# Once Upon a Tour

Once Upon a Tour was a concert tour by Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish, in 2004 and 2005, to promote the release of their fifth album, Once, released June 7, 2004. A new greatest hits compilation, Highest Hopes, was also released to tie in with the tour. The albums combined with the band's most expansive merchandise campaign by Nuclear Blast Records meant this tour was heralded as the band's most important in many years. Many of the band's songs had not been played in a long time.

## Background

The success of the album allowed the band to perform in many countries they had never visited before: Colombia, Ecuador, Scotland, Estonia, Greece, Romania, Denmark, Japan, Australia, Portugal, and Slovenia. The band also played their first tour in the United States, with various sold-out concerts; the South American leg also sold out all its concerts. A second tour was planned in the US, but it was cancelled by Tarja Turunen, who also cancelled some concerts in Australia.
After touring in Europe and South America in late 2004, and some separate shows in December, the band had some time off in January 2005. In February, Nightwish won five Emma-Gala Awards (Finnish Grammy); among other awards, they won "The Band of the Year" and "The Best Selling Album of the Year". Tuomas Holopainen and Marko Hietala flew to Helsinki to receive the awards from touring in Europe. In March, Nightwish performed for the first time in Japan and Australia; in April and May, they had to have a break because of Turunen's other interests; but at the end of May, the band resumed the tour by playing with Iron Maiden in Poland and Mötley Crüe in Norway. During late 2005, Nightwish played several shows including a sold-out performance at the legendary Hammersmith Apollo in London. The last show on the European tour, in Stuttgart, Germany was up until then their biggest gig, with an audience of ten thousand.
The final concert was played on October 21 for 11,500 people in Hartwall Areena in Helsinki. The concert was also recorded to be released as an End of an Era live DVD and CD.
This was the last tour with Tarja Turunen; after the last concert the four other members of Nightwish decided it was best to continue Nightwish without Turunen, a feeling they expressed through an open letter Holopainen gave Turunen after the show, afterwards posted on the band's website. It was written by Holopainen but signed by the other band members. The main justification for Turunen's dismissal given in the letter was the band felt both her husband Marcelo Cabuli (an Argentine businessman) and commercial interests had changed her attitude towards the band. In May 2007, former Alyson Avenue frontwoman Anette Olzon was revealed as Turunen's replacement.

## Set lists
### 2004

* "Dark Chest of Wonders"
* "Planet Hell"
* "Deep Silent Complete"
* "She Is My Sin"
* "The Phantom of the Opera" (Andrew Lloyd Webber cover)
* "Ever Dream"
* "Symphony of Destruction" (Megadeth cover)
* "Sleeping Sun"
* "Bless the Child"
* "The Trooper" ("Wishmaster" intro)
* "Wishmaster"
* "Nemo"
* "Slaying the Dreamer"
* "Over the Hills and Far Away" (Gary Moore cover)

#### Encore

* "Dead Boy's Poem"
* "Ghost Love Score"
* "Wish I Had an Angel"

### 2005

* "Dark Chest of Wonders"
* "Ever Dream"
* "Planet Hell"
* "The Kinslayer"
* "The Siren"
* "The Phantom of the Opera" (Andrew Lloyd Webber cover)
* "High Hopes" (Pink Floyd cover)
* "The Trooper" ("Wishmaster" intro)
* "Wishmaster"
* "Bless the Child"
* "Slaying the Dreamer"
* "Kuolema Tekee Taiteilijan"
* "Nemo"

#### Encore

* "Sleeping Sun"
* "Ghost Love Score"
* "Wish I Had an Angel"

