The Rebel Heart Tour Press Reports & Reviews [North America]

[groovyguy 63,856]

This is the Best review by far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I will keep this one. thank you for sharing this great review!!

You're welcome, brazilfan!

Glad you enjoy the review. 

It's pretty awesome that she's been getting an almost universal praise - save for 1 or 2 not so good reviews - this time around.

She's certainly turned on her charm for this show. 

I personally luv that she seems to be at a happy place and truly enjoying herself & having a blast at every show so far!

[groovyguy 63,856]

Review + photos: For rebel heart Madonna, it’s still good to be Queen of Pop

http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/oct/27/review-photos-for-rebel-heart-madonna-its-still-go/#.Vi9w4vaeY2U.twitter

“Nobody f---- with the Queen! Learn that, motherf-----!â€

 

 

Perhaps not the most eloquent way to put it, especially for a family-friendly newspaper and website such as the Las Vegas Sun (hence the hyphens), but if critics have entertained the notion that superstar Madonna is past her prime and irrelevant, think again.

 

As a live performer, Madonna is Queen, as she reminded with the above remarks after performing “Like a Virgin.†Madonna is the performer by which all others should be judged, and her only contemporaries in this decade (and the previous decade, really) are Justin Timberlake (in stamina) and Beyonce (in fierceness).

 

Madonna Louise Ciccone, 57, of Bay City, Mich., brought her “Rebel Heart Tour†to MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night, and it was a 135-minute master class of art, music, dance and performance, putting to shame fellow artists who lip sync (Madonna certainly had backing tracks Saturday night, but she also certainly sang for most of the concert) or rely heavily on technology over substance and skill.

 

Saturday’s notes and highlights:

Madonna descended from a cage for the show-opener “Iconic,†and to say that there was religious sub context and Asian inspiration would be an understatement. The costumes — samurai at the start and Old Hollywood glamor (think bedazzled flapper dress) toward the end — and choreography were standouts, and Madonna herself was stilldancing and standing two hours into her concert.

 

The evening’s most shocking moment — this is a Madonna concert, after all — were barely dressed nuns (stripper nuns, actually) on cross-shaped stripper poles during a mashup of “Holy Water†and “Vogue.†Let your imagination run wild of what Holy Water is equated to during the song, and we’ll leave it at that.

 

The moving, slanted stage within the main stage a la Cirque du Soleil’s “Ka,†coincidentally also at MGM Grand, was used to great effect for choreography and imagery; the staircase on the floor for the “Heartbreak City†and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore†mashup also was effective in its simplicity; and her dancers perched on really flexible, bendable poles during “Illuminati†rightfully drew “oohs†and “aahs†from the arena audience.

 

Madonna showed her sense of humor throughout the evening. Before “True Blue,†she chastised an audience member dressed as ex-boyfriend Warren Beatty in a yellow suit from their film “Dick Tracy.†“I want to sing about love, not regret,†she quipped. After “Material Girl,†she told 21-year-old audience member Darian from New Orleans about the three rings of marriage: the engagement ring, wedding ring and … suffering.

 

Unlike previous “Rebel Heart Tour†setlists, Madonna added stripped-down, acoustic versions of “Secret†and “Ghost Town†two-thirds into the concert. Her performances of “Like a Virgin†and “Material Girl†— reimagined, inventive, strong and just downright fun — were surprise standouts of the night, as was her acoustic rendition of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose†in French.

 

One other thing that seemed different Saturday night from previous concerts: Madonna laughed, smiled and joked a lot — she looked like she was having fun onstage some 40 years into her career, and the audience was having fun with her, too.

 

DJ Lunice served as the opening act before Madonna hit the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage exactly at 9:30 p.m. Madonna, Lunice, her dancers et al made their way to Marquee in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas post-concert to host an after-party, with Lunice DJ’ing, of course.

 

Saturday night’s more than two dozen song setlist: “Iconic†(featuring boxing legend and Las Vegas resident Mike Tyson in the accompanying video), “B----, I’m Madonna,†“Burning Up†(in which she plays the guitar), mashup of “Holy Water†and “Vogue,†“Devil Pray,†“Messiah†(video interlude), “Body Shop,†“True Blue,†“Deeper and Deeper,†mashup of “Heartbreak City†and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,†“Like a Virgin†and mashup of “S.E.X.†and “Justify My Love†(video).

 

Also: “Living for Love†(remix), “La Isla Bonita,†Spanish medley of “Dress You Up,†“Into the Groove†and “Lucky Star,†“Secret,†“Ghost Town,†“Rebel Heart,†“Illuminati†(video), mashup of “Music†and “Candy Shop,†“Material Girl,†“La Vie En Rose,†“Unapologetic B----†and, for her encore, “Holiday†dressed in red, white and blue patriotic costume with white stars and draped in an American flag.

 

The five Madonna concerts I’ve seen — 2001’s “Drowned World Tour,†2004’s “Re-Invention World Tour,†2006’s “Confessions Tour,†2012’s “The MDNA Tour†and this and next year’s “Rebel Heart Tour†— have all been provocative, different, creative and exemplary. Madonna, without doubt, knows how to reinvent herself.

 

It’s a shame that “Rebel Heart†is one of Madonna’s least-successful albums commercially because she remains at the top of her game in concert. Even with many of my favorite Madonna songs absent from the setlist — I mean nothing from my all-time-fave album, the Grammy Award-winning “Ray of Lightâ€?! — “Rebel Heart†was still a concert that I’ll remember (from “With Honors,†natch) for a long time.

 

Final four words about Madonna’s “Rebel Heart Tour†stop Saturday night: Concert of the year. It is indeed very good for Madonna to be Queen of Pop.

[groovyguy 63,856]

Q Mag Review on RHT @ Chicago

Q magazine (December 2015, UK)

 

Source: http://allaboutmadonna.com/2015/10/madonna-in-new-issue-of-q-magazine.php?utm_content=bufferfce35&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

 

 

 

[Madame Madonna 4,107]

Q Mag Review on RHT @ Chicago

Q magazine (December 2015, UK)

 

Source: http://allaboutmadonna.com/2015/10/madonna-in-new-issue-of-q-magazine.php?utm_content=bufferfce35&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

 

 

 

 

OMG I love this! whoever took the photos he/she certainly how to know take a pictures!

 

the photographer captured very well Madonna and dancers dynamic energy!

 

I really love that Candy shop photo! I can feel the beat!

[Madame Madonna 4,107]

You're welcome, brazilfan!

Glad you enjoy the review. 

It's pretty awesome that she's been getting an almost universal praise - save for 1 or 2 not so good reviews - this time around.

She's certainly turned on her charm for this show. 

I personally luv that she seems to be at a happy place and truly enjoying herself & having a blast at every show so far!

 

I totally agree! She looks so relaxed and happy! And her humor is spot on and brilliant!

[Gargamel 8,775]

Madonna performs roof-raising show in Los Angeles with Katy Perry as special guest : 

 

 

One has to hand it to Madonna. She is, perhaps, the only performer alive who can make people snarl in disappointment when showing up on stage 50 minutes late and make the same people walk out of the show in awe over what they just witnessed. The Rebel Heart Tour’s Monday evening stop at the Forum in Los Angeles was one of the best concerts Madonna has given in her 32-year career.

 

First, let’s talk about Madonna being casually late for another concert. Starting a show at 10:20 p.m. is just rude, no matter what way you put it. To Madonna’s credit, there were power problems at the venue, which caused her to do a later-than-usual and incomplete soundcheck — at least according to two security people at the venue. Still, for some reason, the crowd had to be punished by DJ Michael Diamond. It wasn’t that he was that bad; the crowd just wanted to see Madonna, and there was no reason he needed to be on stage for 90 minutes — unless the purpose was to help soften Madonna’s delay.

 

Once the lights went down and the song “Iconic†started, the crowd began to forgive Madonna. The first part of her show didn’t seem to thrill the audience as much as the rest of the show. Perhaps that was the purpose — to warm people up. After “Iconic,†Madonna surged into her latest hit, “B***h I’m Mdonna,†which was followed by “Burning Up,†a much-loved hit from her first album.

Madonna made sure to fill the blasphemy quota for the night when she joined stripper nuns and sang a song called “Holy Water.†Though some may call this desperate, it felt more like self-deprecating comedy or, perhaps, just plain self-parody. The audience seemed to find it funny, but the performance didn’t get them out of their seats. By the time Madonna performed her 1986 hit “True Blue,†she had the tough audience in her hands.

 

 

 

 

One doesn’t often think of Madonna as a powerhouse vocalist, but she proved those people wrong on Monday night. Her voice during a performance of her early-1996 single “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore†was full of power, confidence, and vulnerability. One could see Madonna take air from her diaphragm when belting out long notes. Madonna not only sang well, but she danced with grace and fluidity in numbers such as “Living for Love†and “La Isla Bonita.â€

 

Besides being a singer and dancer, Madonna has also been a cultural sponge and performed the songs “Dress You Up,†“Into the Groove,†and “Lucky Star†in conga mode with “Day of the Dead†inspired Mexican outfits. The younger generation would consider this cultural appropriation. But Madonna became obsessed with Latino culture long before it became cool to do so. It’s obvious, at least from the history of all her performances, that she has an appreciation of it. She’s not somebody who is appropriating or misusing the culture.

