The Celebration Tour (Spoilers)

[FraP 402]

I just got back to my hotel after the show. I had a lot of fun and was really excited, but it was also a bit disappointing. Some moments were beautiful and thrilling. Songs like Erotica, Mother and Father, Die Another Day, Crazy For You, Ray Of Light, and Live To Tell were such great moments!

But the overall performance felt somewhat unfinished, not quite the Madonna we know. It's not because she's no longer the super dancer with endless energy; I understand her physicality has changed. It's more about the show's concept feeling less inspired than usual. It doesn't seem like a tour that was meticulously prepared over months; it feels like it was put together hastily. At times, it seems like she lacks stage presence and a clear role in the performance.

Musically, there doesn't seem to be a lot of creativity, and some songs were almost ruined, like Like A Prayer and Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Where's Stuart Price? It's like he just gave some casual advice. It felt like a mega medley rather than a fresh narrative. Sometimes I got annoyed because she was about to engage us with a song and then abruptly moved on.

She did a full Live To Tell, which was beautiful, but she could have closed it like at the Confessions Tour without losing any of the song's atmosphere; in fact, it would have improved the song. It would have also made space for other songs that felt rushed.

Then, the absence of a live band was noticeable.

Going back to the stage presence, her choreography often seemed unoriginal and uninspired, despite its low difficulty (as there are equally simple yet more impactful choreographies)

Still, I'm happy I got to see this concert because she gave us moments we've longed for. However, it doesn't feel like a Madonna show in its entirety.

Each of her tours has been a unique story, even Madame X, which I liked less than the others, had a clear narrative. This time, I'm not so sure. I need some time to think about it. I'm happy to see her, glad she's alive and still performing, but my expectations were very high. I attended the show with a friend who knows an insider, and since April, I knew many details about the songs she was rehearsing. My friend explained that Madonna cut several songs she had rehearsed, more than in previous tours. This might be connected to the fact that the tour doesn't have a clear story or concept. The ending felt rushed, as if it lacked a proper conclusion. I agree, it felt lifeless.

My friend mentioned that initially, Madonna planned to close with The Power Of Goodbye, which would have been a great finale, but later, in April/May, she decided to end with BIM + Celebration. He also told me that she performed Frozen until September. Other songs like Sorry and Oh Father had prepared performances, but my friend doesn't know why they were cut. The last information he received was in late August.

Perhaps my comment is influenced by the fact that I had low expectations in January, but since my friend shared all the information, my expectations and excitement had been through the roof. Who knows, maybe the show will evolve in the upcoming stops.

Edited October 15, 2023 by FraP (see edit history)

[Honey Little 3,996]

I need Secret Garden and Spotlight added as encore. 

[Dazedmadonna 16,423]

Just now, McDonna said:

I highly doubt it ever was planned or existed! 

Lol why are you so stubborn in always minimizing the details me and Drownedmadonna have given?

We were accurate in basically 99% of everything, from the song hints, to the opening song, the details, everything. Some minor mistakes and changes happened and neither me or Drowned stepped back from it and we actually acknowledged them.

I don't understand what's your problem honestly, but you trying to make people think I lied or Drownedmadonna lied is pure bullshit. 

[scion 3,123]

27 minutes ago, PlasticLimbo said:

 

 

 

26 minutes ago, PlasticLimbo said:

 

Notice how they're both videos of the exact same performance but on the second one you can barely hear her live voice. I think tonight was plagued with sound issues by the looks of the videos.

[Burning Up 4 Madonna 1,011]

28 minutes ago, PlasticLimbo said:

 

Iconic

[Donna 16,458]

4 minutes ago, Dazedmadonna said:

Lol why are you so stubborn in always minimizing the details me and Drownedmadonna have given?

We were accurate in basically 99% of everything, from the song hints, to the opening song, the details, everything. Some minor mistakes and changes happened and neither me or Drowned stepped back from it and we actually acknowledged them.

I don't understand what's your problem honestly, but you trying to make people think I lied or Drownedmadonna lied is pure bullshit. 

No problem at all. Weird how you  are over defensive about DM reports.  I just call it as it I see it.  And no, they weren't 99% correct. That's simply political gaslighting coming from you. 

