The Rebel Heart Tour Press Reports & Reviews [Asia & Oceania]

[Entertainment Channel / roundup] The US pop diva Madonna yesterday at the Taipei Arena concert, started the show at to 10:16. ETtoday ETTV cloud reported that Madonna meditated for those two hours. But the staff said that the real reason for delay was due to the scene equipment failure, rather than what was reported.

"Apple Daily" reported that the staff revealed that she stepped down after the warm-up DJ, already at the stage stand by, but the staff found that the stage has two LED boards repair faults quickly. A perfectionist, she and other staff exited after the situation, and left the stage to wait for the repair to be done. Madonna In fact, last night out early from the hotel, from walking to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Arena, just 10 minutes away, let her see the streets of Taiwan's appearance.

groovyguy · February 6, 2016

Google Translated:

Hello Taipei

http://www.appledaily.com.tw/appledaily/article/headline/20160205/37050854/%E5%AA%9A%E6%83%91%E5%85%A8%E5%A0%B4%E5%A8%9C%E5%A5%B3%E7%9A%87%EF%BC%9A%E4%BD%A0%E5%A5%B

Li Fan â•± Taipeiã€‘ pop queen Madonna (Madonna) held last night debut 34 years first tour in Taiwan at the Taipei Arena, 8:30 start to warm up, she was late to 22:20 only stage, a small dome at the latest stage record. 57 years old, she fell from the sky ride spear cage, hanging upside down on a long cross, shouting: "Taipei are u with me?" (Taipei with me?) Domineering singing "Idol" (Iconic). Fans wait a long time she was immediately impressed, the audience continued screaming mad. She put down Chinese greeting: "Hello Taipei" and exclusive concert "curtain call" (Take a Bow) dedicated to Taiwan, I finally flag draped encore concert "Holiday" (Holiday) sings 0:22 until the end, Overall 12,000 spectators Hi to the highest point.

Madonna's "Rebel Heart Tour" is her singing career 10th world tour for her warm-female DJ Mary Mac to the stage last night, 8:30, 9:28 before the end of the warm up before shouting: "I ! Love Taiwan "then emerge:!" I Love China "silent audience.

Queen of heaven
last night Madonna take spears cages heaven and overbearing. å½æ¬£ä¼Ÿphoto

10:20 concert fans fainted

After the female DJ to step down, fans waiting nearly 1 hour before Na percent at 10:20 debut, fans have the unfortunate one minutes before she collapsed appeared, was carried off the field. Na sister wearing Tang wind Modified samurai suits, embroidered with dragon-shaped pattern holding paper fans, performing the opening song "Idol" (Iconic). She danced and dressed as medieval executioners of 10 dancers, sing a new song, "I am the Queen" (Bitch I'm Madonna), excellent condition, singing superb.

Over and over, "I am the Queen", the Na sister shouted: "Let's turn up the heat, Taipei!" (Let's full heat, Taipei!) Rushed off smock grabbed the electric guitar, handsome Jin Biao sing "Burning" ( Burning Up), the audience shouted to the fans not their own.

Her high to burst foul language, kneel down in front of fans playing the electric guitar rock zone, then stripped off clothes only vest, ride in the lower body is sheer black panties, sexually suggestive concert with "holy water" (Holy Water) and "fashion" (Vogue) suite, and climb the pipe, stepped in dressed half-naked nuns, the body horizontal position of female dancers who rotate for several laps, showing amazing strength and balance, also the head of the dancers in the hip by next, suggesting oral sex.

Burning fans
Na percent squatting extending stage play electric guitar, and fans close interaction. å½æ¬£ä¼Ÿphoto

"Life is the most wonderful time."

When singing "Body Shop" (Body Shop), she and the dancers dance like flirting embarrassed, followed by Chinese say "Hello Taipei", and said: "Hello, thank you!" In English and said: "I am here . spent the best time of life, "then sit down concert ballad" real depression "(true Blue), time played by Chinese, said:" I love you, "she sang" heartbreak city "(HeartBreakCity), if you ask. fans: "who is your queen?" then the best-selling solo classical song "like a virgin" (like a virgin), the audience excited chorus, and then upsurge.

Her "live for love" (Living For Love) opened the prelude to the Latin theme, put the long cloak dressed in drag bullfighter; she twisted electric hip singing "beautiful island" (La Isla Bonita), followed by rocking the audience sing, then sing exclusively in Taiwan prepared track "curtain call", the fans again chorus, Arena becomes a major KTV.

high flag Phi
Phi I flag Madonna sing encore. Readers

I sing encore Phi flag

She tease fans: ". You must COME (climax)" with a finger inserted continuously lower body as if masturbation, shouting: "I came" (I orgasm); when singing "church music", the audience threw a bouquet to the fans, to rob the bouquet of male fans joked: "? Do you have a boyfriend would not even think about getting married, or become three rows," she asked hi to everyone, "Fuck" Chinese how to say, super crazy scene, has also been said that "with the Chinese Thank you, I love you. "Finally, she put the ROC flag to sing the encore "holiday" in the end of the show the audience emotions boiling. She also tomorrow at the Taipei Arena gig, field tickets. Taipei two concerts grossed a total of NT $ 170 million yuan (excluding sponsorship), Madonna individual Changchou as high as 199 million yuan NT.

Breathless · February 6, 2016

OMG She sure knows how to turn things up :lol: :lol:

groovyguy · February 6, 2016

Madonna Performs â€œTake A Bowâ€ In Concert For The First Time

And the winner of most impressive TBT is...

by Matthew Tharrett

http://www.newnownext.com/madonna-performs-take-a-bow-in-concert-for-the-first-time/02/2016/?xrs=synd_facebook_logo

Madonna shocked concertgoers in Taipei, Taiwan Thursday night by whipping out her 1994 hit single â€œTake A Bowâ€ and performing it live for the first time in concert.

â€œThat was fun!â€ she told the audience. â€œFirst time ever. Hit a few bad notes, but it felt good to sing it.â€

The song topped Billboardâ€™s Hot 100 chart for seven weeks after its release but Madge has only sung it live once before, at the 1995 American Music Awards to promote the release of her Bedtime Stories album three months prior.

Madonnaâ€™s stop in Taiwan marks the beginning of the last leg of her six month-long and much-publicized Rebel Heart Tour. Most recently, she made headlines for her touching David Bowie tribute performance in Texas.

Below, check out the Queenâ€™s â€œTake A Bowâ€ performance from Taipei.

Stevo · February 6, 2016

What a great performance of Take A Bow. It put a smile on my face. â˜º

Stevo · February 6, 2016

BBC Trending:

Madonna causes a commotion in Taiwan

Madonna is no stranger to controversy, but her attempts to endear herself to both Taiwan and China could well be her most misjudged foray into Asia since starring in the movie Shanghai Surprise.

The singer has managed to alienate fans in both of the two rival nations by her use of symbols and flags on the latest stage of her 'Rebel Heart' tour.

