CHINA: American R&B singer Beyonce Knowles charms Shanghai with her first ever concert in mainland China

More than 3,000 fans crowded the Shanghai Grand Stage on Monday (November 5) evening to watch American R&B superstar Beyonce Knowles perform her hits in her first ever concert in mainland China. 26-year-old Beyonce charmed them by performing songs from her solo albums "Dangerously in Love" and "B-Day" as well a medley of her hit songs with Destiny's Child during the two-hour concert. Her visit to China's financial capital is part of an international tour, the "Beyonce Experience", which will see her tour thirteen cities, including Addis Ababa, Bangkok, Instabul and Mumbai. At a news conference before the concert, Beyonce said she was happy to be touring and bringing her music, as well as her fashionable concert wardrobe, to the world's audience. "Music is something that breaks language barriers and is the universal language. And it's always so cool to see everyone in the audience, even if the don't speak a lot of English, know the lyrics of the song. If they don't know the lyrics, they can understand the passion and the soul," she said. "Well I have the most amazing wardrobe on the tour. And I have a lot of changes, probably more that most. I love dressing up, and I think your wardrobe is kind of like your choreography and certain things look cool with certain choreography and lights and songs," she added. Beyonce, known for her sexy outfits during her performances, had her Malaysia leg of the world tour cancelled after industry sources said her concert did not abide by the Muslim country's strict dress code for performers. Organisers however had blamed a "scheduling conflict". This year, Beyonce has three nominations for the 35th annual American Music Awards, which for the first time will allow members of the public to pick the winners. But leading nominees do not always walk away with the most statuettes, and many of this year's top contenders are competing in the same categories. Beyonce is cited for nominations for Best Female Artist Pop & Rock, Favourite Soul/R&B album, Favourite Female Artist Soul/R&B and Favourite Soundtrack for the movie "Dreamgirls". The cosmopolitan metropolis of Shanghai has been a prime destination for international stars to host their concerts in mainland China in recent years, with debuts by the Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne.

ITN Source | November 8, 2007

Tags:. .ababa. .abide. .addis. .aguilera. .always