## Tour dates

List of 2004 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue and support act(s) :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Support Act(s) |
| May 22, 2004 | Kitee | Finland | Ice-Hall | — |
| May 29, 2004 | Tallinn | Estonia | Von Krahl Theatre | — |
| May 30, 2004 | Tallinn | Estonia | Von Krahl Theatre | — |
| June 5, 2004 | Nijmegen | Netherlands | Goffertpark | — |
| June 11, 2004 | Tampere | Finland | Eteläpuisto | — |
| June 12, 2004 | Sölvesborg | Sweden | Norje Havsbad | — |
| June 19, 2004 | Glauchau | Germany | Gründelpark | — |
| June 20, 2004 | Malakasa | Greece | Terra Vibe | — |
| July 10, 2004 | Turku | Finland | Ruissalo | — |
| July 11, 2004 | Pamplona | Spain | Carpa Rojilla | — |
| July 13, 2004 | Bradford | England | Bradford Rio | — |
| July 14, 2004 | Nottingham | England | Rock City | — |
| July 16, 2004 | London | England | Astoria | Brainstorm |
| July 17, 2004 | Helsinki | Finland | Kaisaniemi | — |
| July 21, 2004 | Oslo | Norway | Rockefeller Music Hall | — |
| August 20, 2004 | Worcester | United States | Palladium | Lullacry |
| August 22, 2004 | New York City | United States | B.B. King's Blues Club | Lullacry |
| August 23, 2004 | Cleveland | United States | Phantasy Theater | Lullacry |
| August 24, 2004 | Cleveland | United States | Phantasy Theater | Lullacry |
| August 25, 2004 | Chicago | United States | House of Blues | Lullacry |
| August 26, 2004 | Minneapolis | United States | Quest Club | Lullacry |
| August 28, 2004 | Denver | United States | Cervantes Club | Lullacry |
| August 30, 2004 | Scottsdale | United States | Cajun House | Lullacry |
| August 31, 2004 | Anaheim | United States | House of Blues | Lullacry |
| September 1, 2004 | Los Angeles | United States | House of Blues | Lullacry |
| September 3, 2004 | San Francisco | United States | Slim's | Lullacry |
| September 5, 2004 | Seattle | United States | Graceland Club | Lullacry |
| September 17, 2004 | Tampere | Finland | Pakkahuone Theatre | — |
| September 18, 2004 | Turku | Finland | Karibia Club | Twilightning |
| September 21, 2004 | Helsinki | Finland | Nosturi Club | — |
| September 22, 2004 | Helsinki | Finland | Nosturi Club | — |
| September 24, 2004 | Oslo | Norway | Rockefeller Music Hall | — |
| September 25, 2004 | Jyväskylä | Finland | Paviljonki Areena | Twilightning |
| September 29, 2004 | Stockholm | Sweden | Stora Arenan | — |
| October 1, 2004 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Lisebergshallen | — |
| October 2, 2004 | Malmö | Sweden | Baltiska Hallen | Lordi |
| October 13, 2004 | Hamburg | Germany | Color Line Arena | Sonata Arctica |
| October 15, 2004 | Leipzig | Germany | Arena | Sonata Arctica |
| October 16, 2004 | Erfurt | Germany | Thüringenhalle | Sonata Arctica |
| October 19, 2004 | Cologne | Germany | Palladium | Sonata Arctica |
| October 20, 2004 | Berlin | Germany | Arena | Sonata Arctica |
| October 22, 2004 | Nuremberg | Germany | Arena | Sonata Arctica |
| October 23, 2004 | Munich | Germany | Zenith | Sonata Arctica |
| October 25, 2004 | Vienna | Austria | Gasometer | Sonata Arctica |
| October 26, 2004 | Budapest | Hungary | Petöfi Hall | Sonata Arctica |
| October 28, 2004 | Milan | Italy | PalaSharp | Sonata Arctica |
| October 30, 2004 | Basel | Switzerland | St. Jakob Arena | Sonata Arctica |
| November 1, 2004 | Lyon | France | Lé Transbordeur | Sonata Arctica |
| November 4, 2004 | Madrid | Spain | Aqualung Club | Sonata Arctica |
| November 5, 2004 | Barcelona | Spain | Razamatazz 1 | Sonata Arctica |
| November 7, 2004 | Brussels | Belgium | Ancienne Belgique | — |
| November 8, 2004 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Paradiso Club | Sonata Arctica |
| November 19, 2004 | Bucharest | Romania | Palace Hall | Sonata Arctica |
| November 21, 2004 | Paris | France | Le Zénith | Conscience |
| November 27, 2004 | Buenos Aires | Argentina | Obras Arena | — |
| November 28, 2004 | Campinas | Brazil | Usina Royal | — |
| November 30, 2004 | Rio de Janeiro | Brazil | Canecão | — |
| December 2, 2004 | Porto Alegre | Brazil | Opinião Club | — |
| December 3, 2004 | Belo Horizonte | Brazil | Chevrolet Hall | — |
| December 4, 2004 | São Paulo | Brazil | Via Funchal | — |
| December 8, 2004 | Bogotá | Colombia | Gonzalo de Quesada Auditorium | — |
| December 10, 2004 | Quito | Ecuador | Estadio del Aucas | — |
