WOW! 2 days of Madonna I had a blast!! Madonna rocked the Bay Area on Saturday and Sunday.I went to both of her sold-out "Sticky and Sweet" shows in Oakland and this show is extraordinary.It's not as theatrical and dramatic as recent tours,and there was no big "shock" moment anywhere.No controversy at all.I would say that this show is much more "musical" than the 'Drowned World' and 'Re-Invention' tours...it's less like a Broadway play and more like a standard concert.I was impressed with the band,especially the drummer.I also liked the Spanish/latin band that she brought out during the third segment (arguably the best of the four segments).I was watching them and thinking about how eclectic this show really is.In two hours,Madonna pays tribute to dance pop,electronica,rock,hip-hop and R&B,and latin pop.She combines all these influences into a thrilling,entertaining show.

For me,the highlights were...

"Candy Shop"---this opening number is charming.
"Beat Goes On"
"Into The Groove"---MUCH,MUCH better than the lame version we heard on the Re-Invention tour!! This time,Madonna actually sang the original 1985 lyrics.The jump-roping looked like fun,the whole segment was early 80s retro.LOVED IT!
"Borderline"---this classic song was re-invented as a rock number and it is great.
"She's Not Me"---MY FAVORITE PART OF THE SHOW!!! So campy and wild! This is the Madonna that fans love to see.
"Miles Away"---As you might have guessed,I was singing along during the entire song this is my favorite 'Hard Candy' track and I was so anxious to hear it performed live.It's the type of song that demands audience participation.
"You Must Love Me"---BRILLIANT!!! This is the type of performance that I want to see more of.No theatrics,no gimmicks,no dancing...just Madonna sitting down and concentrating on the vocals.This performance made me wish that there were a few more ballads in the setlist.

A few numbers didn't work so well."Ray Of Light" was a bore,performed almost exactly the same way as on the 'Confessions Tour' but this time,it didn't have the super-cool choreography."Music" also fell flat.Both of those songs are great,but they should not have made the setlist this time.I also wasn't impressed with "Human Nature".When I was watching it,I was thinking that "Dance 2Night" would have fit perfectly in that segment! A missed opportunity.

During this tour,Madonna is in a great mood throughout.She was absolutely hilarious during the part where she lets the audience request a song.On Saturday night,one guy in front requested "Justify My Love".Madonna turned him down,saying "That song is just talking and fucking" Another fan requested "Like A Virgin" and that's the one Madonna performed.

On Sunday night,a fan requested "Burnin Up" and Madonna agreed,but she was disappointed when some fans in front either weren't participating or forgot the words."You guys suck",she said,"I'll sing a song that everybody knows the words to".She then launched into the rock version of "Hung Up".


Thank you,Maddy for a fun-filled weekend

It's like a prayer-Madonna's a blast in concert again
Jim Harrington,San Jose Mercury News

It's been a long time since Madonna was this much fun.

Gone are the days of convulated storylines (2001's "Drowned World Tour"),heavy-handed themes (2004's "Re-Invention Tour") and controversial antics (2006's "Confessions Tour",during which Madonna hung herself on a huge cross).

This time around,the Material Girl just wants to make some dough and show her fans a good time,both of which she accomplished as she brought her "Sticky And Sweet Tour" to the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Saturday.She performs at the same venue at 8 tonight.

Despite ticket prices that topped out near $400,a capacity crowd turned out to see the 50-year old pop icon on the first night of her Bay Area stay.As a thank you,the flamboyant vocalist turned in a two-hour show that was filled with good songs,nifty costumes,cool theatrics and,as always,great dance routines.

By Madonna standards,it was a fairly straightforward 24-song affair.In fact,the most shocking thing about the show was that there was nothing really shocking about it.That's a refreshing change for Ms.Ciccone--we'll use her maiden name,since she's divorcing film director Guy Ritchie.Too often in the past,Madonna has seemed to focus more on stirring controversy rather than entertaining the crowd.

What all this amounts to is that,for the first time this millenium,people are most apt to walk away from a Madonna show talking about the music,not the spectacle.

There is,however,much worth saying about the latter.

The concert began about 45 minutes late-which provided fans with extra time to shop the souvenir stands for $20 Madonna coffee mugs,$10 Madonna shot glasses and $15 Madonna heart-shaped sunglasses,as well as $25 "Vote For Obama" T-shirts.

