# The Sweet Escape Tour

The Sweet Escape Tour was the second concert tour by American recording artist Gwen Stefani. The tour began in April 2007 in support of her second solo album The Sweet Escape (2006). Performing for nearly a hundred concerts, the tour traveled to the Americas, Australia, Asia, and Europe.
The shows in North America ranked 23rd on Billboard "Top 25 Tours". The 55 reported shows grossed $30.6 million with 648,529 tickets sold.

## Background

The tour was Stefani's follow up to her previous 2005 tour. It went worldwide as compared to her previous tour which was constricted only to North America and had more than double the number of shows. It was Stefani's last solo effort as she rejoined her band No Doubt after the tour ended. The main feature were usage of various props such as a prison for Stefani's opening act, a six-piece band and a large multimedia screen in the backdrop showing videos and animations.
On her June 22 and June 23 concerts in Irvine, California, Stefani was joined onstage by her No Doubt bandmates. They performed: "Just a Girl", "Spiderwebs", "Sunday Morning", "Hella Good" and their cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life".
In response to the 2007 California wildfires, Stefani donated $166,000 from her October 30 concert in San Diego to "The San Diego Foundation" fire relief fund.
The tour had its own set of controversies. A group known as "The National Union of Malaysian Muslim Students" wanted to ban Stefani's concert that was slated to take place on August 21 at Putra Indoor Stadium. The union's vice president, Abdul Muntaqim said, "Her performance and her attire are not suitable for our culture. It promotes a certain degree of obscenity and will encourage youth to emulate the western lifestyle. The concert should be stopped." The organizer of the vent, Maxis Communications later responded, "Stefani has confirmed that her concert will not feature any revealing costumes. She will abide by the Malaysian authorities' guidelines to ensure that her show will not be offensive to local sensitivities."
In April, Akon drew criticism for having on-stage dirty dancing with a fifteen-year-old preacher's daughter, at a club in Trinidad and Tobago, as part of a fake contest. As a result, the tour's sponsor Verizon Wireless decided not to sponsor the tour.

## Critical reception

The Sweet Escape tour was generally well-received by critics. Ricardo Baca (The Denver Post) stated the concert in Denver showed Stefani had the tact to become a solo pop star. He continues, "Wednesday's show was proof of Stefani the rock star. While she's still better suited for the sneering pop-ska of her band No Doubt, she does all right with the glittery, hip-hop-fueled Top 40-loving music on which she has built her solo career." For the concert in Mansfield, Joan Anderman of The Boston Globe stated, "Ironically, for a performer so enamored of artifice, Stefani perpetually comes off as one of the more genuine chart-toppers. Her voice was built for amped-up cheers like "Hollaback Girl," not slow jams like "Luxurious," but her bad notes were hers, part of a real personality rather than a standard-issue pop star."
Ross Raihala (St. Paul Pioneer Press) described her performance in Saint Paul as a "high spirited, energetic sugar rush". He goes on to say, "Yet it was the fresh stuff that made the night work. The high-tech stage and carefully choreographed dance numbers rarely felt canned, and just when they started to get overwhelming, Stefani sprinted to the back of the auditorium and up into the seats to perform a stripped-down 'Cool' [,] surrounded by awestruck fans." Chris Macias of The Sacramento Bee stated her show in Wheatland had a natural sweetness. He says, "Stefani certainly doesn't skimp on her shows. It's part pep rally (the "b-a-n-a-n-a-s" chant in 'Hollaback Girl'), part Broadway musical (the bit from 'The Sound of Music' in 'Wind it Up' that turns Stefani into a yodel-back girl), plus a whole lot of breakdancing from Stefani's sidekicks. [...] With a five-piece band perched high on a riser, and a giant 'G' that descended occasionally from the top of the stage, this concert had plenty of eye and ear candy."
At the Shoreline Amphitheatre, Neva Chonin (San Francisco Chronicle) affirmed the show was stiff and robotic. She says, "Stefani gave back to them with a show in which every line, every move and every gesture was carbon-copied from every other show on the tour, excepting the usual local shout-outs. This doesn't mean she's not sincere when she rhapsodizes over the charms of the Bay Area, or gushes about how amazed she is to be a star and how grateful she is to her fans for helping her become one. It simply means she's gone so far into the star-making machinery she's forgotten how to convey that sincerity in anything besides packaged sound bites."
Derek Paiva of The Honolulu Advertiser described Stefani's show in Honolulu as "infectiously energetic". He states, "In times like these, Stefani showed the fun, endearing and still very grateful side of her that all the costume changes, unnecessary stage production, slickly dumb songs and accompanying bling can't bury. Until she returns to Hawai'i with No Doubt — writer crosses his fingers here — this would have to do."
For the concert in San Diego, T. Michael Crowell (San Diego Union-Tribune) said "Stefani is not the best singer in the biz. Her vocal range is narrow, and her pitch is not always dead-on. But that misses the point of her performance. Her art is the imagery she brings to the stage, the Stefani style, her personal fashion statement, her brand. [...] Not bad for the skater-girl next door, now all grown-up and ready for a little fun."

