{{Short description|2018–2019 concert tour by Joker Xue}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox concert | concert_tour_name = Skyscraper World Tour | image = Joker Xue Skyscraper 2018-2019.png | image_size = 220px | album = {{plain list| * ''The Crossing'' (渡) * ''Freak'' (怪咖)}} | start_date = {{Start date|2018|07|14}} | end_date = {{End date|2019|05|19}} | number_of_shows = 23 | attendance = 400,000 | last_tour = I Think I've Seen You Somewhere Tour<br />(2017) | this_tour = '''Skyscraper World Tour'''<br />(2018–2019) | next_tour = Dust in the World Online Concert<br />(2020) }}
The '''Skyscraper World Tour''' is the second concert tour and first world tour held by Chinese singer-songwriter Joker Xue. Xue performed 23 shows across four continents with 15 shows in Asia, 1 show in Europe, 4 shows in North America, and 3 shows in Oceania.
All venues in Mainland China were upgraded from arena to stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2018 |title=薛之谦巡演杭州站预售"摩天大楼"三地齐亮打call |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's "Skyscraper" tour Hangzhou stop pre-sale three places are calling |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/238404690_115487 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> The tour began on July 14, 2018, at Workers' Stadium in Beijing and concluded on May 19, 2019, at AsiaWorld–Arena in Hong Kong. Total attendance is approximately 400,000.<ref name="Tom2021">{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2021 |title=薛之谦三巡苏州站官宣加场 连唱两日演绎高质量音乐舞台 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's third tour in Suzhou officially announced an additional show, with two consecutive days of performances to present a high-quality music stage |url=https://star.tom.com/202109/1846806638.html |website=tom.com |language=zh}}</ref>
== Background == In 2017, Xue promised his fans that if they weren't able to meet at the I Think I've Seen You Somewhere Tour, he would meet them again on a bigger stage. In 2018, he fulfilled that promise with Skyscraper World Tour.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 27, 2018 |title=薛之谦巡演启动 感谢歌迷：: 没你们我早就死了 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian starts his concert tour, thanks his fans: Without you, I would have died a long time ago |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/238143193_114941 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Joker Xue – Skyscraper World Tour in San Jose |url=https://sanjosetheaters.org/event/joker-xue-zhiqian-skyscraper-world-tour/ |access-date=February 22, 2025 |website=San Jose Theaters}}</ref> Unlike his previous tour, there was no stage play element in the Skyscraper World Tour because of the change from arenas to stadiums, Xue was concerned about the audio quality of the larger outdoor venues.<ref name="IFeng2018">{{cite web |url=https://ent.ifeng.com/c/7exESIbCUO9 |website=IFeng Entertainment |date=July 30, 2018 |title=薛之谦"摩天大楼"登陆深圳 歌迷热情点燃全场 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's "Skyscraper" landed in Shenzhen, and the enthusiasm of fans ignited the whole audience |language=zh}}</ref>
Xue named his tour "Skyscraper" because, much like his own slow climb to fame, there is a metaphoric skyscraper in everyone's hearts that they wish to scale.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lam |first=Michelle |date=September 21, 2018 |title=Mariah, Sam Smith, Jay Chou: 8 Macau concerts you won't want to miss this autumn |url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/2164994/mariah-sam-smith-jay-chou-8-macau-concerts-you-wont-want |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> Through his music and stage performance, Xue hoped to remind himself and the audience of their original aspirations while pursuing their dreams and not be consumed by greed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2018 |title=薛之谦"摩天大楼"巡演发布会在京举办 PLUS版开拓海外版图 |trans-title=Joker Xue's "Skyscraper" tour press conference held in Beijing, PLUS plans to expand to overseas territory |url=https://yue.ifeng.com/a/20180628/39848105_0.shtml |website=Ifeng |language=zh}}</ref> He explained the tour poster, where he is bent over and reaching for a tree sprout, the sprout is a symbol for the dreams and hopes we once had, and even though we are surrounded by skyscrapers in real life, we are still reaching for it.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 28, 2018 |title=薛之谦"摩天大楼"2018巡演发布会举行 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's "Skyscraper" 2018 Tour Press Conference Held |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/238230902_267106 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref>。
