Everyone knows what to expect from a music concert. The lights go down, the audience erupts into a chorus of applause and the idolised superstar arrives on stage, bursting with energy, ready to entertain the throng of their adoring fans for one night only.
It’s pretty spectacular.
But, ever wondered what happens once the curtains close and the lights go up? Are there diva tantrums? Catty fights between dancers? Tour riders demanding vitamin water to bathe pet dogs? Yes, Mariah, we might be looking at you for that one, girl.
If you have, you’ve come to the right place as Metro.co.uk will give you an all-access, backstage look into what it really takes to make the tours of your favourite pop stars come to life, while also reminiscing on some unique moments that made headline news.
Touring is not only an experience for the performer and the fans – the backing dancers, singers, stylists and others are also very much a part of the process and, perhaps more importantly, the backbone of these mammoth shows.
So grab your backstage pass as we get the inside scoop from Rita Ora’s dancer Alex Jackson because, in this case, What Happens On Tour (Doesn’t) Stay On Tour…
Rita Ora might just be one of the most fun pop stars around.
A standard night out on the town with the Anywhere singer looks like a wild time so we can only imagine all the frolics that would happen on tour.
Well luckily, we don’t have to imagine as one of her dancers, Alex Jackson, has revealed what life on tour with Rita is really like.
‘Touring is glamorous and it’s not,’ he admits to Metro.co.uk.
‘A lot of it is early starts lugging your suitcase around. But when you check into the hotel, it’s always amazing and you are always treated well, taxis and nice food… it’s great actually I love the tour life.’
We definitely wouldn’t mind lugging our bags around to then relax in a luxurious hotel room.
Alex has travelled all over with Rita, from shows across Europe to BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, a fashion show in Italy and UK festivals including Wireless.
Although it was the second time lucky for Alex, who didn’t get through the first round of auditions with Rita.
Fortunately, she came to our senses and gave our boy a chance.
Detailing a typical day on tour with Rita, he explained: ‘Choreography, spacing and then travel to a location with the set laid out and practice further there.
‘Also try on our costume make sure everything fits, then we’d have a travel day on a tour bus which is always super fun, because we’re all together and can socialise and crack jokes. Arrive at the venue get accreditation, food and hang around until showtime.
‘After the show, usually, everyone is so hyped up that we go to an after-party and celebrate.’
And that’s where those raucous clubbing nights come in.
‘The social side is great,’ Alex admits. ‘As a dancer, you go through a lot of ups and downs so whenever you’re booked and blessed and doing a show with a big artist the vibe is always good energy. Lots of laughs.’
Sounds like a hoot.
If the dancers ever need a boost of motivation, Rita is perfect for raising spirits according to Alex, who revealed: ‘We jumped straight into rehearsals and got to vibe with her she’s a great performer and gives you a lot of energy on stage and she’s super sweet off stage too.’
It’s not always laughs-a-minute and popping champagne though – of course, there are moments when things don’t exactly go to plan.
‘It doesn’t happen often but sometimes at a festival where you don’t have much time or any to do a soundcheck or run through,’ Alex admitted.
‘The stage and so many elements can be different so that’s one of the requirements of being a professional, we have to adapt all the time.’
Recalling one particularly awkward moment, the dancer said: ‘I think if I can remember maybe like a costume falling off and having to find a moment in the song to throw it to the side of the stage so it doesn’t become a safety hazard.’
And like many other performers, Rita gathers her crew up in a huddle for that all-important ritual in those final moments before greeting her adoring fans.
‘We usually all stand in a circle say a prayer and get hyped up before we go on stage,’ Alex revealed.
And like that, we now want to become a Rita Ora dancer.
Go beyond the scenes with What Happens On Tour every Wednesday.
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