Demi Lovato sings “Daddy Issues” with background dancers JoJo Gomez (left) and Savana Petruzello performing alongside her during a
concert on March 10, 2018, at Target Center in Minneapolis (photo: Gino Terrell).
The two-time Grammy-nominated singer kicked off her Tell Me You Love Me World Tour in 2018. The tour ran from late February through late July, with this author catching Lovato in action on March 10, 2018, at Target Center in Minneapolis. To set the stage, one must revisit the build up to this tour.
It looked like the “Let It Go” singer was everywhere in 2017. The vocalist sang the national anthem before 15-time world champion Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s 50th professional boxing victory against Connor McGregor in Las Vegas. She topped that performance two days later with a mini rooftop terrace concert at Palms Casino Resort for MTV’s VMAs where she sang “Confident” and “Sorry Not Sorry” with an iconic look: rocking a blue dress with a cutout north of her torso and knee-high boots. Toss in numerous late night talk show performances and greeting folks to the tune of her summer anthem on Good Morning America into the mix. To say this former Disney star was in demand with her popularity skyrocketing may be an understatement.
This all helped when she dropped her sixth studio album Tell Me You Love Me in September. Then, she followed that up with a documentary titled Simply Complicated in October 2017. Through the documentary she shared her struggles with addiction, mental health, relationships and her upbringing. The vulnerability she conveyed through that documentary strengthened her connection to her fans dubbed “Lovatics.” It also put into context the stories she told through her music. It all led to Tell Me You Love Me becoming Lovato’s first certified platinum album in the US.
Demilicious didn’t hold back from using herself as a catalyst for inspiration for others on tour. She expressed three sides to herself: the fighter having to get back up when adversity knocks her down, battling the dark voices in her head and her experiences with relationships be it her father, drugs or dating. Oh, and she was no stranger to expressing confidence.
“When I’m comfortable in my own skin, I feel confident. And when I feel confident, I feel sexy. And when I feel sexy, watch out,” Lovato said in Simply Complicated.
The Minneapolis Stop
The crowd at Target Center erupted once Ms. Lovato rose from underneath the platform. Dressed in an all black trench coat she opened the show with her ballad “You Don’t Do It For Me Anymore,” where she expresses she’s breaking up with hard drugs. The arena played a video after she left the stage where she played two characters: a therapist and herself.
Demi Lovato singing “Daddy Issues” and “Cool for the Summer” (Videography: Gino Terrell).
Lovato talks to her therapist about a relationship with a boyfriend she’s casually dating in the skit. Citing lyrics from “Daddy Issues” Lovato tells the therapist, “I call him too much, he never picks up, except when he wants to …” and there’s Lovato rising from the platform and lying on a therapist’s couch with Oak Felder’s produced instrumental of “Daddy Issues.”
On stage Lovato sang the opening lines to that track: “I call you too much, you never pick up/Except when you wanna…” This time she pointed the microphone towards the audience to fill in the blank and, on cue, they yelled “f—k.”
Below are photos of Demi Lovato’s performance courtesy of Gino Terrell. (Click on any one to begin slideshow)
The New York Times Best-Selling author was accompanied by background dancers and LED lighting to set the mood. This singer isn’t known for dancing so she substituted that for theatrics and played dress up with seven costumes and four different hairstyle looks.
“Underneath the stage trying to change for the next outfit, I’m like ripping it off, taking off my clothes, giving the guys underneath the stage a free show,” Lovato joked with Entertainment Tonight.
This songstress transformed from negligee to trotting out in a pink boxing robe with a braided pigtail hairdo to the tune of “Confident,” as if she were a prizefighter looking to battle for the lightweight championship belt. She followed that knockout performance by changing into a hoodie to perform “Games” along with her dancers, who wore matching hoodies as a disguise with Lovato to trick the audience in regards to the headliners’ whereabouts playing an interactive Where’s Waldo-like mind game with the crowd.
A clever way to convey the story behind “Games,” a track where she talks about dating a playboy who played mind tricks on her.
As she played up her sexuality, the curvy seductress wore thirst trap-like attire. The white lingerie bodysuit underneath her white silk robe with fishnet leggings and high heels was one example. Lovato sat on a bed with a guitar in an intimate moment, where the tempo slowed down. The guitarist belted out “Concentrate” and “Cry Baby.” Afterwards, she ditched the guitar and the bed started to spin while she sang “Lonely.” The audience let out ‘’woos!” every time she bent over when crawling in bed.
Between that and earlier in her concert when she performed “Cool For the Summer” and “Sexy Dirty Love” back-to-back, she put seductive at the forefront of a flashy yet subtle performance.
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The next time Lovato slowed things down was when she shared her sobriety update, then celebrating six years of sobriety. Sitting on a piano bench with a microphone the pianist played the keys and sang the lyrics to two personal tracks from her Confident album, “Warrior” and “Father.” This particular tour was her first run at performing “Father” live, a song where she sings her heart out mourning her late father, who she had an estranged relationship with as he battled addiction.
Her final song on the piano was “Smoke & Mirrors” and it was one of those live vocal performances where you could feel it in your heart. A tier below the rare out-of-body experience, nonetheless a special moment.
After her final break, Lovato slipped into her final fit. The choir sang “Sorry Not Sorry” before Lovato appeared on stage to join in. There was a lot of energy and the crowd was rocking. So much so that Lovato even pointed towards an audience member a few rows away from the stage who was vibing to the chorus.
Ms. Lovato literally ended on a high note singing “Tell Me You Love Me” displaying her vocal range. Confetti shaped like white rose petals fell from the rafters at Target Center to cover the stage as she waved “bye” to her audience when descending from the stage’s platform.
About the author
Gino is a journalist, actor, and filmmaker. This photog's snapshot of Lauren Jauregui, published in Idol Features, placed third for Best Action Photography at the 2020 National Arts & Entertainment Awards (via LA Press Club). Telly 26 is where he directed and executive produced short film "Club City." He also starred in DROELOE's "Only Be Me" music video.
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