Multi-platinum and three-time Grammy^® Award-winning artist Fergie is launching her highly anticipated first solo tour with a 20-city schedule that begins in Seattle today.  The Dutchess has joined forces with Verizon Wireless to deliver a completely new and interactive experience that will leverage mobile technology and create a two-way dialogue directly with her fans. The Fergie Verizon VIP Tour marks the first time in history that an artist will incorporate wireless technology in just about every aspect of the tour – before, during and after every performance.

More info below

Wireless Tickets

No paper tickets will be sold for any of the concerts.  Instead, when fans strut through the entrance gates to this Thank You concert, they will flash their Picture Message tickets sent over-the-air directly to their Verizon Wireless handsets.  Picture Message tickets to the Fergie Verizon VIP Tour are available to any fan and can be obtained by:

• Downloading V CAST Fergie TV content;
• Downloading a Fergie song on V CAST Music;
• Attending select Verizon Wireless Communications Store events/or casting calls;
• Through the purchase of a Motorola handset (including handset upgrades);
• Through radio promotions; and
• Attending select Candie’s “Try 2 Win” fit events at Kohl’s department stores. 

“It is such a thrill to kick off my first solo tour, but to be able to do it my way and incorporate the technology used by my fans is what is really exciting.  Everyone uses their mobile phone to stay in touch so why shouldn’t artists stay connected to fans the same way?” Fergie said.  “When we planned our tour, we planned the wireless interactivity.  The technology even gives me a chance to say thank you to my fans and make every one of them a VIP.”

“This tour represents the future of how artists stay connected to their fans,” said John Harrobin, senior vice president of marketing and digital music for Verizon. “Fergie is using the technology to stay connected with her fans in a very unique way.  Fans can download her music, get tickets to the show, interact with her after the show and prepare to attend the show, wirelessly.  That kind of interactivity was unheard of just a few years ago.  With this tour, Fergie is introducing an entirely new standard for the industry.”

The Fergie Verizon VIP Tour is in support of her platinum selling debut, The Dutchess.  This solo release launched three consecutive #1 singles: “London Bridge,” “Fergalicious,” and “Glamorous.” The Dutchess, hailed by Rolling Stone as “a banging mix of party-starters and down-temp jams…,” entered the Billboard Top 200 chart at #3 and spent 31 weeks on the charts since its September release.  Fans can download Fergie hits anytime on their Verizon Wireless V CAST Music-capable handsets.

VIP Treatment for Fergie Fans

The Fergie Verizon VIP Tour is a thank you to Fergie’s true fans.   Each show will have a red carpet entrance for these special VIPs, including step and repeat banners and paparazzi to greet them as they arrive.  There will also be green screens at every stop on the tour to give fans a chance to be in a music video with the Dutchess.  Fans can dance and sing to Fergie tunes and create personal Video Messages that will be sent directly to their mobile phones.  One green screen winner selected at each show will have the opportunity to join the finale on stage.  At the end of each show, Fergie will send thank you text messages to all her guests to remind them of the city in which they spent their VIP evening.

Fergie Mobile Fashion Meter and Fashion Shows

At each tour location, a select group of fans will have a chance to show off their Fergie fashions on stage at a fashion show styled by Candie’s. To enter and have a chance to model, fashion conscious fans can submit photos to the Fergie Mobile Fashion Meter, an exclusive new trend-spotting tool. Fans are invited to visit select Verizon Wireless Communications Stores nationwide to have their pictures taken with camera phones; the photo will be submitted directly to the Fergie Mobile Fashion Meter as a Picture Message for judging.  For more information, visit www.vzwfashiontrendz.com.

Fergie-TV on V CAST from Verizon Wireless

Fergie-TV, a new channel on Verizon Wireless’ V CAST Video on-demand service, will be available on May 21 and allow fans to stay connected with Fergie outside of the concert venue.  The mobile channel will be updated throughout the year with a variety of unique content that Fergie can deliver to fans immediately, directly to their V CAST-capable handsets.  Fergie-TV will feature clips on a range of topics, including fashion, style and relationships. 

Fans will also have an opportunity to shape the programming on Fergie-TV.  Fergie will take questions from her fans via text messages and e-mail and incorporate her answers into Fergie-TV throughout the tour.

For more information on the Fergie Verizon VIP Tour, to ask questions for Fergie-TV and to find the Verizon Wireless locations for Fergie Mobile Fashion Meter casting calls, visit www.fergieperformances.com.  For more information on V CAST Music from Verizon Wireless, visit www.verizonwireless.com/music.

The Fergie Verizon VIP Tour Schedule

Date
Location
Venue

Tuesday, May 8
Seattle, Wash.
Franklin High School

Monday, May 21
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Byham Theatre

Tuesday, May 22
Indianapolis, Ind.
Egyptian Room

Wednesday, May 23
Cleveland, Ohio
House of Blues

Saturday, May 26
Atlantic City, N.J.
House of Blues

Monday, May 28
Philadelphia, Pa.
Electric Factory

Friday, June 1
Clearwater, Fla.
Ruth Eckerd Hall

Saturday, June 2
Atlanta, Ga.
Tabernacle

Tuesday, June 5
Houston, Texas
Verizon Wireless Theatre

Wednesday, June 6
Dallas, Texas
House of Blues

Sunday, June 10
Chicago, Ill.
House of  Blues

Monday, June 11
St. Louis, Mo.
Pageant

Wednesday, June 13
Detroit, Mich.
State Theatre

Tuesday, June 19
Boston, Mass.
Avalon

Thursday, June 21
New York, N.Y.
Roseland

Tuesday, July 17
Anaheim, Calif.
House of Blues

Wednesday, July 18
Los Angeles, Calif.
Wiltern Theatre

Thursday, July 19
Phoenix, Ariz.
Dodge Theatre

Sunday, July 22
Denver, Colo.
Fillmore

Tuesday, July 24
Portland, Ore.
Crystal Ballroom

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 9th, 2007 at 8:05 pm and is filed under News.