== Concert synopsis == Skyscraper World Tour is a reflection on greed, both internal and external, and analyzes the metaphorical skyscraper we sought to acquire. It consists of five parts:<ref name="Sina2019">{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2019 |title="薛之谦摩天大楼世界巡回演唱会香港站收官万名歌迷挥泪道别"摩天大楼" |trans-title=Joker Xue's Skyscraper World Tour Concert in Hong Kong ended with thousands of fans tearfully bidding farewell to "Skyscraper" Tour |url=https://ent.sina.com.cn/y/yneidi/2019-05-20/doc-ihvhiews3260155.shtml |website=Sina |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2019 |title=出道13年的实力创作歌手薛之谦, 首度来马开唱, 带来多首耳熟能详的"薛氏情歌" 陪粉丝度过浪漫情人节! |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian, a talented singer-songwriter who debuted 13 years ago, will perform in Malaysia for the first time, bringing many well-known Xue-style love songs to accompany fans through a romantic Valentine's Day! |url=https://www.chinapress.com.my/20190215/%E8%96%9B%E4%B9%8B%E8%B0%A6%E6%B5%AA%E6%BC%AB%E5%BC%80%E5%94%B1/ |website=China Press |language=zh}}</ref> # Highlighting our greed and desire through songs such as "Skyscrapers" (摩天大楼) and "Ugly" (丑八怪); #Revealing the persistent loneliness underneath material comforts through songs such as "Fox" (狐狸) and "Animal World" (动物世界) along with exaggerated choreography; #Reflecting upon and eventually rejecting the skyscraper of greed through songs such as "I Think I've Seen You Somewhere" (我好像在哪见过你) and "What Do You Want From Me" (你还要我怎样); #Rediscovering our true selves and our younger innocence through songs such as "Serious Snow" (认真的雪); # Embarking on a new path forward through songs such as "Freak" (怪咖) and "Forsaken Youth" (违背的青春).
== Critical reception == Xue received praise for his performance for his "richly resonant voice that smouldered at its lower end and shimmered in its higher register"<ref name="ST2018">{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Boon |date=November 18, 2018 |title=Concert review: Joker Xue shows vocal chops and funny side in first Singapore concert |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/concert-review-joker-xue-shows-vocal-chops-and-funny-side-in-first-singapore |website=Straits Times}}</ref> and "delicate yet intense" interpretation and performance of the songs.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ent.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201905/20/WS5ce23562a310e7f8b157da1b.html |website=China Daily |date=May 20, 2019 |title=薛之谦摩天大楼世界巡回演唱会香港站收官 |trans-title=Joker Xue's Skyscraper World Tour Concert Concludes in Hong Kong |language=zh}}</ref> The strength of Xue's songwriting is also highlighted with "songs that draw one in with their sensitive observations."<ref name="ST2018" /> Another highlight was Xue's charismatic personality was showcased between songs as he shared anecdotes from the tour and playfully interacted with the audience.<ref name="UBC2018">{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2018 |title=Joker Xue brings SOLD OUT show to UBC |url=https://thunderbirdarena.ubc.ca/2018/11/joker-xue-brings-sold-out-show-to-ubc/ |website=Thunderbird Arena}}</ref>
The stage design featured floating light matrix and LED stacking design that are "cleverly combined" to created a three-dimensional effect that is "immersive and magnificent."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://k.sina.cn/article_2027309775_78d64acf00100c7q4.html |website=Sina |date=October 8, 2018 |title=薛之谦巡演上海两场连唱 内地收官感动全场 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's domestic tour ends in Shanghai with two consecutive concerts in the mainland, moving the audience |language=zh}}</ref> Visual effects were "perfectly integrated" with the performance<ref name="IFeng2018" /> and presented "a visual spectacle that is bound to impress fans."<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1, 2018 |title=Joker Xue Skyscraper World Tour 2018 in Singapore |url=https://www.timeout.com/singapore/music/joker-xue-skyscraper-world-tour-2018-in-singapore |website=timeout.com}}</ref> The light sticks provided "a unique atmosphere that can only be experienced if you were in attendance."<ref name="UBC2018" />
