Mariah Carey’s SA tour to start in Cape Town
WHILE the Joburg dates for Mariah Carey’s Sweet Sweet Fantasy Tour were announced yesterday, the Cape Argus can now reveal that Carey will be performing for the first time in South Africa in Cape Town.
A source confirmed to the Cape Argus that the Cape Town date would be announced today.
Carey will be in Cape Town for one night only on April 26, before moving to Durban for an April 29 concert and then in Joburg on May 1 and 2.
Big Concerts and Live Nation announced tour dates and said tickets would go on sale from Thursday costing between R550 and R1 415.
For die-hard fans, there is also a meet-and-greet package available for R7 190.
For Cape Town publicist Clayton Morar – arguably Carey’s biggest fan – it’s absolutely worth it.
Morar said he has been waiting for a Carey concert for most of his life.
He has been a fan since he was seven, and said Carey’s voice reminded him of Whitney Houston.
Morar said when he first heard
her perform at the 1991 Grammy Awards “that is where the love affair began”.
Although Carey has not performed in Cape Town before, she has visited the city a number of times.
Morar made it his mission to meet her when she visited the city: “To see her performing live will be a full circle moment for me.
“I was beyond ecstatic when I found out.
“I am such a die-hard fan and I know every song and every lyric.”
Carey visited the country in 2007 ahead of Oprah Winfrey opening her girl’s academy outside Joburg.
Carey also attended the 2009 opening of the One&Only Cape Town hotel at the V&A Waterfront.
Morar said he and a friend met Carey, at the airport, when she landed. She also autographed a magazine for him. He bumped into her again after he and a friend staked out the lobby of the One&Only hotel.
“That was the most amazing moment of my life. So many emotions rushed through me. The thing about her is she really loves her fans.
“Even though she was in a rush she made sure to acknowledge us.
“All the diva rumours you hear about her go out of window when you meet her. I have been praying for this for years and my intention is to get the meet-and-greet package.”
Carey said she was excited to be coming to perform in South Africa: “Lambily, it’s been too long.
“I am so excited to be coming to South Africa to perform for you all.
“I promise we’re going to share the most amazing moments together and I have so many surprises in store for you… I can’t wait to see you all in your hometown.”
Carey refers to her fans as “lambs”, and “lambily” is a portmanteau of “lamb” and “family”.
The meet-and-greet package will afford Morar the chance to meet his idol, have professional pictures taken, secure some of the best seats in the house, and receive a souvenir of the tour.
Other VIP packages will go on sale for between R2 430 and R3 290.
I PROMISE WE’RE GOING TO SHARE THE MOST AMAZING MOMENTS…