First shows announced for 80-date Dio Returns tour

Eyellusion, the creator of the much talked-about hologram of the late Ronnie James Dio, has announced the initial run of dates for its first tour, Dio Returns: The World Tour.

The tour, which Eyellusion tells IQ will be produced in partnership with several local promoters, will make more than 80 stops in theatre-sized venues around the globe, kicking off in Finland on 30 November 2017.

The hologram, backed by Dio’s former band, will perform for the majority of the show, with a setlist that includes hits from across his career, including songs by Dio, Rainbow and Black Sabbath.

The initial European dates are:

• 30 November – The Circus, Helsinki
• 3 December – Fryshuset, Stockholm
• 4 December – Rockefeller Music Hall, Oslo
• 6 December – Progresja, Warsaw
• 13 December – Bikini, Barcelona
• 15 December – Escenario Santander, Santander, Spain
• 17 December – Arelene Romane, Bucharest
• 20 December – Trix, Antwerp
• 21 December – 013, Tilburg, Netherlands

Dio Returns is expected to visit to the United States in spring 2018, and play festivals across the world next summer.

“We like to think of Ronnie smiling down as we continue to find new ways to share his music with all generations of fans”

“Working with Eyellusion over the past year and a half to turn our dream of this tour into a reality has been absolutely incredible,” comments Dio’s widow and former manager, Wendy Dio. “No one has ever been able to put together a show and tour like this, and we like to think of Ronnie smiling down as we continue to find new ways to share his music with all generations of fans.

“We cannot wait to be able to finally bring this incredible experience to Ronnie’s fans around the world.”

Eyellusion CEO and founder Jeff Puzzti adds: “We’ve really only given Dio fans a small taste of what they’re going to see on this tour. We are creating a completely new hologram of Ronnie, designing an amazing light show and continuing to add more dates around the world to make sure that as many fans as possible get an opportunity to take part in this experience.”

Eyellusion – which in addition to Wendy Dio is backed by veteran artist manager Todd Singerman and drummer Kenny Aronoff (John Cougar Mellencamp, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Meat Loaf, Smashing Pumpkins) – is currently raising funding to secure the rights for holograms of other artists “and finance projects and tours in its growing pipeline”.

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