## Opening acts

* Akon (North America, select dates)
* Lady Sovereign (North America, select dates)
* Gym Class Heroes (Australasia)
* CSS (Europe)
* Brick & Lace (Camden)
* Plastilina Mosh (Monterrey)
* Maria José (Mexico City)
* The Hall Effect (Bogotá)
* Hoku (Honolulu)
* Sean Kingston (Las Vegas, Tucson, San Diego, Stockton, Oakland, Santa Barbara)

## Setlist

The following setlist was obtained from the April 28, 2007 concert, at the Cricket Wireless Pavilion in Phoenix, Arizona. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.
* "The Sweet Escape" (performed with Akon)
* "Rich Girl" (contains elements of the "James Bond Theme")
* "Yummy"
* "4 in the Morning"
* "Luxurious"
* "Early Winter"
* "Wind It Up"
* "Fluorescent"
* "Danger Zone"
* "Hollaback Girl"
* "Now That You Got It"
* "Don't Get It Twisted" / "Breakin' Up"
* "Cool"
* "Wonderful Life"
* "Orange County Girl"

### Encore

* "The Real Thing"
* "U Started It"
* "What You Waiting For?"

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening Act |
| North America |||||
| April 21, 2007 | Las Vegas | United States | Pearl Concert Theater | N/A |
| April 22, 2007 | Chula Vista | United States | Coors Amphitheatre | Akon |
| April 24, 2007 | Fresno | United States | Save Mart Center | Akon |
| April 25, 2007 | Bakersfield | United States | Rabobank Arena | Akon |
| April 27, 2007 | Los Angeles | United States | Gibson Amphitheatre | Lady Sovereign |
| April 28, 2007 | Phoenix | United States | Cricket Wireless Pavilion | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| April 30, 2007 | West Valley City | United States | E Center | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 2, 2007 | Denver | United States | Pepsi Center | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 3, 2007 | Albuquerque | United States | ABQ Journal Pavilion | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 5, 2007 | Dallas | United States | Smirnoff Music Centre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 6, 2007 | The Woodlands | United States | Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 8, 2007 | Tampa | United States | Ford Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 9, 2007 | West Palm Beach | United States | Sound Advice Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 11, 2007 | Atlanta | United States | HiFi Buys Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 12, 2007 | Charlotte | United States | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 14, 2007 | Raleigh | United States | Alltel Pavilion | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 15, 2007 | Virginia Beach | United States | Verizon Wireless Amphitheater | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 17, 2007 | Bristow | United States | Nissan Pavilion | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 18, 2007 | Holmdel | United States | PNC Bank Arts Center | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 20, 2007 | Wantagh | United States | Nikon at Jones Beach Theater | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 21, 2007 | Uncasville | United States | Mohegan Sun Arena | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 23, 2007 | Mansfield | United States | Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 24, 2007 | Camden | United States | Tweeter Center | Brick & Lace |
| May 27, 2007 | Atlantic City | United States | Borgata Events Center | Lady Sovereign |
| May 29, 2007 | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| May 30, 2007 | Toronto | Canada | Air Canada Centre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 1, 2007 | Auburn Hills | United States | The Palace of Auburn Hills | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 2, 2007 | Noblesville | United States | Verizon Wireless Music Center | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 4, 2007 | Omaha | United States | Qwest Center Arena | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 5, 2007 | Saint Paul | United States | Xcel Energy Center | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 7, 2007 | London | Canada | John Labatt Centre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 8, 2007 | Tinley Park | United States | First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 10, 2007 | Winnipeg | Canada | MTS Centre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 12, 2007 | Edmonton | Canada | Rexall Place | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 13, 2007 | Calgary | Canada | Pengrowth Saddledome | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 15, 2007 | Vancouver | Canada | General Motors Place | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 16, 2007 | Auburn | United States | White River Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 18, 2007 | Wheatland | United States | Sleep Train Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 19, 2007 | Mountain View | United States | Shoreline Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 22, 2007 | Irvine | United States | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 23, 2007 | Irvine | United States | Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | Akon Lady Sovereign |