| December 12, 2004 | Mexico City | Mexico | Circo Volador | — |
| December 13, 2004 | Mexico City | Mexico | Circo Volador | — |
| December 15, 2004 | Montreal | Canada | Métropolis | Heaven's Cry |
| December 16, 2004 | Montreal | Canada | Métropolis | — |
| December 18, 2004 | Toronto | Canada | Opera House | Aesma Daeva |
| December 26, 2004 | Helsinki | Finland | Ice-Hall | After Forever Kotipelto |
| December 28, 2004 | Oberhausen | Germany | König-Pilsener Arena | — |
| December 29, 2004 | Hamburg | Germany | Friedrichshafen Messehalle | — |
List of 2005 concerts, showing date, city, country, venue and support act(s) :
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Support Act(s) |
| February 9, 2005 | Copenhagen | Denmark | Stora Vega | — |
| February 11, 2005 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Heineken Music Hall | After Forever Imperia |
| February 12, 2005 | London | England | Astoria | Tristania |
| February 15, 2005 | Birmingham | England | O2 Academy | Tristania |
| February 16, 2005 | Glasgow | Scotland | O2 Academy | Tristania |
| February 18, 2005 | Manchester | England | Academy Manchester | Tristania |
| February 19, 2005 | London | England | Astoria | Tristania |
| February 21, 2005 | Wieze | Belgium | Oktoberhallen | Tristania |
| February 22, 2005 | Trier | Germany | Arena | Tristania |
| February 24, 2005 | Braunschweig | Germany | Volkswagen Halle | Tristania |
| February 26, 2005 | Bayreuth | Germany | Oberfrankenhalle | Tristania |
| February 27, 2005 | Chur | Switzerland | Stadthalle | Tristania |
| February 28, 2005 | Stuttgart | Germany | Schleyerhalle | Tristania |
| March 12, 2005 | Osaka | Japan | Namba Hatch | Angra |
| March 13, 2005 | Fukuoka | Japan | Zepp Fukuoka | Angra |
| March 16, 2005 | Tokyo | Japan | Shibuya AX | Angra |
| March 17, 2005 | Tokyo | Japan | Shibuya AX | Angra |
| March 18, 2005 | Nagoya | Japan | Zepp Nagoya | Angra |
| March 21, 2005 | Melbourne | Australia | Corner Hotel | — |
| March 22, 2005 | Melbourne | Australia | Corner Hotel | — |
| March 23, 2005 | Sydney | Australia | Metro Theatre | Dungeon |
| March 26, 2005 | Brisbane | Australia | Arena | — |
| May 26, 2005 | Budapest | Hungary | Petőfi Csarnok | — |
| May 27, 2005 | Madrid | Spain | Parque Natural de la Cantueña | — |
| May 29, 2005 | Chorzów | Poland | Stadion Śląski | — |
| June 10, 2005 | Oslo | Norway | Spektrum Arena | — |
| June 11, 2005 | Nickelsdorf | Austria | Pannonia Fields II | — |
| June 12, 2005 | Leicestershire | England | Donington Park | — |
| June 13, 2005 | London | England | Astoria | — |
| June 17, 2005 | Seinäjoki | Finland | Törnävä | — |
| June 18, 2005 | Frauenfeld | Switzerland | Grosse Allmend | — |
| June 24, 2005 | Jämsä | Finland | Himos Areena | — |
| July 15, 2005 | Zlín | Czech Republic | Areál likérky R. Jelínek | — |
| July 16, 2005 | Toscolano-Maderno | Italy | Campo Sportivo | — |
| July 22, 2005 | Erfurt | Germany | Eventzentrum Strohofer | — |
| July 28, 2005 | Porto | Portugal | Vilar de Mouros | — |
| August 4, 2005 | Wacken | Germany | Hauptstrasse | — |
| August 5, 2005 | Dresden | Germany | Freilichtbühne Großer Garten Junge Garde | — |
| August 7, 2005 | Vantaa | Finland | Korson Urheilupuisto | — |
| August 14, 2005 | Rothenburg | Germany | Eisweise | — |
| August 19, 2005 | Hasselt | Belgium | Domein Kiewit | — |
| August 20, 2005 | Biddinghuizen | Netherlands | Evenemententerrein Walibi Holland | — |
| September 3, 2005 | Hell | Norway | Hellodrome | Stonegard |
| September 5, 2005 | Oslo | Norway | Rockefeller Music Hall | — |
| September 8, 2005 | Stockholm | Sweden | Arenan | — |
| September 9, 2005 | Gothenburg | Sweden | Lisebergshallen | Nocturnal Rites |
| September 11, 2005 | Umeå | Sweden | SkyCom Arena | — |
| September 17, 2005 | Žilina | Slovakia | Boräk Hall | — |
| September 19, 2005 | Ljubljana | Slovenia | Krizance Hall | — |
| September 23, 2005 | Copenhagen | Denmark | K.B. Hallen | — |
| September 25, 2005 | London | England | Hammersmith Apollo | Paradise Lost |
| September 30, 2005 | Bucharest | Romania | Polivalenta Hall | — |
| October 1, 2005 | Athens | Greece | Lycabettus Anfitheatre | — |
| October 8, 2005 | Mexico City | Mexico | Palacio de los Deportes | — |
| October 12, 2005 | São Paulo | Brazil | Estádio do Canindé | — |
| October 15, 2005 | Porto Alegre | Brazil | Gigantinho | — |
| October 21, 2005 | Helsinki | Finland | Hartwall Areena | Sonata Arctica |

