Anita Baker.Photo: Paras Griffin/Getty
Some dreams come true —Anita Bakeris returning to the road!
On Thursday, the eight-time Grammy winner announced she’ll be embarking on a concert tour of North American arena venues next year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of her debut album,The Songstress.
“2023 Coming Straight to YOU […] This time…With My Own catalog,” wrote Baker, 64, onTwitteralongside the tour announcement — which arrives just over two months after she finally gained control of her master recordings following a period of time when she did not have ownership of them.
The R&B icon won’t be alone on the road, as she said in a press release, perRolling Stone, “Looking forward to some crazy, lovely, hang time with my fans. Gonna bring some new music & special guests, too.”
Kicking off Feb. 11, 2023 at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida, the tour will see Baker perform a total of 15 shows in cities including Atlanta, New Orleans, Chicago, Detroit, Dallas and Los Angeles before wrapping the leg at the Oakland Arena in Oakland, California on Dec. 23 — just in time for her to hopefully perform tracks from her 2005 albumChristmas Fantasy.
Tickets for the tour go on sale starting Thursday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m. local time, and more information can be found at Baker’sTicketmasterpage.
Originally released in 1983,The Songstresslaunched Baker’s career and spawned four singles — “Angel,” “You’re the Best Thing Yet,” “No More Tears” and “Feel the Need” — and reached widespread success once it was reissued via Elektra Records in 1991.
Anita Baker.Paras Griffin/Getty
Earlier this year, Baker documented how she was attempting to take back control of her music, as she asked fans to not stream or purchase her songs until she could do so.
Taylor Swift and Anita Baker.Kevin Mazur/WireImage; Larry Busacca/WireImage
The following day, Swift, 31, quote-tweeted the “Sweet Love” singer’s post,writing, “What a beautiful moment, CONGRATULATIONS ANITA!!”
The upcoming anniversary concerts will mark Baker’s first full tour since 1995, as she’s only played one-off shows, residencies and a small series of farewell concerts in the interim.
See the full list of Baker’sThe Songstresstour dates below.
Feb. 11, 2023 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live
Feb. 14, 2023 - Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena
Feb. 17, 2023 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center
May 10, 2023 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
May 12, 2023 - Long Island, NY - UBS Arena
May 14, 2023 - Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena
June 30, 2023 - Chicago, IL - United Center
July 02, 2023 - Detroit, MI - Pine Knob Music Theatre
Nov. 18, 2023 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Nov. 22, 2023 - Memphis, TN - FedEx Forum
Nov. 24, 2023 - Atlantic City, NJ - Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena
Dec. 15, 2023 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
Dec. 17, 2023 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center
Dec. 22, 2023 - Los Angeles, CA -Crypto.comArena
Dec. 23, 2023 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena
source: people.com
