A Concert Review Post: Her Name Is Mariah And She Is Often Imitated, Never Duplicated.

I went to my first Mariah Carey concert. And I was in the front row. A 14-year-old dream has finally come true.

As far as most people are concerned, those are the only two factoids that they want to know.

It was for the Singapore Grand Prix and initially, I was planning to miss it because it's difficult to find someone who would be willing to pay just to accompany me to watch Mariah. However, since Adam Lambert was performing on the Saturday slot, Mel and her friend had already bought tickets and miraculously, her friend was unable to go for the Sunday show so I bought the tickets from her.

If that didn't happen, none of this review would even exist.

Having attended last year's Singapore F1 concert as well, it was rather surprising to find out that there was a Fanzone section and that you had to come in early to get the wristbands that'll allow you to enter the area. Mel and I chilled out at City Hall after we received ours and stood in line at the venue at around 6pm since the queue had already begun. Gates for the Fanzone area opened at 9.30pm. It was madness when they finally did because people were cutting in and being selfish. However, Mel and I managed to get grab a spot at the left corner of the stage where, coincidentally, was Mariah's spot for most of the night.

The concert started slightly late, because it was, after all, Mariah, but it was well worth it because IT. WAS. MARIAH. She sounded amazing. Her notes were amazing. And to hear her whistle register live? GOOSE-FUCKING-BUMPS.

Speaking of bumps. There was a noticeable... Ok obviously I'm in no place to deny or confirm but I have a 4-month-pregnant sister-in-law so....

MC fell on stage during Make It Happen but carried on singing like the trooper that she is while her dancers picked her up. There was a LOT of crown interaction and I love how she spoke to you like she was speaking to a friend. Mind you, early on in her career, she received a lot of criticism about how she was bad at interaction. But last night showed no traces of that. Girl knew what she wanted and what was awesome was that she apparently did a new set list just for the show instead of just copying her previous Memoirs setlist. However, you could see her peering at the set list once in a while on my side of the stage but instead of trying to hide the fact, she actually made a comment about how she was, quite literally, looking at her set list. And in her own Mariah way, explained how things were a little all over the place but they're trying. <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

At one point, she looked to our area and asked us if we were ok with her taking off her shoes and singing barefooted. This... does not happen much if at all, in an MC concert. The singing barefooted part I mean. But I'm glad I got this interaction on video because it was adorable.

SHE was adorable. And reviews that'll eventually come in would probably talk about how she was a diva or whatever but I reckon that that is probably due to people not really understanding about how things work in Mariah World. In Mariah World, everything is dramatic.

To quote her from last night, "It's just so dramatic! When have you ever seen me in a video without my hair blowing?" when she asked Trey to help her turn on the stage fan.

Also in Mariah World, everything is in reference to something else. And it IS pretty hard to understand her inside jokes but... :) Mariah poke fun of herself and her diva image a lot and it was refreshing to hear someone be so laid back. She even commented on how people call her a diva but OH MY GOSH. SHE'S POURING HER OWN WATER. And I love how she zones in on those who know her lyrics because, well, she's always made references to more obscure songs in the album and usually punctuates it with, "If you're a true fan, you'll know where that came from," which makes sense though. Most people say that you shouldn't define a fan as someone who memorizes all the lyrics and what not but with MC, her lyrics define HER. All her songs have back stories and if you're a Lamb, you'll know what those stories reference to.

There were snippets of dance routines and DJ mixes in between the sets and the crowd grew restless because what they wanted was Mariah. However, DJs and dancers are part and parcel of an MC concert though so I was kinda expecting it...

I also told Mel that I'll lose my shit if Mariah did Always Be My Baby because since 1996, that song has always had a special, special place in my heart. And she did. And I was ready to record it. And the stupid camera had to pan on us for the big screen. I mean, ok, YAY I was on the big screen and I was singing along to Always Be My Baby, so that's like, an awesome moment right? But HELLLLLL...I wanted a video of the song :( :( My own video.... :( I did get a bit but the start and the ending? Nadda. Because of the big screen camera.

Oh, and for those who had to see my awkward dancing on the big screen, especially during the MJ mix tribute? I'M SORRY.

At the end of the concert, after she'd gone backstage, I took a sneak peek at Trey and the look on his face, it was a good look. At the risk of sounding like a deranged supah fan, methinks he looked impressed at the crowd and I hope those sentiments are right...and that it translated to MC because WE WANT HER TO COME BACK.

Basically, there was not enough of Mariah. And she did look a bit exhausted but she TRIED. You can tell that she tried. And the guy next to Mel was telling me how he felt tired for her too. But she's a trooper and I love her for that. I love her for being a perfectionist but rather embraces things when they are imperfect. I love her for her massive talent that she displays with ease and love.

And I love the fans. For being nice. Because trust me, there are those who aren't.

For those on my Facebook, the videos will be up within the next day or two.

For those who are aware of my YouTube account, the videos will be up soon too.

Mariah's tweets:

TY SO much to my fans in Singapore!!! Yeah, several hectic moments, (lol!)but I tried to swirl them into festive!.Love+ God Bless!

Again Singapore, thanks so much for allowing me to just be who I am &just have fun+connect w/everyone there! Thanks 4 the LOVE!x0x