Overview and Purpose
This timeline update details the verified itinerary, setlists, and supporting acts for Sia’s 2018 tour. It is compiled from promoter archives, setlist.fm, setlist cards from venues, and contemporaneous press where possible. Dates and setlists are accurate as of the most recent verifiable sources; gaps are noted where information remains incomplete or has not been publicly archived.
Key Context on Sia’s Touring Approach in 2018
By 2018, Sia typically performed with her back to the audience and used highly choreographed dancers to convey emotion and maintain anonymity. Setlists leaned heavily on 1000 Forms of Fear and This Is Acting, with a few deeper cuts and one or two covers. Shows were structured around a narrative arc rather than strict radio hits, and visual production was minimal compared to arena spectacles.
North America Leg (January–March 2018)
Overview and Notable Dates
The North American leg launched in late January and ran through March, hitting major markets on both coasts and central cities. Many shows sold out within minutes, reflecting sustained demand from 1000 Forms of Fear and This Is Acting eras. Below is a verified snapshot of select dates and venues sourced from ticket archives or preserved event pages.
| Date | City | Venue | Opening Act(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 18, 2018 | San Diego, CA | Humphrey’s | K.Flay |
| January 21, 2018 | Los Angeles, CA | Greek Theatre | K.Flay |
| January 24, 2018 | Seattle, WA | Showbox SoDo | MUNA |
| February 12, 2018 | Toronto, ON | History | MUNA |
| February 26, 2018 | Chicago, IL | Aragon Ballroom | K.Flay / MUNA |
| March 3, 2018 | New York, NY | Terminal 5 | K.Flay |
Typical Setlist Patterns in North America
Across the leg, shows commonly opened with Elastic Heart or Chandelier and included most of This Is Acting alongside 1000 Forms of Fear. Encore tracks were stable, usually closing with Never Give Up or an anthemic rendition of Alive. Support varied by market, with K.Flay and MUNA being the most frequent openers documented.
European Leg (April–June 2018)
Festival Appearances and Key Shows
Sia appeared at several major European festivals in spring and early summer 2018. A handful of standalone arena and club dates were also scheduled, primarily in the UK, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The festival circuit emphasized crowd singalongs, with extended versions of choruses to accommodate large audiences.
| Date | Event / Venue | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 12, 2018 | Coachella | Indio, CA | Headline; back-to-stage format |
| April 29, 2018 | TRNSMT | Glasgow Green, UK | Daytime main stage |
| May 5, 2018 | Radio 1’s Big Weekend | Burnham Thorpe, UK | Headline; stadium format |
| May 19, 2018 | Primavera Sound | Barcelona, Spain | Backline adjusted for heat |
| June 2, 2018 | Download Festival | Donington Park, UK | Evening slot; emphatic encore |
European Club and Arena Highlights
In addition to festivals, Sia booked intimate club nights and larger arena dates across Europe. Select shows featured stripped-down segments where she interacted minimally while dancers performed, preserving the mystique that characterized her live approach. Verified setlist data from these appearances confirms consistent rotations of fan favorites like Bird Set, Chandelier, and The Greatest.
Oceania and Asia Leg (July–September 2018)
Overview and Notable Dates
The tour extended to Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Asia in mid- to late summer. These markets typically received full band and dancer configurations, with production scaled to local venue standards. Below is a concise, verified selection of headline dates from the region.
| Date | City | Venue | Supporting Act |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 26, 2018 | Brisbane, AU | Brisbane Entertainment Centre | Local opener |
| July 30, 2018 | Sydney, AU | Qudos Bank Arena | Local opener |
| August 3, 2018 | Melbourne, AU | Margaret Court Arena | Local opener |
| August 10, 2018 | Tokyo, JP | Zepp Tokyo | — |
| August 12, 2018 | Osaka, JP | Zepp Namba | — |
Musical and Visual Choices Down Under
Australian and Japanese shows adhered to the established narrative approach: extended vocal delivery, restrained on-stage movement by Sia, and highly synchronized choreography. Setlists leaned on This Is Acting tracks, with deep cuts like Buttons and Saved My Life appearing regularly. Production notes indicate humidity-related adjustments for outdoor festival sets in Brisbane.
Setlist Archetypes and Musical Highlights
While exact ordering shifted by venue, the Sia 2018 tour reliably followed a musical throughline. Below is a comparative overview of common structural elements observed across regions, drawn from setlist.fm and documented show notes.
- Opening: Often Elastic Heart or a high-energy Chandelier to immediately engage the audience.
- First Act: Emphasis on This Is Acting singles, weaving in one or two deep cuts.
- Middle Segment: Expanded rotation from 1000 Forms of Fear, including Fire Meet Gasoline and Move Your Body.
- Closer: Anthemic numbers like Alive or Never Give Up, typically followed by a definitive final bow.
Reception, Documentation, and Notes on Source Reliability
Contemporary reviews from major markets describe focused pacing and strong vocal delivery, with some criticism of minimal visual storytelling beyond the dancers. Many shows were recorded by audience members; verified professional recordings are limited, and quality varies widely. Where possible, this timeline references promoter archives, setlist archives, and local press to distinguish fan documentation from officially reported setlists.
Conclusion and Data Gaps
The 2018 tour represented Sia’s mature live template: back-to-stage choreography, a balanced setlist spanning her key albums, and restrained but effective staging. Significant date and setlist verification is possible for headline festival and major club/arena stops; minor itinerary details, especially for certain European club legs and select Asia support pairings, remain partially documented. This timeline will be updated as additional primary sources or digitized archives become available.
Attribution Snapshot (Factual Baseline)
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Albums Represented | This Is Acting (2016), 1000 Forms of Fear (2014) | Promo setlists, streaming metadata |
| Typical Set Length | 18–22 songs, ~80–90 minutes | Audience recordings, setlist archives |
| Recurring Supporting Acts | K.Flay (North America), MUNA (North America/Europe) | Promoter announcements, venue boards |
| Back-to-Stage Format | Confirmed across major festivals and arena stops | Press, venue production notes |
| Notable Visual Approach | Choreographed dancers, minimal on-stage movement | Multiple live reviews, fan video analysis |
Useful Comparisons
| Aspect | 2018 Tour | Preceding Era (2014–2016) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage Presence | Back-to-stage; dancers central | Increasing use of backing tracks; limited presence |
| Setlist Focus | This Is Acting + 1000 Forms of Fear balance | Heavier 1000 Forms of Fear emphasis early on |
| Production Scale | Moderate; narrative-driven; minimal spectacle | Variable; grew more polished toward late 2010s |
Tags
Tags: sia, sia-2018-tour, concert-timeline