| June 26, 2007 | Santa Barbara | United States | Santa Barbara Bowl | Lady Sovereign |
| June 27, 2007 | Santa Barbara | United States | Santa Barbara Bowl | Lady Sovereign |
| June 29, 2007 | Reno | United States | Reno Events Center | Lady Sovereign |
| June 30, 2007 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena | Lady Sovereign |
| July 13, 2007 | Monterrey | Mexico | Arena Monterrey | Plastilina Mosh |
| July 15, 2007 | Mexico City | Mexico | Palacio de los Deportes | Maria José |
| July 18, 2007 | San Juan | Puerto Rico | José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum | N/A |
| South America |||||
| July 21, 2007 | Bogotá | Colombia | Plaza de Eventos | The Hall Effect |
| Oceania |||||
| July 26, 2007 | Auckland | New Zealand | Vector Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| July 28, 2007 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Gym Class Heroes |
| July 30, 2007 | Sydney | Australia | Acer Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| July 31, 2007 | Sydney | Australia | Acer Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 2, 2007 | Melbourne | Australia | Rod Laver Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 3, 2007 | Melbourne | Australia | Rod Laver Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 5, 2007 | Adelaide | Australia | Adelaide Entertainment Centre | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 7, 2007 | Perth | Australia | Burswood Dome | Gym Class Heroes |
| Asia |||||
| August 11, 2007 | Chiba | Japan | Chiba Marine Stadium | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 12, 2007 | Osaka | Japan | Maishima Sports Island | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 14, 2007 | Singapore | Singapore | Singapore Indoor Stadium | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 16, 2007 | Hong Kong | Hong Kong | AsiaWorld–Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 19, 2007 | Bangkok | Thailand | Impact Arena | Gym Class Heroes |
| August 21, 2007 | Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | Putra Indoor Stadium | Gym Class Heroes |
| Oceania |||||
| August 24, 2007 | Honolulu | United States | Blaisdell Arena | Hoku |
| August 25, 2007 | Honolulu | United States | Blaisdell Arena | Hoku |
| Europe |||||
| September 10, 2007 | Hamburg | Germany | Color Line Arena | CSS |
| September 12, 2007 | Munich | Germany | Zenith | CSS |
| September 14, 2007 | Berlin | Germany | Velodrom | CSS |
| September 15, 2007 | Cologne | Germany | Kölnarena | CSS |
| September 17, 2007 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy | CSS |
| September 18, 2007 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Sportpaleis van Ahoy | CSS |
| September 20, 2007 | Glasgow | Scotland | Scottish Exhibition Hall 4 | CSS |
| September 22, 2007 | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena | CSS |
| September 23, 2007 | Newcastle | England | Metro Radio Arena | CSS |
| September 25, 2007 | Birmingham | England | National Indoor Arena | CSS |
| September 26, 2007 | Cardiff | Wales | Cardiff International Arena | CSS |
| September 28, 2007 | London | England | Wembley Arena | CSS |
| September 29, 2007 | London | England | Wembley Arena | CSS |
| October 1, 2007 | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Odyssey Arena | CSS |
| October 2, 2007 | Dublin | Ireland | RDS Simmonscourt | CSS |
| October 4, 2007 | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis | CSS |
| October 6, 2007 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | CSS |
| October 7, 2007 | Esch-sur-Alzette | Luxembourg | Rockhal | CSS |
| October 9, 2007 | Oslo | Norway | Oslo Spektrum | CSS |
| October 10, 2007 | Stockholm | Sweden | Stockholm Globe Arena | CSS |
| October 12, 2007 | Helsinki | Finland | Hartwall Areena | CSS |
| October 14, 2007 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Forum Copenhagen | CSS |
| October 16, 2007 | Milan | Italy | Datch Forum | CSS |
| October 17, 2007 | Vienna | Austria | Wiener Stadthalle | CSS |
| October 19, 2007 | Budapest | Hungary | László Papp Budapest Sports Arena | CSS |
| October 20, 2007 | Prague | Czech Republic | Sazka Arena | CSS |
| North America |||||
| October 26, 2007 | Las Vegas | United States | Pearl Concert Theater | Sean Kingston |
| October 27, 2007 | Anaheim | United States | Honda Center | Timbaland Nicole Scherzinger |
| October 29, 2007 | Tucson | United States | Anselmo Valencia Tori Amphitheater | Sean Kingston |
| October 30, 2007 | San Diego | United States | Cox Arena | Sean Kingston |
| November 1, 2007 | Stockton | United States | Stockton Arena | Sean Kingston |
| November 2, 2007 | Oakland | United States | Oracle Arena | Sean Kingston |
| November 3, 2007 | Santa Barbara | United States | Santa Barbara Bowl | Sean Kingston |

