The Magna Carter World Tour was a concert tour by American rapper Jay-Z. It was promoted by his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013). Following his headlining performance at the 2013 Wireless Festival, Jay Z and promoters Live Nation announced a European and North American headlining tour. The venture was Jay Z's first solo headlining tour in almost four years, following 2009's Fall Tour.[2] According to Pollstar, The tour earned total $48.9m from 52 shows.
| World tour by Jay-Z | |
 | |
| Associated album | Magna Carta Holy Grail |
|---|---|
| Start date | October 3, 2013 |
| End date | January 31, 2014 |
| Legs | 2 |
| No. of shows | 52 |
| Box office | US$48.9 million ($62.94 million in 2023 dollars)[1] |
| Jay-Z concert chronology | |
Background edit
On February 22, 2013, Jay Z and Justin Timberlake announced their co-headlining Legends of the Summer Tour[3] Initially this tour was speculated to be in promotion of Timberlake's new album The 20/20 Experience and comeback to music, and was to only feature Jay Z's previous hits. However, on July 24, 2013, Jay Z released his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail. Rumors begun of a solo headlining tour from Jay Z to support the new album and on July 26, 2013, the Magna Carter World Tour was officially announced.[2]
Jay Z, along with Chris Martin and Timbaland, took the London Underground from Waterloo tube station to the O2 Arena, where he performed his third consecutive show in London on October 12, 2013.[4]
On November 1, Jay-Z and Timbaland performed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at du Arena, as part of the F1 Grand Prix After-Race concert. The set list was the same as his European shows, though this wasn't part of the tour. There was a power-cut in the middle of the show, where Timbaland beat-boxed to improvise for the 37,000 fans.[5]
Critical reception edit
The opening night of the tour received positive reviews from critics. Katie Fitzpatrick, from Manchester Evening News gave the performance 4 out of 5 stars, stating "If we aren't arm waving along to modern anthems such as 99 Problems and Empire State of Mind, we're standing with respectful attention as though we're beholding a life-altering church sermon."[6] Nick Hasted from The Independent also gave the opening concert 4 out of 5 stars. He explained "Regularly tonight, he goes further, breaking down his wall of hip-hop sound for bursts of a cappella rapping. It's the bare, breathing sound of one man's talent, preciously rare at an arena show. His new, twelfth album, Magna Carta Holy Grail, wrestles with the challenges of fame and celebrity family, trying to make them as compelling as the drug-dealing street life he left behind in Brooklyn long ago. But while he's on stage, those contradictions melt away."[7]
Rave reviews continued throughout the European leg of the tour. Ed Power from The Telegraph, who attended the first show in Dublin concluded his review with "A tough guy with a gooey centre, little about Jay-Z's swagger is especially original but he carries it off better than anyone else in the game." He went on to give the performance 4 out of 5 stars.[8] At the first of his 4 back to back London O2 Arena shows, Hannah Britt from the Daily Express opened her praising review with "With a sea of screaming fans holding their palms up towards him, you'd never know that Jay Z once dealt crack cocaine on the streets of Brooklyn." and continued to positively speak on the rappers personality, stating "With a confidence that comes with being a highly respected artist, married to Beyoncé and mind-blowingly minted, he seemed as comfortable talking to the crowd as I would be sat on my living room sofa. Picking people from the audience at random, he thanked them for being there. It was a nice touch, adding a sense of humility to his on-stage persona."[9] However, Alicia Adejobi from Entertainment Wise who attended the same show questioned whether the hip hop mogul could still hold a crowd on his own (after touring respectively for the past two years with collaborators Kanye West and Justin Timberlake). She concluded with a mixed review of the show stating "Perhaps we're so used to seeing him on stage with the likes of Kanye, Justin Timberlake and even his wife Beyonce, but it felt as though something was slightly missing from the night. It's clear from the frequent breaks and interludes that Jay Z just simply isn't as energetic as he once was in his 20s"[10]
Commercial performance edit
Due to the "phenomenal" demand as well as all dates in the United Kingdom selling out, promoters added second shows in Manchester and London. Ticket prices for the UK leg ranged between £42-£78.[11] Other sources reported that some of the UK dates had sold out within "seconds" with website Mirror.co.uk joking "[Jay Z] tickets are fast turning into the Holy Grail" (a pun based on the rappers hit song with Justin Timberlake).[12] On September 6, 2013, a second leg of the tour was announced, to take place in North America during December 2013/early 2014.[13] The tour was #57 most successful tour in Pollstar's 2013 year end top 100 worldwide tour, with $31.2m gross from 33 shows.[14] also on their 2014 mid year top 100 North American tours, tour was #14 with $17.7m gross from 19 shows.[15] Based on those Pollstar Reports, the Tour earned $48.9m from 52 Shows from 2013 to 2014.