On Thursday as the singer prepared to play her first ever shows in Taiwan, she posted a picture of herself at the centre of a blue star design - which somebody in her organisation presumably believed to be a national emblem. The image appeared on both Madonna's Instagram and Facebook accounts with the greeting "Take a bow Tai-Pei".

Posted Image

Unfortunately that design is actually an old badge of the Taiwanese political party the Kuomintang (KMT). For many Taiwanese it is strongly associated with the 'White Terror'', one of the bloodiest times in the country's history.

It refers to a period in the 1950s and 60s when an estimated 18,000-30,000 of the island's elite were executed by the KMT as they tried to exert their control over Taiwan after the party's forces fled there to escape the Communist takeover of mainland China.

It wasn't until 2008 that President Ma Ying-jeou made an official apology for the deaths. So when Taiwanese social media users spotted Madonna had appropriated the old KMT symbol - so synonymous with historical oppression - they made clear their displeasure in the comments on the picture.

To make things even worse the current incarnation of the KMT has also fallen out of favour with many Taiwanese. In elections last month the party was thrown out of power by the Democratic Progressive Party.

However, despite all this Madonna's KMT-referencing image remains - at time of writing - on both her Facebook and Instagram pages alongside scores of furious comments, some of which have been liked thousands of times.

The singer has yet to comment publicly on the row, but has continued to post pictures from the first of her Taiwan concerts thanking the audience for their "electric and amazing" energy.

Part of that more positive reaction was inspired by an onstage gesture which may have partially made amends to offended Taiwanese nationalists. As she has done elsewhere on the tour, Madonna performed her iconic hit "Holiday" wrapped in the flag of the country she was performing in. Clad in the actual Taiwanese flag she shouted at the crowd "I love China" and "I love Taiwan". Although this delighted many Taiwanese people it has had the opposite effect in China.

China still views Taiwan as a break-away province rather than a separate country. And the Taiwanese flag is seen as a direct mark of defiance to any thought of reunification with the mainland.

Chinese fans were unforgiving on social media with one post on micro blogging platform Weibo saying, "Is Taiwan a country? I am laughing to deathâ€¦you are just a region." Others joined in by writing, "Disgraceful act, what kind of message are you sending to China?" and "What a cheap way to get attention from the mainland. Your music isn't very welcome or known in our country anyway."

Most memorable of all perhaps was the Weibo user whose message to Madonna was: "Did you run out of your cone-shaped bras and had nothing better to wear?! Stupid western woman with no modesty."

It isn't the first time a pop star has created controversy by their association with Taiwanese symbols. Last year Katy Perry wore a golden dressed studded with sunflowers, draped herself in a Taiwanese flag and induced outrage. More recently, 16-year-old K Pop singer Chou Tzu-yu from the nine piece band Twice was seen holding the Taiwanese flag on Korean television.

Chinese internet users demanded that Twice be banned from performing in China. Chou Tzu-yu rapidly issued a video apology to China where she read from a script and said, "I'm sorry I should have come out earlier to apologise. I didn't come out until now because I didn't know how to face the situation and the public."

She continued, "there is only one China. I am proud I am Chinese. As a Chinese person, while participating in activities abroad my improper behaviour hurt my company and netizens on both sides of the Strait. I feel deeply sorry and guilty. I decided to reflect on myself seriously and suspend all my activities in China." Some fans of Twice came out in support for Chou Tzu-yu and believed the apology to be unnecessary.

Others felt that Tzu-yu was wrong to give in to Chinese pressure and should have stood her ground. Madonna at least does not need to worry that her career is likely to be damaged by a little controversy.

groovyguy · February 6, 2016

Google Translated:

Madonna mourning the victims of Taiwan

http://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/1597676

[Reporter Yang Xin Han / Taipei] Pop queen Madonna at the second show tonight held "Rebel Heart" concert at the Arena. After she finished singing the song "Take A Bow", a tribute to the victims of the early morning earthquake.

Posted Image Second Madonna concert arena. (Reporter Wang Wenlin photo)

Madonna was sad and said: "Last night was a very crazy night. Although I'd experienced an earthquake in Los Angeles before, but I was feeling scared on the 17th floor of the Mandarin Oriental."

She thanked God for the people that are safe, "Thank God my team are safe; we are very lucky, I am very very sorry for those who lost their friends and family members." Her emotional speech moved the audience.

Posted Image Madonna concert in Taiwan mourning the victims. (Reporter Wang Wenlin photo)

groovyguy · February 7, 2016

So some of my fav Asian celebrities were at the show last night!

Google Translated:

Life without regrets. "

http://ent.appledaily.com.tw/enews/article/entertainment/20160207/37054688/%E5%A8%9C%E5%A7%8A%E6%99%82%E5%B0%9A%E9%AD%82%E5%90%B8%E5%A4%8F%E5%A7%BF%E7%8E%8B%E5%A4%AA%E5%8F%96%E7%B6%93%E4%BD%BC%E4%BD%BC%E7%AD%8930%E5%B9%B4%E3%80%8C%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E7%84%A1%E6%86%BE%E3%80%8D

[Zhangzhe Ming, Zhang Liwen â•± Taipeiã€‘At international pop diva Madonna's concert was attended by artists last night. Jimmy Lin, Harlem, Hong Xiaolei, Luo (pig), Xiao Huang Qi, Xie were are present at the event. Wang Chen Caixia and Shiatzy creative design Director (Mrs Wong) were all present to observe; they all love Madonna 30 years of career. Huang Zi Jiao (Jiao Jiao)'s life now has no regret after having seen Madonna's performance last night. Alyssa and repair Jie Kai, Yoga Lin and Ding Wenqi also in attendance to enjoy the concert.

Piggy praised: "Madonna is an energetic artist, I appreciate her superb performance."

From abroad Pop Jiaojiao asked a friend to buy a ticket. He said: "From young, she and Michael Jackson were the ones I grew up listening to. I have seen Michael before, and now and I have seen Madonna and I have no regrets in life. My dream has come true. "

Last night Alyssa and Jie Kai - husband and wife team, immediately bought tickets to the show. Yoga Lin Ding Wenqi also appeared with his girlfriend. When asked if he had been scared by the earthquake?, He answered: "I hope you're all safe, please cherish your time with family."

Mrs Wong's Chinese New Year begins with preparing for Paris fashion show yesterday. She specifically observe international artist Madonna's fashion style. She said being involved in the fashion industry, she looks for inspiration from all kinds of different fashion elements. She thinks Madonna has been a pioneer in innovative and avant-garde fashion.

Chord mentioned sister Jolin learns to handle her career even during bad times, simply because of Madonna's message in self-confidence, self belief and self empowerment.

Supermodel Hong Xiaolei (Lei-lei) did not bring her husband Wang Jun, Wang Shengfen. Xiao Huang Qi said: "Madonna is definitely one of the strongest singers today."

