Despite Rihanna’s music climbing to No. 1 multiple times as well as being one of the most popular recording artists in the world, the ballyhooed tour of Barbadian bombshell Rihanna is being wrecked by poor ticket sales.
Rihanna is the latest to be plagued by lack of interest from fans. According to Live Nation, Rihanna — who is on tour with Ke$sha and Travie McCoy — is cancelling tour dates in Denver, Indianapolis, Phoenix, Dallas and Atlanta on her Last Girl on Earth tour.
Critics have ravaged the pop princess’s performance and Rihanna music as well. The San Jose [Calif.] Mercury News says that, while Rihanna “knows how to throw a party,” they panned the concert as showing “great flash but little substance.”
Looking at it as a party “was the best way to approach Rihanna’s concert Saturday night at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View,“ the paper wrote. “In terms of production, the 22-year-old Rihanna rivals the most ridiculous examples of over-the-top stage shows in history. And, like a lot of those acts, the special effects cover up what’s lacking [from Rihanna music].”
However, Live Nation hastens to note that not all tours are struggling. In fact, some are thriving, much to the redheaded Rihanna’s chagrin. Those include Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Muse, Taylor Swift and even James Taylor with Carole King.
One critic pointed out that Rihanna, who is not a great dancer nor live singer, needs to work on creating an emotional bond with her audience to convert non-Rihanna fans. She’s already got the sex appeal down pat.
–terry shropshire
