SchlomoThaHomo said:

SoulAlive said:

The Confessions tour was amazing.....the set design and staging....simply awesome!

but I like this tour's staging and set design,too.Apparently,the best seats are the ones that are directly around the 'heart'.Madonna spends much of the show in that spot.

That's where our seats are!! 5 more days!! Thanks for the reports. I'm trying not to watch all of the videos so I can at least be somewhat surprised.

In that case. my view should be great!

SoulAlive said:

"I never followed the rules before and I'm now about to start now"

I still say the catwalk looks phallic.

purplethunder3121 said:

SoulAlive said:

"I never followed the rules before and I'm now about to start now"

I still say the catwalk looks phallic.

that catwalk looks like subtle message to prince lololol

The song "True Blue" gets the acoustic treatment,and it sounds nice

at last night's show in D.C.,Madonna said that she invited President Obama to the concert,but "he probably thinks I'm too provocative...but I'm really trying to behave on this tour!"

SoulAlive said:

Apparently,the best seats are the ones that are directly around the 'heart'.Madonna spends much of the show in that spot.

.

That's good to know, since I still haven't bought a ticket for my local show (Las Vegas)!

.

Looks like a great show! Glad she appears to be having a good time performing it.

.

I think it's awesome that she isn't stuck just doing her old hits, and that she can fill halls with setlists that include songs from her current and recent albums. I too am missing a few songs from RH that she isn't doing. But as SA pointed out, she's got a huge catalog of great songs, gotta draw the line somewhere! Unless she's gonna do 4-hour shows like Springsteen used to do, lol.

CandaceS said:

SoulAlive said:

Apparently,the best seats are the ones that are directly around the 'heart'.Madonna spends much of the show in that spot.

.

That's good to know, since I still haven't bought a ticket for my local show (Las Vegas)!

.

Looks like a great show! Glad she appears to be having a good time performing it.

.

I think it's awesome that she isn't stuck just doing her old hits, and that she can fill halls with setlists that include songs from her current and recent albums. I too am missing a few songs from RH that she isn't doing. But as SA pointed out, she's got a huge catalog of great songs, gotta draw the line somewhere! Unless she's gonna do 4-hour shows like Springsteen used to do, lol.

All of the reviews mention how happy she looks and how much fun she's having.She's smiling and grinning alot,and joking with the audience,more than she usually does.I think she's truly satisfied with her life and career.She's got nothing to prove.She's celebrating her legacy.

Celebrities

Washington Post:
On ‘Rebel Heart’ tour stop, Madonna doesn’t miss a beat

By Chris Kelly

September 13

A Madonna concert in 2015 raises a host of questions: Is new album “Rebel Heart” any good? Amid the Beyonces, Taylors, Mileys and Gagas, where is Madonna’s place in pop music? After three decades in the spotlight, does Madonna still have it?

The moment Madonna’s show started Saturday night at the Verizon Center, those questions and more went out the window, a defenestration the Catholicism-obsessed queen of pop would appreciate. Surrounded by a phalanx of centurions (her dancers in their first get-up) and backed by a full band and three monstrous screens, Madonna descended from above in a cage and sang the first of the night’s many self-affirming songs, “Iconic.” “I’m starting a revolution,” she told the crowd. “Are you with me?”

For the capacity crowd, the answer was a resounding yes, even if the question is a bit dubious. Although “Rebel Heart” grabs at current pop sounds with both hands — a Diplo beat here, a Nicki Minaj verse there — the album feels anything but revolutionary. That didn’t seem to matter for her fans, the ones who grew up on her ’80s and ’90s hits, the ones dressed as bulls and matadors or “Like a Virgins” and “Material Girls.” Madonna has no illusions about the age of her audience, teasing an eager fan, “I remember you, baby — you’ve been following me around for three decades.”

The concert seemed crafted to blow away those fans, ones who have seen her dazzling live shows before. Her latest show is an astonishing spectacle that draws from Cirque du Soleil, “300,” the Chinese New Year, “Grease” and — as always — Catholic imagery. After all these years, religion remains Madonna’s hottest button, and she continues to find new ways to make blasphemy sexy. Re-creating the Last Supper as a bacchanalia? Dancers clad in lingerie and nuns’ habits, using crucifixes to pole dance? It may be harder to shock and titillate in 2015, but that hasn’t stopped Madonna from trying.

