# Sade Live

Sade Live (also known as the Once in a Lifetime Tour or the Soldier of Love Tour) was the sixth concert tour by British band Sade. Visiting Europe, the Americas, Australia and Asia the tour supports the band's sixth studio album, Soldier of Love and their second greatest hits album, The Ultimate Collection. This trek marked the band's first tour in nearly a decade. The tour ranked 27th in Pollstar's "Top 50 Worldwide Tour (Mid-Year)", earning over 20 million dollars. At the conclusion of 2011, the tour placed tenth on Billboard's annual, "Top 25 Tours", earning over $50 million with 59 shows.

## Background and response

The tour was officially announced on 30 September 2010 via press release. Shortly, media outlets began to buzz over the tour. Concurrently, the announcement of the tour followed the band's recent studio album, Soldier of Love, certified platinum in the United States. Advertised as a world tour, the initial announcement showed ten dates in the Southeastern United States. Soon after, dates in the United Kingdom and Europe were announced as well—giving the band its first performances in nearly two decades. At the start of 2011, the album was nominated for two Grammy Awards, prompting the band to add additional dates in the U.S.. During this time, American recording artist John Legend was revealed to be the opening act for the North American leg of the tour. Additional dates in Europe and North America followed. Frontwoman, Sade, described touring as being on a thrill ride at an amusement park. She further commented, "Once you’re on the ride, you’re so involved in it that it's almost too late to say, 'What am I doing?’ In some ways, I'm already psyched up [for the tour]. You have to know that it's going to be good to bring yourself to do it."
To introduce the tour, Adu stated:
   "You can never translate the reality of a show, which is good. I like to think this tour will be better than ever. We’re aiming high", she said. "It's a big production. It's going to be quite theatrical and hopefully visually do a good service to the songs and represent them well and take you somewhere. Hopefully, when people leave, they’ll leave with something."
Billboard magazine devoted its August 2011 cover story to the tour, highlighting details of the tour and its financial response. Sade's longtime collaborator Sophie Muller served as creative director of the tour while Baz Halpin (known for his work on tours by P!nk and Tina Turner) handled production and lighting design (including the jumbo LED screen that flashed imagery behind Sade while she's performed). According to the Billboard cover story, from 16 June to 14 August, the tour had grossed $31.4 million and drew 345,441 concert-goers to 36 concerts, of which 16 were sell-outs. As of 1 June, the band ranked as the eighth highest-grossing tour based on reported boxscores and ranked number-seven in concerts for ticket prices for the band range from $20 to $180 in various markets. Due to the success of the tour, new dates were added in Australia which marked the band's second tour there in almost twenty years.

## Broadcasts and recordings

During the American leg of Sade's 2011 tour, British director, Sophie Muller, captured the band's two-hour show for release on DVD, with accompanying Live CD. In addition to the concert, Sade also granted rare glimpses of behind-the-stage scenes with a 20-minute documentary, exclusive candid moments, a short technical documentary by Stuart Matthewman, and outtakes from the crew.

## Opening acts

* The Jolly Boys (first European leg)
* John Legend (North America)

## Setlist

* "Soldier of Love"
* "Your Love Is King"
* "Skin"
* "Kiss of Life"
* "Love is Found"
* "In Another Time"
* "Smooth Operator"
* "Jezebel"
* "Bring Me Home"
* "Is It a Crime"
* "Love is Stronger Than Pride" (after first leg only) / Still in Love With You (first leg only)
* "All About Our Love"
* Medley: "Paradise" / "Nothing Can Come Between Us"
* "Morning Bird"
* "King of Sorrow"
* "The Sweetest Taboo"
* "The Moon and the Sky"
* "Pearls"
* "No Ordinary Love"
* "By Your Side"

### Encore

* "Cherish the Day"

