Let's Talk About Love World Tour

Let's Talk About Love World Tour
World tour by Celine Dion
Official promotional poster for the tour
Location
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia
Associated albumLet's Talk About Love
Start date21 August 1998 (1998-08-21)
End date31 December 1999 (1999-12-31)
No. of shows97
Supporting acts
Box office$133 million[1]
Celine Dion concert chronology

The Let's Talk About Love World Tour was the ninth concert tour by Canadian singer Celine Dion, launched in support of her fifth English‑language studio album, Let's Talk About Love (1997). The tour began in Boston, United States, on 21 August 1998 and concluded in Montreal, Canada, on 31 December 1999. Spanning 97 performances across North America, Europe, and Asia, it became the highest‑grossing tour by a female artist of the 1990s, earning an estimated $133 million.[1] In North America, it was the top‑grossing tour by a female artist in 1998 with $38.1 million in revenue, and the fourth highest‑grossing in 1999 with an additional $26.9 million.[2][3] The tour also included two sold‑out concerts at the Stade de France in Paris, attended by more than 180,000 people. It received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Dion's vocal performance. At the 1998 Pollstar Awards, it earned nominations for Major Tour of the Year and Most Creative Stage Production.[4]

Background

Following her win at the 25th American Music Awards, Dion announced plans for a new tour beginning in the summer of 1998. Early preview concerts in Melbourne and Honolulu included a setlist based on the Falling into You: Around the World tour, with the addition of "The Reason" and "My Heart Will Go On". The tour was officially announced in February 1998 and scheduled to open on 21 August in Boston.[5]

The tour received regional sponsorships from Procter & Gamble in Canada, Avon in Europe, and Ericsson in the United States.[6] Dion also inaugurated the National Car Rental Center in Sunrise, Florida, performing for nearly 20,000 attendees.[7]

Dion stated that the setlist would include songs from her then‑current album, earlier hits, and several French‑language selections.[8]

As the tour extended into 1999, Dion performed in Asia and additional North American cities. After her husband René Angélil was diagnosed with skin cancer, she postponed the remaining North American dates and cancelled part of the European leg, later resuming the tour in June 1999.[9] After the European shows, Dion announced a New Year's Eve event in Montreal. The Millennium Concert introduced a revised setlist and guest performances by Canadian artists.[10]

In October 1999, Dion opened the new Pepsi Center in Denver, dedicating the concert to victims of the Columbine High School massacre and donating all proceeds to the Colorado Organization of Victim Assistance.[11] She later stated that this would be her final tour before taking a break to start a family.[10]

About the stage

The tour introduced a new staging concept for Dion, as the show was presented in the round. Stage designer Yves Aucoin explained that he aimed to create a large-scale production while preserving a sense of intimacy.[12] The heart-shaped stage incorporated five circular platforms capable of raising and lowering performers.[12] It was constructed by Scène Éthique.[13] Above the stage, four large video screens were arranged in a circular formation, while the stage floor incorporated video panels using Jumbotron technology.[12]

Dion initially felt nervous performing in this configuration, as it offered little opportunity to rest while on stage.[8] She noted that the idea was inspired by a Stevie Wonder concert she attended as a child.[8] The entire production cost more than $10 million. For certain venues, such as in Munich, a 180-degree stage layout was used due to space limitations.[14]

Critical reception

The tour received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Dion's vocal control, emotional delivery, and versatility as a live performer.

For the opening concert in Boston, Steve Morse of The Boston Globe wrote that "despite Dion's nerves, she was able to pull off a successful concert", adding that "for pure entertainment, however, this was a volcanic triumph". Dion thanked the audience for being "lucky charm people", as it was the third time she had launched a world tour in the city.[15]

In Oakland, James Sullivan of the San Francisco Chronicle noted Dion's strength as a live vocalist. He described the show's most compelling moment as a medley performed with her band at the front of the stage, noting that each song was delivered "with tender care—no small feat in a basketball gym". He also remarked that "All the Way" avoided excess sentimentality, with the accordion adding a touch of her French‑language roots.[16]

Adam Sandler of Variety also reviewed the tour positively, writing that Dion "kept the vocal histrionics and hyper stage movements she has become known for to a minimum", instead focusing on vocal control and a more relaxed stage presence.[17]