“Rebel Heart” dominated the set list, but Madonna wasn’t afraid to try new things with old favorites. “Into the Groove” and “Lucky Star” were recast as Latin pop in a medley of catalogue classics, and she strapped on a Flying V guitar for “Burning Up” and traded it in for a ukulele for “True Blue” and a cover of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose.” The latter she dedicated to President Obama, whom she said didn’t accept her invitation: “Maybe I’m too provocative.”

After her latest of countless reinventions, Madonna is as provocative as ever. But she’s also reflective, using her concert not just to celebrate “Rebel Heart” Madonna but also all of her incarnations — so many that she’s started to lose track. “I don’t really know who I am,” she confessed near the end of the show. “But bitch, I’m Madonna.”

SoulAlive said:

Washington Post:
On ‘Rebel Heart’ tour stop, Madonna doesn’t miss a beat

By Chris Kelly

September 13

A Madonna concert in 2015 raises a host of questions: Is new album “Rebel Heart” any good? Amid the Beyonces, Taylors, Mileys and Gagas, where is Madonna’s place in pop music? After three decades in the spotlight, does Madonna still have it?

The moment Madonna’s show started Saturday night at the Verizon Center, those questions and more went out the window, a defenestration the Catholicism-obsessed queen of pop would appreciate. Surrounded by a phalanx of centurions (her dancers in their first get-up) and backed by a full band and three monstrous screens, Madonna descended from above in a cage and sang the first of the night’s many self-affirming songs, “Iconic.” “I’m starting a revolution,” she told the crowd. “Are you with me?”

For the capacity crowd, the answer was a resounding yes, even if the question is a bit dubious. Although “Rebel Heart” grabs at current pop sounds with both hands — a Diplo beat here, a Nicki Minaj verse there — the album feels anything but revolutionary. That didn’t seem to matter for her fans, the ones who grew up on her ’80s and ’90s hits, the ones dressed as bulls and matadors or “Like a Virgins” and “Material Girls.” Madonna has no illusions about the age of her audience, teasing an eager fan, “I remember you, baby — you’ve been following me around for three decades.”

The concert seemed crafted to blow away those fans, ones who have seen her dazzling live shows before. Her latest show is an astonishing spectacle that draws from Cirque du Soleil, “300,” the Chinese New Year, “Grease” and — as always — Catholic imagery. After all these years, religion remains Madonna’s hottest button, and she continues to find new ways to make blasphemy sexy. Re-creating the Last Supper as a bacchanalia? Dancers clad in lingerie and nuns’ habits, using crucifixes to pole dance? It may be harder to shock and titillate in 2015, but that hasn’t stopped Madonna from trying.

“Rebel Heart” dominated the set list, but Madonna wasn’t afraid to try new things with old favorites. “Into the Groove” and “Lucky Star” were recast as Latin pop in a medley of catalogue classics, and she strapped on a Flying V guitar for “Burning Up” and traded it in for a ukulele for “True Blue” and a cover of Edith Piaf’s “La Vie en Rose.” The latter she dedicated to President Obama, whom she said didn’t accept her invitation: “Maybe I’m too provocative.”

After her latest of countless reinventions, Madonna is as provocative as ever. But she’s also reflective, using her concert not just to celebrate “Rebel Heart” Madonna but also all of her incarnations — so many that she’s started to lose track. “I don’t really know who I am,” she confessed near the end of the show. “But bitch, I’m Madonna.”

Got tickets for both O2 London Nights and Birmingham....can't WAIT!!! Loving the setlist, so many good classic and faves from the new album.

a rundown of the recently announced dates and information on ticket sales.....

Jan. 06 – Mexico City, MX – Sports Palace – Details to follow

Jan. 10 – San Antonio, TX – AT&T Center – On Sale Sept 21

Jan. 12 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center – On Sale Sept 21

Jan. 14 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center – On Sale Sept 21

Jan. 16 – Louisville, KY – KFC Yum! Center – On Sale Sept 21

Jan. 18 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena – On Sale Sept 21

Feb. 04 – Taipei, Taiwan – Taipei Arena – On Sale Sept 26

Feb. 09 – Bangkok, Thailand – Impact Arena – On Sale Oct. 3

Feb. 13 – Tokyo, Japan – Saitama Arena – On Sale Oct 10

Feb. 17 – Hong Kong – Asia World Arena – On Sale Sept 25

Feb. 20 – Macau – Studio City Event Center – Details to follow

Feb. 21 – Macau – Studio City Event Center – Details to follow

check out this excellent fan-made video!