Capital Bus is the daughter of Li Jingjing and friends in attendance were Li Jingjing, Jimmy Lin, Harlem, Emil Chau, Ariel, Nai-lin, Wang Liya, et al.

Breathless · February 7, 2016

What the...?? Capital Bus is the daughter of Li Jingjing.... :lol: :lol: :lol:

groovyguy · February 10, 2016

Queen of Pop rules: Fans rave about Madonnaâ€™s Thailand debut (PHOTOS)

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/02/10/queen-pop-rules-fans-rave-about-madonnas-thailand-debut-photos

"The night is young and the show has just begun."

Madonna's fans in Thailand have waited for over three decades to hear these words from their idol, and the Queen of Pop did not disappoint as she made her Thailand debut last night.

The legendary singer hit the stage in Bangkokâ€™s Impact Arena with her sold-out Rebel Heart Tour concert, and fans have not stopped raving about the night on social media.

While the concert's production was nowhere as grand as her previous MDNA and S&S tours, fans were still impressed with the Queen's on-point performance and sense of humor.

"It was a concert where people rarely took photos with their phone because they had to watch it all the time. They could not miss just one second. I wasn't a fan, but I was hypnotized. I was tearing up because she was so funny on stage," user Hayashi Sgz Wachi wrote on a Madonna's Facebook fan page.

"She was beautiful. Her dancing was on point. But she included many songs from the Rebel Heart album and did not bother to please her harcore fans with her old hits. It was so weird because people around me who have definitely never listened to her new songs did not complain at all. They just stood and watched her for the entire two hours,â€ the admin of the fan pageMadonna Thailand wrote.

Madonna will perform her last show in Bangkok tonight. There are still tickets left.

Posted Image

Photo: BEC-Tero Entertainment

groovyguy · February 10, 2016

Power pop at its best

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/life/Power-pop-at-its-best-30278984.html

Madonna makes up for lost time, giving Bangkok a full-blown Broadway-style musical

Madonna kept her Thai fans waiting until 10pm on Tuesday night at Impact Arena - but then what was an extra hour or two after they'd already waited decades for a chance to see the Queen of Pop live and in person? The world's best-selling pop singer rolled into Bangkok on her "Rebel Heart" tour and suddenly all the impatience drained away in the course of a mind-blowing production spiced with her delightfully controversial stage persona. It was the first of two Bangkok shows and anticipation is every bit as keen for tonight's event.Onscreen video and the tremors of the track "Iconic" from her latest and 13th studio album, "Rebel Heart", opened Tuesday's proceedings before she burst onto the stage with a hearty roar. "Are you with me, Bangkok?" Madonna yelled, and the crowd responded with thunderous cheer.

She wasted no time singing and dancing her way through "Bitch I'm Madonna" and "Burning Up" from her self-titled 1983 debut CD. "Holy Water" mingled with shards of "Vogue" next as pole dancers (barely) dressed as naughty nuns formed a decidedly unholy pastiche of the Last Supper. Then, while the Queen took a break backstage, her dance crew entertained with an eerie rendition of "Messiah".Borrowing elements from Cirque de Soleil trapeze work, Chinese New Year and the movies "300" and "Grease", this was perhaps the most complex and intricate concert production Bangkok has ever seen.Madonna returned in retro costume straight out of "Grease" to sing "Body Shop" and "True Blue" and then danced up a whirlwind though "Deeper and Deeper". Next a spiral staircase descended to the catwalk to set the dramatic scene for "Heartbreak City", during which she sent her "love interest" to his doom with the immortal words "Nobody f**ks with the Queen." "Like a Virgin" was heavy with drums, shorn of its disco roots, but the fans sang along at the top of their lungs nevertheless. Then it was bedtime - hardly. Three beds appeared onstage for the raunchy dancing of "Sex", though Madonna chose to abstain from this round, perhaps having generated enough steam-heated controversy in her time.At age 57, Madonna likely needs those regular pauses from the kinetic pace of the show, and this time she left her dance posse to put on an enthusiastic, perfectly synchronised master class in flamenco. When the star came back, she offered a warm and funny greeting. "It took me a long time to finally get here. I have a lot of fans in this part of the world and it's good to be back, Bangkok! Bang - kok - it sounds so pornographic!" Showing little sign of her age, Madonna gave us what was clearly one of the most sensational concerts that's ever graced Bangkok. She did a great job as a dancer, singer and all-round entertainer.

groovyguy · February 17, 2016

Review: Madonna proves she was worth the wait at first Hong Kong concert

http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/music/article/1913807/review-madonna-proves-she-was-worth-wait-first-hong-kong-concert

[*]

Madonna performs on stage at the Asia World-Expo. Photo: Publicity Picture

Bauhinias, breasts and bravado: welcome to Madonnaâ€™s first Hong Kong show. â€œItâ€™s the year of the monkey, right?â€ she asks, appearing momentarily sweet and innocent.

In her tightly choreographed show, thereâ€™s little room for improvisation. But after courting controversy in Taiwan last week for her politically charged message, she is willing to taunt an expectant and enraptured local crowd. â€œWeâ€™re starting a revolution, weâ€™re fighting for what you believe in. So if youâ€™re a Rebel Heart, put your f**king monkey hands together,â€ she proclaims.

Posted Image

Madonna brandishes a crucifix on stage. Photo: Publicity Picture

Itâ€™s a wry nod, almost too subtle for a megastar more accustomed to thrusting her groin in the face of vagaries. Then the Crimson bauhinia appears, draped across the shoulders of a shirtless dancer.

With 32 years in the industry, ten mammoth world tours and 13 albums under her belt, the undisputed Queen of Pop had yet to indulge a Hong Kong crowd on a city stage. Posted Image

The pop star appeared inside a spiked cage. Photo: Publicity PictureThe crowd erupts and Madonna appears to have become the Messiah. Itâ€™s the parting shot at the end of a night of Madonna asserting her relevance and cultural immortality amid a set of relentless dance floor anthems spanning three decades, combined with raunchy, religious iconography.

Tickets for tonightâ€™s appearance sold out within 30 minutes â€“ the fastest-selling concert in Hong Kongâ€™s history, prompting another Asia World-Expo date to be added to the Rebel Heart tour.

When she disappeared offstage to change costume, the dancers came into their own in beautifully choreographed routines.

Whether you think sheâ€™s a trendsetter-turned-tagalong, or zeitgeist-mining genius, thereâ€™s no denying that without Madonna, live music wouldnâ€™t be what it is. Extravagant dance routines, a backdrop of pyrotechnics, cutting-edge visuals, and a carousel of costume changes are now the modus operandi for major popstars worldwide.

In these uninhibited times, itâ€™s easy to overlook her achievements. A forebearer and sort of fairy godmother for the #freethenipple era; an age where kink and nudity can be artistic expression and political awareness, and a pop star can be simultaneously object of lust and pillar of revolution.

