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Music Box Tour
Music Box Tour
Music Box Tour
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Music Box Tour
National tour by Mariah Carey
Tour program cover
LocationNorth America
Associated albumMusic Box
Start dateOctober 29, 1993 (1993-10-29)
End dateDecember 10, 1993 (1993-12-10)
Legs1
No. of shows7
Mariah Carey concert chronology

The Music Box Tour was the debut concert tour in 1993 by American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey, in supporting her Diamond-certified third studio album, Music Box (1993). It was Carey's first headlining tour, visiting six cities in the United States. The tour lasted seven shows, beginning on November 3 in Miami (Florida) and ending on December 10 in New York City (New York).

Background

[edit]

American singer Mariah Carey experienced commercial success with her 1990 debut album on Columbia Records; four of its singles topped the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Citing the possibility of career overexposure and stress on her voice, she declined to participate in a concert tour and instead recorded her second album, Emotions (1991).[1] Executives at Columbia, including its head Tommy Mottola, agreed with an emphasis on recording rather than live performance for financial reasons.[2] They also sought to keep Carey and her public image sheltered from potential negative press coverage.[2][3] Carey later recalled: "If I went out after the first album, [critics] would have said, 'She doesn't look comfortable.'"[4]

As with Mariah Carey, no concerts were scheduled to accompany Emotions.[3] Despite Columbia's encouragement of Carey to boost the album's comparatively lower sales by touring, she remained disinclined due to her preference for the studio.[5] Both albums were largely promoted by Carey with occasional performances at television programs and awards shows.[3][6] These events marked her first experiences in a live setting; unlike many artists, Carey never sang at small venues before signing with Columbia because she "just wanted to do my demos and do other odd jobs and keep the music separate".[7]

By 1992, Carey faced growing aspersions from critics that she was unable to sing as well live compared to her studio recordings.[8] To counter these claims while reaching her fans and a broader audience in lieu of touring, Carey performed on the television program MTV Unplugged in March that year. While her songs largely eschewed live instrumentation, 30-minute MTV Unplugged concerts were distinguished by an acoustic format.[9][10] Broadcast to positive critical reception, the event helped present Carey as a capable live performer[11][12] and gave her the confidence to tour.[13] With her first full-length concert, Here Is Mariah Carey (1993), she came to realize performing was not an issue because she could be herself on stage.[4]

Columbia released Carey's third album, Music Box, in August 1993.[14] Before its release, the label began organizing plans for Carey to promote the record with a series of concerts.[15] Criticisms for not touring continued to percolate her public image at the time.[4] In September, it was announced that Carey would visit up to six cities in the United States for her first concerts,[16] entitled the Music Box Tour.[17] To ensure she could maintain a healthy voice while touring, a limited number of shows were scheduled on non-consecutive days.[18][19] Further dates in 1994 were planned in the United States, Europe, and Japan, if the initial tour was successful.[16][18]

Concert synopsis

[edit]

The performers took the stage to the recorded music of "They Call the Wind Mariah" from the musical Paint Your Wagon.[20] The show featured Carey's main collaborator at the time Walter Afanasieff on keyboards along with a band. A gospel choir appeared on a few numbers, a practice that Carey would revive on some future tours. Dancers were present on stage, but Carey did not dance with them, an avoidance she would maintain until doing a little bit of dancing in her 1996 Daydream World Tour. Unlike her future tours, however, Carey kept costume changes to a minimum, with at most one before an encore.[21] The show was about 80 minutes long.[22]

The shows' set list was focused on her hits, with occasional non-singles from her studio albums mixed in. The one new song she introduced was her rendition of The SOS Band's 1983 R&B hit "Just Be Good to Me", which she introduced as "one of my favorite 'old school' songs."[22]

Reception

[edit]

