Total World Tour

The Total World Tour was the fifth concert tour by English recording artist Joss Stone. The tour lasted 6 years, with Stone expressing her intent to play in every country on Earth, and mostly succeeded in her goal, even reaching countries such as North Korea, Yemen and Iraq. It began in Casablanca, Morocco on 29 March 2014, and ended prematurely in Barcelona, Spain on 3 July 2019. The tour would've ended on 4 July 2019 in Kish Island, Iran, but upon entry to the country, Stone was deported, as authorities believed her concert would be public. Along with the concerts, on each day of the tour, Stone met and sang with local musicians and volunteered with local charities. To respect the culture, Stone wore a hijab when visiting various Middle Eastern countries, even when it wasn't legally required. In order to perform in Syria, Stone crossed into the country illegally. The tour featured various local and international support acts in each country. For example, American India Arie joined as a support act for the first Oceania leg. Joss Stone was scheduled to conclude the Total World Tour on 4 July 2019 with a private concert in Iran. However, upon arrival to Kish International Airport, Stone was detained by authorities who believed her concert would be public. In Iran, it is illegal for women to perform public concerts because Shia Muslim clerics believe that "a woman's singing voice can be erotic". Stone was aware of this law, and was quoted saying "We were aware there couldn’t be a public concert as I am a woman and that is illegal in this country. Personally I don’t fancy going to an Iranian prison nor am I trying to change the politics of the countries I visit nor do I wish to put other people in danger." She later claimed that the people in immigration treated her "...the best [she had] experienced anywhere." and "...they were so upset that they had to deport [her].