In Toronto, Jane Stevenson of Jam! awarded the concert four out of five stars. She described the staging of the opening number, "Let's Talk About Love", noting the gradual rise of the nine‑member band and the later appearance of a children's choir for the finale.[18]

Broadcasts and recordings

Main articles: Au cœur du stade (video) and Au cœur du stade

The first glimpse of the tour appeared in the music video for "S'il suffisait d'aimer", recorded during Dion's concert in Chicago in September 1998. Footage from that performance, along with material from one of the December 1998 shows in Montreal, was later included in the television special Un an avec Céline, hosted by Julie Snyder. The final concert at the National Car Rental Center was filmed and broadcast on The Oprah Winfrey Show, which also included behind‑the‑scenes segments. Dion additionally performed "To Love You More" live in Tokyo for the UNCF's An Evening of Stars. The millennium concert was aired on TVA in Canada.

The concerts at the Stade de France in Paris were recorded for a CD/DVD release titled Au cœur du stade. During the show, Jean-Jacques Goldman joined Dion for "J'irai où tu iras", while "To Love You More" included violinist Taro Hakase, and Diana King appeared on screen during "Treat Her Like a Lady". The accompanying CD presented an abbreviated version of the concert, focusing primarily on her French‑language repertoire. A live video of "Dans un autre monde" was used to promote both the CD and DVD editions.

Set list

The following set list is taken from the 1998 US leg of the tour and does not represent all concerts.[19][20]

  1. "Let's Talk About Love"
  2. "Declaration of Love"
  3. "Because You Loved Me"
  4. "The Reason"
  5. "It's All Coming Back to Me Now"
  6. "To Love You More"
  7. "Treat Her Like a Lady"
  8. "Tell Him"
  9. "S'il suffisait d'aimer"
  10. "Zora sourit"
  11. "Love Is on the Way"
  12. "All by Myself"
  13. Acoustic medley: "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" / "Because" / "Tears in Heaven" / "All the Way"
  14. "Love Can Move Mountains"
  15. Bee Gees medley: "Stayin' Alive" / "You Should Be Dancing"
  16. "Immortality"
  17. "My Heart Will Go On"

Notes

  • During "Let's Talk About Love", Dion was joined by a local children's choir at each concert.
  • Diana King joined Dion for "Treat Her Like a Lady" in New York on 3 September 1998 and in Orlando on 2 October 1998.
  • The music video for "S'il suffisait d'aimer" was filmed at the September 1998 concert in Chicago.
  • Dion performed "Immortality" with the Bee Gees in Pittsburgh on 29 November 1998.
  • Dion performed "The Reason" with Carole King in Montreal on 7 December 1998.
  • The 18 December 1998 performance of "Treat Her Like a Lady" in Montreal was used for the single's music video.
  • Dion performed "J'irai où tu iras" with Jean-Jacques Goldman at the 1999 concerts in Paris.
  • In French-speaking countries, additional French-language songs were included.