"Veni Vidi Vici" by Madonna featuring Nas

I saw the DC show and loved it. Of the 4 Madonna tours I've been to, it was definitely the most fun and light-hearted. The other tours had a darker, heavier undertone to them. Even when she did a lot of hits in 2004, I remember feeling sort of distant from the experience of it all when I was in the audience. The current tour is much more fun and "fan-centric". It may become my favorite tour of hers, or at least my favorite since the days of Blond Ambition.

I knew things were going to be good when she did Burning Up (one of my "wish list" songs) as the third song. I loved the choices from her back catalog (I hadn't checked the setlist beforehand because I wanted to be surprised, and I definitely was). The focus on her first 3 albums was a pleasant surprise (I remember, back in 2001, I truly believed she would never perform these songs again, or at least not so many of them in one tour).

Loved the acoustic sing-alongs to True Blue (!), Who's That Girl, La Vie En Rose. The straightforward rendition of Deeper and Deeper was one of the biggest highlights for me; I liked it much better than previous live renditions of the song. It brought me right back to the days of the Erotica album. The whole flamenco section of the show was great. Love Don't Live Here Anymore -- another awesome surprise, wish she did more of the song though.

My one minor critique is that the '89-'99 portion of her catalog was ignored, except for one song (Deeper and Deeper) plus a snippet of Vogue. I'll admit that I was hoping to hear Take A Bow on this tour, especially since the bullfighting theme from that video would have fit well visually alongside Living For Love. When the jazzy 1920s intro to "Music" started, I also thought she was going to launch into a track from I'm Breathless (which would have fit in perfectly with that section of the show). But, still had a great time.

duggalolly said:

My one minor critique is that the '89-'99 portion of her catalog was ignored, except for one song (Deeper and Deeper) plus a snippet of Vogue.

Yeah,it's surprising that she would do a tour and not include anything from Ray Of Light and Like A Prayer.But that just goes to show you how much great material she has It's impossible to include everything.She's got an amazing catalog.

Madison Square Garden show

Madonna looks stunning on this tour

She looks beautiful in those pictures

Saw her this past wed at MSG..she was fantastic and it was my first time seeing her.

It's great to hear she's getting rave reviews for this tour. Also, getting props for her singing at long last!

I was at MSG last night, and here are my thoughts on the show. We had a great time!

1. Iconic - Fantastic opening performance. Whoever directed this tour is a real master, and it was especially evident during the opening song. Watching the screen felt like watching the DVD, because the shots were so good, that the live footage already looked edited, if that makes sense. I still don't love this track but I can't think of a better song from the album that could have opened the show. Maybe Bitch I'm Madonna? Everyone around me was talking about how good she looked.
2. Bitch I'm Madonna - I felt like this song should have either opened the show or come much later, as it was sort of dwarfed by the opening spectacle of Iconic. This performance deserved to be more memorable. It does include some of the choreography from the Fallon performance, and I have to say she looks much more comfortable and loose doing it now vs. then.
3. Burning Up - This was never one of my faves, but it was enjoyable. Aside from the added guitar, it stayed pretty faithful to original version, which I think is cool. Not every old song has to be reinvented imo. I think Lucky Star would have been a better choice as it's referenced in the preceding song. But I guess if you look at it on paper, this is where she says, "I'm going to start sinning now." WINK.
4. Holy Water - This is clearly the most shocking part of the show and is memorable for that reason, but I just don't think the song is strong enough to warrant this kind of production. I felt the energy level sort of drag around me. The nuns on stripper poles/Last Supper recrecation was sure to get people talking, but the song itself just doesn't do it for me.
   
   And the inclusion of Vogue was just sort of an afterthought and kind of pointless. She could have performed Vogue, instead of Holy Water, at the Last Supper Table, in the "Jesus seat," and created something iconic, and a bit more cheeky instead of crass. Kind of like the VMA performace of Vogue.
   