Broadcasts and recordings edit
A promotional video for the tour was released by Live Nation's official YouTube account to promote the original ticket sales of the tour. The video showed footage from Jay Z's headlining performance at the 2013 Wireless Festival, including footage of the large crowd and him on stage (although no performances of songs were included)[16]
Support acts edit
Set list edit
This set list is representative of the first show in London. It does not represent all concerts for the duration of the tour.[18]
- "U Don't Know"
- "Crown"
- "On to the Next One"
- "Holy Grail"
- "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt"
- "Beach Is Better"
- "99 Problems"
- "Big Pimpin'"
- "Picasso Baby"
- "Tom Ford"
- "Dirt off Your Shoulder"
- "Somewhereinamerica"
- "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
- "Pound Cake"
- "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)"
- "Niggas in Paris"
- "Public Service Announcement"
- "Clique"
- "Run This Town"
- Encore
Notes
- On October 11 and 12, 2013, Chris Martin joined Jay Z on stage to perform "Ain't No Love (In The Heart Of The City)" together.[19]
- On January 2, 2014, Jay Z brought out Rick Ross in concert.
Shows edit
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Opening act | Attendance | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe[2][11][20][21][22] | ||||||
| October 3, 2013 | Manchester | England | Manchester Arena | Timbaland | 18,722 / 21,931 | $1,774,570 |
| October 4, 2013 | ||||||
| October 6, 2013 | Dublin | Ireland | 3Arena | — | — | |
| October 8, 2013 | Birmingham | England | Barclaycard Arena | |||
| October 10, 2013 | London | The O2 Arena | 56,652 / 66,952 | $5,600,680 | ||
| October 11, 2013 | ||||||
| October 12, 2013 | ||||||
| October 14, 2013 | ||||||
| October 17, 2013 | Paris | France | AccorHotels Arena | — | — | |
| October 18, 2013 | ||||||
| October 20, 2013 | Zürich | Switzerland | Hallenstadion | 10,583 / 13,000 | $1,229,150 | |
| October 21, 2013 | Antwerp | Belgium | Sportpaleis | — | — | |
| October 23, 2013 | Oslo | Norway | Oslo Spektrum | |||
| October 25, 2013 | Stockholm | Sweden | Ericsson Globe | |||
| October 27, 2013 | Hamburg | Germany | Barclaycard Arena Hamburg | 8,960 / 12,286 | $737,820 | |
| October 28, 2013 | Cologne | Lanxess Arena | — | — | ||
| October 29, 2013 | Amsterdam | Netherlands | Ziggo Dome | |||
| North America[13][21][23] | ||||||
| November 30, 2013 | Saint Paul | United States | Xcel Energy Center | Timbaland | — | — |
| December 1, 2013 | Lincoln | Pinnacle Bank Arena | ||||
| December 2, 2013 | Denver | Pepsi Center | ||||
| December 6, 2013 | Anaheim | Honda Center | ||||
| December 7, 2013 | San Diego | Valley View Casino Center | ||||
| December 9, 2013 | Los Angeles | Staples Center | — | 13,380 / 13,380 | $1,351,069 | |
| December 10, 2013 | Fresno | Save Mart Center | 6,735 / 9,627 | $470,710 | ||
| December 11, 2013 | San Jose | SAP Center at San Jose | Timbaland | — | — | |
| December 13, 2013 | Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay Events Center | ||||
| December 14, 2013 | ||||||
| December 18, 2013 | Oklahoma City | Chesapeake Energy Arena | ||||
| December 19, 2013 | Houston | Toyota Center | ||||
| December 20, 2013 | San Antonio | AT&T Center | ||||
| December 21, 2013 | Dallas | American Airlines Center | 11,713 / 12,808 | $966,269 | ||
| December 27, 2013 | Atlanta | Philips Arena | — | 14,533 / 14,533 | $1,207,942 | |
| December 28, 2013 | Birmingham | BJCC Arena | Timbaland | — | — | |
| January 2, 2014 | Sunrise | BB&T Center | ||||
| January 4, 2014 | Charlotte | Time Warner Cable Arena | ||||
| January 5, 2014 | Greensboro | Greensboro Coliseum | ||||
| January 8, 2014 | Cleveland | Quicken Loans Arena | ||||
| January 9, 2014 | Chicago | United Center | ||||
| January 10, 2014 | Auburn Hills | The Palace of Auburn Hills | — | |||
| January 12, 2014 | Brooklyn | Barclays Center | 26,079 / 26,079 | $3,158,563 | ||
| January 13, 2014 | ||||||
| January 16, 2014 | Washington, D.C. | Verizon Center | 12,207 / 12,774 | $1,259,563 | ||
| January 17, 2014 | Uncasville | Mohegan Sun Arena | 6,133 / 6,441 | $880,727 | ||
| January 18, 2014 | Boston | TD Garden | Timbaland | — | — | |
| January 19, 2014 | Uniondale | Nassau Coliseum | — | |||
| January 21, 2014 | Pittsburgh | CONSOL Energy Center | Timbaland | |||
| January 22, 2014 | Newark | Prudential Center | — | 9,914 / 9,914 | $773,131 | |
| January 24, 2014 | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre | 11,282 / 11,282 | $1,007,060 | |
| January 27, 2014 | Toronto | Air Canada Centre | 14,149 / 14,149 | $1,309,200 | ||
| January 29, 2014 | Philadelphia | United States | Wells Fargo Center | 13,266 / 13,266 | $1,104,466 | |
