[custom_adv] Mariah Carey took the stage in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to become the highest profile international artist to perform in the Kingdom since the easing of restrictions on entertainment."I'm so happy to see you guys all together tonight," the superstar told an exuberant crowd at the Bay La Sun resort in King Abdullah Economic City. [custom_adv] Singer becomes the highest profile star to perform in the Kingdom since the easing of entertainment restrictions Fans tell Arab News of their excitement ahead of the performance in King Abdullah Economic CityKING ABDULLAH ECONOMIC CITY: Mariah Carey took the stage in Saudi Arabia on Thursday to become the highest profile international artist to perform in the Kingdom since the easing of restrictions on entertainment."I'm so happy to see you guys all together tonight," the superstar told an exuberant crowd at the Bay La Sun resort in King Abdullah Economic City.She then launched into a string of her hits including "Love Takes Time," and "Make it Happen."Wearing a full length black sequined dress, Carey dedicated the song "Always Be My Baby," to the crowd. [custom_adv] Fans flocked to the concert to see Carey become the first female international artist to perform in the Kingdom since social reforms removed restrictions on entertainment and segregation of the sexes. Ahead of her performance, fans told Arab News of their excitement at seeing the star on stage. [custom_adv] Hundreds gathered at the event before she arrived and the mood was joyful and full of anticipation. The crowd included a mix of Saudis and foreigners, with quite a few in their 40s and above. For many it was their first concert experience. When Carey performed one of her classic hits "Fantasy" the crowd erupted, singing along. [custom_adv] The mixed crowd cheered and danced with many holding their smartphones in the air.“I came to encourage more artists to come to Saudi Arabia and celebrate," said 22 year-old Hamza Gamaraldin. "We’re all big fans of pop music and as we’re huge fans of her music, I came to support her too.” [custom_adv] Carey's concert is taking place at the Kingdom's first major international golf tournament. Part of the European Tour, the inaugural Saudi International, powered by SBIA, has drawn several of golf's biggest stars. [custom_adv] Billboard named her the most successful artist of the 1990s in the United States, while the World Music Awards honored her as the world's best-selling recording artist of the 1990s.
