The Anti World Tour[3] (stylized as ANTI World Tour) was the seventh concert tour by Barbadian singer Rihanna, in support of her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). The tour was announced on November 15, 2015 and began on March 12, 2016, in Jacksonville and ended on November 27, 2016, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The show was met with acclaim from music critics who praised Rihanna's stage presence and confidence. Commercially, the Anti World Tour was a success, with extra dates added in Europe and North America due to high demand. The tour grossed more than $110 million (USD) from 71 shows according to Billboard Boxscore.[4]
After the release of her seventh studio album, Unapologetic, (2012) and her fifth concert tour, the Diamonds World Tour, Rihanna went on a hiatus. Between 2005 and 2012, Rihanna released or re-released at least one album a year. However, in 2013, Rihanna took a step back from music and did not release a new album that year or the following.[5] Instead Rihanna opted to take part in other endeavors, starring in a 3D animated film entitled Home, alongside Jim Parsons, Steve Martin and Jennifer Lopez, as well as executively producing its accompanying soundtrack.[6]
In November 2015, it was announced that Rihanna had signed a $25 million contract with Samsung to not only promote Samsung's Galaxy line of products, but to also sponsor the release of Anti and its supporting tour.[7] On November 23, 2015, Rihanna announced she would be embarking on "The Anti World Tour".[8] The Samsung-sponsored tour began in March 2016, with Travis Scott supporting in North America, and Big Sean and DJ Mustard supporting at selected European dates.[9]
In a review for The New York Times, Jon Caramanica stated that Rihanna was at her "most confident" and "the most present she's ever been onstage", calling her dancing "casual" and that she "appeared to be finding joy in singing — when she was doing it."[10] Reviewing the Los Angeles concert, Latifah Muhammad from VIBE described the tour as a "randomly epic road trip."[11]
Ed Power from The Telegraph gave Dublin concert four stars, writing that the tour "didn't waste time on embellishments and instead delivered full-strength shots of sass and escapism."[12] The London concert also received four stars from The Guardian, where Michael Cragg praised the singer's "unshakeable Rihanna-ness; that perfect pop voice, the undeniable presence, that couldn't-give-a-shit attitude."[13]
This set list is representative of the show in Jacksonville on March 12, 2016. It is not representative of all concerts for the duration of the tour.[14]
During the shows in Miami and Manchester, and the second shows in Toronto and Inglewood, Drake joined Rihanna on stage during "Work".[15][16]
During the show in Milan, Rihanna did not perform "FourFiveSeconds" and "Kiss It Better", due to a summer storm which caused a late start of the concert.[17]
Due to technical difficulties in LA, Rihanna performed “Stay”, “Love The Way You Lie (Pt. II), “Woo” and “Sex With Me” on the main stage instead of the normal B-stage and bridge.
^The concert of May 1, 2016 at the Talking Stick Resort ArenainPhoenix was originally scheduled to take place on March 1, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 6, 2016, at the SAP CenterinSan Jose was originally scheduled to take place on February 28, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 9, 2016 at the Viejas ArenainSan Diego was originally scheduled to take place on February 26, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 13, 2016 at the American Airlines CenterinDallas was originally scheduled to take place on March 6, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 14, 2016 at the Frank Erwin CenterinAustin was originally scheduled to take place on March 4, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 15, 2016 at the Toyota CenterinHouston was originally scheduled to take place on March 5, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 17, 2016 at the Smoothie King CenterinNew Orleans was originally scheduled to take place on March 8, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of May 18, 2016 at the Philips ArenainAtlanta was originally scheduled to take place on March 9, but was postponed due to "production delays".[19]
^The concert of June 17, 2016 at the Amsterdam ArenainAmsterdam was originally scheduled to take place on June 11.[22]
^The concert of June 25, 2016 at the Ricoh ArenainCoventry was originally scheduled to take place on June 14.[23]
^The concert of July 26, 2016 at the O2 ArenainPrague was originally scheduled to take place on July 26 at the Eden Arena and then July 25, 2016 at O2 Arena.[24]
^The concert of August 3, 2016 in Skanderborg, Denmark at Smukkeste Festival Grounds is a part of the Skanderborg Festival.[25]
^The concert of August 14, 2016 in Bucharest, RomaniaatPiața Constituției is the opening concert of the Zutopia Music Festival. However, it will not be considered part of the festival.[28]
^The concert of August 18, 2016 in Hasselt, Belgium at Kempische Steenweg is a part of the Pukkelpop Festival. The concert was originally scheduled to take place on July 21 in Werchter, Belgium at Werchter Festival Park as a part of the Werchter Boutique Festival, but was postponed due to security issues.[30]
