Introduction
Mariah Carey's critically acclaimed 2003 Charmbracelet World Tour, which landed its final North American date in Manchester, New Hampshire, was nothing short of spectacular. Tuesday, September 23, 2003, began with me and my parents leaving Gorham, Maine at 12 PM. We arrived at the Holiday Inn next to the Verizon Wireless Arena by 2 PM where we met up with my cousins, Diane and Kristy, 2 hours later. We had supper with them at a restaurant called DJs and headed over to the arena at 6PM. One hour later my parents and I had our tickets and backstage passes. Diane and Kristy also had backstage passes through winning a radio contest.
The Concert
The seats were fantastic - we all sat 5th row center stage. The opening act, who was a comedian from Philadelphia, was good. He was okay at the beginning, but became fantastic by the middle/end of his 30-minute show. The concert did not start until 30 minutes later. During this time, people began chanting Mariah's name and clapping. Then the lights dimmed and the Looking In introduction began with sound clips of Mariah's hits throughout her 13-year career. During this introduction, the screen flew above the city that Moulin Rouge was centered upon. Moulin Rouge was the theme of the concert. Alas, the Heartbreaker Remix (which preluded into Heartbreaker) began. Mariah came out from behind and walked through the crowd. Throughout the entire concert, the crowd was ecstatic and very supportive. Her first ensemble was absolutely stunning. It was a two-piece set that sparkled. To make this short, the concert was absolutely fantastic. The set list was the same as Las Vegas (see below) - consisting of nearly twenty songs. Her voice was phenomenal, which I am saying objectively. Her voice was absolutely amazing and was on the level of the 1996/1997 era. Her high notes (Vision Of Love, Band Intro, Dreamlover) had championed the notes in Someday, There's Got To Be A Way, and others from her early studio albums. She used her mid voice throughout the entire show, except a couple seconds during Subtle Invitation. There wasn't a moment during the show that had a low. I cried during Hero and Through The Rain. People (including myself) were having church during My Saving Grace. One more note, Mariah's backup singers were absolutely fantastic. They were beyond anything that I had expected. So talented and funny!!! This was my third Mariah Carey concert, and definitely the best.
Set List
01. Looking In (Intro)
02. Heartbreaker Remix / Heartbreaker
03. Dreamlover
04. Through The Rain
05. My All / My All (Morales Club Mix)
06. Clown
07. Can't Take That Away
08. Honey
09. I Know What You Want
10. Subtle Invitation
11. My Saving Grace
12. Band Introduction
13. I'll Be There (Featuring Trey Lorenz)
14. Friend of Mine (Trey Lorenz)
15. Bringin' On The Heartbreak
16. Fantasy Remix
17. Always Be My Baby
18. Make It Happen
19. Vision of Love
20. Hero
21. Butterfly (Outro)
Backstage
After the concert, authorized fans gathered at the back portion of the stadium and waited 15 minutes to go to the Meet and Greet. I briefly met Liron, a fan from Israel. We were eventually taken to a meeting area where they then gathered us into two groups of ten people. My parents, cousins, and myself were in the latter group. Unfortunately, I was beginning to go into a seizure because of loud noises that were due to the staff of the arena taking down the chairs and such. (NOTE: I was also 2 days fresh out of ICU and was experiencing moderate spell activity prior to the concert). The concert staff decided to bring me to a room to get away from the noise. My father got out my medical kit and gave me the needed medications. We waited 15 to 30 minutes, as I was getting worse. In the meanwhile, my mom was waiting where everyone else was and happened to make conversation with the photographer. He stated: I remember you and Caleb from Minnesota. We (as in Mariah's staff) all remember him. He then said, let me see what I can do to get Caleb to see Mariah now. He then notified Mariah's manager, Louise McKnalley. My parents, cousins, and I were then escorted to a hallway where we waited. The tremors were worsening quickly. Some of her backup singers and bodyguards were in the hallway. They remembered me and were so kind.
Louise McKnalley came out of Mariah's dressing room and waved so happily. She said that it was so good to see my parents and myself. She escorted us to Mariah's dressing room. At this point in time, I was unable to walk. Diane and my father were both helping me to walk. I began to get teary because I was fearful that another tonic seizure was going to erupt.
The Meeting
We entered Mariah's dressing room and when I saw her I bursted out crying. She was so sincere, tender and caring towards me. She immediately remembered me and reached out her arms to hug me. She asked me how I was. I said thank you so much. I told her that her concert and voice was so amazing and beautiful. She said thank you. She then hugged my parents saying how good it was to see them. She immediately noticed my homemade shirt and said how much she loved it. My dad gave her the very same shirt that I made, as well as a letter that I had written. Mariah touched my face and said I came to your hometown. I told her how happy I was and how I didn't want the diseases to stop me from seeing her. At this time I was getting even sicker. I said to Mariah: I am so sorry, I am quite sick right now. She was on the verge of tears. Louise was crying, so were my cousins and my mom. My father then told Mariah how each day this year we would listen to My Saving Grace and Through The Rain while crying to the songs. My mother said God bless you a few times. It was then picture time as my parents, Mariah and I were grouped in one picture. Then Mariah signed a CD for Kristy. Pretty much everyone in the room were still crying. I said to Mariah to take care in Europe, as well as some other words. I hugged her and Louise again. My parents did so as well. I waved to Mariah as my dad helped me out of the room. The bodyguards were still there and kindly said goodbye.
Concert photos courtesy of Mariah Daily.