## Personnel

* Tarja Turunen – lead vocals
* Tuomas Holopainen – keyboards
* Emppu Vuorinen – guitar
* Jukka Nevalainen – drums
* Marko Hietala – bass, vocals
Additional musicians
* John Two-Hawks – vocals, flute

## Footnotes

* ↑ The June 5, 2004, concert was a part of Dynamo Open Air.
* ↑ The June 11, 2004, concert was a part of Sauna Open Air.
* ↑ The June 12, 2004, concert was a part of Sweden Rock Festival.
* ↑ The June 19, 2004, concert was a part of Woodstage Open Air.
* ↑ The June 20, 2004, concert was a part of Rockwave Festival.
* ↑ The July 10, 2004, concert was a part of Ruisrock.
* ↑ The July 11, 2004, concert was a part of San Fermin.
* ↑ The July 17, 2004, concert was a part of Tuska Open Air.
* ↑ The November 7, 2004, concert was a part of Metal Female Voices Fest.
* 1 2 The December 28 and 29, 2004, concerts were a part of On A Dark Winter's Night.
* ↑ The May 27, 2005, concert was a part of Festimad.
* ↑ The May 29, 2005, concert was a part of Mystic Festival.
* ↑ The June 11, 2005, concert was a part of Nova Rock Festival.
* ↑ The June 12, 2005, concert was a part of Download Festival.
* ↑ The June 17, 2005, concert was a part of Provinssirock.
* ↑ The June 18, 2005, concert was a part of Frauenfeld Open Air.
* ↑ The June 24, 2005, concert was a part of Himos Festival.
* ↑ The July 15, 2005, concert was a part of Masters of Rock.
* ↑ The July 16, 2005, concert was a part of Evolution Festival.
* ↑ The July 22, 2005, concert was a part of Earthshaker Festival.
* ↑ The July 28, 2005, concert was a part of Vilar de Mouros Festival.
* ↑ The August 4, 2005, concert was a part of Wacken Open Air.
* ↑ The August 7, 2005, concert was a part of Ankkarock.
* ↑ The August 14, 2005, concert was a part of Taubertal Open Air.
* ↑ The August 19, 2005, concert was a part of Pukkelpop.
* ↑ The August 20, 2005, concert was a part of Lowlands Festival.
* 1 2 3 The October 8, 12 and 15, 2005, concerts were a part of Live'N'Louder Festival.