Straits Times named the tour one of the best Asian concerts of 2018<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 23, 2018 |title=Best and worst of 2018 in entertainment, the arts and lifestyle |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/best-and-worst-of-2018-in-entertainment-the-arts-and-lifestyle |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> and China Daily stated the "exploration of human nature, desire, and society is the real core of Skyscraper."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ent.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201905/20/WS5ce23562a310e7f8b157da1b.html |website=China Daily |date=May 20, 2019 |title=薛之谦摩天大楼世界巡回演唱会香港站收官 |trans-title=Joker Xue's Skyscraper World Tour Concert Concludes in Hong Kong |language=zh}}</ref>
== Commercial performance == "Skyscraper World Tour" set the record for highest concert box office by a mainland China male singer.<ref name="Sina2019" /> His four stops in North America all sold out.<ref name="Sohu2018">{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2018 |title=漂洋过海的"摩天大楼", 你看过了吗? |trans-title=Have you seen the "skyscraper" that crossed the ocean? |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/275108876_267454l |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> In Singapore, he filled every one of the 8,000 seats at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ang |first=Benson |date=January 3, 2024 |title=The 5 'Jewels' of Mandopop: China's Joker Xue is the newly minted gem |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/the-5-jewels-of-mandopop-china-s-joker-xue-is-the-newly-minted-gem |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> After selling out the Kuala Lumpur show on February 16, an additional show was added on February 14 in Penang.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 4, 2018 |title=Skyscraper Tour: Joker Xue To Hold Another Concert In Penang In 2019 |url=https://hype.my/2018/162076/skyscraper-joker-xue-penang/ |website=hype.my}}</ref> The organizer of his Taipei concerts described the ticket sale for his two shows as "legendary" with more than 80% of the tickets sold upon release, even though Xue has never attended any promotional or public events in Taiwan and did not make any arrangements to promote this tour in Taiwan.<ref name="Yahoo2019">{{cite web |url=https://tw.stock.yahoo.com/news/%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82%E4%B8%96%E7%95%8C-%E5%A4%A7%E9%99%B8%E6%AD%8C%E6%89%8B%E5%90%B8%E9%80%BE5000%E6%B5%B7%E5%A4%96%E6%AD%8C%E8%BF%B7%E6%9C%9D%E8%81%96%E5%B0%8F%E5%B7%A8%E8%9B%8B-%E8%96%9B%E4%B9%8B%E8%AC%99%E7%99%BB%E5%8F%B0-233945025.html |website=Yahoo Taiwan |language=zh-tw |title=《娛樂世界》大陸歌手吸逾5000海外歌迷朝聖小巨蛋，薛之謙登台 |date=February 22, 2019}}</ref>
The London show, held on March 10, ranked 45 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s March 2019 boxscore list with $852,202, Xue is one of three Chinese artists on the list, behind JJ Lin at 15 and G.E.M. at 40.<ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Current Boxscore |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402175041/http://billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=April 2, 2019 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> The Sydney show, held on April 7, ranked 33 on ''Billboard''{{'}}s April 2019 boxscore list with $1,228,720, the only entry by an Asian artist.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 13, 2019 |title=Billboard Boxscore April 13 2019 |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2019/Billboard-2019-04-13.pdf |access-date=September 2, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Current Boxscore |url=https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410185428/https://www.billboard.com/biz/current-boxscore |archive-date=April 10, 2019 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> His two shows in Taipei were estimated to bring the city NT$53.8 million in tourism revenue.<ref name="Yahoo2019" />
