The Better Day World Tour was the tenth concert tour by American recording artist, Dolly Parton. Visiting North America, Europe and Australia, the tour supported her 43rd studio album, Better Day. With nearly 275,000 tickets sold, and an overall gross of $34 million, it is Parton's most successful tour. The tour was her first visit to Australia in 30 years.

Background In January 2011, Parton told media outlet she planned to release an album in 2011 and a supporting tour. A month later, British webzine Glasswerk announced the tour to visit Scotland, England and Ireland. In March, the tour was expanded to include dates in the United States. Parton explained the tour would be a joyful celebration full of hope and inspires to look towards better days. To introduce the tour, Parton remarks:"I’m very excited, first of all, to be going back on tour at all. But I love the fans and I miss the live stage shows. With the new stage show I hope to have a lot of new things for the fans, especially all the new songs from the Better Day CD and some new and different segments in the show with a lot more fun things as well."

The tour began on July 17, 2011, at the Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee. The inaugural concert benefited Parton's Dollywood Foundation. All proceeds from the concert were donated to the Imagination Library, providing educational opportunities to children in various communities.

Broadcasts & Recordings

Footage was recorded on 22–23 November 2011 at Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia for a live DVD. The release date has not been announced although Liquid Crystal Productions has stated it will be released in 2013.

Set list This set list is representative of the show in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is not representative of all concerts for the duration of the tour

"Walking on Sunshine" (contains excerpts from "Shine Like the Sun") "Better Get to Livin'" "Jolene" "Rocky Top" "Mule Skinner Blues" "Help!" "Shine" "Stairway to Heaven" "My Tennessee Mountain Home" "Precious Memories" "Coat of Many Colors" "Smoky Mountain Memories" "Son of a Preacher Man" "Better Day" "Together You and I" "Holding Everything" "Joyful Noise" "He Will Take You Higher" (contains excerpts from "I Want to Take You Higher") "He's Everything" "White Limozeen" "The Best of Both Worlds" "The Sacrifice" "In the Meantime" "Little Sparrow" "River Deep – Mountain High" "Here You Come Again "Islands in the Stream" "9 to 5" Encore "I Will Always Love You" "Light of a Clear Blue Morning"

Source:

Tour dates Date City Country Venue North AmericaKnoxvilleUnited StatesThompson–Boling ArenaGrand PrairieVerizon Theatre at Grand PrairieAlbuquerqueSandia Casino AmphitheaterLos AngelesHollywood BowlConcordSleep Train PavilionPrior LakeMystic ShowroomRosemontRosemont TheatreWallingfordOakdale TheatreViennaFilene CenterDurhamDurham Performing Arts CenterAlpharettaVerizon Wireless Amphitheatre EuropeGlasgowScotlandScottish Exhibition and Conference CentreNottinghamEnglandCapital FM Arena NottinghamCopenhagenDenmarkForum CopenhagenStockholmSwedenEricsson GlobeGothenburgScandinaviumLiverpoolEnglandEcho Arena LiverpoolBirminghamLG ArenaCardiffMotorpoint Arena CardiffBournemouthWindsor HallLondonThe O2 ArenaNewcastleMetro Radio ArenaManchesterManchester Evening News ArenaSheffieldMotorpoint Arena SheffieldDublinIrelandThe O2BelfastOdyssey Arena North AmericaCedar ParkUnited StatesCedar Park CenterTulsaBOK CenterBiloxiMississippi Coast ColiseumHoustonVerizon Wireless TheaterValdostaAll Star AmphitheatreClearwaterRuth Eckerd HallSarasotaVan Wezel Performing Arts HallHollywoodHard Rock Live AustraliaAdditional dates in Australia:PerthAustraliaBurswood DomeAdelaideAdelaide Entertainment CentreSydneyAllphones ArenaPokolbinHope Estate Winery AmphitheatreMelbourneRod Laver ArenaBrisbaneBrisbane Entertainment CentreSydneyAllphones ArenaMelbourneRod Laver Arena

Box office score data Venue City Tickets sold / available Gross revenueThompson–Boling ArenaKnoxville8,572 / 9,193 (93%)$450,574Verizon Theater at Grand Prairie Grand Prairie 3,811 / 3,923 (97%) $244,775Rosemont Theatre Rosemont3,181 / 3,500 (91%) $305,163Durham Performing Arts Center Durham 2,634 / 2,634 (100%) $200,070Scottish Exhibition and Conference CentreGlasgow16,822 / 17,237 (97%)$1,782,970Capital FM Arena NottinghamNottingham6,595 / 7,249 (91%)$684,472Forum CopenhagenCopenhagen7,522 / 7,522 (100%)$1,036,190Ericsson GlobeStockholm11,016 / 11,700 (94%)$1,163,080ScandinaviumGothenburg6,985 / 7,900 (88%)$775,750Echo Arena LiverpoolLiverpool9,191 / 9,305 (99%)$931,719LG ArenaBirmingham11,317 / 12,437 (91%)$1,174,750Motorpoint Arena CardiffCardiff9,478 / 9,548 (99%)$1,016,210Windsor HallBournemouth3,337 / 3,373 (99%)$338,780The O2 Arena London 25,308 / 27,278 (93%)$2,911,080Metro Radio ArenaNewcastle8,318 / 9,602 (87%)$850,448Manchester Evening News Arena Manchester 10,925 / 12,202 (89%) $1,106,630Motorpoint Arena SheffieldSheffield7,195 / 10,988 (65%)$734,925The O2Dublin7,589 / 8,300 (91%)$938,481Odyssey ArenaBelfast5,351 / 7,300 (73%)$596,605Cedar Park CenterCedar Park 3,783 / 4,034 (94%) $253,165BOK Center Tulsa 4,157 / 5,389 (77%) $265,209Mississippi Coast Coliseum Biloxi 2,491 / 4,973 (50%) $178,114Ruth Eckerd Hall Clearwater 2,114 / 2,114 (100%) $229,518Burswood DomePerth12,494 / 13,622 (92%)$1,922,350Adelaide Entertainment CentreAdelaide5,957 / 6,663 (89%)$999,978Allphones Arena Sydney 15,707 / 16,679 (94%) $2,630,460Hope Estate Winery AmphitheatrePokolbin14,127 / 31,624 (45%)$1,956,130Rod Laver Arena Melbourne 25,882 / 28,208 (92%) $4,192,030Brisbane Entertainment Centre Brisbane 21,691 / 27,594 (79%) $3,787,570TOTAL273,550 / 322,091 (85%) $33,657,196

References

External links Parton's Official Website