Carey's opening concert at the Miami Arena before 15,000 people drew national media attention.[23][24] Carey later related that "I was OK until I had to walk up this ramp on to the stage and I heard this deafening scream and it was kinda like everything in my life, this whole incredible whirlwind I'd been going through, it had all been leading up to that insane moment and there I was.... And then they killed me. Not the audience – they knew it was my first show, they were very supportive. I got really bad reviews, though. Well, there were a lot of critics out to get me: this girl's sold all these albums, she's never toured, let's get her. So they did. I turned on the TV in bed that night and the CNN guy was saying, 'The reviews are in and it's bad news for Mariah Carey.' It really hurt me a lot."[24]

Carey expressed that she used her anger to improve her next performance at the Worcester Centrum, and got "rave reviews" as a result.[24] The Boston Globe called it "a spectacular performance [which] bowled over the crowd with a confidence that grew before their very eyes", after Carey "shook off her nervousness at the start."[23][25] Further, her highest-visibility performance in the tour closer at Madison Square Garden in New York City got a very positive review from Jon Pareles of The New York Times,[21] although The Bergen Record gave mixed notices to the sold-out show.[20] But overall the impression was, especially framed by the opening night, that most critics gave negative reviews to the Music Box Tour.[26] In response, Carey said, "As soon as you have a big success, a lot of people don't like that. There's nothing I can do about it. All I can do is make music I believe in."[27]

Carey would avoid North America on her next two tours, the 1996 Daydream World Tour and the 1998 Butterfly World Tour, and would not tour the continental United States again until seven years later during the 2000 Rainbow World Tour.

Set list

[edit]
  1. "They Call the Wind Mariah" (Introduction)
  2. "Emotions"
  3. "Love Takes Time"
  4. "Now That I Know"
  5. "Without You"
  6. "Dreamlover"
  7. "Someday"
  8. "I Don't Wanna Cry"
  9. "Vanishing"
  10. "Make It Happen"
  11. "Hero"
  12. "All in Your Mind"
  13. "Just Be Good to Me"
  14. "Good Times (Theme Song)" (Interlude)
  15. "Anytime You Need a Friend"
  16. "I'll Be There" (With Trey Lorenz)
  17. "Vision of Love"
  18. "Emotions Reprise" (Outro)

Notes:

Shows

[edit]
List of concerts, showing date, city, country, venue, tickets sold, and number of available tickets
Date City Country Venue Attendance
October 29, 1993 Amherst United States Mullins Center N/a
November 3, 1993 Miami Miami Arena 9,600 / 15,000
November 9, 1993 Worcester Worcester Centrum 11,046 / 11,500
November 17, 1993 Rosemont Rosemont Horizon 9,438 / 9,438
November 23, 1993 Los Angeles Universal Amphitheatre N/a
December 2, 1993 Philadelphia The Spectrum 12,000 / 12,000
December 10, 1993 New York City Madison Square Garden 15,050 / 15,627
Total 57,134 / 63,565 (89%)

Personnel

[edit]
  • Walter Afanasieff – musical director, piano, organ
  • Randy Jackson – bass
  • Ren Klyce – keyboards
  • Dan Shea – keyboards
  • Vernon Black – guitar
  • Gregory "Gigi" Gonoway – drums
  • Peter Michael – percussion
  • Melonie Daniels – background vocals
  • Kelly Price – background vocals
  • Cheree Price – background vocals
  • Deborah Cooper – background vocals
  • Katreese Barnes - background vocals
  • Trey Lorenz – special guest vocalist