The prolific pop starâ€™s first performance in Hong Kong proves that the longer something is withheld, the more rabidly it is desired and enjoyed.

groovyguy · February 21, 2016

http://www.themalaymailonline.com/gallery/view/madonnas-rebel-heart-tour-lands-in-macau

Photo Gallery

Madonna performs during her Rebel Heart Tour concert at Studio City in Macau February 21, 2016. â€” Reuters pic

Posted Image

groovyguy · February 22, 2016

"Madonna shows a hit in â€˜remarkableâ€™ Macau" #RebelHeartTour #Press

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groovyguy · February 26, 2016

Madonna delivers spectacular show

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/223365/madonna-delivers-spectacular-show

One of the most spectacular concerts in recent memory unfolded last night, Feb. 24, at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, by an artist who rightly deserves her Queen of Pop title, Madonna.

The show was well conceived, with elements of theater, film, dance, even the circus, melding beautifully with Madonnaâ€™s music which likewise combined various genres.

Opening with new songs (â€œIconic,â€ â€œBitch Iâ€™m Madonna,â€ â€œHoly Waterâ€) from her latest album â€œRebel Heartâ€â€“which this tour Posted Image is promotingâ€“Madonna then took the audience to an imaginative, visually arresting journey, her rich back catalogue sounding fresh with tweaked arrangements.

Age hardly mattered as she moved to the beat with energy and grace, accompanied by her multi-racial dancers.

The biggest revelation was Madonna playing guitar on a couple of ballads, including â€œLike A Prayerâ€â€“whose bit of spiritual touch obviously contrasted with much of her sexually charged tunes.

There were lots of sexual imagery and â€œf-ck yeahsâ€ all evening, but these were all part of Madonnaâ€™s interpretation of life, love, and humanity.

Those who can catch the second show tonight, Feb. 25, would never see a concert the same way again.

groovyguy · February 26, 2016

Madonna defiant and unapologetic in provocative Manila concert

http://www.interaksyon.com/entertainment/madonna-defiant-and-unapologetic-in-provocative-manila-concert/

Amid separate calls by two Southeast Asian archbishops to their Roman Catholic flock to boycott her Manila and Singapore concerts, iconic and often controversial pop superstar Madonna performed with much provocation to a full house seated crowd of at least 12,000 in the first of her two shows at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday.

â€œThis is my first time in the Philippines, motherfuckers!â€¦You donâ€™t mind if I swear, do you?â€¦Iâ€™m here to take the city!â€ she greeted her cheering fans.

Despite the concerns of Roman Catholic leaders in some countries over Madonnaâ€™s supposed â€œdisrespectful use of Catholic and other Christian symbolsâ€ in her performances, the 57-year old legendary performer remained faithful to the provocative themes of her â€œRebel Heart Tourâ€ which include images of dancers dressed as nuns and priests as well as numbers like â€œHoly Waterâ€ and â€œDevil Prayâ€ which combine sexuality and religion.

It was earlier reported that she would not be performing â€œHoly Waterâ€ in her February 28 concert in Singapore.

In Manila, however, Madonna did not show any signs of toning down her act, even after her earlier visit to shelters for orphans and street children that showed her benevolent side. If anything, the artist dubbed as the Material Girl sounded unapologetic and even downright defiant. She looked determined to elevate her craft to performance art levels while showing no interest in appeasing her critics.

In an interview with The Oakland Press last September to promote the ongoing tour, Madonna explained her thought-provoking act.

â€œItâ€™s in my DNA to take ideas and conventions and to challenge the norms, to question things, to turn them inside out and say, â€˜But what if â€¦?â€™ Itâ€™s not because I donâ€™t respect peopleâ€™s ideas and beliefs. I have ultimate respect for peopleâ€™s ideas and beliefs. But people need to have their ideas and beliefs challenged, if only to make them stronger about what they believe in,â€ she noted.

Madonnaâ€™s profanity-laden spiels were also a big part of her ongoing tour as she repeatedly prodded her Filipino audience to reply, â€œFuck, yeah!â€ to everything she did that pleased them. After receiving a crown as a gift from a fan, she boldly declared, â€œNobody fucks with the Queen!.â€ In another spiel, she told a story which she later qualified as a joke about her Filipina trainer that went on to have sex with her boyfriend.

Outside of these eyebrow-raising moments which the good-humored audience either loudly cheered or simply took in stride, Madonna delivered an unforgettable audio-visual spectacle that no amount ofspoilers could ruin.

Her breathtaking acrobatic dancers were easily reminiscent of the world-famous Cirque du Soleil all-human circus act. Another highlight was her cross-shaped stage which included hydraulics and several moving parts, punctuated by a heart-shaped tip that allowed her to move around a lot and come closer to fans seated in the farther seating sections of the arena.

And then there were the hits that included well-received performances of â€œBurning Up,â€ â€œTrue Blue,â€ â€œLike a Virgin,â€ â€œLa Isla Bonita,â€ â€œMusic,â€ â€œMaterial Girl,â€ â€œHolidayâ€ and the surprise additions of â€œWhoâ€™s That Girl,â€ and â€œLike a Prayerâ€, which she rehearsed but had not performed in the tour for quite a while.

In one of her onstage banter with the crowd, she said she might perform â€œCrazy For You,â€ possibly her biggest hit in the country, â€œMaybe tomorrowâ€ referring to her February 25 show in the same venue.

groovyguy · February 26, 2016

How Madonna Proved That She is Still the Queen of Pop

http://www.wheninmanila.com/how-madonna-proved-that-she-is-still-the-queen-of-pop/

Whenever anyone asks who my favorite singer is, I say Madonna. Those older than me would nod understandingly, while those in my generation would look bewildered, asking if Madonna is still relevant. Itâ€™s an expected response. After all, people my age listen to Gaga, Katy Perry, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift. But even with the popularity of these younger singers, donâ€™t you think itâ€™s strange that Madonna still has the title of Queen of Pop? Itâ€™s a title that still follows her even if sheâ€™s 57 years old. And after her concert in Manila, she proves that she still deserves to be called that.

Her Rebel Heart concert is her first in Manila. Strange, considering she has been in the business for 37 years. And in that span of time, she still shows every female singer how to do it, as she is the best-selling female recording artist of all time, and is top touring female artist of all time. 2008â€™s Sticky and Sweet Tour is the highest grossing tour by a female artist. The second? Her 2012 MDNA Tour. Itâ€™s too early to say where the Rebel Heart Tour stands, but Billboard ranked it as number one on a weekly recap of concert touring artists.

Still think Madonna is no longer relevant? Allow me to school you.