## Tour dates

| Date | City | Country | Venue |
| Europe ||||
| 29 April 2011 | Nice | France | Palais Nikaïa |
| 1 May 2011 | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis |
| 3 May 2011 | Hamburg | Germany | O$_2$ World Hamburg |
| 4 May 2011 | Oberhausen | Germany | König Pilsener Arena |
| 6 May 2011 | Milan | Italy | Mediolanum Forum |
| 7 May 2011 | Stuttgart | Germany | Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle |
| 9 May 2011 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Forum Copenhagen |
| 10 May 2011 | Stockholm | Sweden | Ericsson Globe |
| 12 May 2011 | Frankfurt | Germany | Festhalle Frankfurt |
| 13 May 2011 | Berlin | Germany | O$_2$ World |
| 14 May 2011 | Prague | Czech Republic | O$_2$ Arena |
| 16 May 2011 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion |
| 17 May 2011 | Paris | France | Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy |
| 19 May 2011 | Munich | Germany | Olympiahalle |
| 20 May 2011 | Metz | France | Galaxie Amnéville |
| 21 May 2011 | Cologne | Germany | Lanxess Arena |
| 23 May 2011 | Rotterdam | Netherlands | Rotterdam Ahoy |
| 25 May 2011 | Dublin | Ireland | The O$_2$ |
| 27 May 2011 | Manchester | England | Manchester Evening News Arena |
| 29 May 2011 | Birmingham | England | LG Arena |
| 31 May 2011 | London | England | The O$_2$ Arena |
| North America ||||
| 16 June 2011 | Baltimore | United States | 1st Mariner Arena |
| 18 June 2011 | Pittsburgh | United States | Consol Energy Center |
| 19 June 2011 | Philadelphia | United States | Wells Fargo Center |
| 21 June 2011 | Uniondale | United States | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| 22 June 2011 | Washington, D.C. | United States | Verizon Center |
| 24 June 2011 | East Rutherford | United States | Izod Center |
| 25 June 2011 | Newark | United States | Prudential Center |
| 28 June 2011 | Toronto | Canada | Air Canada Centre |
| 30 June 2011 | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre |
| 2 July 2011 | Atlantic City | United States | Etess Arena |
| 3 July 2011 | Uncasville | United States | Mohegan Sun Arena |
| 6 July 2011 | Boston | United States | TD Garden |
| 8 July 2011 | Indianapolis | United States | Conseco Fieldhouse |
| 9 July 2011 | Cleveland | United States | Quicken Loans Arena |
| 10 July 2011 | Columbus | United States | Value City Arena |
| 12 July 2011 | Atlanta | United States | Philips Arena |
| 13 July 2011 | Atlanta | United States | Philips Arena |
| 15 July 2011 | Sunrise | United States | Bank Atlantic Center |
| 16 July 2011 | Miami | United States | American Airlines Arena |
| 17 July 2011 | Orlando | United States | Amway Center |
| 22 July 2011 | New Orleans | United States | New Orleans Arena |
| 23 July 2011 | Houston | United States | Toyota Center |
| 24 July 2011 | Dallas | United States | American Airlines Center |
| 26 July 2011 | Kansas City | United States | Sprint Center |
| 28 July 2011 | St. Louis | United States | Scottrade Center |
| 29 July 2011 | Memphis | United States | FedExForum |
| 31 July 2011 | Charlotte | United States | Time Warner Cable Arena |
| 1 August 2011 | Nashville | United States | Bridgestone Arena |
| 3 August 2011 | Auburn Hills | United States | The Palace of Auburn Hills |
| 5 August 2011 | Chicago | United States | United Center |
| 6 August 2011 | Chicago | United States | United Center |
| 7 August 2011 | Chicago | United States | United Center |
| 9 August 2011 | Minneapolis | United States | Target Center |