=== Consumer protection === Some concertgoers were unable to attend the Shenzhen show due to the large-scale suspension and delay of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed rail trains.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/243917380_161795 |website=Sohu |date=July 28, 2018 |title=广深高铁多趟列车下午停运晚点 铁路部门致歉 原因系设备故障 |trans-title=Many trains on the Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed railway were suspended and delayed in the afternoon. The railway department apologized! The reason was equipment failure |language=zh}}</ref> As compensation, those with tickets for the Shenzhen show and Guangzhou-Shenzhen high-speed rail can submit them in exchange for comparable tickets for the Foshan concert.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.sohu.com/a/244987390_115487/?pvid=000115_3w_a |date=August 3, 2018 |website=Sohu |title=薛之谦巡演佛山站开票 加入新曲暖心回馈歌迷 |trans-title=Tickets for Xue Zhiqian's Foshan concert tour open for sale, new songs added to give back to fans |language=zh}}</ref>
=== Venue records === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! Year !! Date ! City !! Venue !! Record !! Ref |- | 2018 | January 11 | Los Angeles | Dolby Theatre | style="text-align:left;" | First Chinese singer to sell out all four levels | <ref name="Tom2021" /> |- | rowspan="4" |2019 | April 1 | Melbourne | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre | rowspan="3" style="text-align:left;" | First Chinese male artist to perform at the top three venues in Australia and New Zealand | rowspan="3" |<ref name="Tom2021" /> |- | April 4 | Auckland | The Trusts Arena |- | April 7 | Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena |- | April 13–14 | Taipei | Taipei Arena | style="text-align:left;" | First mainland China singer to perform two shows in a row | <ref name="Sohu2019">{{Cite web |date=April 16, 2019 |title=薛之谦台北小巨蛋连开两场 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian opened two shows in a row at the Taipei Arena |url=http://www.sohu.com/a/308207679_115487 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> |}
== Setlist == * Skyscrapers (摩天大楼) * Ugly (丑八怪) * Beginner (初学者) * Like the Wind (像风一样) * Actor (演员) * Fox (狐狸) * Gentleman (绅士) * Ambiguous (暧昧) * Animal World (动物世界) * I Think I've Seen You Somewhere (我好像在哪见过你) * The Mute (啞巴) * What Do You Want From Me (你还要我怎样) * Hand Behind the Back (背过手) * The Crossing (渡) * Reckless (肆无忌惮) * Serious Snow (认真的雪) * The Best (最好) * Half (一半) * Just Right (剛剛好) * Actually (其实) *Radius Around You (方圆几里) * Child (小孩) * Yes or No (有没有) * Camel (骆驼) * An Unexpected Journey (意外) * Freak (怪咖) * Forsaken Youth (违背的青春)
== Special guests == * April 13, Taipei: Hebe Tien<ref name="Sohu2019" /> * April 14, Taipei: Jacky Wu<ref name="Sohu2019" />
== Tour dates == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" style="width:11.5em;" | Date ! scope="col" style="width:9em;" | City ! scope="col" style="width:9em;" | Country ! scope="col" style="width:20em;" | Venue |- | July 14, 2018 | Beijing<ref name="Taihe2018">{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2018 |title=薛之谦"摩天大楼"2018巡回演唱会 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian "Skyscraper" 2018 Concert Tour |url=https://www.taihemusic.cn/activity/15 |website=Taihe Music |language=zh}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 26, 2018 |title=薛之谦单曲《最好》上线 愿把"最好"的都给你 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's single "The Best" is online, I wish to give you the "best" |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/243408931_115487 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> | rowspan="9" |China | Workers' Stadium |- | July 28, 2018 | Shenzhen<ref name="Taihe2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 22, 2018 |title=薛之谦"摩天大楼"2018巡回演唱会深圳站 6.25正式预售! |trans-title=Joker Xue's "Skyscraper" 