   Also, I get that shitting on Catholocism is kind of one of her "things," but I'd like to actually hear what she has to say about it, rather than have her continually try to think of new ways to disrespect it in her shows. What's next, getting eaten out by a priest on stage? It's like she keeps trying to top herself by pushing the envelope, but the letter inside the envelope is blank.
5. Devil Pray - Possibly my favorite song on Rebel Heart. I felt like this was a "cool down" moment for her after the Holy Water spectacle, as it wasn't very memorable of a performance. Like Bitch I'm Madonna after Iconic, I felt like the better song was dwarfed by the spectacle of the song before it.
6. Messiah - I'm glad this song was included in show, even if it was only an interlude. It ended up being one of the most stunning and memorable moments of the entire night for me. It features two gorgeous dance solos from two different dancers, blending choreography, staging, and effects, to create something magical.
7. Body Shop - I love what she did with this song. The stage transforms into an actual body shop, featuring some great choreography with her "grease monkey" back up dancers. She's trying to rock the big 1984-85 hair but I have to say it really ages her. Maybe the only styling misstep of the entire show for me.
8. True Blue - Finally a moment for Madonna to take off her on-stage "thinking cap," and sit down (on a stack of tires), to chat with the crowd. These are always my favorite moments at a Madonna show, when the wall comes down. The performance was sweet, and well received.
9. Deeper and Deeper - Another old tune done in a faithful manner to the original. This is a personal fave so it got me up and moving.
10. HeartBreakCity/Love Don't Live Here Anymore - A spiral staircase comes down over the mini-heart stage, as she interprets the song with chorography that has her and a dancer moving up and down the stairs. Another great moment. Her vocals during Love Don't Live Here Anymore were stellar. I don't recall hearing her holding out big notes like that before in a live setting.
11. Like a Virgin - Big highlight. Just Madonna by herself, working every inch of that stage. There's even a moment where she twerks for a second. Hats off!
12. S.E.X. - Interlude. 4 male dancers simulating sex with 4 female dancers on 4 beds. It was just ok.
13. Living For Love - This is essentially the Ellen performance with a different cape. I prefer the Grammy performance myself, which could have kicked off the encore section and really whipped the crowd into a frenzy. I'm not sure this dance version has the same impact. It does provide some great visuals but feels misplaced.
14. La Isla Bonita - A charming performance that kicks off the latin-themed portion of the show. I loved the interaction with her and the dancers. It was great choreography that didn't seem so polished (though, I'm sure it was knowing Madonna).
15. Dress You Up / Into the Groove / Lucky Star - Continuing the Latin theme, she comes out in a new dress, and does Dress You Up with a new Spanish guitar arrangement. I thought it really worked, suprisingly. I didn't think the inclusion of Into The Groove and Lucky Star worked as well, as it just seemed like she threw them in to add some more old songs, but this was a really great segment of the show. Possibly my favorite portion. She looked like she was really enjoying herself.
16. Who's That Girl - This sit-down portion of the Latin segment, with Madonna strapping on an acoustic. It was a great a sing along moment.
17. Rebel Heart - Dedicated to Rocco who was in the audience, featuring fan-submitted art flashing on the screen behind her. The art was great, and provided a sweet stroll down memory lane with all of her looks and incarnations.
18. Illuminati - An unbelievable interlude featuring the male dancers tethered to long, bendy poles. It has to be seen to be believed. Huge highlight. I love that she gives the dancers such memorable moments to shine.
19. Music - This kicks off the cabaret portion of the show and features her best look of the night. "You know what they say. It's lonely at the top. But it ain't crowded (WINK)."
20. Candy Shop - I was surprised to see this in the set, as it wasn't a hit, and didn't seem to be a fan favorite. I loved the new arrangement of it, and it gave me a new respect for the song. I hope this tour version leaks somewhere, because it would definitely get some heavy play from me.
21. Material Girl - This song got the loudest response of the night. This was sort of an update on the video, with another great new arrangement. It's interesting to hear an old favorite sound so current. Towards the end, she's under a bridal veil and holding a bouquet, in another nod to her past. I love that she's not afraid to look back on this tour. She celebrates the past and the present.
22. La Vie Vn Rose - Another sweet acoustic moment to connect with the audience, and a great vocal moment as well. Highlight.
23. Unapologetic Bitch - This performance made me like the song more. She brought a fan onstage and she and the dancers danced with him and gave him his moment to shine. He seemed genuinely shocked but held his own pretty well. Sidenote: I think it might have been Andy Cohen's date for the evening as they were sitting together with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in the VIP section. LOL when he tried to give Madonna a hug at the end, and she was like, "NO. Stand over there please."
24. Holiday - Perfect encore song, and got the entire place moving. The American flag draped over her kind of reminded me of The Girlie Show performance of this song, where the lining of her coat was the American flag IIRC. Kelly Ripa was going apeshit during this one. It was cute.

I thought the show was fantastic! I loved that she celebrated both the new songs and the old ones, and she really opened up and seemed to be having a great time after the first few numbers. Also, the stage extends so far into the main floor, that the show is practically in the round, which means not many bad seats in the house. Everyone I attended with agreed it was a big step up from the MDNA tour.