Tour dates

List of 1998 concerts[21][22][23][24]
Date (1998) City Country Venue Opening act Attendance Revenue
21 August Boston United States FleetCenter André-Philippe Gagnon 35,342 / 35,342 $1,950,481
22 August
25 August Philadelphia CoreStates Center 19,438 / 19,438 $1,110,747
26 August Washington, D.C. MCI Center N/a[a] N/a
30 August East Rutherford Continental Airlines Arena 19,075 / 19,075 $1,172,810
31 August Uniondale Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum 16,909 / 16,909 $1,004,330
3 September New York City Madison Square Garden 37,448 / 37,448 $2,256,115
4 September
8 September Toronto Canada Molson Amphitheatre 41,666 / 41,854 $1,395,742
9 September
14 September Chicago United States United Center 38,436 / 38,436 $2,402,720
15 September
18 September Cleveland Gund Arena 19,776 / 19,776 $1,132,585
19 September Cincinnati The Crown N/a N/a
22 September Auburn Hills The Palace of Auburn Hills 41,212 / 41,212 $2,253,511
23 September
25 September Chapel Hill Dean Smith Center 19,942 / 19,942 $1,031,378
27 September Charlotte Charlotte Coliseum 18,530 / 18,530 $1,009,233
28 September Nashville Nashville Arena 17,805 / 17,805 $980,536
30 September Tampa Ice Palace 17,987 / 17,987 $986,115
2 October Orlando Orlando Arena 16,382 / 16,382 $916,610
3 October[b] Sunrise National Car Rental Center N/a N/a
7 October Calgary Canada Canadian Airlines Saddledome 15,614 / 15,614 $625,517
9 October Vancouver General Motors Place 18,858 / 18,858 $656,914
10 October Seattle United States KeyArena 15,306 / 15,306 $844,925
13 October Oakland Network Associates Coliseum 17,832 / 17,832 $1,115,100
14 October San Jose San Jose Arena 17,648 / 17,648 $1,073,177
16 October Las Vegas Thomas & Mack Center 17,013 / 17,842 $1,178,721
21 October Inglewood Great Western Forum 14,821 / 14,821 $894,590
22 October Anaheim Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim 16,043 / 16,043 $923,845
25 October Phoenix America West Arena 17,489 / 17,489 $995,343
29 November[c] Pittsburgh Civic Arena 17,347 / 17,347 $986,476
1 December Albany Pepsi Arena 13,774 / 13,774 $853,295
5 December[d] Halifax Canada Halifax Metro Centre 10,000 / 10,000 $367,401
7 December Montreal Molson Centre 142,485 / 142,485 $5,070,308
8 December
11 December
12 December
13 December
17 December
18 December
List of 1999 concerts[28][29][30][31]
Date (1999) City Country Venue Opening act(s) Attendance Revenue
25 January Kai Tak Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport Human Nature 35,000[32] N/a
28 January Osaka Japan Osaka Dome N/a[e]
29 January
31 January Tokyo Tokyo Dome
1 February
3 February Nagoya Nagoya Dome
12 February Honolulu United States Aloha Stadium Kealiʻi Reichel 22,381 / 22,381 $1,326,805
25 March Minneapolis Target Center André-Philippe Gagnon 17,791 / 17,791 $963,771
26 March Milwaukee Bradley Center 18,765 / 18,765 $1,019,734
29 March Kansas City Kemper Arena David Naster 18,471 / 18,471 $982,038
31 March Indianapolis Market Square Arena André-Philippe Gagnon 15,697 / 15,697 $898,713
2 April Dallas Reunion Arena 17,765 / 17,765 $993,233
4 April San Antonio Alamodome 17,715 / 17,715 $1,047,750
6 April Memphis The Pyramid 15,991 / 17,000 $948,130
7 April Birmingham BJCC Arena 17,224 / 17,500 $942,019
11 April Houston Compaq Center 15,847 / 15,847 $904,499
12 April New Orleans Louisiana Superdome 20,047 / 20,047 $1,153,562
14 June Amsterdam Netherlands Amsterdam Arena 64,652 / 64,652 $3,048,136
16 June Brussels Belgium King Baudouin Stadium Dany Brillant
André-Philippe Gagnon 		59,876 / 59,876 $3,571,396
19 June Paris France Stade de France 180,102 / 180,102 $10,393,539
20 June
1 July Zurich Switzerland Letzigrund Xavier Naidoo 42,040 / 42,040 $3,089,260
3 July Munich Germany Olympiastadion 57,479 / 57,479 $3,413,513
6 July Sheffield England Don Valley Stadium Mike and the Mechanics
André-Philippe Gagnon 		43,469 / 45,079 $2,538,511
8 July Edinburgh Scotland Murrayfield Stadium The Corrs
André-Philippe Gagnon 		53,013 / 60,000 $2,138,530
10 July London England Wembley Stadium Mike and the Mechanics
André-Philippe Gagnon 		122,397 / 122,397 $6,189,037
11 July
8 September[f] Montreal Canada Molson Centre N/a 41,666 / 41,854 $1,413,409
9 September[g]
11 September[h] Quebec City Colisée Pepsi N/a N/a
13 September[i] Ottawa Corel Centre Corey Hart 32,437 / 32,437 $1,436,977
14 September
17 September[j] Toronto Air Canada Centre 37,138 / 37,138 $1,789,503
18 September[k]
20 September[l] Buffalo United States Marine Midland Arena 18,070 / 18,070 $977,299
24 September Boston FleetCenter 18,845 / 18,845 $1,130,203
25 September[m] Providence Providence Civic Center 12,828 / 12,828 $644,582
27 September[n] Columbus Schottenstein Center 16,370 / 16,370 $924,251
29 September[o] Omaha Omaha Civic Auditorium 9,115 / 9,427 $426,120
1 October Denver Pepsi Center 16,961 / 18,018 $1,083,980
3 October[p] St. Louis Kiel Center 19,354 / 19,354 $1,980,306
7 October New York City Radio City Music Hall N/a 5,566 / 5,566 $255,418
22 October Atlantic City Circus Maximus Theater N/a N/a
23 October
24 October
5 November Sunrise National Car Rental Center Corey Hart 18,179 / 18,701 $1,114,765
31 December Montreal Canada Molson Centre N/a 20,001 / 20,001 $3,595,079
Total 1,798,253 / 1,811,231 (99%) $133,000,000[1]