That all said, it was still a great show and DM obviously got a few vague things correct that anyone else could have guessed. I never said they were entirely wrong. It's not a contest of who is right or wrong for me.

[dankpepe 1,042]

2 minutes ago, FraP said:

I just got back to my hotel after the show. I had a lot of fun and was really excited, but it was also a bit disappointing. Some moments were beautiful and thrilling. Songs like Rain, Bad Girl, Erotica, Mother and Father, Die Another Day, Crazy For You, Ray Of Light, and Live To Tell were such great moments!

But the overall performance felt somewhat unfinished, not quite the Madonna we know. It's not because she's no longer the super dancer with endless energy; I understand her physicality has changed. It's more about the show's concept feeling less inspired than usual. It doesn't seem like a tour that was meticulously prepared over months; it feels like it was put together hastily. At times, it seems like she lacks stage presence and a clear role in the performance.

Musically, there doesn't seem to be a lot of creativity, and some songs were almost ruined, like Like A Prayer and Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Where's Stuart Price? It's like he just gave some casual advice. It felt like a mega medley rather than a fresh narrative. Sometimes I got annoyed because she was about to engage us with a song and then abruptly moved on.

She did a full Live To Tell, which was beautiful, but she could have closed it like at the Confessions Tour without losing any of the song's atmosphere; in fact, it would have improved the song. It would have also made space for other songs that felt rushed.

Then, the absence of a live band was noticeable.

Going back to the stage presence, her choreography often seemed unoriginal and uninspired, despite its difficulty.

Still, I'm happy I got to see this concert because she gave us moments we've longed for. However, it doesn't feel like a Madonna show in its entirety.

Each of her tours has been a unique story, even Madame X, which I liked less than the others, had a clear narrative. This time, I'm not so sure. I need some time to think about it. I'm happy to see her, glad she's alive and still performing, but my expectations were very high. I attended the show with a friend who knows an insider, and since April, I knew many details about the songs she was rehearsing. My friend explained that Madonna cut several songs she had rehearsed, more than in previous tours. This might be connected to the fact that the tour doesn't have a clear story or concept. The ending felt rushed, as if it lacked a proper conclusion. I agree, it felt lifeless.

My friend mentioned that initially, Madonna planned to close with The Power Of Goodbye, which would have been a great finale, but later, in April/May, she decided to end with BIM + Celebration. He also told me that she performed Frozen until September. Other songs like Sorry and Oh Father had prepared performances, but my friend doesn't know why they were cut. The last information he received was in late August.

Perhaps my comment is influenced by the fact that I had low expectations in January, but since my friend shared all the information, my expectations and excitement had been through the roof. Who knows, maybe the show will evolve in the upcoming stops.

I understand the critique but she is getting older and with every tour, she is going to move slower. She hasn't been in the physical shape she used to be in.

The "story" does seem loose but I see it more of a career celebration type of show that's sort of patched together. It does seem like this show has undergone changes for whatever reason (i.e. illness, time constraints, maybe seeing Beyonce's show made her reconsider things, lack of an actual band, whatever).

I see areas in the show which I bet will allow wiggle room for changes in the setlist. I could easily see Frozen, Ghosttown, maybe even Hold Tight and Rain swapping places on some nights. I could see Oh Father and Mother and Father changing places too.

[SecretProject 480]

4 minutes ago, FraP said:

 

Each of her tours has been a unique story, even Madame X, which I liked less than the others, had a clear narrative. This time, I'm not so sure. I need some time to think about it. I'm happy to see her, glad she's alive and still performing, but my expectations were very high. I attended the show with a friend who knows an insider, and since April, I knew many details about the songs she was rehearsing. My friend explained that Madonna cut several songs she had rehearsed, more than in previous tours. This might be connected to the fact that the tour doesn't have a clear story or concept. The ending felt rushed, as if it lacked a proper conclusion. I agree, it felt lifeless.

My feelings exactly. Feeling very underwhelmed even with all the Erotica gems. Hopefully it evolves. Happy she’s still with us. Hope everyone that goes has a great time. 

[Markdonna 692]

I have been to every tour starting with Drowned and there are many songs I have only seen once.  Erotica.  Live To Tell.  Open Your Heart and then a surprising amount that I have NEVER seen her SING live on tour.  

