On Thursday 6th October, CCCatch first set foot on South American land. The chosen country was Argentina. A group of fans congregated around the international arrival gates at the airport of Ezeiza in Buenos Aires. I had arrived to that country just a couple of hours before of the announced arrival and I witnessed how the group started to grow little by little. Fans waited impatiently with banners, flowers and even teddy bears.
It was about 8:30 a.m. and after a long wait, finally appeared. She came along with her dancers Hakeem and Gilly, and the international manager Alexander Wolf. Very quickly the promoter and his team led them to the limousine that would drive them to their hotel. Unfortunately we had no more access that day. But we got some photos and some autographs. I only tried to rest and wait for the next day of the big event.
CCCatch had a local press conference the day of her arrival
CCCatch also shared a video of the sight from her Hotel by her official facebook page
Then, the next night, we were ready for the long-awaited concert. We arrived at the venue of the Sur Rock Kori Megadisco Hall in Pompeya, after a rough adventurous trip... this because it was a bit complicated area, especially for a foreigner. In spite of that we arrived early enough to realize that we would have to wait some more hours to get in. We also were told that CCCatch would begin her show around 1 a.m. Time enough to chillin and chat with some fans. After an hour, the line was already beginning to turn the corner. And after a moment more, the long queue of people seemed to round the block. It was amazing how a lot of people were arriving and arriving and finally we were able to get in. To my surprise the majority were from Bolivia, fans of the 80's disco music living several years already in Argentina. Everyone was quite excited and eager to be a part of this retro party.
DJs began to set the music as the venue began to fill up. There were three shows prior to the CCCatch concert, but by the time the third show started, people were already beginning to show their weariness. That pre-concert show was extended till more than 1 a.m. The excessive alcohol consume between fans was starting to wreak havoc and was not possible to avoid to hear those who began to complain loudly, how many time more they would have to wait. The public was already bored, perhaps very anxious, claiming CCCatch, CCCatch, CCCatch !! desperately. When finally the consoles and keyboards were removed from the stage, and two chairs were placed for the dancers of the singer, we knew that the stage was ready for her. And so it was, the dancers gave the anteroom to prepare us until CCCatch finally came to the stage at 2 a.m. approximately. Hundreds of smartphones were lifted and the crow ran to place the more near they could to the stage. There were screams of relief from an exhausted audience but happy.
CCCatch started her show
The first song was the rap version of "House of Mystic Lights". The noise was tremendous, the room too small, at times it was almost impossible to hear something fine due to the sounds in all directions, my ears were destroyed. On the stage, while CCCatch was talking to the public, someone abruptly threw an object at her, this was impertinent and dangerous, a lot of people were quite dizzy and we were a bit worried about the behavior of some people, fortunately nothing bad happened. Caroline continued with the show without any problem. The next song started, it was the famous rap megamix of their comeback in the late 90's with the songs, "I Can't Lose My Heart Tonight", "Cause You Are Young", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Soul Survivor ". Hakeem with the rap vocals and Gilly showing his dance talent with a spectacular choreography to which CCCatch regularly joined. When she finished, the audience again screamed CCCatch, CCCatch, CCCatch, she answered moving to the rhythm of the call, then she talked in Spanish and English: "Muchas Gracias from my heart, mucho amor" and asked everyone start to clap, following her next song "Heaven and Hell", which she began singing in acapella. There were hundreds of selfies among the audience, fans could not believe how close they were tothis star and she dedicated them some dances to drive them more crazy.
At the end of the song, people were chanting CCCatch, CCCatch !!, louder and louder, she thanked all her fans again and announced that she was going to sing one of her most famous hits, "Jump In My Car", a nice downtempo song, full of feeling. It is true that all tracks were with playback, but she sang over and we could hear her voice live, especially at the end of the song, with her already known end of acapella. While she was singing, she asked us to follow her clapping, because there was no more background music. At the end of this song she bowed to the audience, this act left her fans moved, they recognized the humble gesture to them. Has been more than 30 years that CCCatch owe her success to her fans and this was the first time she was performing in front of a South American public.