Age has not caught up to Madonna as she still gave a strong performance as if she were 20 years old. For an eager Madonna fan, this isnâ€™t news. She is known for her elaborate staging, high-energy choreography, and glittering costumes. But something was different. Madonna was having fun. In previous concerts, she looked serious, almost fierce. Her voice, especially in 2005â€™s Confessions Tour, was so polished that it almost sounded cold. Yes, she gave unbelievable performances for a woman of any age, but she brought warmth, happiness, and joy in Rebel Heart. She interacted more with the audience (including sharing how one Filipino trainer slept with her boyfriend), cracked jokes, and gave off-set performances like Kasey Cisykâ€™s â€œYou Light Up My Lifeâ€ (to which she said, â€œWhy do I keep singing songs that arenâ€™t mine?â€). Everyone was all smiles at the Mall of Asia Arena, including Madge herself.

She opened the show with a song from her Rebel Heart album, â€œIconic.â€ She descended from the ceiling in a steel cage, while dancers dressed as medieval executioners with pikes gyrated with her. It was a strong entrance followed by another RH song, â€œBitch, Iâ€™m Madonna.â€ If weâ€™re going to forget about cultural appropriation, it was another strong performance as she was joined by geisha and samurai. It was reminiscent of her â€œNothing Really Mattersâ€ performance at the 1999 Grammy Awards. She then sang a rock version of the classic â€œBurning Up,â€ which drove the audience crazy. But the highlight of the section was when she mashed up â€œHoly Waterâ€ and â€œVogue,â€ as half-naked nuns pole-danced with Madonna on top of one of them. This closed with a tasteful (yet raunchy) re-enactment of the Last Supper as she sang â€œDevil Pray.â€

While she changed costumes, a video interlude played to keep the audience entertained. Another key Madonna trait is how her interludes are always artistic. For her first one, a lone dancer whirled in the middle of the runway with a piece of cloth that looked like fire, while another danced with an interactive fire on screen. As the dancers left, the stage was quickly transformed into a car repair shop.

Madonna opened the next segment with â€œBody Shop,â€ with her dancers dressed as mechanics. She then transitioned to â€œTrue Blue,â€ where she instructed everyone to answer â€œF*ck, yeah!â€ to all her questions. Here, dancers left the stage in pairs, until they returned for a rousing disco version of â€œDeeper and Deeper.â€ Without any real breaks, she performed this number and danced along. You forget sheâ€™s already 57 years old. And yes, she sings live.

While she delivers the last line to this Erotica number (which, by the way, is rumored to be about accepting oneâ€™s homosexuality), a curving staircase emerges from the ceiling. She sings the ballad â€œHeartBreakCity,â€ mashed up with â€œLove Donâ€™t Live Here Anymore.â€ Itâ€™s an emotional number that reminds fans of her divorce to director Guy Ritchie. But the sadness is only short-lived as Madonna closes the section with the classic â€œLike a Virgin.â€ At this point, I was already catching my breath after singing along to all the songs, while the Queen of Pop seems to only be warming up. She didnâ€™t even need backup dancers for this performance. You donâ€™t believe sheâ€™s 57.

The next interlude is a mashup of the songs â€œS.E.X.â€ and â€œJustify My Love,â€ with the screen projecting the music video of â€œErotica.â€ The mashup shows eight dancers simulating sex in four beds, a reference to her â€œLike a Virginâ€ performance in 1990â€™s Blond Ambition Tour. It was tastefully sexy, and some partners were of the same sex. Not surprising, as the Queen of Pop has a large gay fanbase (basically me).

Madonna emerges from the tip of the heart, wearing a hooded cape with Aya Sato and Bambi, two famous Japanese dancers. Itâ€™s the same performance as her controversial 2015 BRIT Awards, where she couldnâ€™t untangle the cape and she fell backwards when Aya and Bambi pulled it. But Madonna is all about challenges as she didnâ€™t let that stop her. Fortunately, she won over the cape and gave a rousing performance of â€œLiving For Love,â€ the lead single from Rebel Heart. She dressed as a matador as she conquered her dancers dressed like bulls. This was followed by â€œLa Isla Bonita,â€ where the audience sang the lyrics along.

Here is where it gets tricky. In the official setlist, Madonna sings a gypsy medley of â€œDress You Upâ€, â€œInto the Grooveâ€, â€œEverybodyâ€, and â€œLucky Star.â€ But for some reason she skips this and goes straight to â€œWhoâ€™s That Girl?â€, which she played with a guitar. After the song, she usually asks for requests. In Manila, where everyone is still obsessed with â€œCrazy For You,â€ everyone screamed for her to sing it. I appreciate â€œCrazy For Youâ€ as much as the next fan, but my favorite Madonna song is â€œLike a Prayer.â€ I was so disappointed when it wasnâ€™t part of the setlist. So when Madonna asked whether she should sing an old or new song, I waited for a quiet moment to scream â€œLike a Prayer!â€

And she sang it.

She sang â€œLike a Prayer.â€

At this point, I would like to point out that the audience was politely sitting the whole time. I wanted to stand up and dance but I was afraid they would ask me to sit down, so I danced in my seat (sorry to the people next to me). But when she sang the first notes of â€œLike a Prayer,â€ I hugged the guy sitting to my left, who was a stranger, and stood up to dance. I didnâ€™t care what they would say. I am reminded of the Madonna quotes, â€œA lot of people are afraid to say what they want. Thatâ€™s why they donâ€™t get what they wantâ€ and â€œPoor is the man whose pleasures depend on the permission of another.â€ I didnâ€™t attend Madonnaâ€™s Manila concert there to make friends. I was there to dance.

Madonna then moved to â€œRebel Heart,â€ a song from RHâ€˜s deluxe edition. This song perfectly encapsulates who Madonna is as a singer. The lyrics go, â€œSo I took the road less traveled by / And I barely made it out alive / Through the darkness somehow I survived / Tough love â€“ I knew it from the start / Deep down in my rebel heart.â€ Appropriately, the screen showed beautiful moving illustrations of the singer through the years submitted by fans, proving that besides the title Queen of Pop, she is also the Queen of Reinvention. Sheâ€™s still singing live. You wonder why more people donâ€™t listen to this amazing singer.

For the final (and craziest) interlude, dancers climbed 20 foot poles and started swinging from it towards the audience. It was a death-defying experience that got a lot of wild cheers. But even with something as fantastic as that, Madonna is still the star of the show and re-appeared wearing a 1920â€™s inspired flapper dress to sing â€œMusicâ€ and â€œCandy Shop.â€ Right in the middle of â€œMusic,â€ Madonna talked to the audience, literally jumped around and complained about Manilaâ€™s traffic, then quickly jumped back to â€œMusicâ€ as if nothing happened. At this point, the show was almost through but Madonna still had the energy of someone half her age. It was one of the best parts of the show.

This was then followed by â€œMaterial Girl,â€ which made the audience react with thunderous applause. People in my section stood up to dance and sing along to this 1984 classic. Madonna once said that she regrets singing this but she looked like she was enjoying pushing her male dancers down the stage. For those who complain about the expensive tickets (the closest being P57,000), Madonna would have replied, â€œWeâ€™re living in a material world!â€

After this performance, she mentioned the possibility of meeting a husband in Manila. She had a bouquet for â€œMaterial Girlâ€ and she threw it to the audience, which a girl named Czarina caught (Iâ€™m jealous). Madonna then sang a heartfelt cover of Edith Piafâ€™s â€œLa Vie en Rose,â€ dedicated to Czarina. Sheâ€™s still singing live.

