Mariah Carey is one of the most successful and popular singers of all time. She has had an incredible career spanning over 30 years, and is known for her incredibly wide vocal range and for hits like “Vision of Love,” “Hero,” “Fantasy,” and “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Throughout her storied career, Mariah has performed in many of the most famous venues across the world, including Madison Square Garden in New York City.
When Did Mariah Carey First Perform at Madison Square Garden?
Mariah Carey first performed at Madison Square Garden on December 15, 1993 during her Music Box Tour. This was in support of her album Music Box which released earlier that year in 1993. The album and tour were hugely successful for Mariah, further cementing her status as a global pop superstar. Her first show at the famed MSG arena solidified her ability to headline massive venues and perform for huge crowds.
Setlist for Mariah’s First MSG Show
During her first show at Madison Square Garden, Mariah performed a setlist of hits from her first three studio albums. This included songs like:
- “Emotions”
- “Make It Happen”
- “Vision of Love”
- “Love Takes Time”
- “Someday”
- “I Don’t Wanna Cry”
- “Dreamlover”
- “Hero”
- “Without You”
- “Anytime You Need a Friend”
This powerful setlist showcased Mariah’s incredible vocal talents and proved she could command a giant arena with her iconic voice and stage presence. The show was a huge success and kicked off years of Mariah Carey headlining Madison Square Garden.
When Has Mariah Performed at MSG Since Her First Show?
Since her debut at MSG in 1993, Mariah Carey has performed at the famous arena many other times over the years. Here is a timeline of her Madison Square Garden performances:
Mariah Carey MSG Performances Timeline
| Year | Tour |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Music Box Tour |
| 1996 | Daydream World Tour |
| 2000 | Rainbow World Tour |
| 2006 | The Adventures of Mimi Tour |
| 2008 | Angels Advocate Tour |
| 2014 | The Elusive Chanteuse Show |
| 2019 | Caution World Tour |
As shown in the timeline, Mariah returned to perform at Madison Square Garden in 1996, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2014, and most recently in 2019. Her 2019 Caution World Tour performance marked her 6th time headlining at the iconic venue over the span of her decades-long career.
Notable Mariah MSG Performances
Over the years, Mariah has had some especially memorable and notable performances at Madison Square Garden. Here are some highlights:
The Adventures of Mimi Tour (2006)
Mariah’s 2006 MSG concert was filmed and released as a live album and DVD called The Adventures of Mimi. This high-production show was critically acclaimed and featured Mariah performing hits like “We Belong Together,” “Shake It Off,” and “Don’t Forget About Us.”
Angels Advocate Tour (2009)
To usher in the new year in 2009, Mariah performed a special New Year’s Eve concert at Madison Square Garden. The show was part of her Angels Advocate Tour and included a sparkling ball drop at midnight to ring in the new year.
Mariah Carey Christmas Show (2014)
Mariah brought holiday cheer to MSG in 2014 with a special Christmas concert spectacular. As one of the best-selling Christmas artists ever, she performed beloved hits like “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “Oh Santa!” to get the crowd into the festive spirit.
Mariah’s Upcoming MSG Performances
In addition to her six past concerts at Madison Square Garden, Mariah Carey is slated to perform at the venue again very soon. Here are her upcoming MSG performances currently scheduled:
Mariah Carey Christmas Show 2019
This December, Mariah will return to MSG for a Christmas-themed show on December 15, 2019. This holiday concert extravaganza is sure to feature Mariah belting out Christmas classics for a festive performance only she can deliver.
Mariah Carey Live in Concert 2020
Mariah also has a MSG tour date scheduled for March 7, 2020 as part of her 2020 tour itinerary. This concert will feature Mariah performing her endless catalogue of pop and R&B hits for an epic night with one of music’s most legendary divas.
Conclusion
Mariah Carey’s relationship with Madison Square Garden has spanned over 25 years. Her very first performance at the iconic New York City venue came in 1993 during her Music Box Tour. Since then, she has returned to grace the MSG stage in 1996, 2000, 2006, 2008, 2014, and 2019. Some of her most memorable shows include her Adventures of Mimi concert in 2006, New Year’s Eve show in 2009, and Christmas concerts in 2014 and 2019. Mariah has more epic MSG performances coming up in December 2019 and March 2020. Throughout her unparalleled career, Madison Square Garden has been a special venue for Mariah where she continues to create magical moments and memories for fans through the power of her iconic voice and legendary catalogue of hits.