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Music Box Tour

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Music Box Tour was the debut concert tour by American singer-songwriter , launched in support of her third studio album, Music Box, released on August 31, 1993. Consisting of six arena performances across the from November 3 to December 10, 1993, the tour marked Carey's transition from a studio-focused artist to a live performer, drawing audiences of up to 15,000 per show. Music Box became Carey's commercial breakthrough, debuting at number two on the and eventually selling over 27 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums by a female artist. The album featured hit singles such as "Dreamlover" and "," both of which reached number one on the , contributing to its diamond certification by the RIAA in the United States for 10 million units shipped. Carey's decision to tour followed the album's rapid success, as she sought to connect directly with fans after years of reluctance to perform live due to . The tour's setlist primarily drew from Music Box and Carey's prior albums, including staples like "Emotions," "Dreamlover," "Hero," and "I'll Be There," performed with a gospel choir and minimal choreography to emphasize her five-octave vocal range. Opening in Miami at the Miami Arena, the shows received mixed initial reception, with critics noting Carey's nervousness and vocal strain amid the high expectations for her live debut. However, performances improved markedly, earning praise for her confidence and pitch-perfect delivery by the Worcester and New York dates, where the final concert at Madison Square Garden concluded with a Christmas medley and donations from "Hero" proceeds to victims of the Long Island Rail Road shooting. Overall, the tour solidified Carey's reputation as a formidable live vocalist and paved the way for her extensive future concert career.

Background and Development

Conception

Following the release of her debut album in 1990 and in 1991, Carey exhibited a strong initial aversion to touring, citing fears of vocal strain from rigorous live schedules and the potential for overexposure that could compromise her carefully crafted studio image. This reluctance stemmed from her limited prior live performance experience, as she had "practically never performed ever" before her breakthrough, leading to industry skepticism about her ability to replicate her studio vocals on stage. Critics and observers often dismissed her as a "studio rat," a perfectionist reliant on production techniques rather than raw live talent. The special, taped in March 1992 and first aired in June 1992, marked a turning point by providing Carey with her first substantial live showcase, where she delivered an intimate six-song set that highlighted her unadorned and emotional depth. This performance not only dispelled doubts about her live capabilities but also reignited her confidence in performing for audiences, while sparking widespread fan enthusiasm for more extensive live engagements. The Unplugged EP's commercial success further validated this shift, encouraging Carey to explore live touring as a means of authentic connection with supporters. In the wake of Unplugged's triumph, the Music Box Tour was conceived in late 1992 to early 1993 as Carey's inaugural headlining outing, with planning gaining momentum shortly after the special's release to align with promotion for her third studio album, , issued in August 1993. Carey later reflected that the Unplugged experience "really made me excited to tour," transforming her previous apprehensions into curiosity about delivering her music in a live format that allowed her vocals to "be what they are" without heavy production. This decision represented a deliberate evolution, positioning the tour as a direct extension of the vulnerability and immediacy showcased in Unplugged.

Announcement and Rehearsals

The Music Box Tour was officially announced in late October 1993, just days before its , marking Mariah Carey's first headlining series following the success of her special. The tour was intentionally limited to six shows across six U.S. cities—, Worcester, Rosemont, , , and —to allow Carey sufficient rest between performances and safeguard her vocal health amid her demanding schedule. Rehearsals commenced in mid-October 1993 at the ' in Amherst, spanning one week and culminating in a on October 29 before the tour's debut on November 3. Preparations placed a strong emphasis on vocal delivery over elaborate staging, with minimal to ensure Carey could prioritize her without strain. Arena-sized venues were chosen to foster a sense of intimacy while accommodating sizable audiences, steering clear of larger stadium formats; the combined capacity for all dates totaled approximately 63,565 seats. No international dates were included in the initial plans, and despite some early speculation, no extensions materialized into 1994.

Concert Production

Synopsis

The Music Box Tour performances featured a simple set design centered on a stage that allowed Mariah Carey to move freely while smiling and strutting, with an emphasis on her vocal delivery rather than elaborate dance routines or choreography. The shows lasted approximately 80 minutes, divided into hits-focused segments connected by minimal intermissions to sustain a continuous flow. A gospel choir joined for select numbers, enhancing the pop-gospel elements, while male dancers appeared during uptempo tracks without Carey participating in synchronized routines. Staging kept production elements basic, with no elaborate props or video projections, allowing the focus to remain on Carey's live and interaction. changes were limited, typically starting in all-black outfits and transitioning to a red for the encore. Key features included a cover of The S.O.S. Band's "," a guest appearance by on a , and encores that built to emotional climaxes. The overall structure opened with high-energy selections to energize the crowd, shifted to introspective ballads in the middle, and concluded with powerful, resonant peaks, using the core songs as the narrative backbone.

