If I had unlimited funds, I could see most of the bands that provided the soundtrack for my high school and college years on tour. This summer, I’ve already seen Styx, Cheap Trick, Poison Joan Jett and am about to see Steve Miller and Peter Frampton. This past week, Erasure and a package tour featuring Belinda Carlisle, ABC and Modern English rolled through Atlanta. And the nostalgia train rolls on with one of the most popular singers of the late 80s/early 90s, Paula Abdul.
2018 marks the 30th anniversary of Paula’s debut album, Forever Your Girl, which makes me feel ancient. To celebrate, the singer is hitting the road for her first solo tour in 25 years. The 26-city Straight Up Paula! tour kicks off in Morristown, New Jersey on October 3 and runs through November 17, with a show in Indio, California. There’s no love for the southeast here, so I’ll have to wait for the DVD. Tour dates and ticket information are available on her website (Holy Photoshop, Batman!)
Paula told Entertainment Tonight that touring with New Kids on the Block and Boyz II Men last summer inspired her to hit the road again, “It was just a real warm welcome and [it reminded me] of how it felt like when I was on the road constantly years and years ago.” She’s looking forward to having the stage all to herself, so she has the ability to expand her performance past the greatest hits medley approach she used last summer. She shared:
”It was in your face and it was so fast and it was so furious and there was no time to, like, engage as much with the audience as I will this time. I’m at my best when I’m being creative and I have a lot of real cool things that I want to do [to] bring that nostalgia back to all my fans.”
Paula has very easy requirements for touring, saying all she needs is a chihuahua, healthy snacks and some sort of televised entertainment. And, to answer the burning question I’m sure you’re dying to ask, MC Skat Kat will be a part of the show. Of her animated feline duet partner, Paula jokingly told ET, “Whether I like it or not he’ll be there. He’ll find his way.” In addition to her hits, Paula teased that there might even be some new material, adding, “We don’t know yet. We don’t know.” She did admit that she’s extremely excited about the upcoming tour.
”I didn’t know whether or not people would care if I came back after 20-plus years, but it was very heartwarming and it felt incredible. I don’t take anything for granted. I was very surprised and my heart was swelling, it really was.”
Of course we’re happy you’re touring, Paula, you are forever our girl. I’m bummed she isn’t bringing the show anywhere near me, but hopefully this fall jaunt is just the first leg of a bigger tour.
‼️TOMORROW – FRIDAY, JULY 13TH – IS THE DAY ALL TICKETS GO ON SALE AT 10AM LOCAL TIME‼️
Paula can’t wait to see you this fall starting October 3rd! Go to https://t.co/1EuuO3XVNn for tickets to the STRAIGHT UP PAULA! 2018 North American Tour! -Team Paula#ThursdayThoughts pic.twitter.com/mNSbPreBvb— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) July 12, 2018
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
THAT PHOTO ON HER WEBSITE. I can’t.
Those seem like weird tour locations. She never goes south of PA minus the one stop in Tulsa and then CA and Vegas. Maybe I’ll see if I can convince H to see her in Morristown lol.
The girl can’t sing worth a damn but she was a great dancer. She pretty much created Janet Jacksons signature moves.
I don’t plan on seeing her in concert, but I’d love it if she released most of her videos on DVD. I’ve always admired her as a choreographer.
I’m really gonna love her forever oh oh oh!
Or am I caught in a hit and run!
“MC Skat Kat will be a part of the show.”
And how about Keanu, Paula?