For the final number, Madonna sang â€œUnapologetic Bitch,â€ where she usually brings one member of the audience to the stage to dance with her. Manilaâ€™s unapologetic bitch was my friend Shahani Gania, a stylist and partyphile who organized a Madonna exhibit at Today x Future. I didnâ€™t recognize him right away, and only found out it was her when I recognized his voice. After dancing and hugging Madonna, she gave him a banana and a phallus-shaped straw. Iâ€™m both jealous and happy for Shahani.

They then exited the stage and the screen said, â€œBye, [redacted]!â€ Of course, I have already seen the setlist and know that Madonna will come back for an encore of â€œHoliday.â€ For a little bit of history, I was disappointed when I first heard that sheâ€™s performing â€œHolidayâ€ for her encore. I love the song, but I was used to the high-octane energy of previous encores like â€œHung Up,â€ â€œGive It 2 Me,â€ and â€œCelebration.â€ I thought â€œHolidayâ€ was too slow, but maybe itâ€™s because of age. Maybe she couldnâ€™t do the laborious choreography of the last encores. But itâ€™s a totally different experience when you watch it live. The crowd went absolutely insane when she returned to the stage with the Philippine flag and sang the familiar chorus of the 1983 hit song. She was then hoisted and lifted up over the stage and said good night, ending the show at 1am (She was three hours late and started at 11pm, but it was worth the wait).

I have been a fan of Madonna for 11 years. To watch her perform live is a dream come true. And Iâ€™m happy to have seen her at her best, with her guard down and having fun. Madonna as the polished performer is good, but Madonna with her hair down, cracking jokes, and interacting with fans is the consummate entertainer. Finally, people know what Iâ€™ve been talking about all these years. At the end of the show, I was left wondering, why is Madonna still the Queen of Pop? Shouldnâ€™t she be the Goddess of Pop?

Madonnaâ€™s Rebel Heart Tour in Manila is presented by Globe. It is produced by Live Nation Global Touring and presented locally by MMILive.

And she sang it.

groovyguy · February 27, 2016

Madonna fans will agree: Madonnaâ€™s Rebel Heart Tour was worth the 57,000-peso ticket price

- See more at: http://pop.inquirer.net/2016/02/madonna-fans-will-agree-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour-was-worth-the-57000-peso-ticket-price/#sthash.vKNf5f8Y.dpuf

Dear curious human beings: if youâ€™re wondering why the Manila leg of Madonnaâ€™s Rebel Heart Tour was worth a kidney and maybe a piece of liver (actual ticket prices ranged from 3,150 to 57,750 PESOSESOSES), itâ€™s because it was a concert experience LIKE NO OTHER. As in, BAR NONE, PAK PAK PAK, BONGGELS! For the first time since she catapulted to worldwide superstardom, Madonna finally stepped foot in our country (much to the chagrin of church leaders and conservative personalities, but that will be touched upon in a bit). It had been a long wait; on the first day of ticket selling, people basically scrambled to secure tickets, only to be flabbergasted by the obscene prices. 57,750 pesos for patron seats? That could be anyoneâ€™s matrikula. 3,150 pesos for general admission? Ridiculous! Those seats are already nosebleed-inducing high! News websites started churning out listicle after listicle of suggested worthwhile things you should be spending your 57k with. And for a time, people recognized that maybe, thereâ€™s some merit to it.

Oh, but it was indeed worth it. Especially if youâ€™re a hardcore fan.

Weâ€™ll save you the yakkingâ€“allow us to show you why, for everyone who shelled out what could possibly be two monthâ€™s worth of their paycheck , it was all worth it:

1. THE GODDAMN STAGE WAS ON FIRE THE WHOLE NIGHT

We meant this figuratively, of course. Most expensive concerts will show you, whatâ€”maybe a good LED background plus one or two large props? (Well, maybe props to Kylie Minogue who brought some crazy set designs during her Aphrodisiac tour and to Lady Gaga who brought some wild costumes, but none were enough to outshine what Madonnaâ€™s show had to offer.) The Queen Bitchâ€™s concert had a very large stage setup that covered almost half of the entire patron area (see photo below).

Photo via Official MMI Facebook page

In case youâ€™re wondering (because we kinda know already what youâ€™re thinking)â€”thatâ€™s a cross with a heart tip. Very Madonna.

2. THE STAGE FLIPPED AND FLOPPED AND BASICALLY DID SPECTACULARLY CRAZY STUNTS

The stage was littered with trapdoors, a big ass revolving elevation platform, and a big ass LED screen with hydraulics that flipped and flopped whenever Madonnaâ€™s dancers needed it to do so. These were ON TOP of the massive background display. Did we mention her dancers actually danced on the hydraulic screen?

3. THE KICKASS DANCERS / KICKASS DJ MARY MAC

Via @lara_lua on Instagram

Okay, consider this to be an understatement. The dancers were simply exhilarating. They provided the backbone of the whole concert experience. We could even go far as to say that a quarter of what everyone paid went to these amazingly talented people. Check the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MA2MrnPEeSM

On the other hand, EDM sensation DJ Mary Mac opened the stage to her sick beats, encouraging the audience to jump and dance with her. As a tribute to the Filipino audience, DJ Mary Mac played an unaltered version of Hotdogâ€™s â€œManila,â€ quipping: â€œI researched a lot for this!â€ May not have been the best pick for a fist-pumping night, but it still delivered.

4. THE AMAZING COSTUMES AND SET DESIGNS

Madonna and the whole squad didnâ€™t just don gowns and sexy outfits; they practically wore paintings. PAINTINGS! See these photos:

Photo via Official MMI Facebook page

5. HER VERY CONTROVERSIAL â€œRELIGIOUS ARTâ€

Shocker, we know. Of course, it isnâ€™t Madonna if sheâ€™s not going to run into problems with a lot of people in relation to her concert because why notâ€”exploration of religion and sexuality is just her cup of tea. Also, sheâ€™s an unapologetic bitch. She has even been quoted in some interviews, going so far as saying that sheâ€™s very immersed in deconstructing the concept of sexuality and religion and that to her world, the two ideas go together. It was expected that the representatives of the Catholic church would slam their hands on the table, indignant with all these Madonna and Religion hype, with one even denoting before the event that the Queen of Popâ€™s concert was the work of the devil, as Madonna intended to take a jab at some church beliefs and traditions. If youâ€™re not a fan, then these things might shock you. Not for the faint of heart. But for fans, this is art.

