You can’t make this up: On the evening of Mariah Carey’s visit to Montreal, a bright white coat fell over the metropolis. The snowflakes fell gently as nearly 15,000 spectators prepared to welcome the undisputed Queen of Christmas to the Bell Centre.
Published yesterday at 10:45 p.m.
The welcome from Montrealers was loud and warm. Mariah Carey’s arrival was as grand as anyone could have imagined. On the stage, decorated like a white Christmas paradise, were two huge gift packages hidden inside by two young ballerinas who opened the show with an enchanting dance number to the notes of “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Then the star of the evening emerged directly from the hall and sang “Sugar Plum Fairy”.
The performance of the first songs was magical. We knew immediately that Mariah Carey would give us an amazing vocal performance. Backed by three backing singers and a fantastic group of musicians, she was immediately captivating. Dancers, children and adults, dressed in Christmas sweaters of course, made the performances even more festive. Then unfortunately the sound problems began. Disturbed by the squeaking of the microphone, Mariah sang and sang again.
The starlet didn’t even bat an eyelid and then turned to the crowd. “Montreal!” Christmas is just around the corner, I can hardly wait! » There were 14,800 of them who expressed their enthusiasm.
Then she started Oh Santa, she hit the note like we know she’s capable of. After Christmas (baby please come home), Mariah brought the most Mariah moment ever to the Bell Center. “I’m going to need my glam team,” she said before two makeup artists came on stage to give her a live makeover mid-show. Why leave the stage when you can simply create an epic moment of flirtatiousness in front of your audience?
The sound problems persisted, less frequent but still annoying. The singer never let himself be shaken. Halfway through the show the problem was finally solved.
Christmas on stage
We were very impressed by the production on Wednesday evening. There was the fantastic Mariah Carey, who, although her interactions sometimes lacked a bit of naturalness, was incredibly entertaining. She blew us away with her vocal performance.
The facility was also frozen, but magical. Since the shape of the giant screen depicted a giant Christmas ball, we were treated to various, somewhat generic images reminiscent of the Christmas season.
Finally, there were the dancers and other artists who always knew how to create funny moments. A Santa Claus came, threw sweaters into the crowd and then started a little, lascivious dance. A rock band led by Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon’s child Rocky performed the song Christmas Wraping. Finally, a gospel choir of seven singers started with a beautiful performance of “Fall In love at Christmas”.
The entire time, Mariah Carey was backstage wearing the most incredible stage costume (her “ensemble”, read in an English accent), inspired by the virginal…sparkly and regal version. With a huge tiara on her head, in a white dress draped in a cape, she then sang Silent Night, accompanied by the choir.
Just like Beyoncé did with her daughter Blue, Mariah Carey gave her children the chance to shine on stage. After Rocky, it was her daughter Monroe who also came on stage in a princess dress and tiara. Hand in hand, mother and daughter sang “Jesus Born On This Day” in a duet. Obviously taking cues from her mother, the young girl helped create a very beautiful and touching moment.
One Child, Joy to the World (stunning interpretation, with the gospel choir), Christmas Time is in the Air concluded the second part of the show.
Mariah’s classic
Then it was time for a moment that no longer had anything to do with Christmas. After “My All,” sung by a choir and incredible singers, we were treated to the “2023 MC Hit List.”
Mariah Carey began with a medley of her old hits. The crowd stood back up and sang along: Always Be My Baby, Dreamlover, Honey, Heartbreaker, A No No, Fly Like A Bird and a few others. The audience was thrilled. She also impressed with the accuracy of her voice in these pieces we know.
After the glam team’s return (“I realized there’s no reason not to do this on stage, but behind the scenes,” the singer said). “We belong together” echoed in the Bell Center. This classic, which everyone knew by heart (even more than the Christmas classics), was received with enthusiasm. The singer did not disappoint. The great hero who followed and closed the show magnificently… before an encore that brought the Christmas spirit back to the forefront at the Bell Centre. After Santa Claus comes to town, the diva ended with the classic of all classics: All I Want for Christmas is You. Mariah Carey landed on a train and left the stage in a snow shower after a great final vocal. She showed us once and for all why she is the Queen of Christmas.
We couldn’t have wished for a better end to the evening and the (official) start to the holiday season.