Again the people repeating her name again and again. Caroline asked everyone, always listen to the heart and then announced her next song, "I Can't Lose My Heart Tonight", this wonderful song written by Geff Harrison and that was her first hit during 80's, but now she played it in a rap version which was enjoyed by everybody. After that she made an extensive appreciation to the fans, she thanked for the support they gave her in all these years, people only called her name. Caroline then continued with the next song making first a question, "Are You Man Enough?". The party was unstoppable, people in the VIP level seemed wish to come down when during the song she went close to the side to shake hands and approach some fans. The audience again called her name at the end of the song and her dancers returned to the stage. CCCatch took off her white jacket. Hakeem asked to the people if they wanted to go bed, but public only asked for more. So then they played the rap version of "Soul Survivor". Fans showed their affection and did not stop to call her name. CCCatch announced the "Anniversary Megamix", the medley with songs "Strangers by Night", "Cause You Are Young", "Like A Hurricane" and "Midnight Gambler" released in 2005, but in the short version which is always included in her shows.
At the end of the song, people were chanting CCCatch, CCCatch !!, louder and louder, she thanked all her fans again and announced that she was going to sing one of her most famous hits, "Jump In My Car", a nice downtempo song, full of feeling. It is true that all tracks were with playback, but she sang over and we could hear her voice live, especially at the end of the song, with her already known end of acapella. While she was singing, she asked us to follow her clapping, because there was no more background music. At the end of this song she bowed to the audience, this act left her fans moved, they recognized the humble gesture to them. Has been more than 30 years that CCCatch owe her success to her fans and this was the first time she was performing in front of a South American public.
Again the people repeating her name again and again. Caroline asked everyone, always listen to the heart and then announced her next song, "I Can't Lose My Heart Tonight", this wonderful song written by Geff Harrison and that was her first hit during 80's, but now she played it in a rap version which was enjoyed by everybody. After that she made an extensive appreciation to the fans, she thanked for the support they gave her in all these years, people only called her name. Caroline then continued with the next song making first a question, "Are You Man Enough?". The party was unstoppable, people in the VIP level seemed wish to come down when during the song she went close to the side to shake hands and approach some fans. The audience again called her name at the end of the song and her dancers returned to the stage. CCCatch took off her white jacket. Hakeem asked to the people if they wanted to go bed, but public only asked for more. So then they played the rap version of "Soul Survivor". Fans showed their affection and did not stop to call her name. CCCatch announced the "Anniversary Megamix", the medley with songs "Strangers by Night", "Cause You Are Young", "Like A Hurricane" and "Midnight Gambler" released in 2005, but in the short version which is always included in her shows.
After this song fans continued calling her name. Hakeem announced that they should leave already, because was already a lot and he was too old for that, he even spoke a bit in Spanish "Mucho trabajo for me, I'm finished!". But fans were still very excited, the show was too short for them to accept something like that. Caroline and the dancers then thanked the people from Argentina and also from Bolivia, they brought the both flags of these countries and all the people said loudly Bolivia Bolivia, in fact, most of the public was from this country. Hakeem tried to make a competition for each country, but it was obvious which won. This moment was taken by Caroline for a short break.
Hakeem announced the "Long Megamix 98", and CCCatch returned to the stage to dance with this mix of unforgettable hits that we all know so well. CCCatch and her dancers danced to us until be exhausted, so they asked now, to go home. They all left the stage and it really seemed like the end, but they were called out loudly by people. There was a small break until Hakeem returned again to entertain the audience while Caroline was preparing an extra song. So after a few minutes, she was able to return to the stage to sing "Strangers By Night", she was very open to the public and came closer to shake hands with those who were near to the stage. The same Caroline then encouraged the audience for a next song, "In The Backseat Of Your Cadillac". Showing to be full of energy and that she still had a lot to give for her fans. After this song she already began to say goodbye speaking in Spanish.
Hakeem again came to entertain the people, while Caroline went to take another small break. So he announced the last song, asking to the DJ one more time the Long Megamix and Caroline returned to sing while he made the rap vocals. They gave us once again the typical CCCatch's show that so many times we watched only by videos in those thousands of performings around the world, the difference was that now it was for us and we saw it live and direct. They attempted to improvise a dance floor on stage inviting more people to dance with them. Hakeem with the rap and Gilly making spectacular jumps.