 

The evening’s big surprise came when Madonna broke out into “Like a Prayer,†the first time she has performed the song on this tour. The performance brought the whole crowd to its feat with some in the audience actually crying from excitement. Her vocals in the performance were spot on, even though Madonna claimed it was never rehearsed. She performed some more hits, such as “Music†and “Material Girl,†before bringing Katy Perry onstage for a performance of “Unapologetic B***h.â€
 

The night ended with a rousing version of “Holiday†before Madonna thanked the audience for being so great. Madonna’s fans walked out exhausted after the concert ended at about 12:30 p.m. Even if her fans crawl into work with only a couple hours of sleep, Madonna gave them a night to remember.
 

Source : http://www.inquisitr.com/2525403/madonna-performs-roof-raising-show-in-los-angeles-with-katy-perry-as-special-guest/

[survivalartist 6,482]

MADONNA  KATY PERRY & MOMMIE DEAREST ... In Concert!

38 minutes ago BY TMZ STAFF

BUMP AND GRINDInstagram

 

 

Madonna rocked The Forum in L.A. Tuesday night, and there was a revelation during the concert ... Katy Perry has mother issues.

Katy joined Madonna, as a bunch of stars cheered them on, including AJ McLean, Rondell Sheridan, Joe Walsh, Sean Hayes, Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Liberty Ross, Kathy Griffin, Fergie and Queen Latifah.

57 ... pretty impressive.  

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2015/10/28/madonna-concert-katy-perry-forum-l-a/#ixzz3ps21weoL

[Gargamel 8,775]

Review   Madonna feels her "Rebel Heart" beat at the forum

 

 

 

 

 As watchful a superstar as pop has ever known, Madonna paused not long into her concert at the Forum to appraise the recent renovation of the venerable Inglewood arena, which has housed so many of her performances over the decades that “I feel like this is one of my homes,†she said.

“I see the ceiling is getting lower and lower,†she went on. “Or is that my ego getting bigger and bigger?â€

Surely, one needn’t eliminate the possibility of the other.

 

 

Part of her world tour behind this year’s “Rebel Heart†album, Tuesday’s show spared no opportunity to remind the capacity crowd of the singer’s incalculable influence on modern music. (The evening’s second song was the 2015 single “Bitch I’m Madonna.â€)

 

 

But if her legacy is secure, Madonna at 57 no longer holds down pop’s center. Taylor Swift sells more records and concert tickets. Beyoncé is a more coveted interview. Katy Perry, who turned up onstage at the Forum on Tuesday night to pay her respects with a slyly backhanded compliment, has more followers on social media.

So, as much as she was celebrating her own importance, Madonna seemed to be looking for ways to demonstrate that she still mattered. What was remarkable was that she succeeded by taking advantage of her experience, not by running from it.

 

The show’s most immediate thrills came in an old form: the mingling of religious and sexual iconography that has been Madonna's specialty since the late 1980s. Here, though, she went further than ever – and almost certainly further than her young successors are willing to -- singing her song “Holy Water†as several women dressed in nuns’ wimples pole-danced on a number of metal crosses.

 

 

For her next song, “Devil Pray,†the singer simulated oral sex atop a long table decorated to evoke the Last Supper. Was there a clear message in the scene? Nah. But in this age of careful “corporate branding,†as Madonna’s voice-over described it in one video sequence, pop needs committed taboo-busters even more than it did in the “Like a Prayer†days.

There were other provocations, including the sight of a proudly topless backup dancer in “Candy Shop,†Madonna’s own writhing with various muscled men in the new album’s “Body Shop†and her typically blithe appropriation of musical and cultural traditions from Japan, Spain and elsewhere.

For a veteran entertainer with dozens of beloved hits, her decision to spend a good half of her 2½-hour set on material from “Rebel Heart†felt like a challenge as well. Ditto her radical reworkings of the old songs: “Dress You Up†rode a fluttering flamenco groove; “Music†started out as a sultry supper-club ballad; “Material Girl†had staticky dubstep squelches. She was insisting on evolution, refusing to be boxed in by any earlier version of herself.

 

 

Yet Tuesday’s concert also showcased how charmingly relaxed Madonna can be onstage – how all those years of performing have given her a confidence that’s a real pleasure to behold.

During “Like a Virgin,†she practically skipped down a long runway that jutted out onto the venue’s floor, her body language as free as it was all night. “True Blue†had a cozy campfire-sing-along vibe, as did “Like a Prayer,†which she claimed she threw into the show without rehearsal.

She even offered a bit of stand-up comedy after “Material Girl,†asking a fan in the front row if he knew about the “three rings of marriageâ€: “the engagement ring, the wedding ring and the suffering.â€

“I haven’t been successful at that marriage thing yet,†she added, and that was the lead-in to her appealingly daffy rendition of the French standard “La Vie en Rose,†for which she accompanied herself on ukulele. (Ask yourself how many other entertainers in Madonna’s class will have that sentence written about them this year.)

After “La Vie en Rose,†she brought Perry out for a duet – and a bit of light spanking -- in “Unapologetic Bitch.â€

“I love you, Mom!†Perry crowed when the song was over, and it wasn’t hard to imagine her holding a sign reading “young and current!†over her head.

But here’s the thing about youth and currency: They always wither. And that no longer seems to frighten Madonna.

 

 

Source : http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-review-madonna-forum-20151028-story.html

[groovyguy 63,856]

Live Review: Madonna at Los Angeles’ The Forum (10/27)

The Queen of Pop reigned supreme over the City of Angels

http://consequenceofsound.net/2015/10/live-review-madonna-at-los-angeles-the-forum-1027/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

“It’s decent work, if you can get it,†Madonna told a capacity crowd at The Forum in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. The pop music legend was surrounded by her dance crew; a group always there to lift her up, to help her down stairs, to fetch her water when she is thirsty. But this little quip could have applied both to herself and her infinitely impressive troupe, as a recurring theme through her two-hour set was humility. She would joke about the ceiling seeming lower because of her inflated ego, but the reality is that even after 32 years of reigning as the Queen of Pop, she remains grateful of her life and profession.

 

Madonna’s gratitude should have been difficult to muster given the turmoil she endured for the release of this year’s Rebel Heart. This included two separate leaks of both demos and finished tracks off the album, all stemming from a hack on her personal computer that ended with a 14-month sentence in an Israeli prison for the culprit. Because of the hacker’s actions, however, her entire release plans were stripped away all at once, and the art that she worked so hard to create was brought into the world without any of the deserved control.

But the Rebel Heart tour wasn’t about that unfortunate period and left the album’s dark cloud in the past. Instead, taking a cue from the night’s big finish “Holidayâ€, the performance was pure celebration, with the opening images featuring a caged Madonna breaking free of the bars that hold her in order to entertain the crowd. And in a clever use of her audience’s early undivided attention, the first handful of songs were almost exclusively from her recent release, allowing her to showcase her newest material while her fans were caught up in the giant spectacle.

 

And much of the show was larger than life. From the interludes that showcased Rebel Heart tracks while her dancers put on acrobatic displays, to stage features that would ascend and recede as the concert demanded, the production did not skimp, right down to the cross-shaped stage extension.

But it was the evening’s moments of intimacy that really shined. Early on it was a ukulele sing-along of “True Blueâ€, which under the circumstances became even sweeter and more playful than the giddy original recording. Later, she would reveal it was her daughter that got her playing the uke as she sang one of her child’s favorite covers, “La vie en roseâ€. And an acoustic run through “Secret†found fans singing along to one of Madonna’s less heralded singles, with the pop star finishing at the end of catwalk, voicing her love for that part of the show because it wasn’t reliant on specific timing and she could go off script.

 

And then she did just that, offering up something special for “the City of Angels,†an unrefined and joyous rendition of “Like a Prayer†performed for the first time on the tour. There wasn’t a dance routine to support the song, just Madonna getting the audience caught up on the strength of the classic. Sure, the presentation of a pop experience is what people expect when they come to these sorts of performances, but Madonna’s music is so much more than that. Her songs are cultural touchstones, distinct musical memories, and can often completely stand on their own without the frills of lights, dancers, and choreography.

During a medley that saw “Into the Groove†and “Lucky Star†bisecting the beginning and end of “Dress You Upâ€, fans erupted at the first hints of the Madonna classics, thankful that she still found ways to include songs within songs, giving the audience more than a typical setlist could offer. If felt like a generous nod from an artist that no longer needs to be generous. But that comes back to the prevailing tone of the show, how it felt more like a humble thank you note than a album-slanging promotional event. With fans like Katy Perry (brought on stage for a spanking during “Unapologetic Bitchâ€), Beyonce, and Jay Z all in attendance, the Rebel Heart tour could serve as a model of how their career can look in 20 years if they play their cards right. It’s decent work, if you can get it.

 

Setist:
Iconic
Bitch I’m Madonna
Burning Up
Holy Water (with “Vogue†snippet)
Devil Pray
Messiah (video interlude)
Body Shop
True Blue
Deeper and Deeper
HeartBreakCity (with “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore†snippet)
Like a Virgin
S.E.X. (video interlude)
Living for Love
La Isla Bonita
Dress You Up (with “Into the Groove†and “Lucky Star†snippets)
Secret
Like a Prayer
Rebel Heart
Illuminati (video interlude)
Music
Candy Shop
Material Girl
La vie en rose (Édith Piaf cover)
Unapologetic Bitch
Encore:
Holiday

[Gargamel 8,775]

Madonna doesn't care about aging gracefully - which is why she's still our hottest pop star

 

The Forum

Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015

 

There comes a time in our lives, if we’re lucky, when we find peace with who we are and what we have to give to the world. It’s an unapologetic life stage wherein we stop trying to prove ourselves and follow our own hearts, giving fewer and fewer fucks about others' approval or opinion.

