC Concert Hall 4
July 3, 2004  | Dublin | Ireland  | Point Theatre
July 5, 2004  | Lyon | France  | Halle Tony Garnier
July 6, 2004  | Lille | Zénith de Lille
July 7, 2004  | Nottingham | England  | Nottingham Arena
July 8, 2004  | London  | Wembley Arena
July 9, 2004
North America[10]
August 5, 2004  | Hampton | United States  | Hampton Coliseum
August 6, 2004  | Baltimore | 1st Mariner Arena
August 7, 2004  | Raleigh | RBC Center
August 9, 2004  | Toronto | Canada  | Air Canada Centre
August 10, 2004  | Cleveland | United States  | CSU Convocation Center
August 12, 2004  | Dallas | American Airlines Center
August 13, 2004  | Houston | Toyota Center
August 14, 2004  | New Orleans | New Orleans Arena
August 17, 2004  | Cincinnati | U.S. Bank Arena
August 19, 2004  | Philadelphia | Wachovia Center
August 20, 2004  | Washington, D.C. | MCI Center
August 21, 2004  | East Rutherford | Continental Airlines Arena
August 22, 2004  | Boston | FleetCenter
August 25, 2004  | Columbus | Value City Arena
August 30, 2004  | Los Angeles | Staples Center
August 31, 2004  | Glendale | Glendale Arena
September 2, 2004  | Los Angeles  | Staples Center
September 3, 2004  | Oakland | The Arena in Oakland
September 4, 2004
September 5, 2004  | Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay Events Center
September 9, 2004  | Minneapolis | Target Center
September 10, 2004  | Rosemont | Allstate Arena
September 11, 2004  | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills
September 12, 2004  | Milwaukee | Bradley Center
September 17, 2004  | Memphis | FedExForum
September 18, 2004  | St. Louis | Savvis Center
September 19, 2004  | Kansas City | Kemper Arena
September 23, 2004  | Miami | American Airlines Arena
September 24, 2004  | Tampa | St. Pete Times Forum
September 25, 2004  | Jacksonville | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
September 28, 2004  | Tallahassee | Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center
September 30, 2004  | Charlotte | Charlotte Coliseum
October 1, 2004  | Greenville | BI-LO Center
October 2, 2004  | Birmingham | BJCC Arena
October 3, 2004  | Atlanta | Philips Arena
October 6, 2004  | Pittsburgh | Mellon Arena
October 7, 2004  | Philadelphia  | Wachovia Center
October 9, 2004  | Greensboro | Greensboro Coliseum
October 12, 2004  | Albany | Pepsi Arena
October 13, 2004  | New York City | Madison Square Garden
October 14, 2004
October 15, 2004  | Hartford | Hartford Civic Center

Cancellations and rescheduled shows
|  |  |

|
|
|

June 6, 2004  | Frankfurt, Germany  | Jahrhunderthalle | Moved to the Festhalle Frankfurt
June 8, 2004  | London, England  | Wembley Arena  | Rescheduled to June 28, 2004
June 9, 2004  | Copenhagen, Denmark  | Valby-Hallen | Rescheduled to June 8, 2004, and moved to the Forum Copenhagen
June 23, 2004  | Grenoble, France  | Summum | Cancelled
June 24, 2004  | Lille, France  | Zénith de Lille  | Rescheduled to July 6, 2004
June 26, 2004  | Dublin, Ireland  | Point Theatre  | Rescheduled to July 3, 2004
August 14, 2004  | Columbus, Ohio  | Value City Arena  | Rescheduled to August 25, 2004
August 25, 2004  | New Orleans, Louisiana  | Louisiana Superdome | Rescheduled to August 14, 2004, and moved to the New Orleans Arena
August 26, 2004  | Houston, Texas  | Toyota Center  | Rescheduled to August 13, 2004
August 31, 2004  | Oakland, California  | The Arena in Oakland  | Rescheduled to September 4, 2004
September 15, 2004  | Dallas, Texas  | American Airlines Arena  | Rescheduled to August 12, 2004
October 6, 2004  | New York City, New York  | Madison Square Garden  | Rescheduled to October 13, 2004
October 7, 2004  | New York City, New York  | Madison Square Garden  | Rescheduled to October 14, 2004
October 7, 2004  | Hartford, Connecticut  | Hartford Civic Center  | Rescheduled to October 15, 2004

### Box office score data

[edit]

