Stronger Tour
The Stronger Tour was a concert tour by American singer Kelly Clarkson in support of her fifth studio album, Stronger, released on October 24, 2011.[1] The tour featured 57 performances[2] across multiple legs in North America, South America, Australia, and Europe, beginning with a North American theater and arena run on January 13, 2012, at the MGM Grand Theater in Mashantucket, Connecticut, and concluding on October 20, 2012, at Wembley Arena in London, England.[3][4][5] Announced on November 14, 2011, the initial leg encompassed more than 40 dates primarily in theaters and mid-sized venues across the United States and Canada, with singer-songwriter Matt Nathanson serving as the opening act for most shows.[6][3] A summer co-headlining extension with The Fray followed from July to September 2012, shifting to larger amphitheaters and featuring Carolina Liar as support on select dates.[7][8] Later international segments included Australian arena shows in September and October 2012, with The Fray and local artist Sarah De Bono, and a brief UK run in October.[9][10][4] The tour's setlist blended pop-rock anthems from Stronger—such as the title track and "Mr. Know It All"—with Clarkson staples like "Since U Been Gone" and "Because of You," often incorporating fan requests and covers for an interactive experience.[11] Performances emphasized Clarkson's vocal prowess and energetic stage presence, earning praise for their emotional depth and crowd engagement during the album's promotion amid her rising pop stardom.[6]Background and Announcement
Album Context
Stronger, Kelly Clarkson's fifth studio album, was released on October 24, 2011, through RCA Records and debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 chart.[1] The album featured prominent singles that bolstered its promotional momentum, including the lead single "Mr. Know It All," which debuted at number 18 and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the title track "Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You," which ascended to number one on the chart for three weeks.[12][13][14] These hits, with their anthemic pop sound, played a central role in shaping the tour's marketing emphasis on Clarkson's evolving artistry. Clarkson has stated that the album's core themes revolve around strength and empowerment, drawing from personal experiences of resilience to create an overarching narrative of recovery and self-assertion that permeated the record's songwriting.[15] This conceptual foundation directly informed the Stronger Tour's branding and setlist, positioning the live performances as an extension of the album's message of perseverance. Following the tour's completion, Stronger received further acclaim when it won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards in 2013, affirming its cultural resonance and Clarkson's vocal prowess.[16] The album's chart success and hit singles served as the direct impetus for announcing the accompanying tour.Tour Planning and Reveal
The Stronger Tour was officially announced on November 14, 2011, through Kelly Clarkson's official website and major music publications such as Billboard, unveiling an initial lineup of more than 30 dates across North America to promote her fifth studio album, Stronger.[6][17] The announcement highlighted the tour's role in showcasing the album's empowering themes through live performances, with Clarkson expressing enthusiasm for returning to the stage after a period focused on recording.[18] The tour was set to commence on January 13, 2012, at the MGM Grand Theater within Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut, marking the start of a high-energy production aligned with the pop-rock style of Stronger.[6][3] Early logistical planning emphasized a rigorous schedule spanning the United States and Canada, with the initial routing designed to build momentum post-album release on October 24, 2011. Clarkson noted in promotional materials that the shows would deliver intense, celebratory experiences to connect with fans on the album's resilient spirit.[19] Ticketing for the tour opened to the public on November 18, 2011, via Live Nation and Ticketmaster platforms, following exclusive pre-sales for members of Clarkson's Kellebrities fan club beginning November 16, 2011.[20][21] These pre-sales provided priority access to seats for the inaugural dates, reflecting strategic fan engagement to ensure strong initial turnout. The itinerary was subsequently expanded beyond the original 30-plus shows to over 40 North American stops by early 2012.[3] In May 2012, Clarkson revealed an additional international extension, adding a UK and European leg scheduled for October 2012, further broadening the tour's scope to include arena performances in cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and London.[22][4] This expansion underscored the tour's growing demand and Clarkson's intent to deliver the album's pop-rock anthems to a global audience through dynamic, vocal-driven sets.[23]Production and Personnel
Creative Team and Design
The Stronger Tour's production was managed by Alan Hornall. The stage setup featured a clean aesthetic with soft goods, elevated platforms, and columns for projections, allowing for dynamic movement and reveals. It incorporated LED screens and video mapping for immersive visuals during performances.[24] Lighting design was handled by Roy Bennett, who used bold effects to complement the album's themes of empowerment. The setup included Clay Paky Sharpy fixtures in vertical racks on the floor and in the air, enabling prismatic beams, frosted washes, and projections onto stage columns for key moments in a rock-pop style.[24] Front-of-house sound engineering was led by Chris Michaelessi, focusing on clear vocal projection and balanced live amplification to suit the tour's pop-rock sound across arenas and theaters.Band and Crew
Band- Kelly Clarkson – lead vocals
- Aben Eubanks – guitar, backup vocals
- Cory Churko – guitar, violin, backup vocals (North American leg)
- Chris Rodriguez – guitar, backup vocals (summer tour)
- Dan Rothchild – bass
- Josh Freese – drums (select dates)[25]
- Dennis Sharp – tour manager
- Alan Hornall – production manager
- Christopher Dye – stage manager
- Fraser MacKeen – lighting director
- Leroy Bennett – production lighting manager
- Robert Miller – monitor engineer[26]