One might think Madonna, who has always challenged norms and pushed boundaries both as an artist and a woman, has been this way since day one. But as anyone who saw last night’s Rebel Heart tour stop at the Forum could surely tell, she’s living her new album title and making it her truth more than ever before. In the past, she always came out fighting (and usually won). But these days she’s having fun in a whole new way that shows she’s only just begun to inhabit this older, wiser phase of her career. She’s basking in it like never before and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.

OK, so it would have been nice if she had considered, before starting the show an hour late, that it was a weeknight and many of us (who are older ourselves, and lack Madge's renowned stamina) had to work the next day. But all was forgiven when Madonna kicked off her set in typically brash fashion, descending from an elevated cage as dancers dressed as Mongolian warriors and brandishing Crusaders' crosses marched about the stage, which extended out into the floor seats with a runway that ended in a heart shape.

The de rigueur religious iconography we expect from Madonna was limited mostly to the first part of the show, but that doesn’t mean it was insignificant, and she definitely didn’t go for anything old hat. Madonna may not be as shocking as she once was, but she still knows how to make blasphemy eye-popping and artful. At this point in her career, truly nothing is sacred. We’re talking nuns on cross-shaped stripper poles and an orgylike spectacle atop the Last Supper dinner table.

And that was really just a warmup for the grand-scale visuals that were to come during the two-hour-plus show, which included lots of video, set changes, acrobats suspended in the air and a weird slanted wall across which her dancers glided against projected visuals. More than any of her more recent tours, Rebel Heart was packed with Las Vegas glitz and production. At times it was actually like watching a Cirque du Soleil show, which was both good and bad. When you think of Celine Dion, Cher or, more recently, Britney Spears in Vegas, it’s sort of more about the spectacle than the artist. There were moments when this was the case last night.

 

 

In fact, there were several segments when Madonna wasn’t onstage at all. Video and dancer performances are always utilized to fill in time for costume changes, but it felt excessive last night, making one wonder if she needed the breaks. Yes, mentioning Madonna’s age is relevant — she’s 57 — if only because of her superhuman ability to sing, dance and captivate in such a vigorous way for two hours. On her last two tours, Sticky Sweet and MDNA, she danced pretty much nonstop; she also jumped rope, pole-danced, line-danced, had major fight sequences, tightrope walked, baton twirled, flipped while tied up and thrashed out on guitar.

She did her share of moving last night, but it was nowhere near the physicality of the past. She even alluded to being tired a couple of times, sharing that it felt good to sit before a ballad moment.

But Madonna still blows away most live performers of any age or sex. Taylor or Miley? Please. Gaga or J-Lo? Don’t think so. Justin or Katy? Nope. (I did enjoy the playful exchange between Perry and Madge after the "Firework" singer was called up onstage for a toast to the tour and “unapologetic bitches" … out of a banana flask. Perry gave Miss M major bows before leaving the stage, as she should.) Only Beyonce comes to mind as a stage star who comes close to matching Madonna's energy level.

Madonna has absolutely nothing to prove at this point, which means she can simply have a good time with her music now. And she did, especially with inventive mash-up arrangements: “Holy Water†into “Vogue†during the nun/Last Supper thing;  a mesh of “HeartBreakCity†and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore†set atop a spiral staircase; and my favorite, a trio of '80s faves: “Dress You Up†with "Into the Groove" and "Lucky Star.†She sounded great, by the way, and though she had backing vocal help, she did actually sing, which is not the case with a lot of her younger contemporaries. 

Back when the above tracks were hits, part of their appeal lay in the visual images that went with them. Madonna's videos were aspirational, especially when it came to her alluring fashion and style. Underwear as outerwear was both provocative and punk rock, a combination that scared the hell out of parents and made young girls (and guys) love it all the more. Sexy getups are her thing and she still wears them well. Despite pop music's — and the culture in general's — obsession with youth, it would go against Madonna's very essence not to be alluring, or to age "gracefully" (whatever that means).

Still, her bodacious swirl of costumes was a bit more modest last night, something she mentioned during the set's Spanish-flavored numbers. "I've never been so covered up," she said of the long floral frock she wore. That seemed more a thematic choice than a conservative one, though. There were lots of backdrop aesthetics and themes to dress for, including honky-tonk, Asiana, 1920s swing and jazz, and flamenco. Madonna pulled off blending and bending them all throughout the entire night. Some of the more theatrical stuff came off a bit cheesy, but the light and giddy vibe was contagious regardless. Unlike MDNA and even Sticky Sweet, which had political undercurrents or at the very least social statements to make, Rebel Heart was about love of life and love of self, which has its own significance.

“Nobody fucks with the queen,†she said before going into my favorite part of the show, a joyful, no-frills version of “Like a Virgin.†It almost felt like a rebirth, for the song and for the star.

She’s the queen of pop, yes, but more than that, Madonna is an inspirational figure: a profound badass, sex-positive feminist and gay-rights trailblazer, who did it all long before we had the Internet to call out slut-shaming, homophobia and ageism in the way we can today. She’s still hot, too, but it’s not about that. She continues to do what she wants, wear what she wants, work with whomever she wants (hot young beat-makers if she fancies, just ’cause it’s cool), and kiss whomever she wants (whether that be Britney or Drake), regardless of the judgment she gets for it. Her age continues to be irrelevant to her, as it hopefully will be one day for all of us. Sometimes she’ll fall, as she did at the Brit Awards, but she’ll get right back up. The message of Rebel Heart is, we all can.

 

http://www.laweekly.com/music/madonna-doesnt-care-about-aging-gracefully-which-is-why-shes-still-our-hottest-pop-star-6216657

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna Blesses Rebel Heart Revelers With Tour’s First “Like A Prayer†Performance

http://www.newnownext.com/madge-got-the-crowd-down-on-their-knees-and-took-them-there/10/2015/?xrs=synd_twitter_nnn

Madonna’s Rebel Heart tour is powering through North America, and her Madgesty has kept fans on their feet every step of the way by switching up her set list some nights to sing the hits that aren’t part of the tour.

 

Last night in Los Angeles, Madonna went off book and blessed a crowd at The Forum with a dressed-down version of “Like A Prayer.â€

 

It’s the first time she’s performed the song since 2012’s MDNA tour and yep â€” she’s still got it.

 

Below, check out a few awesome shots from last night’s performance.

 

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

[Gargamel 8,775]

Review + photos: For rebel heart Madonna, it’s still good to be Queen of Pop

 

 

 

 

 

“Nobody f—- with the Queen! Learn that, motherf—–!â€

Perhaps not the most eloquent way to put it, especially for a family-friendly newspaper and website such as the Las Vegas Sun (hence the hyphens), but if critics have entertained the notion that superstar Madonna is past her prime and irrelevant, think again.

As a live performer, Madonna is Queen, as she reminded with the above remarks after performing “Like a Virgin.†Madonna is the performer by which all others should be judged, and her only contemporaries in this decade (and the previous decade, really) are Justin Timberlake (in stamina) and Beyonce (in fierceness).

 

Madonna Louise Ciccone, 57, of Bay City, Mich., brought her “Rebel Heart Tour†to MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday night, and it was a 135-minute master class of art, music, dance and performance, putting to shame fellow artists who lip sync (Madonna certainly had backing tracks Saturday night, but she also certainly sang for most of the concert) or rely heavily on technology over substance and skill.

Saturday’s notes and highlights:

Madonna descended from a cage for the show-opener “Iconic,†and to say that there was religious sub context and Asian inspiration would be an understatement. The costumes — samurai at the start and Old Hollywood glamor (think bedazzled flapper dress) toward the end — and choreography were standouts, and Madonna herself was still dancing and standing two hours into her concert.

The evening’s most shocking moment — this is a Madonna concert, after all — were barely dressed nuns (stripper nuns, actually) on cross-shaped stripper poles during a mashup of “Holy Water†and “Vogue.†Let your imagination run wild of what Holy Water is equated to during the song, and we’ll leave it at that.

The moving, slanted stage within the main stage a la Cirque du Soleil’s “Ka,†coincidentally also at MGM Grand, was used to great effect for choreography and imagery; the staircase on the floor for the “Heartbreak City†and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore†mashup also was effective in its simplicity; and her dancers perched on really flexible, bendable poles during “Illuminati†rightfully drew “oohs†and “aahs†from the arena audience.

Madonna showed her sense of humor throughout the evening. Before “True Blue,†she chastised an audience member dressed as ex-boyfriend Warren Beatty in a yellow suit from their film “Dick Tracy.†“I want to sing about love, not regret,†she quipped. After “Material Girl,†she told 21-year-old audience member Darian from New Orleans about the three rings of marriage: the engagement ring, wedding ring and … suffering.

 

Unlike previous “Rebel Heart Tour†setlists, Madonna added stripped-down, acoustic versions of “Secret†and “Ghost Town†two-thirds into the concert. Her performances of “Like a Virgin†and “Material Girl†— reimagined, inventive, strong and just downright fun — were surprise standouts of the night, as was her acoustic rendition of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie En Rose†in French.

One other thing that seemed different Saturday night from previous concerts: Madonna laughed, smiled and joked a lot â€” she looked like she was having fun onstage some 40 years into her career, and the audience was having fun with her, too.