Venue  | City  | Tickets sold / Available  | Gross revenue

|
|
|

1st Mariner Arena  | Baltimore  | 11,061 / 11,061 (100%)  | $584,657[11]
RBC Center  | Raleigh  | 13,272 / 13,272 (100%)  | $583,238[11]
Air Canada Centre  | Toronto  | 14,678 / 14,678 (100%)  | $1,007,323[12]
CSU Convocation Center  | Cleveland  | 10,092 / 10,092 (100%)  | $510,753[13]
American Airlines Center  | Dallas  | 12,374 / 12,374 (100%)  | $653,882[14]
Toyota Center  | Houston  | 11,950 / 11,950 (100%)  | $695,100[14]
New Orleans Arena  | New Orleans  | 13,498 / 13,498 (100%)  | $734,708[14]
U.S. Bank Arena  | Cincinnati  | 10,413 / 10,413 (100%)  | $521,382[15]
Wachovia Center  | Philadelphia  | 24,837 / 24,837 (100%)  | $1,572,338[14][16]
MCI Center  | Washington, D.C.  | 13,271 / 13,271 (100%)  | $883,562[14]
Continental Airlines Arena  | East Rutherford  | 14,383 / 14,383 (100%)  | $918,219[14]
FleetCenter  | Boston  | 13,870 / 13,870 (100%)  | $870,305[14]
Value City Arena  | Columbus  | 9,986 / 9,986 (100%)  | $521,625[15]
Staples Center  | Los Angeles  | 27,831 / 27,831 (100%)  | $1,633,339[17]
Glendale Arena  | Glendale  | 11,671 / 11,671 (100%)  | $638,135[17]
The Arena in Oakland  | Oakland  | 23,474 / 23,474 (100%)  | $1,293,184[17]
Mandalay Bay Events Center  | Las Vegas  | 9,232 / 9,232 (100%)  | $711,328[17]
Target Center  | Minneapolis  | 12,317 / 12,317 (100%)  | $645,493[18]
Allstate Arena  | Rosemont  | 12,818 / 12,818 (100%)  | $746,564[18]
The Palace of Auburn Hills  | Auburn Hills  | 15,226 / 15,226 (100%)  | $900,727[18]
Bradley Center  | Milwaukee  | 10,334 / 10,334 (100%)  | $594,763[18]
FedExForum  | Memphis  | 12,725 / 12,725 (100%)  | $660,255[18]
Savvis Center  | St. Louis  | 11,724 / 11,724 (100%)  | $673,086[18]
Kemper Arena  | Kansas City  | 13,447 / 13,447 (100%)  | $700,303[18]
American Airlines Arena  | Miami  | 12,203 / 12,203 (100%)  | $697,882[13]
St. Pete Times Forum  | Tampa  | 11,184 / 11,184 (100%)  | $637,280[13]
Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena  | Jacksonville  | 10,450 / 10,450 (100%)  | $614,287[13]
Charlotte Coliseum  | Charlotte  | 10,082 / 10,082 (100%)  | $417,336[19]
Pepsi Arena  | Albany  | 10,133 / 10,133 (100%)  | $520,590[12]
Madison Square Garden  | New York City  | 26,658 / 26,658 (100%)  | $2,026,698[12]
Hartford Civic Center  | Hartford  | 10,192 / 10,192 (100%)  | $618,297[12]
TOTAL | 425,386 / 425,386 (100%)  | $24,786,639

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Dinsdale, Nathan; Hepola, Sarah; Roberts, Randall (August 11, 2004). "Ursha Speaks". Riverfront Times. Euclid Media Group. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
2. ^ "THE TOP 25 TOURS OF 2004 (North American dates only)". Pollstar. December 2004. Archived from the original on December 30, 2004. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
3. ^ MacDonald, Sam (August 1, 2004). "Usher tells 'The Truth'". Daily Press. Tribune Company. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
4. ^ "The Remix of Usher: Red-Hot R&B Superstar Still Sizzling". Jet. 107 (6). Johnson Publishing Company: 61. February 7, 2005. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
5. ^ "International Superstar Usher to Perform on Showtime Live From San Juan, Puerto Rico Saturday March 5" (Press release). Beverly Hills, California: Showtime Networks. Business Wire. January 6, 2005. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
6. ^ Smiley, Lauren (June 21, 2004). "JoJo is 13, going on superstar". The Boston Globe. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
7. ^ "Usher takes 'The Truth' on U.S. tour -- Oakland stop scheduled for Sept. 3". San Francisco Chronicle. Hearst Communications. July 3, 2004. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
8. ^ Reid, Shaheem; Calloway, Sway (August 6, 2004). "Usher Proves He's 'The Truth' At Tour Kickoff". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on August 10, 2004. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
9. ^ "Usher adds another date to UK tour". Music-News.com. Music News Ltd. June 4, 2004. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
10. ^ Sources for tour dates in North America:
* Dansby, Andrew (June 16, 2004). "Usher, Kanye to Tour". Rolling Stone. Wenner Media. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
* Tecson, Brandee J. (July 2, 2004). "Usher, Kanye West Announce Revamped 'Truth Tour' Itinerary". MTV News. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on July 11, 2004. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
* Zahlaway, Jon (July 7, 2004). "Usher unveils lengthy tour itinerary". LiveDaily. Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on August 8, 2004. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
* Zahlaway, Jon (August 5, 2004). "Usher kicks off North American tour, tweaks itinerary". LiveDaily. Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. Archived from the original on August 15, 2004. Retrieved February 1, 2019.
11. ^ a b "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 35\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. August 28, 2004. p. 31. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
12. ^ a b c d "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 44\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. October 30, 2004. p. 17. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
13. ^ a b c d "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 41\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. October 9, 2004. p. 20. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
14. ^ a b c d e f g "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 36\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. September 4, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
15. ^ a b "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 37\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. September 18, 2004. p. 33. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
16. ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 43\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. October 23, 2004. p. 19. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
17. ^ a b c d "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 39\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. September 25, 2004. p. 39. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
18. ^ a b c d e f g "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 40\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. October 2, 2004. p. 18. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
19. ^ "Billboard Boxscore: Concert Grosses". Billboard. Vol. 116, no. 45\. Nashville, Tennessee: VNU Business Media, Inc. November 6, 2004. p. 28. Retrieved February 6, 2019.

* v
* t
* e

Usher

* Discography (songs)
* Videography
* Awards and nominations

Studio albums|

* Usher
* My Way
* 8701
* Confessions
* Here I Stand
* Raymond v. Raymond
* Looking 4 Myself
* Hard II Love
* A
* Coming Home

Live albums|

* Live

Extended plays|

* Versus

Concerts and tours|

* 8701 Evolution Tour
* Truth Tour
* OMG Tour
* Super Bowl XLV halftime show
* UR Experience Tour
* Super Bowl LVIII halftime show
* Usher: Past Present Future

Related|

* RBMG Records
* Usher's New Look
* Tidal
* Cleveland Cavaliers
* Rico Love
* Tameka Foster

* Category

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