The house lights dimmed and the overhead screens showed a Willy Wonka-inspired animated segment,which tied nicely into the title of Madonna's latest CD,"Hard Candy".The princess of pop then appeared at center stage on a M-shaped throne,as tux-and-tails-clad dancers helped her usher in the opening number "Candy Shop".

She followed with another solid new track,"Beat Goes On",before reaching back into her bag of hits for "Human Nature" and "Vogue".Those two tunes really brought the fans to life as they watched their hero gyrate about the stage and along the catwalk that extended halfway across the arena floor.

The reaction from the crowd would swell each time Madonna played one of her classic numbers,such as "La Isla Bonita".This tour,however,is more about showcasing the new material than it is about digging up the past.

It wouldn't be entirely fair to say that Madonna was reluctant to play the fan favorites,but she was certainly hesitant to do them in familiar fashions.Each hit performed this evening was arranged differently than the original recording,which might be Madonna's way of saying that she refuses to play the nostalgia game.Most of the newly realized renditions,especially a roughed-up,rocking "Borderline",were quite intriguing.

The last half of the show was devoted mainly to newer material,with only three offerings,"La Isla Bonita","Like A Prayer" and "Like A Virgin",hailing from the singer's 80s catalog.The song selection,oddly,only seemed marginally important.What mattered more was that Madonna was having fun-and it was contagious.

Madge still into the groove at Oracle Arena
By Leslie Katz
San Francisco Examiner


Aerobics,anyone?

The initial reaction to Madonna's "Sticky and Sweet Tour",onstage at the capacity-filled Oracle Arena in Oakland on Saturday (and Sunday) is: Wow,that woman can work out! Jump-roping to a throbbing version of "Into The Groove"-in which the singer was attired in gym shorts-she didn't miss a lyric,nor did she seem to need an extra breath.

The tune came about one-quarter of the way through the stimuli-packed,two-hour show,which drew heavily from the buff singer's latest album "Hard Candy",but also,thankfully,managed to include some old favorites,most of which were reworked for the new century.

Perhaps the most evocative number was the new "She's Not Me" in which the pop icon literally beat on dancers costumed as various incarnations of herself-the material girl,the 1984 Video Music Awards bride,Marilyn Monroe,etc.It came off as a nifty metaphor for the 50-year old's 25-year career in the pop spotlight and proved a fun anchor for a somewhat varied show.

While most of the songs were backed by the constant electronic dance-party beat found on the new CD,there were a few notable exceptions.

"Borderline",featuring Madonna in one of several guitar-playing stints,got a rock treatment,and "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" featured a gorgeous piano solo.

A few tunes in which she accompanied herself on acoustic guitar revealed an almost-human side of Madge.Smiling,she sang the melodic "Miles Away" in front of video footage of people from around the world;in another quieter moment,she seemed to enjoy the crowd's adulation during "You Must Love Me" from "Evita".

As always is the case with Madonna,no expense was spared on quality or concept.Video backdrops ranged from art by Keith Haring ("Into The Groove") to guest Kanye West ("Beat Goes On") and Britney Spears ("Human Nature") and myriad political and historical figures the likes of Oprah Winfrey,John Lennon,Mother Teresa and Barack Obama in a "Get Stupid" video montage.

She danced with several screens boasting full-length images of Justin Timberlake on "4 Minutes",a number that was more technically dazzling than musically satisfying.Technology also pumped up "Ray Of Light","Vogue" and "Like A Prayer".

A not-quite-spontaneous a cappella audience sing-along of "Like A Virgin" amused the all-ages audience before the finale "Give It To Me".

The sound system was impeccable,the band and background vocalists were superb and the dancers nicely complemented their fearless role model.

Unlike many of her contemporaries or predecessors who sound great playing oldies,Madonna has forged a path into the 21st century.She's a consummate professional whose vitality--if not her earth-shattering artistry--keeps her in the limelight,showing kids half her age just how pop should be done.

"say which flavors you like and I'll have them for you"

SoulAlive said:

wow, congratulations Davy.

I think it's cool that she finally seems to take requests. The first week she always played Express Yourself.

But it's really strange for a perfectionist like her to do that. Shet fucked up many times. Remember the the attempt of playing LAV in 2003 in some store? It went wrong too. I wonder whether or not she's pissed afterwards.

graecophilos said:

A few times when fans requested certain songs,she would say "I don't remember the words to that one" At a recent show,a fan requested "Bad Girl" and that's what she said.She seems very picky about what she will sing,but she's in a great mood about it.I've never seen her have this much fun during a concert.