Set List

The Music Box Tour featured a standard that primarily drew from Mariah Carey's hits up to that point, emphasizing tracks from her third studio album (1993) alongside earlier singles, with smooth transitions between uptempo numbers and ballads to maintain pacing. The structure was divided into an opener segment for high-energy starts, a main set blending pop and R&B elements, and an encore for emotional closers, allowing for dynamic shifts in arrangement and instrumentation. A gospel choir enhanced several ballads, providing layered harmonies and call-and-response elements that amplified the spiritual undertones in songs like "Hero," "I'll Be There," and "Make It Happen." The opener began with an instrumental introduction of "They Call the Wind Mariah" from the musical Paint Your Wagon, transitioning seamlessly into "Emotions." This led into "Love Takes Time," followed by "Now That I Know." "Without You" provided a mid-tempo pivot, flowing into "Dreamlover" with its upbeat groove, before slowing for "Someday" and the poignant "I Don't Wanna Cry," the latter featuring piano-led intimacy before building. "Vanishing" offered a rare album track moment, bridging to the gospel-driven "Make It Happen," where the choir's prominent role created a church-like atmosphere with handclaps and ad-libs. The main set continued with "," Carey's debut single reprised in a stripped-down arrangement, into "," bolstered by the choir's harmonious outro. "All in Your Mind" was occasionally inserted here in later shows for a softer vibe, leading to the sole cover, "" by , adapted with contemporary R&B flair. This gave way to "," a Jackson 5 cover performed as a duet with background vocalist , with the choir providing robust support on choruses and transitions marked by key modulations for emotional depth. An interlude of "" by the backing singers preceded the encore. Standard Set List
SegmentSongs
Opener"They Call the Wind Mariah" (intro)
"Emotions"
""
"Now That I Know"
"Without You"
"Dreamlover"
Main Set"Someday"
"I Don't Wanna Cry"
"Vanishing"
"Make It Happen" (with choir)
""
"" (with choir)
"All in Your Mind" (variation in select shows)
"Just Be Good to Me" (cover)
"" (with choir and )
"" (interlude by backing singers)
Encore""
Minor variations occurred across the 6-date tour, such as the addition of "All in Your Mind" starting from mid-tour performances and a one-off inclusion of "Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town" during the December 10, 1993, show for holiday flair. The remained consistent overall, with transitions often using fade-outs, key changes, or instrumental bridges to connect songs thematically, focusing on Carey's without major rearrangements. No other covers were performed beyond "Just Be Good to Me."

Reception and Legacy

Critical Response

The Music Box Tour received mixed critical reception, with initial reviews focusing on Mariah Carey's relative inexperience as a live performer during her debut outing. The opening show on November 3, 1993, at was particularly panned for its stiffness and lack of energy, as critics noted the singer's nervousness overshadowed her vocal strengths in what was seen as a challenging first step onto the concert stage. As the tour progressed, reviews shifted toward more positive assessments, praising Carey's vocal prowess and emotional delivery in subsequent performances. of described her Worcester show on November 9 as a "spectacular performance" that "bowled over the crowd with a confidence that grew before their very eyes," highlighting how early issues had resolved into an overpowering display. Similarly, John Pareles in lauded the December 10 finale at as triumphant, noting Carey's "rich, husky alto to dog-whistle high notes" and her ability to "linger over sensual turns" with "startlingly exact pitch," while emphasizing her casual charm and assured stage movement that proved her mettle beyond the studio. Critics frequently observed Carey's artistic growth following her MTV Unplugged appearance earlier that year, which had already demonstrated her live vocal range, though opinions remained divided on her stage presence amid the tour's minimalist production. Overall, the tour was viewed as a valuable learning experience that bolstered her confidence for future endeavors, despite the early setbacks.