DJ Lunice served as the opening act before Madonna hit the MGM Grand Garden Arena stage exactly at 9:30 p.m. Madonna, Lunice, her dancers et al made their way to Marquee in the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas post-concert to host an after-party, with Lunice DJ’ing, of course.

Saturday night’s more than two dozen song setlist: “Iconic†(featuring boxing legend and Las Vegas resident Mike Tyson in the accompanying video), “B—-, I’m Madonna,†“Burning Up†(in which she plays the guitar), mashup of “Holy Water†and “Vogue,†“Devil Pray,†“Messiah†(video interlude), “Body Shop,†“True Blue,†“Deeper and Deeper,†mashup of “Heartbreak City†and “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore,†“Like a Virgin†and mashup of “S.E.X.†and “Justify My Love†(video).

Also: “Living for Love†(remix), “La Isla Bonita,†Spanish medley of “Dress You Up,†“Into the Groove†and “Lucky Star,†“Secret,†“Ghost Town,†“Rebel Heart,†“Illuminati†(video), mashup of “Music†and “Candy Shop,†“Material Girl,†“La Vie En Rose,†“Unapologetic B—-†and, for her encore, “Holiday†dressed in red, white and blue patriotic costume with white stars and draped in an American flag.

The five Madonna concerts I’ve seen — 2001’s “Drowned World Tour,†2004’s “Re-Invention World Tour,†2006’s “Confessions Tour,†2012’s “The MDNA Tour†and this and next year’s “Rebel Heart Tour†— have all been provocative, different, creative and exemplary. Madonna, without doubt, knows how to reinvent herself.

 

It’s a shame that “Rebel Heart†is one of Madonna’s least-successful albums commercially because she remains at the top of her game in concert. Even with many of my favorite Madonna songs absent from the setlist — I mean nothing from my all-time-fave album, the Grammy Award-winning “Ray of Light�! — “Rebel Heart†was still a concert that I’ll remember (from “With Honors,†natch) for a long time.

Final four words about Madonna’s “Rebel Heart Tour†stop Saturday night: Concert of the year. It is indeed very good for Madonna to be Queen of Pop.

 

http://lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/oct/27/review-photos-for-rebel-heart-madonna-its-still-go/

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna Brings Outrageous, Entertaining ‘Rebel Heart Tour’ To The Forum In Los Angeles: Live Review

http://www.idolator.com/7613198/madonna-rebel-heart-tour-forum-los-angeles-review?utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitterfeed

Madonna’s Rebel Heart era has been a fiery car crash from the get-go. The album leaked weeks in advance,“Living For Love†bombed and Drake may (or may not) have shaded her at Coachella. It’s enough to burst a lesser diva’s bubble, but the Queen of Pop is made of stronger stuff. She rebounds effortlessly with an outrageous, expertly curated live show that defiantly stands behind her new material.

 

The Rebel Heart Tour rolled into Los Angeles last night (October 27) and reminded everyone at The Forum why Madonna is still selling out arenas while most of her contemporaries have set up shop in Las Vegas or retired. She has no time for nostalgia. The 57-year-old delves into her canon of hits on occasion, but they are mostly lumped into medleys (“Dress You Up,†“Into the Groove,†“Everybody†and “Lucky Starâ€) or brought up to date with inventive new arrangements (“True Blue†and “La Isla Bonitaâ€). Instead, the focus is very much on album number thirteen.

 

The prospect of revisiting Rebel Heart didn’t exactly fill me with joy, but the new songs certainly spice up the setlist. The pop icon performed “Holy Water†whileriding a nun on a crucifix-shaped stripper pole and belted out “Devil Pray†during a sexy reenactment of The Last Supper. If you think that’s outrageous, wait until you see the orgy-tastic “S.E.X.â€/â€Justify My Love†interlude! Who is going to push the envelope with such obvious relish if Madonna ever decides to abdicate the throne?

 

However, it’s not all shock tactics and soft porn. Rebel Heart dud “Body Shop†gets a cute Grease-inspired overhaul and “Iconic†sounds significantly better without the rap. The tour also showcases album highlights like â€œBitch I’m Madonna,â€â€œUnapologetic Bitch†(Katy Perry was plucked from the crowd during this winning performance) and the gorgeous title track. It ranks as the era’s best offering after“Ghosttown,†which was curiously absent.

 

Other highlights include a non-ironic rendition of “Like A Virgin,†’90s classic “Deeper And Deeper†and the addition of “Like A Prayer†to the setlist. After watching last night’s show, I can’t help but wonder how Rebel Heart would have fared without the leaks and lingering stench of ageism. The album has its faults, but there’s a lot to enjoy and those tracks deserve to find an audience — and they will via this tour.

[Gargamel 8,775]

Madonna Dips and Rises, and Surprises : 

 

Despite missteps, including too many new songs and too few classics, her charisma shined on brightly at Thursday’s Valley View Casino Center concert

 

 

 

 

Well, well, well! After all these years, Madonna still has the ability to surprise.

She demonstrated this several times during her sold-out Thursday night “Rebel Heart†tour concert at Valley View Casino Center, if not in ways you might expect from this legendary provocateur-turned-pop-culture institution.

Indeed, who would have predicted — even just a few years ago — that a highlight of a Madonna concert would be a gently strummed ukulele version of “True Blue,†her doo-wop-flavored 1986 hit?

Or that she would croon, in passable French, “La Vie en Rose,†Edith Piaf’s mid-1940s signature song about the perpetual allure of love?

Or that she would start her 2000 dance-floor favorite "Music" as a svelte, cocktail-jazz ballad, before the beat and song kicked into gear?

It was doubly unexpected that Madonna would surprise more in small ways, especially given her continuing penchant for presenting eye-popping, Vegas-meets-Broadway concerts that revel in over-the-top spectacle. And there was spectacle galore at Madonna’s first show here since her 2008 election-day show at Petco Park

Celebrating President Obama’s ascension to the White House, Madonna exulted to the Petco audience: “It’s is the best day of my life!â€

Her 2008 show turned into a celebration of a new era of national hope. At the conclusion of that Petco Park show, she said: “Thank you, thank you, thank you, for making it possible. Barack Obama – we are one!†It was a rare instance of a Madonna concert taking on a significance beyond her music or cult of mega-celebrity .

On Thursday at Valley View (formerly the San Diego Sports Arena), Madonna celebrated what she celebrates best: herself – and her fans.

 

This came as no surprise.

Now 30 years past her 1985 San Diego debut performance at the SDSU Open Air Theatre – a then-little-known New York rap trio called the Beastie Boys opened that show – Madonna has long been her own greatest champion. A self-marketing wizard, she expertly strikes a pose, holds it as long as needed, then moves on to another, with each designed to captivate her devoted following.

This describes the template for both her career and for her sensory-overload-fueled Valley View performance, which drew an enthusiastic crowd of 10,461.

While she left most of the heavy physical lifting to her dancers, Madonna looked vibrant and every bit the enduring superstar. This remains all-important for an artist whose ever-changing image has always spoken at least as loud as her best songs.

Her “Rebel Heart†tour program credits her nutritionist and two personal trainers, by name. If there is another still-active pop legend, male or female, with more impressively toned arms than Madonna, well, it’s hard to imagine who that could be. Her tour program also credits a lady named Michelle Pick for providing “estheticism†(read: aestheticism), a credit I don’t recall ever seeing for any pop concert trek by any artist.

Following an interminable DJ opening set by Michael Diamond, Thursday’s show began around 9:40 p.m. Madonna was lowered onto the stage in a large metal cage as the vocals to “Iconic†boomed out. Then came the first of many epic dance numbers, followed by a mock orgy or two, gravity-defying acrobatics, partial nudity and a devils-bullfighters-and-Minotaurs bit seemingly choreographed from beyond the grave by Anton Levay.

 

This was nearly matched by a bit of junior-high school level sexual innuendo (even MTV’s Beavis and Butt-head would be unlikely to chortle over a pair of maracas as many times as Madonna did before tossing a pair into the audience).

There were also some simulated sex acts, one of which took place center-stage in a biblical, Last Supper-inspired tableau. During “Holy Water,†Madonna hopped up on a large cross, then stood on one of her dancers as both spun around the cross. This segment also featured five other female pole dancers, who were wearing nuns’ wimples, frilly white panties, black bras, high-heeled boots, and nothing in between.

Unsurprisingly, the Catholic League last month denounced this portion of Madonna’s ongoing tour.

“Examples of Madonna’s anti-Catholic performances over the years abound, as a perusal of our annual reports amply documents,†said Catholic League spokesman Bill Donohue.

“Now, at age 57, these seem to have become her last refuge as she struggles to avoid becoming an entertainment has-been. For her and her fans, apparently, Catholic-bashing is the one thing that never gets old.â€

For a controversy-thriving veteran (and onetime Catholic schoolgirl) like Madonna, this seems like very familiar territory. It also felt less like religion-bashing, and more like a familiar case of button-pushing by a media-savvy woman who has long been a master at pushing buttons.

 

Later in Thursday’s show, Madonna administered not one, but two, spankings. She also handed a banana to a male fan (“Diego†from Tijuana), after he was brought on stage to dance, then asked him to suggest what he might do with the fruit. This sequence also seemed old hat for Madonna, whose then-provocative 1992 coffee table book of nude and semi-nude photos, “Sex,†seems almost quaint 23 years later.

