Saturday, November 23, pop singer Mariah Carey brought Christmas to Atlanta, Georgia, during her eighth performance of the “Christmas Time” tour. Hosted at the State Farm Arena, thousands gathered around to kick off the Christmas season with their favorite holiday songs, donned in both cozy and eccentric Christmas outfits. From devoted Carey fans to those who simply enjoy her Christmas hits, audiences from different backgrounds and political affiliations felt welcome in f the cheery atmosphere.
Celebrating the 30th year of Carey’s “Merry Christmas” album, fans arrived from all corners of the U.S. to hear the Queen of Christmas live. Opened by DJ Suss One, concert attendees enjoyed music and commentary that set an exciting tone for the night. However, nothing could beat the crowd’s enthusiasm as Carey took the stage. Carey descended on a white seat in the textbook definition of a grand entrance, marking her arrival with the iconic “It’s time” vocalization.
Multiple wardrobe changes, a suspended bridge, a guest appearance by Santa Claus and choreography accompanying the lyrics all beautifully complemented the setlist. From pop classics such as “All I Want for Christmas is You” to elegant wonders including “O Holy Night,” Carey’s track highlighted every mood the Christmas season might evoke.
In a period of awkward transitions between fall and winter, Carey’s performance at the State Farm Arena undeniably announced the beginning of the Christmas season. Carey reminded her audience to pretend that their time with her should count as Christmas day itself — fortifying an air of merriment and joy in the hearts of all her viewers. The audience glady matched Carey’s enthusiasm, singing and dancing along to their favorite tunes.
“The concert was so exciting and Christmas-y. It was really cool to see Carey in person and watch the whole crowd sing and have fun. Christmas is by far my absolute favorite holiday and seeing her defrost in person was a great way to celebrate it,” magnet freshman Kalea Lumpkin said.
Released in 1994, “All I Want for Christmas is You” stands as a chart-topping hit in over 30 countries and stands as the number one Greatest of All Time Holiday Song by Billboard. The live performance of this hit undoubtedly showed off the cheer and liveliness in a manner that recordings cannot capture, leaving the crowd giddy with festive merriment.
Demonstrating a love for family, Carey invited her twins, Moroccan and Monroe Cannon, to the stage during an intermission performance. Dazzling the crowd with a mash-up of “Deck the Halls” and “Let it Snow,” Moroccan played the drums as Monroe rocked the guitar and danced. Accompanied by a team of child dancers halfway through their performance, Carey’s twins lived up to their mother’s name as beautiful performers and Christmas fanatics.
Carey’s concert managed to infuse festivity and joy into her thousands of viewers, bridging populations divided by politics, religion and ethical beliefs. Regardless of a time of uncertainty and polarization, individuals of all ages, races, religions, political affiliations and personal beliefs joined together in song and celebration.
“As someone who loves music, it definitely brings people together. I feel like you don’t have to agree on a lot of things to just sing with each other. Especially with popular Christmas songs, it’s easy to enjoy and feel the Christmas spirit,” senior Ray McIntosh said.
‘Tis the season to remain full of love and to celebrate togetherness. Carey’s tour continues to spread the holiday spirit to states across the U.S., ending with a final show in her hometown of New York City on December 17. Her tour proves that the holiday season transcends any divide, bringing people together to simply enjoy music and festivity. Carey’s vocalization and stage presence in Atlanta truly proved her worthy of the Queen of Christmas title, leaving an audience full of holiday magic.
