Celine Dion’s Courage World Tour packed Spectrum Center Tuesday night as Charlotteans flocked to be serenaded by the legendary singer. Celine has spent most of the last decade headlining in Las Vegas, so it had been a long time since the city was graced with her presence (nearly 20 years!).
She’s had more than a few hits over her career, and even debuted last year’s Courage — her first English-speaking album in six years — at No. 1 on the Billboard charts. On Tuesday, she played a surprisingly whittled-down setlist that hit all of her high notes. The spectacular show had elements of everything that makes Celine great — camp, playfulness, attitude and glitter.
Here’s a few things we heard from her adoring fans, beginning with Celine herself:
Celine Dion: “They finally let me out… they had me locked up out there in the desert.”
A woman dressed in a shiny, puffy-sleeved pink ’80s number as Celine emerged onstage: “She looks like fucking Jessica Rabbit and I love it so much I’m gonna die.”
A mother hushing the two kids she clearly dragged to the event: “I worship this woman; DO NOT ruin this for me.”
A 20-something in head-to-toe glitter: “She looks like a disco ball, so I’ve decided I will now be a disco ball.”
A young man, gently sobbing to himself: “I just never thought this day would come.”
A child by the merch stand: “Who is this person again?”
Drunk girl, attempting to sing along in French to Celine: “sense fwahhhh say motttt…”
Guy at concession stand: “I don’t really like her music, but I just love her spirit, you know?”
Two media photographers:
“She looks good for being in in her 60s.”
“She’s 51.”
“Well, I take that back then…”
All photos by Jeff Hahne. Click to scroll.
[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”143″ display=”basic_slideshow”]Setlist:
It’s All Coming Back to Me Now
That’s the Way It Is
I’m Alive
If You Asked Me To (Patti LaBelle cover)
The Power of Love (Jennifer Rush cover)
Love Can Move Mountains
Beauty and the Beast
You’re the Voice (John Farnham cover)
Tous les Blues Sont Ecrits Pour Toi
To Love You More
Courage
All by Myself
Imperfections
The Prayer
Because You Loved Me
Let’s Dance/Another One Bites the Dust/Flying on my Own/Kiss/River Deep, Mountain High/Lady Marmalade
Encore:
My Heart Will Go On
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
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