The spankings and banana segments of her Valley View show lacked even a hint of subtlety. They also stalled the show’s momentum.

So did Madonna’s decision to feature at least 8 songs from her latest album, last year’s commercially moribund and artistically middling “Rebel Heart.†She did so at the expense of numerous hits that many of her fans would likely have preferred to hear, such as “Express Yourself,†“Ray of Light,†“Take a Bow†or, well, take your pick.

No one is suggesting Madonna should spurn all her new songs to churn out a greatest hits package. But a more judicious balance between classic and recent selections would have better served her fans. They cheered with notably more enthusiasm for revamped versions of “Like a Virgin,†“Material Girl†and the show-closing “Holidayâ€(which saw her rise up into the arena's rafters) than for such “Rebel Heart†numbers as “HeartBreakCity,†“Illuminati†and “Unapologetic Bitch.â€

In one of her longest bits of between-song patter at any Madonna concert I’ve attended over the past three decades, she told the audience: “That’s right, a girl has to work for a living... In fact, I love my job. It’s hard work, but I love it. Can you blame me? Come on, San Diego! This is my last show in America (on this tour)...

 

“God bless, America. That’s right. I spent the first part of the show blessing America; there was a lot of profanity going on in the first part of the show.â€

After another minute or two of chatting, she introduced “True Blue†by saying: “Hopefully, by the end of the show, you’ll understand my sense of humor, and you’ll also sing along...â€

Later, after tossing a wedding bouquet into the audience and promising to marry its recipient, she voiced disappointment when it landed at the feet of a security guard. She was more than nonplussed when handed it back to her. but she quickly regained her composure, joking that the guard didn’t look like he wanted to get married. After calling him a “playa,†she slyly added: “It takes one to know one!â€

When the unusually talkative Madonna turned her attention to three of her hits, it was a misfire. Cramming truncated versions of “Into the Groove†and “Lucky Star†into “Dress You Up†did none of those songs any favors. Neither did adding ersatz flamenco and salsa elements.

Conversely, while her instrumental skills remain fairly basic, her approximation of power chords on a Flying V electric guitar during “Burning Up,†a rocked-up song from her 1983 debut album, was a kick to watch and hear.

The show’s wildly uneven pacing was a less welcome surprise, one that repeatedly impeded the dramatic flow and musical dynamics. For three numbers, Madonna, her six-piece band and her nearly two-dozen strong dance troupe were all absent from the stage, whether to change costumes or catch their breath, as videos of the three songs played.

 

Tellingly, the music and singing sounded much the same during the videos as during other parts of the concert when the performers were on stage. The lines between live and prerecorded (or electronically enhanced) vocals were repeatedly blurred, except during the most blatantly lip-synced moments.

When Madonna’s unfiltered vocals could be clearly heard, and didn’t have to battle the din of her over-amped band — as was the case on “True Blue†and “La Vie en Rose†— the intimacy and warmth of her singing proved welcome and endearing.

Ultimately, and as has often been the case on previous Madonna tours, it almost doesn’t matter how much of her singing is live. Her charisma, larger-than-life personality and living legend status, not feats of vocal daring, are the main attraction. And Thursday’s concert handily reaffirmed Madonna’s personality is bigger, if not better, than ever.

 

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2015/oct/30/madonna-concert-rebel-heart-tour-review/ (this article also contains stunning some stunning press pictures ^^)

[groovyguy 63,856]

MADONNA SHOWS L.A. WHY SHE'S STILL THE QUEEN OF POP

 

The Rebel Heart Tour stopped in the city of angels and completely won the crowd over with an impressive show.

http://us.blastingnews.com/showbiz-tv/2015/10/madonna-shows-l-a-why-she-s-still-the-queen-of-pop-00627705.html

She's the ultimate unapologetic b*tch, and the Rebel Heart Tour shows why Madonnais the most successful female artist of all time. The penultimate show of the year in North America wowed the audience last night at The Forum in Inglewood, Los Angeles, during an impressive 2 hours and 17 minutes. Even Katy Perry made a guest appearance on stage. This is her tenth world tour and is by all means bigger, stronger, and better.

 

"I made it to the top!," she screamed, while standing in a round structure with dancers kneeling at her feet. "Let me just tell you one thing: it's lonely at the top", she confided. "But it ain't crowded!". Not at all. No one has ever come close to her status – 45 Billboard number one singles, 13 studio albums over 32 years, and the two top grossing tours by a female artist of all time, Sticky & Sweet in 2008 and MDNA in 2012. 

 

So the stakes where higher than ever for theRebel Heart Tour, and Madonna delivered. It was an epic performance by all counts – crystal voice, stamina, interaction with the audience and great mood, all wrapped up in a very theatrical show. The modular stage reminded us of Cirque du Soleil's 'Ka', which might be due to the partnership between Madonna and Montreal-based Moment Factory for multimedia production. 

 

Katy Perry's guest appearance

The 57-year-old star danced non stop with her 20-dancer entourage, who also performed some acrobatics. And, of course, she pushed the boundaries several timesduring the concert, including when one of the dancers handed her a joint and she said. "We don't smoke dear. No one smokes in L.A., right?"

 

Then there were the sexy nuns dancing in stripper poles, the Last Supper recreation after a very suggestive performance of 'Holy Water', taken from the Rebel Heart album, and the grinding with Katy Perry, who made a special appearance after being spotted in the audience. "Hi mom!", she said upon climbing the stage. "I'm so excited, I'm such a fan!", she squished. The ladies then drank a shot out of a flask shaped like a banana, and Madonna nominated Perry as the 'Unapologetic Bitch' of the night (the last song before the encore.)

 

With all the theatrics and props, the vocal performance was very solid. As were the new musical arrangements of a lot of classics she brought back to life in this tour – from 'True Blue' to 'Deeper and Deeper' and 'La Isla Bonita'. She got the most enthusiastic reaction from the crowd with 'Like a Prayer', saying it was a gift to the city of angels (the song is not featured in the tour's setlist). A brilliant performance of 'Secret' and a very emotional 'La vie en Rose' also showed how much her vocal abilities have evolved and improved over the years. 

 

Set list highlights

The show featured 11 songs from the Rebel Heart album, which the audience clearly didn't know well. They were there for the classics, and got a lot of them, including a medley of 'Dress you Up', 'Into the Groove' and 'Lucky Star', as well as a rendition of 'Love don't live here anymore' after 'Heartbreak City'. In the end, way past midnight, everyone was screaming "Madonna!!" and The Forum converted into a giant club to the sound of 'Holiday', this tour's closing song. The rave reviews in previous concerts are absolutely justified. And one thing was clearly visible: she is happy. 

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna in San Diego

http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/Blogs/Cityfiles/Fall-2015/Madonna-in-San-Diego/

Last Thursday at Valley View Casino Center, Madonna made the last stop of the first leg of her Rebel Heart Tour. It was a night of trailblazing music and crazy costumes, marching warrior-like dancers, nuns with crosses, a spiral staircase dropped in from the ceiling and the crowd screaming when her dancers flexed their ripped abs after she asked them to show off for the crowd. We were stoked to be there.

 

Madonna has spent four decades reinventing what it means to be a pop star, brilliantly uniting music, dance, fashion, sex, celebrity, controversy, visual art, and activism. And she hasn’t stopped. She may be 57, but the woman can still move.

 

She mixed her older songs, "Like a Virgin" and "Deeper and Deeper," with her new album, kicking off the night with "Iconic" and "Bitch I’m Madonna." She closed with "Holiday," overall an unforgettable evening. And what’s a little tequila during a performance, especially when the entire group is dressed in traditional Mexican clothing? During a mash-up of “La Isla Bonita†and “Dress You Up,†two of her biggest hits, Madonna and her dancers did a shot of Jose Cuervo Tradicional. (Yes, we were close enough to read the label!) Madonna performances are legendary. Cheers to an awesome show.

[groovyguy 63,856]

Has the World Finally Caught Up With Madonna?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-toussaint/has-the-world-finally-cau_b_8512692.html

It's not always easy being a Madonna fan. Her occasional slip-ups notwithstanding -- even I cringe at the opening lines to Rebel Heart's "S.E.X." -- the real challenge is listening to and reading the criticism that's been riding the Queen of Pop's coattails for 30 years.

 

Pretty much no one wants to admit they like Madonna, and any fan who's paid attention knows the drill: Madonna does something, anything, and the nasty words come rolling in. Period. The end. Eye roll. Get a life, lady. Contrary to what you might believe from commentary over the past 10 years, which has focused primarily on how old, redundant and retouched she is, back when she was "semi-" all those things, the words still hurt the one we love.

 

As for her older music, which is now considered iconic pop, 1998's "Ray of Light" did get Madonna a Grammy for Best Pop Album, but Lauryn (#shewasimPORTANT) Hill got the coveted Album of the Year prize. "Like a Prayer," released in 1989 and widely cited as one of the best pop albums of all time, as well as Madge's best, wasn't nominated for a single Grammy. Anyone too young to know about the woman who rolled on the floor in a wedding dress or displayed her self-stimulant ambitions onstage should know that, even when she was cranking out hits like a beach babe cranks out mermen, her songs were never "good." But, as some were loathe to admit, "fun to dance to."

 

The I Hate Madonna Handbook came out in 1994 -- proof that pre-Internet trolls existed in the 20th century -- and the following year "The Advocate" gave her their Sissy of the Year award (with her "I am not a lesbian" cover quote she was, apparently, a bigger menace to same-sex equality than Jesse Helms or The 700 Club). She might have graced the cover of every magazine from Life to TV Guide, but she was as putrid as patchouli.