First up, the pole dancing nuns and the recreation of The Last Supper:

Via @stephenpdavid on Instagram

Then thereâ€™s Madonna wearing the Philippine flag:

Screengrab from @officialtimyapâ€™s video on Instagram

6. MADONNA â€˜S CROWD CONVOS

Photo via Official MMI Facebook page

Every so often during the concert, Madonna would talk to the audience, ask them things, make them swearâ€”F*CK YEAH, F*CK NO, F*CK in general. It was a delight because for Madonna, it wasnâ€™t just about getting the show done and over with; she actually wanted to connect with her Filipino fans. In day 1, in what seemed like a spur-of-the-moment idea, she asked everyone, â€œso, what do you want me to sing?â€ People went batshit crazy and started screaming â€œCrazy For You.â€ Madonna declined, saying she might do it on the second day (to the woes of the first day goers), but still managed to delight everyone by performing one of her classic hits, Like A Prayer. Speaking of her hitsâ€¦

7. MADONNAâ€™S GREATEST HITS

While the showâ€™s theme centered on her latest album Rebel Heart, Madonna still sang a number of her greatest hits, such as La Isla Bonita, Dress You Up, Lucky Star, Like A Prayer, True Blue, Like A Virgin, and Material Girl. That, in itself, was worth the money because you donâ€™t get to see Madonna perform this live, in the flesh. And yes, she gave in to the Crazy For You request, dedicated to all of us as we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the People Power Revolution:

Okay, huhubells for Day 1 attendees.

Madonna exclaimed, â€œFirst time in 30 years,â€ to mean that it has been that long since she last performed this ballad and that sheâ€™s basically so happy performing for her Pinoy fans. But Madonna may have confused the 30th People Power anniversary with her trivia, because it seems the last time she sang the song was in 2004, which was 12 years ago. Yes, fans and naysayers did some computing. Bottomline is, she performed it for her Filipino fans, which was still awesome when you think about it.

8. THE QUEEN BITCH HERSELF

At 57, she could already be anyoneâ€™s grandma, knitting and cross-stitching cats but hell to the no, she will do squats and jumps interspersed in her whole dance routine because sheâ€™s the Queen of Pop.

Yup.

So there. To end this piece, we give you Madonna in a harness, flying above the stage while wearing her custom Philippine Flag dress, singing Holiday. For your appreciation.

***

The Madonna Rebel Heart Tour Manila was presented by MMI Live.

- See more at: http://pop.inquirer.net/2016/02/madonna-fans-will-agree-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour-was-worth-the-57000-peso-ticket-price/#sthash.vKNf5f8Y.dpuf

groovyguy · March 1, 2016

10 Things: Madonna SG Concert

https://musingsonthem49.wordpress.com/2016/02/29/10-things-madonna-sg-concert/

10 THINGS ABOUT THE MADONNA SG CONCERT (Feb 28, 2016)

[*]After flying around the world in the past 23 years to catch the Queen of Pop on tour in 6 cities over 3 continents, I finally got to watch her perform in my beloved homeland for the very first time. [*]It started at 8.50pm â€“ the earliest she had ever appeared thus far on this tour. Her usual show-time starts were between 10-11pm. So no complaints about her being late, pleaseâ€¦ (Yes, that means you, ex-bossâ€¦ :p) [*]Instead of opening with â€œIconicâ€, the megastar went straight into the Japanese-themed â€œB***h Iâ€™m Madonnaâ€ after appearing on stage in the giant cage. [*]Despite amendments requested by local authorities, the 2-hour plus show ran seamlessly like clockwork and was just as entertaining nonetheless. Most music fans are just happy to see her in real life. [*]Some disgruntled fans claimed the Rebel Heart singer sold out for self-censoring. I rather believed she deemed it a small sacrifice so that fans in Singapore who cannot afford to fly overseas to see her, as well as other music lovers, can finally watch her live here. Itâ€™s showing maturity and sensitivity on her part. I, for one, am proud that she acted accordingly. [*]The woman was hot â€“ literally temperature hot and sweating like a hog, as ventilation in the National Stadium grounds was quite bad. Canâ€™t blame her at all for embracing her (electric) fans on stage for extended periods of time. [*]She was in great voice. (The heat must have helped, hee.) Just like in Manila, the megastar dedicated â€œCrazy for Youâ€ to us in Singapore (while the rest of the Asian stops had â€œTake A Bowâ€.) [*]Again as in Manila, she reinstated the vibrant Gypsy â€˜80s Medley â€“ comprising the classics Dress You Up/Into The Groove/Everybody/Lucky Star â€“ which was dropped in the other Asian stops and a few European gigs. It proved to be one of the most popular segments of the night for most concert-goers here. [*]The 57-year-old, mother-of-fourâ€™s stamina and finesse clearly impressed every woman â€“ and man â€“ in the crowd, especially when she executed those stunning squat-jumps in high heel shoes during the exhilarating 1920s Cabaret segment. Time to hit the gym, all ye people! [*]Attending a Madonna concert with long-time friends was super great fun. Both were seeing the pop icon live for the very first time and later confessed that they realised now that Iâ€™m not mad but totally understood just why I had flown overseas to catch this brilliant artiste on tour every time. Hearing that from them actually choked me up on the ride homeâ€¦

Last but by no means least, a shout-out to Kiss92FM for their fabulous 48-hour Madonnathon over the weekend. Please consider having it again at least once or twice a year, thank you.

And hereâ€™s hoping that it wonâ€™t be the last time we will ever see the undisputed Queen of Pop on tour.

Feb29

groovyguy · March 5, 2016

Madonna doesn't disappoint as pop icon hits the stage at Auckland's Vector Arena

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/gig-reviews/77588411/madonna-doesnt-disappoint-as-pop-icon-hits-the-stage-at-aucklands-vector-arena

Madonna does not disappoint.

Everything you heard, everything you've seen, everything you never expected and everything you did - it's all here. After waiting two hours for the pop queen to appear, a rowdy Vector Crowd was getting impatient, but she took the stage at full power and literally never stopped.

It kicked off with iconic Madge descending over the stage in a metal cage surrounded by religious iconography.

If you think this is why the religious groups are upset, this isn't even the half of it. Madge moved into B*** I'm Madonna, riling up the younger crowd members and then stripped off shouting "let's make it hot in here let's take off all our clothes" before donning a guitar and shredding through Burning Up.

Holy Water was where Madonna's controversial tour really shines through - half naked nuns, pole dancing, grinding, lingerie, priests, last-supper imagery. The whole nine yards.

She's legit at having a go at every religion there is, but the thing is at a certain point it all just becomes just like Miley Cyrus sticking her tongue out and twerking on Robin Thicke. The pole dancing was provocative and sexy, the rest was just unnecessary.

But then immediately after there's a low key low lit dance performance to Messiah with the pop star nowhere in sight. It was the first show I've been to where I literally didn't know what to expect next.