Cancelled concerts

List of 1999 cancelled concerts
Date (1999) City Country Venue Reason Ref.
27 May Dublin Ireland Croke Park René Angélil's health issues [35][36]
29 May Belfast Northern Ireland Botanic Gardens
31 May Birmingham England Alexander Stadium
3 June Frankfurt Germany Waldstadion
5 June Gothenburg Sweden Ullevi Stadium
8 June Vienna Austria Praterstadion
12 June Cologne Germany Müngersdorfer Stadium
22 June Lyon France Stade de Gerland
24 June Marseille Stade Vélodrome
27 June Lisbon Portugal Estádio José Alvalade
29 June Barcelona Spain Palau Sant Jordi

Personnel

Sources:[17][12]

Band

  • Claude "Mego" Lemay – keyboards
  • Dominique Messier – drums
  • Marc Langis – bass
  • Yves Frulla – keyboards
  • André Coutu – guitars
  • Paul Picard – percussion
  • Taro Hakase – violin on "To Love You More"
  • Elise Duguay – backing vocals, cello, tin whistle
  • Julie LeBlanc – backing vocals
  • Terry Bradford – backing vocals (1998)
  • Gregory Charles – backing vocals (Montreal 1998)
  • Barnev Valsaint – backing vocals (1999)

Production

  • Suzanne Gingue – tour director
  • Ian Donald – production director
  • Michel Dion – assistant to the tour director
  • Danis Savage – front-of-house sound engineer
  • Darrell Featherstone – security (1999)
  • Daniel Baron – stage sound engineer
  • François Desjardins – sound system technician
  • Marc Beauchamp – sound system technician
  • Marc Thériault – sound system technician
  • Yves Aucoin – lighting director
  • Normand Chassé – assistant lighting director
  • Jean-François Canuel – lighting technician
  • Antoine Malette – lighting technician
  • Michel Pommerleau – lighting technician
  • Jean-François Dubois – band gear technician
  • Guy Vignola – band gear technician
  • Stéphane Hamel – band gear technician
  • Donald Chouinard – head carpenter
  • Tonje Wold – set designer
  • Frédéric Morosovsky – head rigger
  • Patrick Angélil – production assistant
  • Gerard Pullicino – DVD director
  • Vito Luprano – DVD producer

See also

Notes

  1. ^ The concert was sold out.[25]
  2. ^ The concert opened the National Car Rental Center.[26]
  3. ^ The concert was rescheduled from 12 September due to safety concerns.[27]
  4. ^ The concert benefited Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
  5. ^ All Japan concerts sold out on the first day of public sale.[33]
  6. ^ The concert in Montreal on 8 September 1999 was originally scheduled for 6 May 1999, but it was rescheduled due to René Angélil's health issues.
  7. ^ Rescheduled from 7 May due to René Angélil's health issues.
  8. ^ Rescheduled from 4 May due to René Angélil's health issues.
  9. ^ Rescheduled from 2 May due to René Angélil's health issues.
  10. ^ Rescheduled from 29 April due to René Angélil's health issues.
  11. ^ Rescheduled from 30 April due to René Angélil's health issues.
  12. ^ Rescheduled from 16 April due to René Angélil's health issues.
  13. ^ Rescheduled from 19 April due to René Angélil's health issues.
  14. ^ Rescheduled from 17 April due to René Angélil's health issues.
  15. ^ Rescheduled from 9 April due to René Angélil's health issues; benefited the Nebraska AIDS Project.[34]
  16. ^ Rescheduled from 14 April due to René Angélil's health issues.

