Piece by Piece Tour

Background

On February 2, 2015, while being interviewed by Canadian radio station 98.1 CHFI, Clarkson was asked about the tour. She replied that she just got the routing for the tour, and they would do the United States, part of Canada, then a full run in Canada, with further dates to follow at a later time. On March 3, 2015, Clarkson formally announced plans for a tour while promoting Piece by Piece (2015) during an appearance on Good Morning America. An official release confirmed dates across North America. Additional Canadian dates were released on March 16, 2015. Tour dates for the United Kingdom were announced on Clarkson's website on August 3, 2015.

Supporting Clarkson in the United States and Toronto were planned opening acts: Eric Hutchinson and Pentatonix. In a video that Clarkson posted of herself on her Facebook page talking about the tour, she showed her excitement about Pentatonix opening for her and hopes to convince them to sing with her during her set. Nick Jonas and Tyler Shaw were scheduled to open up for Clarkson in October 2015 in Canada before these dates were cancelled. On May 21, 2015, it was announced that singer Abi Ann would also be opening up for Clarkson.

Clarkson confirmed plans to include Piece by Piece singles "Heartbeat Song" and "Invincible" in the set list for the show, alongside album-only tracks, "Dance With Me" and "Tightrope", with the latter promised to be a highlight for the show. Speaking to USA Today, Clarkson stated: "Because of an element I've never done on tour, it makes sense to incorporate that song. I'm not flying or on a tightrope — there's not that — but it makes sense with that song and how it sounds on the record that it will fit into the show." The Piece by Piece Tour will be led by Live Nation Entertainment's global touring division.

In early September 2015, Clarkson tweeted that the last six shows of the U.S. leg of the tour were cancelled due to Clarkson being put on vocal rest ordered by her doctors. She said, "So bummed that I have to cancel some of my tour dates. This kills me." "I am truly sorry to my fans that have been excited to see this show. Please know that I never cancel anything unless it's absolutely necessary." Two weeks later on September 25, it was announced that the Canada and Europe dates had also been cancelled since her doctors told her she had to stay on vocal rest. About these cancelled shows Clarkson stated, "I am truly sorry that I have to cancel the remainder of my tour dates. I was looking forward to sharing this tour with all my amazing fans in Canada and the U.K. Unfortunately my doctor is telling me I have to stay on vocal rest, but I am working hard to get better as fast as possible." Tickets will be refunded.

Commercial reception

General sales for the tour will begin on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Citi has been listed as the official bank for the tour, with a special pre-sale access will be given to Citi's Private Pass Program members on March 10, 2015. Members of Clarkson's fan club, Kellebrities, will also be given special pre-sale availability.

Critical response

Jewel Wicker from Penn Live says "There's singing and then there's 'sanging.' Clarkson does the latter." Sarah Rodman of The Boston Globe said "the Texas native was in peak form, delivering the hits with gusto, raising otherwise overlooked album cuts to memorable heights, and remaking the case for the restorative powers of pop music on a hot summer night." and "Although Clarkson was joking when she remarked that she is improving with age like fine wine, she was right on the money." Amy Brooks from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says that "the Idol winner launched into a stream of catchy hits that begged to be sung along to, had no problem digging up the emotion to put into the songs."The Buffalo News describes the concert as "vocally and musically fantastic. Adam Graham of The Detroit News says, "Kelly Clarkson has an innate reliability that makes her Not Just Another Pop Star." and "Idol" never produced another star as fresh and off-the-cuff as Clarkson. She speaks her mind, doesn't do the canned banter thing, and chits chats with the crowd like they're a couple of old friends hanging out on her back porch. There's no explanation for it other than she's Kelly, she's an original, and she's our original."

Christopher Rosa from VH1, "she sounded fantastic, but that's nothing new. Kelly has one of the most underrated voices in pop, and her pitch-perfect delivery throughout the evening—even during lyric flubs—was pretty awe-inspiring. However, the glittery rock-pop romp revealed other nuggets about Kelly—as a person and artist—that may surprise you." The Oakland Press reporter Gary Graff states that "it may be time for Kelly Clarkson to have her pop diva credentials re-evaluated." Phoenix New Times 's Amanda Ventura reports that "Kelly was downright incredible. Her pipes. Those pipes." According to The Arizona Republic, "Kelly Clarkson put on a fantastic show. She really showed her range as an artist who is capable of making you dance and sing along with her more fun, upbeat songs but who can also a few songs later make you reach for the tissues to dry your eyes after an emotional punch to the stomach." The Dallas Observer 's Mike Brooks says "those vocals are so powerful and affecting — it's hard to miss."

Concert synopsis

The show is mixed with her greatest hits, new material off her latest album Piece by Piece and covers. Three different setlists have been used for this tour. Clarkson brought back "Fan Requests" which she first began doing on her 2012 Stronger Tour. For "Fan Requests" Clarkson picks a song that was requested via Twitter from someone in the audience each night and her and her band learn the song that day. Starting on July 16, in New York City, Clarkson started doing "KC Classic" in which Clarkson picks a different song each night from her catalog that is not used in the setlist. Also for this tour Clarkson had an "Open Mic Night" where she gave fans the opportunity to perform a "cover" song on stage. Fans submitted a video of themselves through various social media websites and Clarkson then selected one winner for each city. Some highlights from the show are Clarkson singing "Heartbeat Song" with opening act Pentatonix, "Walk Away" being mashed up with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars' hit song "Uptown Funk", and the Fan Requests. She opens the show with "Dance With Me", a track off Piece by Piece and closes with her hit "Since U Been Gone".

Opening acts

Canceled shows