On Saturday night,I think another fan requested "Causing A Commotion" which she turned down.

Time for me to post mike and the big giant M!

Miserablism said:

she only uses that big "M" during the stadium shows.At the arenas,it's a smaller "M" that appears only on the video screens.

SoulAlive said:

I'm so happy you liked the show!

It was my first Madonna show...and I even drank beer during it! And I hate alcohol.

Miserablism said:

what was your favorite performance of this show?

SoulAlive said:

You asked me that once...it's me mikematronik!

Miserablism said:

I forgot what you said

SoulAlive said:

The Gipsy/Latin Section and Like a prayer

A few more thoughts about the show...

***The tourbook is an absolute MUST-HAVE! Big,glossy,beautiful pictures.If you only buy one souvenir from this show,get the tourbook.It's $30 but worth every penny.

***I like the new arrangement of "Vogue" with the music of "4 Minutes".I bet Timbaland is pleased with it,too

***I like the choreography of "Heartbeat",with Madonna and that one dancer.That was cool.

***"Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" was beautiful,but I was thinking that this could have been the "high drama" part of the show.You know,the part where something shocking/controversial happens...lol...

***After seeing this show,I get the feeling that Madonna is slowing down...but in a good way.It seems like she wants her shows to be more focused on the actual songs,with less theatrics,controversy and gimmicks.That's a good thing.

[Edited 11/4/08 4:30am]

I since day 1 have said that HC has made be played live.

Miserablism said:

the gypsy segment was my favorite part too I also really enjoyed Act 2 (the old school segment)....that one was alot of fun!! The final segment was the least satisfying,but still fun.I wish she had left out "Ray Of Light" and added a surprising choice....maybe "Dress You Up" or "Everybody"?

.
[Edited 11/4/08 4:10am]

Miserablism said:

You are correct.It's an album that sounds really,really good in a live setting."4 Minutes" isn't one of my favorite Madonna singles,but the live version KICKS ASS,with that booming bass.Everybody was on their feet for this one.

"you always love me more....miles away
I hear it in your voice when you're miles away
You're not afraid to tell me...miles away
I guess we're at our best when we're miles away
So far away (so far away)
Let me hear you sing it!! So far away
So far away (so far away)"

Love your review. It took me right back to the show and your pictures are excellent. Honestly I haven’t stopped playing the album since I saw the show and when I’m not playing it the songs are constantly going through my head. The only songs I skip are 4 Minutes and Voices. Altho I love the drama of the fake horns in 4 Minutes I don’t need to hear the song. Glad you had a good time. And the gypsy part is like Whoa. I love how they get into it and I agree Madonna’s demeanor during the show is wonderful. That stood out to me so much for some reason.

I wonder if I can get the tour book online.

And who doesn’t know the lyrics to Burnin’ Up?

JackieBlue said:

Same here! I can't get the songs outta my head.



"4 Minutes" sounds so much better when played loud at an arena.That booming bassline,and seeing Timbaland on the video screens.The song just comes alive!




Madonna was in a GREAT mood.She smiled alot,joked around,and just seemed like she was really enjoying herself.Her attitude reminded me of the 'Girlie Show'.





You certainly can.Just go to www.Fanfire.com

SoulAlive said:

Thanks for the link. I’m gonna check them out since I don’t have a Madonna tour book yet.
Very true about 4 Minutes live. It’s almost like an anthem during the concert.

Didn’t you love when she turned around in the chair in the opening? That’s one of my favorite parts and I love how the crowd goes wild. No big intro, just Madge chilling on her throne.

JackieBlue said:

Did you notice how many times "4 Minutes" is referenced throughout the show? "Vogue" uses the music from it,and the phrase "tick tock tick tock tick tock" is heard several times in other songs,lol.



I also like the Willy Wonka-inspired video that came right before her entrance.When they get to the "C-A-N-D-Y" part,you know the fun's about to begin!

SoulAlive said:

Yes! All those little bits I totally loved. I also liked the writing on the screen during Like A Prayer. Don't know if she did it before but it was new to me so I was impressed. Did you like the water effects and piano solo for Devil?

JackieBlue said:

"Devil" was interesting....a very unique way to perform that song.The water effects and the burning fire,it was all visually exciting.

a pic from the tourbook...

Gimme 4 minutes I will get the tourbook in pdf...gonna ask my contacts on the madgeunderground

Tourbook...not in pdf, but in image format

http://rapidshare.com/use...filename=1

Miserablism said:

You only got 4 minutes to save the world