 

So after another year of bad press and vitriolic reactions to "Rebel Flop" I hit the tour at Madison Square Garden, lucky to see it early on before I read the inevitable has-been recaps. I -- we -- had a great time, savoring the Queen of Pop's updated versions of "Like a Virgin, "True Blue," and "Who's That Girl" in a show that only got better as it progressed. By the time she sang "Material Girl" with a wink (literally) to her Marilyn-reinvented past, it was obvious that Madonna didn't just build the house; she owned it.

 

What happened next was like a prayer. Within days, weeks and happening still, I started reading good things about Madonna. Really good things. Like Sally Field accepting her Oscar good. I expected to roll my own eyes at the ceaseless "she's singing old songs cause her new ones suck" intellectual notices, amid the scattering of "she's sitting down a lot because the old broad needs a cane to move" constructive criticisms, and instead got flooded with a ton of articles on just how fantastic Madonna really, really is!

 

Writing a rave for VH1 and changing his new-album tune, Christopher Rosa said, "theRebel Heart era is, hands down, Madonna's most personal to date. The smiling, fan drawings, warm musings and recognition of old hits -- she's never been this transparent before." Philip Cosores of "CoS" wrote that "Her songs are cultural touchstones, distinct musical memories, and can often completely stand on their own without the frills of lights, dancers and choreography." And "The Inquisitr" did an entire piece called "Madonna Opens Up 'Rebel Heart Tour' to Fantastic Reviews."

 

My favorite piece came from Lizzy Acker, from "Willamette Week," who subtitled her review "Consider this my formal apology for any negative thing I have ever said about Madonna." Acker nails the show, and Madonna's popularity, to perfection, speckled with observations like "She missed some notes and that made it so much better. She's 57. She's putting on a show that would make an 8-year-old with ADD tire." It's an especially sweet valentine, because women tend to be Madonna's nastiest critics.

 

Almost as shocking as the thrilling notices were the remarks defending -- no, applauding -- her age and sex appeal, even her voice. Jon Pareles of The New York Times noted early on in his review that "she hasn't allowed herself to become an oldies act," and adding, "The Lesson: Madonna, the indomitable sexpot would prevail."

Since even I had criticisms of the concert -- the show gets off to a slow start and the omission, on the night I went, of "Ghosttown," made for an uncomfortable, Music-Interruptus ending -- it made the stream of, deservedly, great reactions baffling. And it can't just be attributed to the nostalgia factor.

 

Yes, Madonna played a lot of old hits in the show, a long overdue treat. She made references to being nostalgic in her patter and in her early 80's song choices, but she ignored (once again, on the night I went) "Like a Prayer" and "Ray of Light" completely. If there were complaints on that front, they were minimal. Among the highlights were the brand-new "HeartBreakCity," "Unapologetic Bitch" and the Rebel Heart title track. When she sang a somewhat ironic "La Vie en Rose" you could almost hear the critics murmuring, "I gotta admit; she sounds pretty good."

 

The ultimate concert shock had to be how un-shocking her blasphemy came across. Placed near the beginning of the show, Madonna sang the deliciously dirty new song "Holy Water" with nun-stripper pole-dancers, and a "Vogue" interlude complete with Last Supper bacchanal rap that ended with Madonna as the table's feast, right in time for the last line of the song, "Jesus loves my pussy best."

 

It's not the "New Liberal Pope" that kept this section out of the headlines and boycott calls; it's because in today's pop world we've seen it all. The difference between Madonna and the (mostly pour) imitations is how well she did it/does it and her choice to present that section as theatrical license, not enjoyment ultimatum.

 

As far as the new album goes, the merciless bad press on Rebel Heart has been absurd, much of it coming from bloggers who are furious that she's still singing songs about sex and silly pleasures -- never mind the introspective tracks and ballads. It's easily one of her best albums to date and another example of Madonna's refusal to rest on her laurels.

 

Even when Madonna interrupted her show the night after the Paris massacres to deliver a speech about the need for tolerance and love, I read nary a comment telling her to "shut up and pretend to sing." Has America gone to the dark side? Or did the media turn into the Grinch at Christmas; opening its heart so much it couldn't help but bubble over with love? I suspect the answer lies elsewhere.

 

Performing in Brooklyn, Madonna mentioned Sean Penn's reaction to her MSG concert three decades back. "He'd been to my shows 30 years earlier when I was at Madison Square Garden, and he was very upset with me for wearing a costume that was too revealing... Anyway, after the show he wrote me a letter and said he finally appreciates my art. And that's what I have to say about marriage, okay. Thirty fucking years later."

 

Madonna's grown up, Sean's grown up and perhaps our own rocky relationship with the world's most frustrating star has grown up too. Happy Holiday!

[Breathless 5,286]

Great review!!

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna dedicated to Frida Kahlo his first concert in Mexico

http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2016/01/07/actualidad/1452151770_087775.html?id_externo_rsoc=TW_CM

[Google Translated]

 

In his first concert in Mexico City, Madonna was divided into two.One appeared during the first hour of the show, which has become accustomed to an ever loyal: more provocative, sensual and irreverent artist. The second was that surprised. Single off the tables and to an audience filled to the brim, the queen of pop speechless. Her voice broke to recognize that not always have the strength to continue.

 

"Thank you for being there for 30 years. I am going through very difficult times in my life and I can not always act as he pleased. I feel I'm not that strong. But I look at it and give me the strength I need," confessed an emotional Madonna on the central platform of the huge stage.

 

If needed something more for the most devoted fans of the artist to her idol they were definitely delivered that moment of human weakness that showed Madonna Wednesday night. Until then, The Queen, who began the show down from the heights in a cage, seemed immortal. Every gesture, every movement, was received by his audience with a loud cry. The day of the concert the news that her son Rocco Ritchie, 15, was known not to go home to his mother.

 

To confession, Madonna did not stop climbing impossible stairs, on the burly shoulders of her dancers. Shee did the same on the ground.All framed by perfectly synchronized choreography with over 10 costume changes. Rebel Heart tour that began in Canada in September last year, was conceived as one of its most ambitious projects: technology, own sets and scenic elements of a Hollywood film, and a locker at the height of haute couture collection .

 

All to prove that 57 years is in top form. And it continues to put the finger on it. In a country where a vast majority of the population considers itself Catholic-about 83%, according to mexicana- archdiocese, she placed a cast of dancers striptease moving around a bar pole dance with a cross and wearing caps nun.

 

One of the highlights of the evening was when pointed to a Frida Kahlo between the public and admitted that they were the most beautiful colors she painted. Just before singing his famous True blue. References to the Mexican artist continued throughout the concert, especially in the final part: "... I love Frida Kahlo She looked at herself in her paintings and I do the same with my songs This goes for Frida Sing with me" he chanted to continue his song Who's that girl ?.

 

Until the first half of the concert was hard to remember that Madonna also sings. After collate the songs on the album that names his tour with the most legendary as Like a Virgin, the Queen of Pop sat alone with a ukulele and sang La vie en rose .

 

In the past the queen of pop songs and performed rallied Material Girl attire cabaret and impossible heels. On the bright sequined dress is put on a shirt thrown at him from the audience with a picture of Frida Kahlo: "I had always wanted one," she shouted. And he fired his way. A giant sign on the screen saying: Bye, bye, bitches.

[groovyguy 63,856]

Google Translated

 

Madonna cries and pays tribute to Frida Kahlo in Mexico

 

https://www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx/noticia/1185865.madonna-llora-y-homenajea-a-frida-kahlo-en-mexico.html

Madonna night offered the first of two concerts at the Palacio de los Deportes, where 160 to 16,000 attendees paid homage to the Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, who he said is a major influence in his life.

 

The "Queen of Pop" was sincere to tears by recognizing that sometimes does not have enough energy for a show more due to the differences faced with her son Rocco.

 

After an hour of action of DJ Lunice and more than two hours behind the time set on ticket, the singer appeared on stage at 22:16 hours creating euphoria in the audience that craved since the beginning of the show.

 

This is the first of two that will offer the "Queen of Pop" in this city as part of The Rebel Heart Tour, that launched last September.

 

As in previous presentations of the tour, the show started with three giant screens where the image was projected interpreter.

While some samurai took place at the intersection of the cross the stage to parade and get to the base where another screen hid when the remaining two were extended to make room for a large cage in which Madonna appeared Iconic playing.

 

Guarded by samurai gold dresses and large crosses, Diva 57, who wore a red dress with black accents and her long blond hair loose, choreographed the first theme of this tour in which the electronic energy took great strength .

 

After greeting with a "Mexico, how have you been?" The artist returned energetic choreography accompanied by dancers dressed geisha and then again the samurai piled beside coordinating movements to the rhythm of Bitch, I 'm Madonna.

 

"It's hot here," said US to remove easily the bottom of her dress showing her legs outlined by black stockings to match her outfit skin, which gave birth to Burning up while playing an electric guitar with the the walkway that ran crosswise.

 

Continuing his repertoire, four giant tubes appeared on stage and were guarded by four dancers simulating nuns outfit with bikinis made challenging movements.

 

Meanwhile, the singer danced with them and offered the subject Holly water, which then became the classic Vogue, ending at a table simulating the Last Supper of Christ where he was charged and offered as a sensual feast.

