Music Saved My Life Tour

Background

Universal Music Group announced Blige's tour on September 1, 2010. The tour was described as Blige venturing back to her R&B roots from her previous festival performances, which focused on a heavy rock sound. Blige states the tour's title comes from her personal viewpoint of music after her battles with drug and alcohol abuse. She further commented:

"Music makes us want to live. You don't know how many times people have told me that they'd been down and depressed and just wanted to die. But then a special song caught their ear and that helped give them renewed strength. That's the power music has. I believe there are certain things that God uses to get us out of a bad situation, and I believe music was one of the things he used for me. The first time I heard 'Keep on Moving' by Soul II Soul, I felt like somebody pumped a new spirit in me that made me want to go on. [Without music] I honestly think I would be in a really bad situation. I don't take it for granted. I have no doubt I was born to do this.

Opening acts

Jazmine Sullivan (North America)

El DeBarge (North America)

Miguel (North America)

Lemar (England)

Gyptian (England)

Beatbox Drase (Manchester)

Minmi (Japan)

Mye (Japan)

Set list

1. "MJB da MVP"
2. "The One"
3. "Enough Cryin"
4. "You Bring Me Joy"
5. Medley: "Be Happy" / "You Remind Me" / "Real Love" / "Everyday It Rains"
6. "I'm The Only Woman"
7. "I Love U (Yes I Du)"
8. "Love Is All We Need"
9. Medley: "Reminisce" (contains elements of "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)") / "Love No Limit" / "Mary Jane (All Night Long)"
10. "Good Woman Down"
11. "Everything"
12. "All That I Can Say"
13. "I Never Wanna Live Without You"
14. "Seven Days"
15. "Your Child" (contains elements of "The Lady in My Life")
16. "Deep Inside"
17. "I Am"
18. "Sweet Thing"
19. "Not Gon' Cry"
20. "I'm Going Down"
21. "Take Me As I Am" (Acoustic)
22. "No More Drama"
23. "I Love You" (Instrumental Interlude)
24. Medley: "I Can Love You" / "Work That" ¹
25. "Just Fine"
26. "Family Affair" ¹

Encore

27. "Be Without You"

¹ performed only at select dates in North America or Europe

Source:

Additional notes

During the October 10, concert at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City, Blige performed "I'm Goin' Down" with Katlyn Nichol, the newest artist to her record company.

During the October 12, concert at the Radio City Music Hall (New York City, New York), Blige performed "Fancy" with rapper Swizz Beatz. At the same show, Blige and Swizz Beatz performed "Holding You Down (Goin' in Circles)" alongside Jazmine Sullivan. These performances were performed in lieu of "I Love You, "I Can Love You" and "Work That".

"Family Affair" was not included in the performance at the Sleep Train Pavilion in Concord, California.

"Stairway to Heaven" was performed in Basel, Switzerland.

"One" was performed on select dates.

Tour dates

Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

^A This concert was a part of Bayfest^B These concerts are a part of the Raggamuffin Music Festival

Cancellations and rescheduled shows

Critical reception

Overall, the tour received praise from music critics and spectators alike. Blige was noted for her positive messages through her performances encouraging women to believe in themselves and know there is something "better" plan for them. Ines Min (The Korea Times) wrote, "A soulful train of songs, including 'Reminisce', was accompanied by her smooth dancing skills before breaking down the stage with the pique song 'Good Woman Down'. The performer shook, jumped and shimmied in perfect motion, spurring the crowd to rise in an emotional fervor." Anthony Langone (The Depaula) continued the praise for Blige noting, "Never have I seen such a venue this alive. The entire crowd was on its feet singing every word. This is a true testament of Blige's star power. The ability to not only command the stage, but all the people in a sold-out venue is no easy task. Blige did it with ease, making it look easy." Jon Pareles (The New York Times) stated, "In her songs Ms. Blige transmutes setbacks into determination; she confronts trouble, she cries, she wills herself to get over it, she finds the next love. Onstage she's a pop star as life coach, preaching sermons in self-esteem with gospel cadences."