Even the audience banter is unpredictable at best, but she has this fan base wrapped around her little finger. And ultimately, hit or miss, the seasoned star is still unfailingly on point, and stoked to be in New Zealand for the first time ever. The original Material Girl sure lit up Auckland's Vector Arena.

groovyguy · March 6, 2016

Herald on Sunday and the Sunday News both with a review of last night's Madonna concert smile emoticon

Posted Image

groovyguy · March 6, 2016

'B***h I'm Madonna' - Pop icon rocks and shocks at Auckland concert

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/entertainment/b-h-im-madonna-pop-icon-rocks-and-shocks-auckland-concert

Pop icon Madonna has shown fans she's not hanging up the microphone anytime soon with an energetic two-hour performance at Auckland's Vector Arena last night.

https://vimeo.com/157891911

The show was a mixed bag, with varying themes of religion, Asian culture and war appearing throughout the show.

The 57-year-old arrived fashionably late to the show, making restless fans wait nearly two hours before gracing the stage.

Fans didn't know what to expect next as Madonna pole danced, stripped, screamed and played the electric guitar during her first ever New Zealand show.

The Queen of Pop gears up to put on a show-stopper for her Kiwi fans

57-year-old Madonna has earned herself a legion of Kiwi fans in her 30-year-plus career.

She performed both new songs and old classics, including Material Girl and Like A Virgin, and tweeted immediately after the show.

"A Happy Girl in New Zealand! What FUN," she wrote.

For those wanting last minute tickets to her final Auckland show tonight, the cheapest ticket available will set you back $200, while the most expensive sits at $500.

groovyguy · March 6, 2016

Review: Madonnaâ€™s Rebel Heart tour

http://www.newshub.co.nz/entertainment/review-madonnas-rebel-heart-tour-2016030605#.VttIcVCZka0.facebook

Posted Image

They say better late than never -- and how true that was for the thousands who packed into Aucklandâ€™s Vector Arena last night for Madonnaâ€™s first-ever New Zealand concert.

It was a brilliantly colourful crowd and largely middle-aged, made up of people who remember firsthand the lace, hair ribbons and bangles of the early 80s, the ones who struck a pose in the 90s and those who embraced the yoga-loving spiritual days of 'Ray of Light'.

The singer has sparked angry headlines on this â€˜Rebel Heartâ€™ tour because of her late appearances on stage. But having already kept Kiwi fans waiting for 30-something years, the several hours we waited beyond the opening of the doors felt like nothing.

Fists fitted in lace fingerless gloves pumped the air and wine in plastic cups flowed far, far too easily as the sold-out crowd kept themselves entertained until the lights dimmed, dancers appeared seemingly from nowhere on a crucifix shaped stage that stretched two thirds of the way across the main floor and a cage carrying the mighty Queen of Pop descended from the ceiling.

She opened with songs unfamiliar to the heathens like me who haven't closely studied her recent album, Rebel Heart.

It didn't take long, however, before she started rolling out the big guns.

First up was â€˜Burning Upâ€™, her very first single. And the hits followed, dotted throughout the two-and-a-half-hour show â€“ â€˜Vogueâ€™, â€˜True Blueâ€™, â€˜La Isla Bonitaâ€™, â€˜Like A Virginâ€™, â€˜Get Into The Grooveâ€™, â€˜Dress You Upâ€™, â€˜Material Girlâ€™ and â€˜Holidayâ€™. Some were mixed with other songs, some stood on their own. But they turned the sold-out arena into a heaving dance floor.

And when it wasn't a pumping nightclub, it was a crazy, magical circus of epic proportions that saw the star and her dancers rolling about on a car bonnet in a 1950s mechanics garage and writhing on crucifix-stripper poles in a reenactment of the Last Supper and so much raunchy, sexualised religious symbolism, it's no wonder the Catholic Church has been critical of this tour.

It was all that I expected, and wanted, from a queen who has reigned across four decades. It was huge and it was fun. The dancers were simply amazing. Would I have preferred to have seen her in the 80s, 90s or early 2000s? Yes, I would have. But was it still worth the wait? Absolutely!

Madonna was warm and friendly with the crowd, thanking them for their patience. She mastered the pronunciation of kia ora and aroha like a pro. But there were a few too many bizarre crowd interactions, none more so than when she shared a banana and a kiss with a random woman from the audience. Tears shed for her son Rocco, who she's currently embroiled in a custody battle over, also left some squirming in their seats.

But it held its ground against some of the big theatrical spectacles we've seen from the likes of Taylor Swift, Kylie, Beyonce and Lady Gaga. After all, it's her they've learnt their craft from.

If anyone thought it was about time she hung up those dancing shoes, they weren't there last night. Madonna's a survivor. She's the Queen of Pop. She'll say when it's time go.

Madonna plays a second show at Vector Arena tonight.

groovyguy · March 12, 2016

MADONNA PERFORMS RARE HITS AND STAND-UP COMEDY IN â€˜TEARS OF A CLOWNâ€™ SHOW

http://attitude.co.uk/madonna-performs-rare-hits-and-stand-up-comedy-in-tears-of-a-clown-show/

Madonna has taken a break from her Rebel Heart Tour schedule and treated some lucky Australian fans to a gig unlike any other sheâ€™s performed throughout her four decade-long career.

The Queen of Pop took to the stage at The Forum in Melbourne today (March 10) for her eagerly-anticipated â€˜Tears of a Clownâ€™ show â€“ an intimate, off-kilter gig consisting off rarities, little-performed classics and even stand-up comedy.

The show, which is being filmed and included on the Rebel Heart Tour DVD, saw the 57-year-old dressed in a billowing clown costume and enter the stage on a tricycle to the delight of fans, some of whom had camped outside the venue for three days to ensure their spot stage-side, news.com.au reports.

Performed tracks included â€˜Drowned World/Substitute for Loveâ€™ from 1998â€™s Ray of Light, â€˜Iâ€™m So Stupidâ€™ and â€˜Interventionâ€™ from 2003â€™s American Life, â€˜Nobodyâ€™s Perfectâ€™ and â€˜Donâ€™t Tell Meâ€™ from 2000s Music, â€˜Borderlineâ€™ and â€˜Holidayâ€™ from her self-titled 1983 debut album.

Also performed were â€˜Love Spentâ€™ from 2012â€™s MDNA, â€˜Joan of Arcâ€™ from last yearâ€™s Rebel Heart and â€˜Take a Bowâ€™from 1994â€™s Bedtime Stories, receiving only its second live outing in two decades.

In an emotionally-charged set, Madge dedicated the track â€˜Interventionâ€™ to her recently estranged son Rocco, just days after she choked up on stage while broaching the topic of the 15-year-oldâ€™s recent decision to move to the UK to be with his father, British director Guy Ritchie.

Posting on Instagram on Tuesday (March 8), the star admitted that part of her motivation for the show was as a thank you to her Australian fans, who have waited for her to tour there for 23 years.

There are just six dates left on Madonnaâ€™s â€˜Rebel Heart World Tourâ€™, which will come to an end in Sydney on March 20 after kicking off last September.

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