 

The religious themes and performances that made the show in small plays Devil continued the theme Pray in which was present the subject of baptism with video images and dancers wrapped in white blankets.

 

A young man who played with a white cloth moved by the wind of several fans was the illustration for Messiah, subject in which only the artist's voice was heard and watched his image on the screen, while another dancer recreated a dance Leaning on a large screen on stage seemed in flames.

 

Without stopping, the show changed the subject and appeared a garage where Madonna teased, flirted and refused to accompany the dancers on the subject Body Shop.

 

"Does anyone want to work in my store?" Asked the artist to the audience with which it established a conversation with a few words in Spanish.

 

Some of the dancers showed his body to the public, including a girl dressed as Frida Kahlo was.

 

"If Frida was sure you'd be here in this workshop as well. We will offer a tribute to Frida Kahlo all night," said the singer, who took a ukulele to sing True Blue.

 

Returning to the rhythm and movement, Madonna continued the show with Deeper and Deeper, sheltered by her dancers with whom he reached the end of the catwalk a heart in which dropped a ladder on which sang Heartbreak City while he wrestled with a man finally he released overboard to keep singing.

 

Simple dance steps and hip movements were the complement to the new version that Madonna makes Like a Virgin, with which seduced the fans surrounding the cross for which he paced waving and dancing, until a platform lifted making it disappear and leaving the memory of their steps with clear sexual sense.

 

Four beds where couples simulate sex dancers are the center of attention as Madonna disappears again the stage and his voice still sounds to make way for the third part of the show.

 

Suddenly, a new gate of the many designed for the functionality of the stage to make way for the singer who traveled from start to finish the catwalk with a huge red coat with a bright heart as interpreted Living for love opened now a tight bolero suit.

 

The sound of a Spanish guitar and castanets welcomed Isla Bonita, which was heard among a party of dancers continued the celebration with a gypsy flamenco choreography then ask for public recognition that rewarded them with applause.

 

Vibrant colors and embroidered images were projected on screens in time to Dress you up in a festive moment when the singer, dressed in flamenco, called simulated Mexico and tequila toast to finish sitting in a chair getting a standing ovation .

 

"This is my favorite part of the show As you have seen we have been influenced by Mexican culture and now I get rid of the maracas, can not dance or sing anymore, but you will help me. They can count to three in Spanish and if any of my maracas strip dancers will receive a punishment, "said the blonde who established a dialogue with the public in a game where he spanking and kissing a dancer.

 

In an emotional moment, Madonna Frida Kahlo recalled: "She has inspired me a lot as an artist since childhood, and I want to dedicate this song to her because she always looked at herself in her paintings, and I look at myself in my songs, so I dedicate this song to her, "the pop queen who sang with his guitar Who's that girl.

"She (Frida Kahlo) has inspired me a lot as an artist since childhood, and I want to dedicate this song to her because she always looked at herself in her paintings, and I look myself in my songs, so I dedicate this song to her "- Madonna

 

Then Ghosttown reached the moment where the winner of several Grammy awards displayed his voice, leaving the chorus of support and movement of the hand to offer a moment of closeness and complicity with the audience, which held its delivery.

 

"From the tip of my heart I thank all my fans in Mexico and Latin America in general because they have supported me a lot, they can not imagine how grateful I am for more than three decades. Many thanks.

 

You made this possible for me, so thank you, "said the actress.

 

"But seeing their faces and their eyes, I see love and give me the strength, feel your heart beating with mine. If you are a brave heart, clap," said interpreting Rebel Heart, standing in front of his followers, then disappear while the track was heard Illuminati and dancers hung high tubes. Following the speech, the artist of 57 years was sincere with his people to tears."There are challenging times in life, now is one of them and sometimes I think I can not do a show, I no longer have the energy or force," he revealed the singer whose voice cracked interrupted by the cries and screams of the people.

 

Energy and showmanship returned with the verses of Music. Now with a changing style of the 20s.

 

"If you want something done, do it yourself," he said the dancer also trying to get into a piano and appear tired but with the intention of continuing strength as demonstrated in the energetic choreography of Music and Candy shop.

 

Material success girl was also part of the program but in a completely different version and a start-funny scene where he threw his dancers through the screen at an angle by which she fell and then walk the catwalk in a wedding veil.

After making a game where he threw the bouquet to a man with whom he spoke, the singer stated that this year alone go out with men who had work in a funny way it was dedicated herself and the public the theme La vie en rose, the which being escorted he sang a ukulele and the chorus of the more than 16,000 attendees.

 

Although the dance steps were less and less effusive than in past tours, as well as the power of his voice, showmanship and contact with the public were the basic ingredients of this great evening full of talent that ended with a fan dressed Frida Kahlo, who danced on stage with Madonna, who wore a shirt with the image of the deceased painter.

 

"I always wanted to meet Frida and is now here," said the director who also embrace the follower who gave a banana, then say goodbye to his audience and complete the spectacle of more than two hours to the topic Holiday. 

[groovyguy 63,856]

Google Translated

 

Madonna reminded Frida Kahlo in Mexico

http://www.eluniverso.com/vida-estilo/2016/01/07/nota/5330365/madonna-recordo-frida-kahlo-mexico?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Madonna paid tribute to Frida Kahlo in Mexico, after arriving Wednesday to resume the US leg of his world tour "Rebel Heart".

 

The Queen of Pop dedicated the song "Who's that girl" to the famous Mexican painter, one of its highest artistic influences, during the first of two concerts offered this week at the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, where he brought together just over 16,000 people, according to figures from the promoter Ocesa.

 

"I dedicate this song to Frida Kahlo that has always inspired me since I was a child, because she (Kahlo) are always looked at herself in her paintings like I do in my songs," said Madonna, 57, before performing an acoustic version of the song.

 

 

It was the only reference to the iconic painter. During the song "Body Shop" a young located between the front rows of the audience raised a shirt with the image of Frida. Very close to the boy, some girls with wreaths on their heads raised their arms in the hope of seeing their idol.

 

"If Frida Kahlo were here also would like to work in this garage (body shop)," said the singer of 57 years, after introducing his entourage of athletic dancers at the event entitled "Rockabilly meets Tokyo".

 

Later, near the end of the show, a girl named Odeth, whom the American star called "Frida" with its colorful costumes and carrying wreath was one of the lucky night to be chosen to go on stage and dance "Holiday" with the Michigan native star.

 

"Like? Much, much, much? This is my favorite part of the show, as you can see I have a big influence of Mexican culture," said the composer and performer in Spanish and English while on screen images projected with skulls, colorful flowers and other motifs of Mexican popular culture.

 

Gratitude

The singer was excited controversial concert at a time when he paused to thank the crowd for their support throughout his career.

 

"From the bottom of my heart, I thank all my fans in Mexico, Latin America and in general, because I have relied heavily on these more than 30 years. You can not imagine how grateful I am! Thank you! You have made it possible all this! "he said between loud applause.

 

Hours before his presentation in Mexico City, Madonna announced to his followers from his Twitter account Wednesday night resumed his international tour.

 

"Mama has to go back to work! Mexico RU ready?" Wrote the artist in the network of microblogging.

 

Musical Tour

With the "Rebel Heart" tour, Madonna visits Latin America for the fourth time in 37 years of career. The first time that the singer was introduced in Mexico in 1993 with her "Girlie Show"; 15 years later he returned with "Sticky and Sweet" and in 2012 with "The MDNA" tour.

 

The "Rebel Heart", the tenth of the artist, tour began on September 9 in Montreal, Canada, and continued his tour of the United States with performances in cities like Washington, Las Vegas, New York, Boston and Chicago before putting to Europe.

 

Madonna, who is also an actress, producer and entrepreneur, will now continue his tour of the southern United States before making its second stop in Latin America in Puerto Rico, a country to which he returns after 23 years to perform two concerts on 27 and 28 January. (I)

[groovyguy 63,856]

Google Translated

 

Madonna confirms her crown in Mexico City

http://www.emsavalles.com/EX42708/madonna-refrenda-su-corona-en-la-ciudad-de-mexico

It is close to meeting the six decades of life, but Madonna showed in his first concert in Mexico City that the do not care; her "Crazy Heart" --as titled his gira-- capital's got fans vibrate with it.The crown is still with her. At 22:15, the wait is over and when the cross-shaped stage with a heart lit, the fans knew it was time the queen had arrived. Even with the long wait --se He had announced that out at 21:30 hours-- for true fans did not care; some classical wave did to kill time and a more applauded, but everyone in general were anxious for the return of the singer of 57 years. Between the rows nearest the stage you could see men and women alike, although few adolescents and youth; most of those gathered tonight at the Palais des Sports fans were those who had grown up with it, they had seen their musical evolution and were there to pay homage.Contrary to what happened with supporters in Manchester, who booed by out 50 minutes later the stage, the Mexicans did not care and forgave the delay of the singer. The show is divided into four acts, being the first of "Joan of Arc", which was wrapped in a Samurai aesthetic, where he played the songs "Iconic" "Bitch Ii m Madonna", "Burning Up", "Holy water" and "Devil pray." "Mexico !, are you with me? Is it hot in here" were some words that the diva He expressed his Mexican public, who lifted their phones looking to save and preserve the moment.Provocative and irreverent as from the beginning, did not hesitate to play with religious motives, even she and her dancers dressed as a sexy nuns at once made ​​her strippers, showing his skills in the tubes arranged on stage, while simulating the scene of the Last Supper of Christ with half naked dancers. For his second act, "Rockabilly meets Tokyo", Madonna opted for an aesthetic as its name indicates , rockanrollera of the decade of the 50. During this part of the show, the singer emphasized the equality of human beings and after playing "Body shop" said the world should not be differences of race, creed or sex. To do this you ran acoustically theme "True blue". Following that theme, he played songs like "Deeper And Deeper", "HeartbreakCity" and "Like a Virginin", for which he made ​​a reversion to some dyes and rock music disk. In the third part of the concert called "Latin- Gipsy" aroused the euphoria of the present, as he performed "Living for love", for which he enlisted the aesthetics with which released its album "Rebel Heart", which is based in Spanish motifs with layers and suits bullfighter. This was the ideal opportunity for the singer shone his weakness for Latin sounds as well sang "La Isla Bonita", for which he displayed some steps flamenco time. During this ceremony took to remember and pay tribute to one of his idols Frida Kahlo, for when he sang a Spanish version of "Who's that girl" dancers were characterized by some of the most famous paintings of Mexican artist. "This is one of my favorite parts of the show because we are heavily influenced by Mexican culture, "Madonna said after the rally. Then he revealed a personal moment. "I'm going through a difficult time in my life and sometimes I do not have the strength to give a show, but then I see their faces and continue," he said in reference to the differences faced with her ​​son Rocco, 15, who allegedly He moved in with his father, Guy Ritchie cinesta because her mother does not support. ml 