2018 Tour Concert Shenzhen Station will officially start pre-sale on June 25! |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/237291433_296992 |website=Sohu}}</ref> | Shenzhen Bay Sports Centre |- | August 11, 2018 | Chengdu<ref name="Taihe2018" /> | Shuangliu Sports Centre |- | August 26, 2018 | Foshan<ref name="Taihe2018" /> | Century Lotus Stadium |- | September 8, 2018 | Hangzhou<ref name="Taihe2018" /> | Yellow Dragon Sports Center |- | September 21, 2018 | Changsha<ref name="Taihe2018" /> | Helong Sports Center Stadium |- | September 30, 2018 | Macau<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 10, 2018 |title=相约澳门威尼斯人金光综艺馆 与薛之谦共攀"摩天大楼" |trans-title=Meet at the Venetian Macao Cotai Arena and climb the "Skyscraper" with Joker Xue |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/252948043_528153 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> | Cotai Arena |- | October 6, 2018 | rowspan="2" | Shanghai<ref name="Taihe2018" /> | rowspan="2" |Hongkou Football Stadium |- | October 7, 2018 |- | November 3, 2018 | Vancouver<ref name="Sohu2018" /> | rowspan="2" |Canada | Thunderbird Sports Centre |- | November 6, 2018 | Toronto<ref name="Sohu2018" />||Paramount Fine Foods Centre |- | November 9, 2018 | San Jose<ref name="Sohu2018" /> | rowspan="2" |United States | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts |- | November 11, 2018 | Los Angeles<ref name="Sohu2018" /> | Dolby Theatre |- | November 17, 2018 | colspan="2" | Singapore<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 11, 2018 |title=Concert review: Joker Xue shows vocal chops and funny side in first Singapore concert |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/concert-review-joker-xue-shows-vocal-chops-and-funny-side-in-first-singapore |website=The Straits Times}}</ref> | Singapore Indoor Stadium |- | February 14, 2019 | Penang<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2019 |title=薛之谦首度来马开唱 与槟城粉丝共度浪漫情人节 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian performs in Malaysia for the first time and spends a romantic Valentine's Day with fans in Penang |url=https://www.sinchew.com.my/20190215/%E8%96%9B%E4%B9%8B%E8%B0%A6%E9%A6%96%E5%BA%A6%E6%9D%A5%E9%A9%AC%E5%BC%80%E5%94%B1%C2%B7%E4%B8%8E%E6%A7%9F%E5%9F%8E%E7%B2%89%E4%B8%9D%E5%85%B1%E5%BA%A6%E6%B5%AA%E6%BC%AB%E6%83%85%E4%BA%BA%E8%8A%82/ |website=Sinchew Daily |language=zh}}</ref> | rowspan="2" |Malaysia | SPICE Arena |- | February 16, 2019 | Kuala Lumpur<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2018 |title=薛之谦大马个唱26日开售 |trans-title=Tickets for Xue Zhiqian's solo concert in Malaysia will be on sale on the 26th |url=https://www.sinchew.com.my/20181026/%E8%96%9B%E4%B9%8B%E8%B0%A6%E5%A4%A7%E9%A9%AC%E4%B8%AA%E5%94%B126%E6%97%A5%E5%BC%80%E5%94%AE/ |website=Sinchew Daily |language=zh}}</ref> | Axiata Arena |- | March 10, 2019 | London<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2019 |title=薛之谦英国演唱会官宣！世巡再添伦敦一城 |trans-title=Xue Zhiqian's UK concert officially announced! London is added to the world tour |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/288374291_267454 |website=Sohu |language=zh}}</ref> | England | Wembley Arena |- | April 1, 2019 | Melbourne<ref name="Tom2021" /> | Australia | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre |- | April 4, 2019 | Auckland<ref name="Tom2021" /> | New Zealand | The Trusts Arena |- | April 7, 2019 | Sydney<ref name="Tom2021" /> | Australia | Qudos Bank Arena |- | April 13, 2019 | rowspan="2" | Taipei<ref name="Sohu2019" /> | rowspan="2" |Taiwan | rowspan="2" |Taipei Arena |- | April 14, 2019 |- | May 19, 2019 | Hong Kong<ref name="Sina2019" /> | China | AsiaWorld–Arena |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Joker Xue}}
Category:2018 concert tours Category:2019 concert tours Category:Concert tours of Australia Category:Concert tours of Canada Category:Concert tours of China Category:Concert tours of Hong Kong Category:Concert tours of Malaysia Category:Concert tours of New Zealand Category:Concert tours of Singapore Category:Concert tours of Taiwan Category:Concert tours of the United Kingdom Category:Concert tours of the United States Category:Joker Xue concert tours