| 11 August 2011 | Denver | United States | Pepsi Center |
| 13 August 2011 | Vancouver | Canada | Rogers Arena |
| 14 August 2011 | Seattle | United States | KeyArena |
| 15 August 2011 | Portland | United States | Moda Center |
| 17 August 2011 | Sacramento | United States | Sleep Train Arena |
| 19 August 2011 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center |
| 20 August 2011 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center |
| 21 August 2011 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center |
| 23 August 2011 | Chula Vista | United States | Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre |
| 25 August 2011 | San Jose | United States | SAP Center |
| 26 August 2011 | Oakland | United States | Oracle Arena |
| 27 August 2011 | Oakland | United States | Oracle Arena |
| 30 August 2011 | Anaheim | United States | Honda Center |
| 31 August 2011 | Anaheim | United States | Honda Center |
| 2 September 2011 | Phoenix | United States | US Airways Center |
| 3 September 2011 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena |
| 4 September 2011 | Ontario | United States | Citizens Business Bank Arena |
| 7 September 2011 | Austin | United States | Frank Erwin Center |
| 9 September 2011 | Louisville | United States | KFC Yum! Center |
| 10 September 2011 | Greensboro | United States | Greensboro Coliseum |
| 12 September 2011 | Norfolk | United States | Norfolk Scope |
| South America ||||
| 12 October 2011 | Santiago | Chile | Movistar Arena |
| 13 October 2011 | Santiago | Chile | Movistar Arena |
| 15 October 2011 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | Predio Vicente López al Río |
| 20 October 2011 | São Paulo | Brazil | Ginásio do Ibirapuera |
| 22 October 2011 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | HSBC Arena |
| 25 October 2011 | Brasília | Brazil | Nilson Nelson Gymnasium |
| Europe ||||
| 29 October 2011 | Sofia | Bulgaria | Armeets Arena |
| 30 October 2011 | Belgrade | Serbia | Belgrade Arena |
| 2 November 2011 | Tallinn | Estonia | Saku Suurhall |
| 3 November 2011 | Helsinki | Finland | Hartwall Areena |
| 5 November 2011 | St. Petersburg | Russia | Ice Palace Saint Petersburg |
| 7 November 2011 | Moscow | Russia | Crocus City Hall |
| 8 November 2011 | Moscow | Russia | Crocus City Hall |
| 11 November 2011 | Łódź | Poland | Atlas Arena |
| 13 November 2011 | Bratislava | Slovakia | Ondrej Nepela Arena |
| 15 November 2011 | Leipzig | Germany | Arena Leipzig |
| 16 November 2011 | Mannheim | Germany | SAP Arena |
| 18 November 2011 | Zurich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion |
| 19 November 2011 | Dortmund | Germany | Westfalenhallen |
| 20 November 2011 | Antwerp | Belgium | Lotto Arena |
| 22 November 2011 | Zagreb | Croatia | Arena Zagreb |
| 23 November 2011 | Budapest | Hungary | Budapest Sports Arena |
| 25 November 2011 | Vienna | Austria | Wiener Stadthalle |
| Australia ||||
| 2 December 2011 | Melbourne | Australia | Rod Laver Arena |
| 3 December 2011 | Adelaide | Australia | Adelaide Entertainment Centre |
| 6 December 2011 | Perth | Australia | The Esplanade |
| 9 December 2011 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| 10 December 2011 | Sydney | Australia | Sydney Entertainment Centre |
| 12 December 2011 | Brisbane | Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre |
| Asia ||||
| 16 December 2011 | Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates | Du Arena |