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna makes crowd wait, but doesn't disappoint

 

Hector Saldana | January 11, 2016

http://m.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/concerts/article/Madonna-makes-crowd-wait-but-doesn-t-disappoint-6750157.php

Madonna's rebel heart burned brightly until the wee hours Sunday at the AT&T Center at her first-ever San Antonio concert appearance.

 

About 15,000 fans, some of them dressed like the Material Girl circa 1984, waited patiently through an overly long DJ set for Madonna to finally hit the stage at 10:30 p.m. (the show was scheduled for an 8 p.m. start) and stayed until the very end which was a few minutes before 1 a.m.

 

The imaginative two-and-a-half hour show was 21 songs of pure Madonna with lots of help from a supporting cast of acrobatic dancers whose choreographed stunts, at times, upstaged the star.

 

Madonna's entrance was spectacular with the artist descending onto the massive Rebel Heart Tour stage and runway in a gothic cage right into a horde of dancers dressed as Samurai warriors to sing "Iconic."

 

She is incredibly fit, and showed it with gyrating dance moves with her feet on the ground and other times singing while hanging upside down on props or riding on her dancers' shoulders.

 

The San Antonio set list and costume changes diverged little from other tour dates, though Madonna seemed especially playful and loose – and provocative.

 

During "Holy Water," Madonna danced and pole danced on a crucifix-style pole with scantily-clad female dancers wearing nuns' religious habits.

 

Various sections of the show were separated by video interludes and dance troupe routines.

 

Some of the simpler moments were best. For example, "True Blue" performed on ukulele and delivered in garb inspired by the '50s.

 

The dramatic "HeartBreakCity" (and "Love Don't Live Here Anymore") served as intro to "Like a Virgin," slightly slower and with a heavier modern beat.

 

None of Madonna's early hits were delivered with original instrumentation or arrangements. She opted to give them a Latin flavor or modern electronics. For example, "Dress You Up" came dressed with the same driving acoustic guitar feel as "La Isla Bonita."

 

The same was true for "Into the Groove" and "Lucky Star."

Madonna toyed with fans at the foot of the runway, even throwing a small bouquet of flowers. She was in good humor throughout.

 

The most rocked up, satisfying arrangement came with "Music," which added a jolt of energy. A "Deep in the Heart of Texas" moment fell a little flat, but Madonna added a sexual edge. "Material Girl" lumbered with a heavy, if somewhat lethargic beat.

 

She closed with "Unapologetic Bitch" and returned for an encore, "Holiday," performed in yet another costume, this one with a patriotic flair.

 

The highlight of the night: Madonna's throwback, steeped-in-irony dancing during "Like a Virgin," which when paired with the heavier beat, looked almost cathartic.

 

At 57, Madonna remains a goddess of pop for the ages – talented, intelligent, imaginative and determined not to stagnate.

 

The rebel heart beats strong.

[survivalartist 6,482]

http://www.sacurrent.com/Blogs/archives/2016/01/11/a-review-of-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour

 

EDITORIAL: I'm gonna bold my favorite lines from this "review" because the shit is just hilarious. This blatantly Southern piece has to have been written by a GED recipient taking a community college journalism course. 

 

She emerged from a steel cage onto the stage after about an hour between her and the opening act, DJ Mary Mac. But that’s okay, she’s the unapologetic Queen of Pop and you’re not really paying for punctuality. Instead you’re paying for the experience of seeing Madonna’s first visit to San Antonio. Dressed in Kimono-like garments, Madonna started the evening with “Iconic,†the pop song that features sound bites by none other than Mike Tyson. She undresses into “Bitch, I’m Madonna,†a Japanese Samurai-inspired backdrop that definitely pumped up the lady behind me who proclaimed that, “this was her motherfucking song,†and then proceeded to butcher every single word except for the repetitive “who do you think you are,†and “bitch, I’m Madonna.â€

Madonna then makes it to center stage to grab a guitar and play a rocked-out version of “Burning Up.†This gives way to the risqué nuns and Shibari clips in the background to which she’s singing “Holy Water,†that, by far, left nothing to the imagination. She centers the stage with a Last Supper orgy that if you didn’t feel any kind of heat you should immediately check yourself for signs of life. The song is mixed with “Vogue.†This happens a lot; she remixes her hits and breathes new movement into them by putting them into her newer songs. 

 

Now I should mention that later in the evening I spent the better part of five songs listening to a murder-me screaming fan, begging for “old school, Madonna,†because she paid good money. From simulating acts with priests she finishes "Holy Water/Vogue" tied up herself. She moves into the sinful “Devil Pray,†and with hands knotted she presents them to a seated priest who exchanges them for a Bible. 

From here we learn that with each video clip interlude the evening will be divided up into four themed segments, plus the encore. She goes through countless outfit changes that happen so fast you better have your eyes fixated if you want to catch them. The next segment is a '50s themed car garage where Madonna not only slides on the cars but also several guys. 

On the next number, Madonna emphasizes the point that her acoustic partner is from Texas, as if we’ll warm to him all the more. She finishes off the segment with “Deeper, Deeper,†“HeartBreak City†– on a staircase that came from the sky – and a classic, “Like A Virgin,†that’s found a way to become more pop sounding. 

Next (we are out of transitions) is the Spanish heat where dancers do beautiful acts of sexy things on beds (this is a real article) until Madonna comes back with bedazzled masked bulls to “Living For Love,†and then to “La Isla Bonita,†picking up some Spanish guitar along the way. 

The crowd is pumped, and here Madonna decided it’s time to have a conversation with us. “It’s good to be back in America." She just played a show in Mexico City a couple days ago, "where people speak the language of ‘Fuck.’†It also happens to be a birthday of one of her dancers so let the spanking begin because she “was put here by God to put people in their place." After an acoustic “Who’s that Girl,†she receives a giant rosary from a fan. Madonna goes into “Frozen†and “Rebel Heart.†

The next interlude involves men swinging on poles over the crowd, which transforms into a jazzy club as she starts off “Music†in cabaret style before going back to the original version. But then she pauses in the middle of the song to play around with the crowd. Madonna starts singing “Deep in the Heart of Texas,†because we’re in Texas and then goes back into “Music.†

From "Music" she went into another crowd pleaser, “Material Girl,†as she pushes guys off her angled stage to a wedding progression where she's prepared to marry a fan. Instead she serenades her future bride with “La Vie En Rose,†in French while playing the ukulele. During “Unapologetic Bitch,†an audience member dressed in Cowboy attire comes to the stage and they dance, but he’s not from San Antonio, or from Texas. However, he is the unapologetic bitch of the evening, so it's okay. She’s done, bye bitches. Kidding she comes out in full end of the year celebration for “Holiday,†her encore. 

 

For her first time playing San Antonio, Madonna sure made up for the nearly three decades of her career of avoiding the Alamo City. With countless costume changes and no real holding back this has been one of the best shows I’ve seen in a while. But what else do you expect when it’s Madonna, bitches? 

[groovyguy 63,856]

Madonna captivates Houston fans at Toyota

http://www.chron.com/entertainment/article/Madonna-captivates-Houston-fans-at-Toyota-6755083.php

Madonna is still very much aware of her powers. And her Rebel Heart Tour is a showcase fit for a queen.

 

Tuesday's show at Toyota Center was masterful and majestic, a perfectly balanced blend of old and new. The diverse crowd -- soccer moms and couples, gaggles of girls, gay men and millennials -- waited until 10:30 p.m. for her to appear. Few seemed to mind.

 

"Born to be a superstar/That's exactly what you are," she declared during opener "Iconic." She moved freely and fluidly amid an army of male and female dancers.

 

Recent single "Bitch I'm Madonna" was followed by "Burning Up," one of her first singles and an early highlight. New song "Holy Water" gave way to "Vogue" as she writhed on poles with female dancers (half) dressed as R-rated nuns. Devil Pray" played like a continuation of "Like a Prayer." Catholicism remains a frequent theme in her performances.

 

Few, if any, current pop stars can match Madonna's might as a live performer. That she's fully aware of it makes her all the more captivating.