### Music festivals and other miscellaneous performances

    $^A$ This concerts was a part of the Summer Sonic Festival
    $^B$ This concert was a part of the Homecoming Concert

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| April 21, 2007 | Phoenix, Arizona | Cricket Wireless Pavilion | Moved to April 28, 2007 |
| April 28, 2007 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Pearl Concert Theater | Moved to April 21, 2007 |
| June 7, 2007 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Bradley Center | Cancelled |
| November 8, 2007 | Phoenix, Arizona | Dodge Theatre | Cancelled |
| November 9, 2007 | Phoenix, Arizona | Dodge Theatre | Cancelled |

### Box office score data

| Venue | City | Tickets sold / Available | Gross revenue |
| Coors Amphitheatre | Chula Vista | 14,415 / 19,392 (74%) | $628,109 |
| Save Mart Center | Fresno | 9,418 / 11,558 (81%) | $516,726 |
| Rabobank Arena | Bakersfield | 8,008 / 8,888 (90%) | $478,171 |
| Gibson Amphitheatre | Los Angeles | 6,047 / 6,123 (99%) | $429,825 |
| Cricket Wireless Pavilion | Phoenix | 20,101 / 20,101 (100%) | $637,247 |
| E Center | West Valley City | 8,947 / 9,749 (92%) | $433,820 |
| PNC Bank Arts Center | Holmdel Township | 16,905 / 16,905 (100%) | $667,460 |
| Nikon at Jones Beach Theater | Wantagh | 13,417 / 13,842 (97%) | $753,637 |
| Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts | Mansfield | 13,309 / 19,067 (70%) | $632,915 |
| Bell Centre | Montreal | 12,540 / 13,265 (95%) | $826,489 |
| The Palace of Auburn Hills | Auburn Hills | 13,071 / 14,424 (91%) | $657,504 |
| Xcel Energy Center | Saint Paul | 11,692 / 15,482 (76%) | $512,698 |
| John Labatt Centre | London | 9,048 / 9,214 (98%) | $711,714 |
| First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre | Tinley Park | 21,229 / 28,630 (74%) | $573,567 |
| MTS Centre | Winnipeg | 8,893 / 11,274 (79%) | $594,843 |
| Rexall Place | Edmonton | 12,637 / 13,115 (96%) | $874,964 |
| Pengrowth Saddledome | Calgary | 13,957 / 13,957 (100%) | $939,298 |
| General Motors Place | Vancouver | 14,503 / 15,496 (94%) | $996,582 |
| White River Amphitheatre | Auburn | 14,588 / 19,532 (75%) | $528,040 |
| Shoreline Amphitheatre | Mountain View | 19,349 / 22,000 (88%) | $712,381 |
| Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre | Irvine | 32,276 / 32,276 (100%) | $1,456,215 |
| Santa Barbara Bowl | Santa Barbara | 9,597 / 9,597 (100%) | $695,476 |
| MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas | 8,885 / 9,477 (94%) | $902,029 |
| Palacio de los Deportes | Mexico City | 10,676 / 18,345 (58%) | $542,426 |
| Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Brisbane | 10,348 / 10,435 (99%) | $870,819 |
| Acer Arena | Sydney | 25,468 / 25,468 (100%) | $1,952,763 |
| Blaisdell Arena | Honolulu | 13,661 / 13,661 (100%) | $904,998 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL | 372,985 / 421,273 (89%) | $20,430,716 |