We all read about it. A lot of us hoped it wasn’t true. They couldn’t have actually gone through with it, right?
Wrong.
According to Billboard, BASE Hologram has announced the tour dates for An Evening With Whitney: The Whitney Houston Hologram Tour. Yes, it’s happening.
“Whitney Houston was a talent beyond words, and her influence and artistry transcended all boundaries,” BASE Hologram and BASE Entertainment CEO and chairman, Brian Becker, said in a statement to Billboard. “What we are creating here is a new type of theatrical concert experience designed to capture that magic. When she performed there was an unmatched level of charisma and emotion to it - that’s what we are going to bring to audiences and it’s an honor to be able to help add to her legacy with this project.”
The production will feature a live band, back-up singers and dancers choreographed by Fatima Robinson as digitally remastered Houston hits blast in the speakers.
“A hologram show is all about the imagination and creating a ‘wow factor’ that extends to an incredible experience to enjoy for years to come,” Whitney’s former manager and president and CEO of The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, Pat Houston added. “Whitney is not with us but her music will live with us forever. We know we made the right decision partnering with BASE because they understand how important it is to produce a phenomenal hologram.”
The death of Whitney Houston is one of those monumental tragedies where we all remember where we were when we heard that gutting news. I was at Dave & Busters with my coworkers on the night of February 11, 2012. After standing quietly in sheer shock, we made a point to celebrate her life as her music blasted from the speakers the rest of the night.
Perhaps the folks also believe a great way to “celebrate her life,” is this hologram concert. Sure. Some of her fans took to Twitter to express their displeasure with the idea, though.
Though one fan had to admit they’d still get verklempt hearing her voice, no matter the physical source:
The first round of tour dates and locations are listed below, via Billboard. If you’d like to get into the complete list (the North American leg is expected to begin in Fall 2020), head on over to basehologram.com.
January 23 - February 9, 2020 - Mexico (additional information to come soon).
February 27, 2020 - M&S Bank Arena 2 Arena - Liverpool, England
February 28, 2020 - Apollo - Manchester, England
February 29, 2020 - First Direct Arena - Leeds, England
March 1, 2020 - SEC Armadillo - Glasgow, Scotland
March 2, 2020 - P&J Arena - Aberdeen, Scotland
March 3, 2020 - Bord Gais Theatre - Dublin, Ireland
March 4, 2020 - Arena Birmingham - Birmingham, England
March 5, 2020 - Bournemouth International Centre - Bournemouth, England
March 6, 2020 – Motorpoint Arena - Cardiff, Wales
March 7, 2020 - Brighton Centre - Brighton, England
March 9, 2020 - Royal Concert Hall - Nottingham, England
March 10, 2020 - Hammersmith Apollo - London, England
March 12, 2020 - Bozar - Brussels, Belgium
March 13, 2020 - AFAS Live- Amsterdam, Netherlands
March 14, 2020 - Capitole - Ghent, Belgium
March 19, 2020 - Samsung Hall - Zurich, Switzerland
March 20, 2020 - Admirals Palast - Berlin, Germany
March 22, 2020 - Stadhalle F - Vienna, Austria
March 23, 2020 - Inchebo Expo Arena - Bratislava, Slovakia
March 25, 2020 - Forum Black Box - Copenhagen, Denmark
March 26, 2020 - Folketeatret - Olso, Norway
March 28, 2020 - Cirkus -Stockholm, Sweden
March 30, 2020 - BKZ Oktyabrisky - St Petersburg, Russia
March 31, 2020 - Kremlin Concert Hall - Moscow, Russia
April 2, 2020 - Palace Ukraine - Kiev, Ukraine
April 3, 2020 - Palace of the Republic - Minsk, Belarus