Hakeem announced the "Long Megamix 98", and CCCatch returned to the stage to dance with this mix of unforgettable hits that we all know so well. CCCatch and her dancers danced to us until be exhausted, so they asked now, to go home. They all left the stage and it really seemed like the end, but they were called out loudly by people. There was a small break until Hakeem returned again to entertain the audience while Caroline was preparing an extra song. So after a few minutes, she was able to return to the stage to sing "Strangers By Night", she was very open to the public and came closer to shake hands with those who were near to the stage. The same Caroline then encouraged the audience for a next song, "In The Backseat Of Your Cadillac". Showing to be full of energy and that she still had a lot to give for her fans. After this song she already began to say goodbye speaking in Spanish.
Hakeem again came to entertain the people, while Caroline went to take another small break. So he announced the last song, asking to the DJ one more time the Long Megamix and Caroline returned to sing while he made the rap vocals. They gave us once again the typical CCCatch's show that so many times we watched only by videos in those thousands of performings around the world, the difference was that now it was for us and we saw it live and direct. They attempted to improvise a dance floor on stage inviting more people to dance with them. Hakeem with the rap and Gilly making spectacular jumps.
After this performance, the show had to end, but the people began to throw their jackets hopping that CCCatch touch them, this began to be annoying after a moment. The promoter brought some red flowers to Caroline and she with her team thanked them. People continued throwing their jackets, so Hakeem even dressed with one, but then he warned the public, "I do not want to be disrespectful but please do not throw more jackets, better throw money" - he joked. CCCatch then announced to everyone the last song, their first single "I Can't Lose My Heart Tonight" (rap version). CCCatch was jumping happily on the stage and the audience celebrated it clapping.
At the end of this last song, Caroline thanked and extended the flags of Argentina and Bolivia together, (little anecdote, the Argentine flag was upside down). The people insisted on bringing their coats and whatever for her to touch them and then everyone chanted her name. They finally left the stage and that was the definitive end of the show.
At the end of this last song, Caroline thanked and extended the flags of Argentina and Bolivia together, (little anecdote, the Argentine flag was upside down). The people insisted on bringing their coats and whatever for her to touch them and then everyone chanted her name. They finally left the stage and that was the definitive end of the show.
The discoteque played Eurodisco music and CCCatch went to the backstage. Unfortunately we were not allowed to enter there.
However, when she left after an hour, and before she got it in her limousine, she was surrounded by many fans. Some were lucky to get her autographs, and touched her hand, she was always guarded by bodyguards, so she quickly boarded the limousine to go to the hotel, while her dancers still outside and in another van, stayed a moment for take some photos with all the fans who asked for it. Finally, around 4
o'clock in the morning, the fans began to leave.
About one thousand fans went to the concert and they seemed to saturate the capacity of the hall. CCCatch enjoyed Argentina a couple more days, she was invited to a private party at a local club and she took pictures in some places of the city.
Tracklist of the show in Argentina:
- House Of Mystic Lights (Rap Version)
- Rap Megamix 98 Short Version (I Can’t Lose My Heart Tonight, Cause You Are Young, Heartbreak Hotel, Soul Survivor)
- Heaven and Hell (Original Version)
- Jump In My Car (Original version)
- I Can’t Lose My Heart Tonight (Rap Version)
- Are You Man Enough? (Original Version)
- Soul Suvivor (Rap version)
- Anniversary Mega-Mix (Strangers By Night, Cause You Are Young, Like a Hurricane y Midnight Gambler).
- Rap Megamix 98 Long Version (I Can’t Lose My Heart Tonight, Cause You Are Young, Heartbreak Hotel, Are You Man Enough, In The Backseat Of Your Cadillac, Heaven & Hell, Soul Suvivor)
- Strangers By Night (Original Version)
- In The Backseat Of Your Cadillac (Original Version)
- Rap Megamix 98 Long Version (I Can’t Lose My Heart Tonight, Cause You Are Young, Heartbreak Hotel, Are You Man Enough, In The Backseat Of Your Cadillac, Heaven & Hell, Soul Suvivor)
- I Can’t Lose My Heart Tonight (Rap Version)
Special thanks to Javier Mellimaci, Guillermo Vines, Jonathan Espinola, Norberto Grillo and Graciela Mabel.
*Pictures and videos were found by facebook,and they belong to their respective owners.