Commercial Performance

The Music Box Tour marked Mariah Carey's debut as a headlining act and demonstrated strong commercial viability, drawing an estimated 70,000 attendees across its six North American shows despite the artist's limited prior live experience. The tour's success reflected the massive popularity of her album, which had sold over 10 million copies worldwide by late , fueling ticket demand in major markets. Ticket revenue totaled approximately $2.5 million, establishing a benchmark for Carey's future outings and underscoring the economic impact of her rising stardom in the early concert landscape (equivalent to about $4.17 million in dollars when adjusted for inflation). High demand was particularly evident in key venues, where shows sold out rapidly; for instance, the sold-out November 23 performance at the Universal Amphitheatre in , which had a capacity of approximately 6,200. Similarly, the Worcester Centrum show on November 9 drew a sold-out crowd, highlighting the tour's appeal in the Northeast. In Chicago and New York, presale buzz led to near-immediate sell-outs, with reports indicating strong attendance, including sell-outs in several markets; data for select shows like Philadelphia's Spectrum remains incomplete in public records. The tour's success helped Carey overcome her initial stage fright, establishing her as a credible live performer and setting the foundation for her more elaborate future tours, such as the Daydream World Tour in 1996.

Tour Dates

Show Details

The Music Box Tour comprised six concerts performed exclusively in the United States between November 3 and December 10, 1993, with no opening acts documented for any of the shows. A was held on October 29, 1993, at the in .
DateVenueCity, StateCapacity (concerts)
November 3, 1993, FL16,508
November 9, 1993Centrum in WorcesterWorcester, MA14,800
November 17, 1993Rosemont HorizonRosemont, IL18,500
November 23, 1993Universal City, CA6,251
December 2, 1993Philadelphia, PA18,168
December 10, 1993Madison Square GardenNew York, NY20,000

Cancellations and Extensions

The Music Box Tour experienced no major cancellations during its run, with all six scheduled North American performances taking place as planned between November 3 and December 10, 1993. The limited scope of the tour—spanning only select U.S. cities on non-consecutive dates—was intentionally designed to safeguard Carey's vocal health, allowing ample recovery time amid concerns over strain from her extensive five-octave range and rigorous performance demands. The tour concluded abruptly after its finale at in , with no rescheduled or additional shows announced, shifting Carey's focus toward studio production for her follow-up album Daydream (1995). This concise outing reinforced Carey's reputation for selective live appearances, emphasizing quality over quantity to preserve her voice; it influenced her touring strategy, delaying international expansion until the in 1996, her first venture outside .

Personnel

Band Members

The Music Box Tour featured as musical director, performing on keyboards and overseeing arrangements that shaped the live interpretations of Mariah Carey's material. Afanasieff, Carey's primary collaborator on the album, played a key role in transitioning the studio recordings to the stage, ensuring the pop and R&B elements were faithfully recreated with live instrumentation. The core band included bassist , guitarist Vernon Black, keyboardists Ren Klyce and Dan Shea, drummer Gregory "Gigi" Gonoway, and percussionist , providing the rhythmic and melodic foundation for the tour's performances. A gospel choir offered backing vocals on select ballads, enhancing the emotional depth of songs like "."

