A Different Me Tour

The A Different Me Tour was a concert tour by American singer Keyshia Cole in support of her third studio album, A Different Me (2008). The tour began in Cincinnati on May 13, 2009, and concluded in Oakland, California, on June 21. The North American tour featured supporting performances by The-Dream, Keri Hilson, and Bobby V.

Background and development

The tour was announced on April 21, 2009, as a 20-city United States concert run. The original announcement named Keri Hilson, Bobby Valentino, and The-Dream as featured performers. The tour supported Cole's third studio album, A Different Me, which was released in December 2008. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and received a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America three months after its release. In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution ahead of the Atlanta concert, Cole described the tour as a significant step in her career. She expressed enthusiasm about the production and called it "my next step up, my first theater run." The publication reported that the itinerary had expanded to 23 cities. Cole also spoke about her appreciation for performing live and connecting with audiences. In an April 2009 interview, she explained, "Singing directly to them is the most intimate thing I can do."

Critical reception

Reviewing the May 14 performance at the Milwaukee Theatre, Evan Rytlewski of Shepherd Express characterized the show as an "aerobic, high-production concert". He observed that much of the set focused on songs about romantic difficulties, describing them as "countless similarly tense, tear-soaked numbers about romantic strife". Rytlewski also reviewed the supporting performances, discussing The-Dream's material and Keri Hilson's stage presence, as well as Bobby Valentino's opening performance.

Mikael Wood of the Los Angeles Times reviewed Cole's June 18 performance at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live. He highlighted the concert's theatrical staging, which featured a recreated urban street setting with a pay phone, bus-stop bench, and simulated fires. Wood noted that the presentation encouraged audience participation, particularly during older songs such as "I Changed My Mind" and "I Should Have Cheated". He observed that the audience sometimes sang so loudly that it was "sometimes easier to hear the fans singing along with Cole than to hear the performer herself".

The Los Angeles performance also featured several guest appearances. Nas performed his verse on "Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea", while Lil' Kim joined Cole for "Let It Go". Too Short, Monica, and Sean Combs also appeared during the concert. During the show, Cole received a plaque commemorating the platinum sales of her first three albums. Geffen Records executive Ron Fair praised her accomplishments, saying, "Keyshia is living proof that if you have a dream, it can be done."

Gabe Meline of the North Bay Bohemian reviewed the June 21 concert at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland. He described Cole's performance as featuring "nonstop choreography", "three wardrobe changes", elaborate stage arrangements, and "gymnastic vocals". However, he felt that the production could not compensate for the album's material, writing that "hard work alone is just that".

The Oakland performance also featured guest appearances by Lil' Kim and Too Short. Meline noted the audience's enthusiastic reaction to Lil' Kim's appearance during "Let It Go" and described The-Dream's performance as "electrifying to watch".

Opening acts

• The-Dream
• Keri Hilson
• Bobby V (billed as Bobby Valentino)

Set list

1. "I Changed My Mind"
2. "Oh-Oh, Yeah-Yea"
3. "I Should've Cheated"
4. "Give Me More"
5. "I Remember"
6. "Let It Go"
7. "Didn't I Tell You"
8. "Got to Get My Heart Back"
9. "Shoulda Let You Go"
10. "Get Money" (Junior M.A.F.I.A. cover)
11. "Last Night" (Diddy cover)
12. "Heaven Sent"
13. "Love"
14. "Sweet Thing" (performed by background singers; Rufus and Chaka Khan cover)
15. "Ain't Nobody" (performed by background singers; Rufus and Chaka Khan cover)
16. "A Different Me" (intro)
17. "Please Don't Stop"
18. "You Complete Me"
19. "Trust"
20. "Playa Cardz Right"

Encore

1. "Make Me Over"

Tour dates

The tour's initial routing was published in April 2009, with additional listings documenting performances throughout May and June.

References