References

  1. ^ a b c Crosbie, Eve (9 August 2023). "Celine Dion: How much the singer is worth and how she makes her money". Business Insider. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  2. ^ Sandler, Adam (28 December 1998). "Concert tally buoys biz". Variety. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  3. ^ Lewis, Randy (18 January 2000). "Hardly Missing a Beat". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 3 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Pollstar Awards Archive – 1998". Pollstar. 1998. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  5. ^ Morse, Steve (21 August 1998). "Celine Dion Rides Titanic Wave in New Tour". The Day. New London, Connecticut. pp. B12–B13. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  6. ^ Hume, Scott (17 August 1998). "Ericsson Hopes Celine Dion Has 'Power to Be Heard'". Adweek. Archived from the original on 21 September 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  7. ^ Piccoli, Sean (11 October 1998). "New Arena a Luxe Lair for More Than Hockey". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. p. 1F.
  8. ^ a b c Morse, Steve (11 September 1998). "Unsinkable Celine Dion". Post-Gazette Weekend Mag. p. 21. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  9. ^ Barr, Naomi (November 2007). "Celine Dion's Aha! Moment". O: The Oprah Magazine. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  10. ^ a b Helligar, Jeremy; Morton, Danielle; Miller, Sue (1 March 1999). "Family Matters". People. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  11. ^ "Columbine song reaffirms life and hope". CNN. 28 April 1999. Archived from the original on 10 October 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  12. ^ a b c d Ferreira, Ted (1 February 1999). "Heart to heart: Yves Aucoin brings intimacy to the arena for Celine Dion". Live Design. Penton Media, Inc. Archived from the original on 4 April 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  13. ^ Tremblay, Anne-Marie (11 November 2017). "Hélène Demers: traduire la vision des créateurs". Les Affaires. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  14. ^ Jaeger, Lauren (10 August 1998). "Special Guests To Join Celine Dion On Tour". Amusement Business. AllBusiness. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  15. ^ Morse, Steve (25 August 1998). "Fion is a dream in world-tour launch". Sun Journal. Lewiston, Maine. p. C15. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  16. ^ Sullivan, James (15 October 1998). "Her Heart Goes On / Celine Dion delivers show that's big on sweetness and gimmicks". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  17. ^ a b Sandler, Adam (22 October 1998). "Celine Dion (The Forum, Inglewood, Calif; 20,000 capacity; $75 top)". Variety. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  18. ^ Stevenson, Jane (18 September 1999). "Concert Review: Celine Dion Air Canada Centre, Toronto. – Sep 17, 1999". Jam! Music. Retrieved 24 July 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  19. ^ "Céline Dion's 1998 Concert History". Concert Archives. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  20. ^ "Céline Dion's 1999 Concert History". Concert Archives. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
  21. ^ 1998 tour dates:
  22. ^ Billboard Boxscore Top 10 Concert Grosses (1998):
  23. ^ Pollstar Boxoffice Summaries (1998):
  24. ^ "Celine Dion cheers Gagnon". Ocala Star-Banner. Ocala, Florida. 15 December 1999. p. 13. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  25. ^ Harrington, Richard (26 August 1998). "Queen of Hearts: Celine Dion, Full of Love at MCI Center". The Washington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  26. ^ "Florida Panthers Arena". Sportskeeda. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  27. ^ "Pitt Arena Makes Rigging Repairs" (PDF). Pollstar. 28 September 1998. p. 7. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  28. ^ 1999 tour dates:
  29. ^ Billboard Boxscore Top 10 Concert Grosses (1999):
  30. ^ Pollstar Boxoffice Summaries (1999):
  31. ^ Roselli, Dayna (7 April 2011). "Human Nature Attends Celine Dion's Show". KLAS-TV. Landmark Media Enterprises. Archived from the original on 15 May 2011. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
  32. ^ "Asian News" (PDF). Pollstar. 7 December 1998. p. 29. Retrieved 1 October 2025.
  33. ^ "Stock Photo – Canadian singer Celine Dion sings at her first Asian tour concert at the former Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong". Alamy. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  34. ^ "Short Items of Note" (PDF). Pollstar. 12 April 1999. p. 2. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
  35. ^ "Celine Dion Tour Must Be Rescheduled". The Hamilton Spectator. Hamilton, Ontario. 5 May 1999. p. F10.
  36. ^ "Celine Postpones US Dates After Husband's Cancer Diagnosis". MTV News. 8 April 1999. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 24 July 2011.
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