- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Rihanna performs secret gig on release day of "Unapologetic"
- Date: 20th November 2012
- Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (NOVEMBER 19, 2012) (REUTERS-ACCESS ALL) WIDE OF STAGE AT WESTFIELD STRATFORD CITY (SOUNDBITE) (English) RIHANNA, SINGER, SAYING: "The tour has been so special. This is like a completely different demeanour of performance that we've ever done, than we've ever done. It's tinier venues, it's really intimate so you get to see the fans' faces o
- Embargoed: 5th December 2012 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- Country: USA
- Topics: Entertainment
- Reuters ID: LVA29O0CW8EVLKFLYWQZZSLVPJFV
- Story Text: Rihanna completes London leg of her 7 days, 7 shows tour" with intimate gig at the Forum in North London; earlier the star switched on the festive lights at a shopping centre in East London.
R&B star Rihanna touched down in London on Monday (November 19) for the latest leg of her "7 countries, 7 days, 7 shows tour."
The singer's London-stopover included a short appearance at Westfield Stratford City in East London where she was given the honour to switch on the festive lights in front of hundreds of fans.
Rihanna was dressed in a stripy jumpsuit and a long blue jacket as she welcomed the 15,000-strong crowd who had turned up to see her.
"The tour has been so special. This is like a completely different demeanour of performance that we've ever done, than we've ever done. It's tinier venues, it's really intimate so you get to see the fans' faces one on one. That's really special for me. I love it. I'm having such a good time.
The singer had previously proved a big hit when she turned on the festive lights at Westfield in Shepherds Bush in 2010.
However, when it comes to her personal Christmas presentation, the singer admitted she was a little bit behind schedule because she had been concentrating on her new album instead of hitting the shops.
"I have not started not a single thing yet. Not one thing yet. I'm so drenched in work for my new album, Unapologetic and when I was in the studio I really just stuck to studio. I even brought the studio to my house and didn't leave the house for two weeks.
She was joined on stage by children from the Save the Children charity on stage. Together they counted down to the start of the holiday season, which was then celebrated with an explosion of fireworks on stage as she turned on the lights.
Rihanna then performed her new single "Diamonds".
Monday also coincided with the worldwide launch of Rihanna's latest album. "Unapologetic" is the Barbadian beauty's seventh album in seven years.
She has been promoting its release with a short whirlwind tour, which kicked off in Mexico City last week and also saw the singer play at venues in Toronto, Stockholm and Paris on Sunday (November 18).
With such a busy schedule, the singer had to hire a jumbo jet to make it to all her places in time.
Some 200 people, including journalists, fans and her staff are also onboard.
In London Rhianna performed at the Forum in Camden, which the singer had revealed earlier via Twitter.
She wrote: "Ready for #London at The Forum tonight!" and later added: "limited tix left for @ Forum in #London 2 see me tonight. Get em FREE by showing up 1st now #riverisland #budweiser #htc'."
With a capacity of just over 2,000 the choice of venue is also a little bit more intimate as opposed to the huge arenas the singer could easily fill.
Tickets to the sold-out event went quickly, but some fans still turned up in the hope to get hold of a precious pair.
20-year-old student Sally said she left for the venue the minute its name had been revealed.
"Like six hours, since she tweeted. She sent a tweet, just go to the Forum, and came here. Dropped out of a lecture."
John, another fan added:
"I actually found out on Facebook this morning and I've been going mad all day trying to get tickets but I haven't been able to so," he said.
Although she didn't come with any tickets bought, 20-year-old Sarah, who came with her friend Ambert, said this would have not put her off trying to see the star. "Whenever she comes, we try to meet her. We stay outside her hotels. No matter how cold it is, minus four degrees. We will wait for you Rihanna."
During the set the Rihanna gave renditions of tracks of the new record.
The singer is set to head back to the U.S. for the tour's finale in New York City on Tuesday (November 20). - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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