### Festivals and other miscellaneous performances

    $^A$ This concert was a part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival
    $^B$ This concert is a part of "A Day on the Green"
    $^C$ This concert is a part of "Yas Island Weekends"

### Cancellations and rescheduled shows

| 20 November 2011 | Herning, Denmark | Jyske Bank Boxen | Cancelled |
| 3 December 2011 | McLaren Vale, Australia | Leconfield Wines Estate | Cancelled. This concert was a part of "A Day on the Green". |
| 6 December 2011 | Perth, Australia | Kings Park | This concert was moved to The Esplanade |
| 10 December 2011 | Pokolbin, Australia | Hope Estate Winery Amphitheatre | Cancelled. This concert was a part of "A Day on the Green". |
| 14 December 2011 | Brisbane, Australia | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Rescheduled to 12 December 2011 |
| 16 December 2011 | Yarra Valley, Australia | Rochford Wines Estate | Cancelled. This concert was a part of "A Day on the Green". |

### Box office score data

| Venue | City | Tickets sold / Available | Gross revenue |
| Sportpaleis | Antwerp | 10,776 / 11,541 (93%) | $892,738 |
| Barclaycard Arena | Hamburg | 6,902 / 9,394 (73%) | $682,871 |
| Mercedes-Benz Arena | Berlin | 11,534 / 11,737 (98%) | $1,055,610 |
| Manchester Arena | Manchester | 3,838 / 5,207 (74%) | $414,863 |
| The O$_2$ Arena | London | 11,478 / 13,020 (88%) | $1,196,940 |
| Royal Farms Arena | Baltimore | 12,313 / 12,313 (100%) | $1,241,794 |
| PPG Paints Arena | Pittsburgh | 7,760 / 9,075 (85%) | $459,873 |
| Wells Fargo Center | Philadelphia | 11,936 / 13,809 (86%) | $1,297,328 |
| Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum | Uniondale | 11,077 / 12,406 (89%) | $1,144,054 |
| Verizon Center | Washington, D.C. | 11,948 / 12,410 (96%) | $1,299,056 |
| Izod Center | East Rutherford | 13,154 / 13,154 (100%) | $1,495,963 |
| Prudential Center | Newark | 11,574 / 11,574 (100%) | $1,161,086 |
| Air Canada Centre | Toronto | 12,679 / 12,679 (100%) | $1,308,311 |
| Bell Centre | Montreal | 9,827 / 11,423 (86%) | $1,161,940 |
| Etess Arena | Atlantic City | 4,119 / 4,119 (100%) | $359,820 |
| Mohegan Sun Arena | Uncasville | 5,879 / 6,933 (85%) | $585,300 |
| TD Garden | Boston | 9,422 / 11,334 (83%) | $937,064 |
| Bankers Field Fieldhouse | Indianapolis | 5,232 / 7,070 (74%) | $410,829 |
| Quicken Loans Arena | Cleveland | 8,969 / 10,222 (88%) | $497,014 |
| Value City Arena | Columbus | 7,562 / 7,886 (96%) | $457,197 |
| Philips Arena | Atlanta | 21,870 / 23,374 (93%) | $1,968,933 |
| BB&T Center | Sunrise | 11,213 / 11,213 (100%) | $1,183,167 |
| American Airlines Arena | Miami | 12,159 / 12,159 (100%) | $1,034,880 |
| Amway Center | Orlando | 10,401 / 12,290 (85%) | $1,076,849 |
| Smoothie King Center | New Orleans | 8,726 / 8,726 (100%) | $737,646 |
| Toyota Center | Houston | 13,304 / 13,304 (100%) | $1,287,191 |
| American Airlines Center | Dallas | 12,825 / 12,825 (100%) | $1,163,311 |
| Sprint Center | Kansas City | 8,224 / 9,953 (83%) | $487,758 |
| Scottrade Center | St. Louis | 6,898 / 9,000 (77%) | $459,201 |
| FedExForum | Memphis | 7,020 / 7,600 (92%) | $622,278 |
| Time Warner Cable Arena | Charlotte | 11,256 / 13,786 (82%) | $891,286 |
| Bridgestone Arena | Nashville | 4,093 / 9,089 (45%) | $287,204 |
| The Palace of Auburn Hills | Auburn Hills | 9,146 / 13,572 (67%) | $796,907 |
| United Center | Chicago | 30,834 / 32,124 (96%) | $2,983,195 |
| Target Center | Minneapolis | 6,194 / 8,052 (77%) | $451,669 |
| Pepsi Center | Denver | 7,352 / 8,812 (83%) | $608,446 |
| Rogers Arena | Vancouver | 9,136 / 9,947 (92%) | $724,297 |
| KeyArena | Seattle | 9,919 / 11,575 (86%) | $847,148 |
| Moda Center | Portland | 4,323 / 11,306 (38%) | $317,594 |
| Sleep Train Arena | Sacramento | 9,415 / 11,500 (82%) | $566,731 |
| Staples Center | Los Angeles | 40,810 / 40,810 (100%) | $4,711,593 |
| Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre | Chula Vista | 15,652 / 19,522 (80%) | $989,128 |
| SAP Center | San Jose | 11,852 / 11,852 (100%) | $1,176,039 |
| Oracle Arena | Oakland | 24,544 / 24,544 (100%) | $2,220,179 |
| Honda Center | Anaheim | 24,648 / 24,648 (100%) | $2,269,039 |
| Talking Stick Resort Arena | Phoenix | 11,949 / 11,949 (100%) | $1,002,898 |
| MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas | 12,973 / 12,973 (100%) | $1,392,963 |
| Citizens Business Bank Arena | Ontario | 8,323 / 8,323 (100%) | $624,818 |
| Frank Erwin Center | Austin | 8,476 / 10,967 (77%) | $636,494 |
| KFC Yum! Center | Louisville | 7,927 / 7,927 (100%) | $475,706 |
| Greensboro Coliseum | Greensboro | 8,154 / 9,264 (88%) | $502,154 |
| Norfolk Scope | Norfolk | 7,245 / 7,245 (100%) | $573,017 |
| Lotto Arena | Antwerp | 3,993 / 4,271 (93%) | $348,586 |
| TOTAL | TOTAL | 588,833 / 651,808 (90%) | $53,477,956 |