| January 30, 2014 | Buffalo | First Niagara Center | Timbaland | — | — | |
| January 31, 2014 | State College | Bryce Jordan Center | ||||
| Total | 234,308 / 258,422 (90%) | $22,830,920 | ||||
References edit
- ^ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- ^ a b c Baker, Soren (July 15, 2013). "Jay-Z Announces "Magna Carta" European Tour". Hip Hop DX. Archived from the original on July 22, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
- ^ "Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake Announce 'Legends of the Summer' Tour Dates". Rap-Up. Devine Lazerine. Retrieved February 22, 2013.
- ^ Bitchie, Nicole (October 12, 2013). "Jay Z Takes The Tube To London's 02 Arena [Plus Debuts Made In America Documentary]". Necole Bitchie. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
- ^ Nihal, Mariam (November 5, 2013). "Abu Dhabi's got 99 problems, but Jay Z wasn't one of them!". albawaba.com. Syndi Gate. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie (October 4, 2013). "Review: Jay Z @ Phones 4U Arena". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ^ Hasted, Nick (October 4, 2013). "Gig review: Jay Z, Magna Carter World Tour". The Independent. Retrieved October 4, 2013.
- ^ Power, Ed (October 8, 2013). "Jay-Z, O2 Dublin, review". The Telegraph. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ Britt, Hannah (October 11, 2013). "Gig review: Jay Z, O2 Arena, London". The Daily Express. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Adejobi, Alicia (October 11, 2013). "LIVE REVIEW: Jay Z – London's O2 Arena". Entertainment Wise. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ a b "JAY Z ADDS EXTRA UK DATES TO THE 'MAGNA CARTER WORLD TOUR'". Live Nation. Press Party. July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
- ^ Robertson, James (July 19, 2013). "Jay Z tickets Magna Carta UK tour sold-out in SECONDS! Rapper adds extra dates". Mirror. Retrieved October 8, 2013.
- ^ a b "JAY Z Announces "Magna Carter World Tour" North American Dates". Roc Nation. September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 6, 2013.
- ^ "2013 Pollstar Year End Top 100 Worldwide Tour" (PDF). Pollstarpro. Pollstar. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
- ^ "Pollstar2014 Mid Year Top 100 North American Tours" (PDF). PollstarPro. Pollstar. Retrieved 2017-11-09.
- ^ "JAY Z – Magna Carter World Tour". The O2. Live Nation UK. August 9, 2013. Archived from the original on August 17, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ "Timbaland to join Jay Z's Magna Carter world tour in UK". Newsbeat. BBC. September 19, 2013. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
- ^ Robertson, James (October 11, 2013). "Jay Z live review, London O2 Arena: 8 things I learned from the rapper's tour". Mirror. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
- ^ Baggs, Michael (October 12, 2013). "Video: Coldplay's Chris Martin joins Jay Z on stage at London's O2". Gigwise. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
- ^ "Jay-Z Announces UK Arena Tour Dates". MTV. July 16, 2013. Retrieved July 26, 2013.
- ^ a b "Jay Z tour dates". Pollstar. September 6, 2013. Archived from the original on September 7, 2013. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
- ^ Box score:
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. November 13, 2013. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. November 20, 2013. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on November 20, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. February 22, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on February 12, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
- ^ Box score:
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. November 12, 2013. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. January 29, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. February 16, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on February 6, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. March 9, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved February 27, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. April 12, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on April 2, 2014. Retrieved April 2, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore". Billboard. New York. June 4, 2014. ISSN 0006-2510. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores". Billboard. June 11, 2014. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores". Billboard. June 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 18, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
- "Billboard Boxscore :: Current Scores". Billboard. November 19, 2014. Archived from the original on November 20, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.