Guest Performers and Crew

The Music Box Tour featured special guest vocalist , who joined for a live duet performance of "" at select shows, including the November 16, 1993, concert at Proctor's Theatre in . This rendition, capturing their harmonious interplay, was later included on the 30th Anniversary Edition of the album released by . Carey's backup singers—Melonie Daniels, , Cheree Price, , and Katreese Barnes—provided robust vocal support throughout the tour, notably performing a dedicated segment that included as a showcase of their harmonies during intermissions or transitions in the set. The ensemble complemented Carey's leads on ballads and uptempo tracks, with the band offering subtle backing to ensure seamless integration. This arrangement highlighted the layered vocal style central to Carey's music at the time. The production incorporated a live choir for several numbers, a novel element for Carey's performances that enhanced the emotional depth of songs like "Make It Happen." As her debut headlining tour, this marked the first instance of a live in her shows, influencing the inclusion of choral elements in subsequent tours such as the . Behind the scenes, the tour's technical crew prioritized audio engineering to maintain vocal clarity, allowing Carey's five-octave range—from rich to piercing high notes—to shine without , as evidenced by the precise live renditions praised in contemporary reviews. Lighting designs focused on spotlighting performers and engaging the audience, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the arena settings.

References

  1. https://www.mcall.com/1993/11/28/with-first-ever-tour-mariah-carey-takes-wraps-off-her-music/
  2. https://chartmasters.org/mariah-carey-albums-and-songs-sales/
  3. https://www.billboard.com/pro/ask-billboard-madonna-vs-whitney-vs-mariah/
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/12/13/arts/review-pop-venturing-outside-the-studio-mariah-carey-proves-her-mettle.html
  5. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/11/style/mariah-carey-bipolar-disorder.html
  6. https://mariahcareynetwork.com/info/press/articles/1993-bs.html
  7. https://www.stereogum.com/2172598/the-number-ones-mariah-careys-ill-be-there-feat-trey-lorenz/columns/the-number-ones
  8. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/mariah-carey-30th-anniversary-mtv-unplugged-1235080821/
  9. https://www.courant.com/1993/10/30/was-there-any-doubt-mariah-careys-first-tour-would-open-on-high/
  10. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-11-23-ca-60175-story.html
  11. https://mariahcarey.fandom.com/wiki/Music_Box_Tour
  12. https://genius.com/Mariah-carey-music-box-tour-setlist-lyrics
  13. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/average-setlist/mariah-carey-2bd6bc4a.html?tour=2bd6acc6
  14. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/miami-arena-miami-fl-1bd0d190.html
  15. https://www.setlist.fm/stats/mariah-carey-2bd6bc4a.html?tour=2bd6acc6
  16. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/madison-square-garden-new-york-ny-1bd0d188.html
  17. https://mariah-charts-and-sales.jimdofree.com/touring-history/
  18. https://variety.com/1993/tv/reviews/mariah-carey-3-1200434203/
  19. https://www.telegram.com/story/news/2022/08/26/40-biggest-events-centrum-dcu-center-worcester-over-last-40-years/10349143002/
  20. https://www.chicagotribune.com/1993/11/18/yes-she-can-sing/
  21. https://basketball.fandom.com/wiki/Miami_Arena
  22. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/centrum-in-worcester-worcester-ma-bd0d196.html
  23. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/rosemont-horizon-rosemont-il-13d0d195.html
  24. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/universal-amphitheatre-universal-city-ca-1bd0d194.html
  25. https://kids.kiddle.co/Universal_Amphitheatre
  26. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/mariah-carey/1993/spectrum-philadelphia-pa-3d0d18b.html
  27. https://basketball.fandom.com/wiki/Wachovia_Spectrum
  28. https://www.mybosstime.com/venue.php?venueid=312
  29. https://mariahcareynetwork.com/music/tour/musicbox.html
  30. https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/mariah-carey-live-at-the-tokyo-dome-9459762/
  31. https://www.sonymusic.com/sonymusic/mariah-carey-live-at-tokyo-dome-available-for-digital-purchase-and-rental/
  32. https://music.apple.com/us/song/ill-be-there-feat-trey-lorenz-live-at-proctors-theater/1703283772
  33. https://open.spotify.com/album/1GzBLltCCKsiIJM3T3AWj3
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