Bad Girl. Bedtime Story. Rain. (All three are long times wish-she’d-sing-these tracks for me.  Especially the first two.

Nothing Really Matters really works here as an opening.  It is so on point with the theme and so damn bouncy.  Plus, never been done on tour before… so pretty dang exciting.

 

[dankpepe 1,042]

2 minutes ago, McDonna said:

No problem at all. Weird how you  are over defensive about DM reports.  I just call it as it I see it.  And no, they weren't 99% correct. That's simply political gaslighting coming from you. 

That all said, it was still a great show and DM obviously got a few vague things correct that anyone else could have guessed. I never said they were wrong.

They kind of were nearly 99% right. If you followed my updates were I summarized the clues, their teaser videos got nearly every song predicted on the setlist and they were the first to tease Nothing Really Matters. They knew Bad Girl, details about a 70s cover song (I Will Survive), etc. Those aren't vague guesses in the dark.

If they said Like a Prayer, Vogue, Celebration were going to be on the setlist and left it at that, I'd agree but they named lesser known hits and even a cover song that nobody would've been able to know if they didn't have inside info.

[Voguerista 11,819]

5 hours ago, Burning Up 4 Madonna said:

Here it live stream  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QQzOlPsH2I

Thank you so much! Wow wow wow to what I’ve heard so far! Nothing Really Matters is amazing. She looked so cool!

[Angelo 5,715]

1 minute ago, dankpepe said:

They kind of were nearly 99% right. If you followed my updates were I summarized the clues, their teaser videos got nearly every song predicted on the setlist and they were the first to tease Nothing Really Matters. They knew Bad Girl, details about a 70s cover song (I Will Survive), etc. Those aren't vague guesses in the dark.

If they said Like a Prayer, Vogue, Celebration were going to be on the setlist and left it at that, I'd agree but they named lesser known hits and even a cover song that nobody would've been able to know if they didn't have inside info.

You can repeat it forever…he will always say the same things

 

[Donna 16,458]

2 minutes ago, Voguerista said:

Thank you so much! Wow wow wow to what I’ve heard so far! Nothing Really Matters is amazing. She looked so cool!

It is, isn't it.  Very epic opening.  Loved it! 

[Voguerista 11,819]

4 hours ago, stefo said:

Omggggh

[star guardian 683]

 

[scion 3,123]

This will be remembered as her finest tour. It will evolve and a month from now all doubt will be gone. As for her physicality, shes 65 and she knows it, she's accepted her physical change with grace and humility and the outcome is an excellent stage ability where she's doing the best with all skill set. Im thrilled ♥️

[PlasticLimbo 1,570]

 

 

[PlasticLimbo 1,570]

 

 

 

[PlasticLimbo 1,570]

 

 

[Voguerista 11,819]

39 minutes ago, SecretGarden said:

I have no words. Just breathtaking!

[Donna 16,458]

Wow this is incredible! MJ and Madonna.

 

[nito84bcn 2,755]

Wow she looks amazing, sounds amazing and it's not the typical latin, religious sections, it's al mixed and I can't wait to see it live.

My only 'complain' is the hairstyle. The blond wavy style is there forever since 2008 and her changes were used to be the 'identity' of her tours, but this is a minor thing considering that she looks A LOT better than 2020 / 2022...

[PlasticLimbo 1,570]

 

 

[PlasticLimbo 1,570]

 

 

[Voguerista 11,819]

1 hour ago, Future Lover said:

I think this just about the best setlist she’s ever had. 

The setlist is a perfect balance of deeper cuts and hits. Some of the tired workhorse songs she’s beaten to death are gone (thank GOD there’s no Music). The staging is creative, complex, and innovative. This is such a lovely retrospective of her career. There’s some opening night bugs but it’ll get ironed out as she goes.

This is exactly the show I wanted. There was no way the setlist was gonna please all but she gave so much that there’s something there for all to enjoy. 

I don’t see the messiness some people here do, I see a party and a celebration of all the things that make her great. We didn’t need more super highly thematic themed acts, it’s gotten so tired. Oh look another sex segment. Oh look another latin segment. Its overdone. 

This approach is much more exciting and unpredictable. 

I love this. Thank you!