Sidenote - there was this 14 year old boy there with his mom, sitting next to us, and he knew every word of every song (even the new ones), and looked like he was absolutely LIVING for her. It was touching to see her affecting the youth, and not just us old farts. It also reminded me of my own mom taking me to concerts when I was young. Bless her for sitting through Lovesexy for me.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

I was at MSG last night, and here are my thoughts on the show. We had a great time!

1. Iconic - Fantastic opening performance. Whoever directed this tour is a real master, and it was especially evident during the opening song. Watching the screen felt like watching the DVD, because the shots were so good, that the live footage already looked edited, if that makes sense. I still don't love this track but I can't think of a better song from the album that could have opened the show. Maybe Bitch I'm Madonna? Everyone around me was talking about how good she looked.
2. Bitch I'm Madonna - I felt like this song should have either opened the show or come much later, as it was sort of dwarfed by the opening spectacle of Iconic. This performance deserved to be more memorable. It does include some of the choreography from the Fallon performance, and I have to say she looks much more comfortable and loose doing it now vs. then.
3. Burning Up - This was never one of my faves, but it was enjoyable. Aside from the added guitar, it stayed pretty faithful to original version, which I think is cool. Not every old song has to be reinvented imo. I think Lucky Star would have been a better choice as it's referenced in the preceding song. But I guess if you look at it on paper, this is where she says, "I'm going to start sinning now." WINK.
4. Holy Water - This is clearly the most shocking part of the show and is memorable for that reason, but I just don't think the song is strong enough to warrant this kind of production. I felt the energy level sort of drag around me. The nuns on stripper poles/Last Supper recrecation was sure to get people talking, but the song itself just doesn't do it for me.
   
   And the inclusion of Vogue was just sort of an afterthought and kind of pointless. She could have performed Vogue, instead of Holy Water, at the Last Supper Table, in the "Jesus seat," and created something iconic, and a bit more cheeky instead of crass. Kind of like the VMA performace of Vogue.
   
   Also, I get that shitting on Catholocism is kind of one of her "things," but I'd like to actually hear what she has to say about it, rather than have her continually try to think of new ways to disrespect it in her shows. What's next, getting eaten out by a priest on stage? It's like she keeps trying to top herself by pushing the envelope, but the letter inside the envelope is blank.
5. Devil Pray - Possibly my favorite song on Rebel Heart. I felt like this was a "cool down" moment for her after the Holy Water spectacle, as it wasn't very memorable of a performance. Like Bitch I'm Madonna after Iconic, I felt like the better song was dwarfed by the spectacle of the song before it.
6. Messiah - I'm glad this song was included in show, even if it was only an interlude. It ended up being one of the most stunning and memorable moments of the entire night for me. It features two gorgeous dance solos from two different dancers, blending choreography, staging, and effects, to create something magical.
7. Body Shop - I love what she did with this song. The stage transforms into an actual body shop, featuring some great choreography with her "grease monkey" back up dancers. She's trying to rock the big 1984-85 hair but I have to say it really ages her. Maybe the only styling misstep of the entire show for me.
8. True Blue - Finally a moment for Madonna to take off her on-stage "thinking cap," and sit down (on a stack of tires), to chat with the crowd. These are always my favorite moments at a Madonna show, when the wall comes down. The performance was sweet, and well received.
9. Deeper and Deeper - Another old tune done in a faithful manner to the original. This is a personal fave so it got me up and moving.
10. HeartBreakCity/Love Don't Live Here Anymore - A spiral staircase comes down over the mini-heart stage, as she interprets the song with chorography that has her and a dancer moving up and down the stairs. Another great moment. Her vocals during Love Don't Live Here Anymore were stellar. I don't recall hearing her holding out big notes like that before in a live setting.
11. Like a Virgin - Big highlight. Just Madonna by herself, working every inch of that stage. There's even a moment where she twerks for a second. Hats off!
12. S.E.X. - Interlude. 4 male dancers simulating sex with 4 female dancers on 4 beds. It was just ok.
13. Living For Love - This is essentially the Ellen performance with a different cape. I prefer the Grammy performance myself, which could have kicked off the encore section and really whipped the crowd into a frenzy. I'm not sure this dance version has the same impact. It does provide some great visuals but feels misplaced.
14. La Isla Bonita - A charming performance that kicks off the latin-themed portion of the show. I loved the interaction with her and the dancers. It was great choreography that didn't seem so polished (though, I'm sure it was knowing Madonna).
15. Dress You Up / Into the Groove / Lucky Star - Continuing the Latin theme, she comes out in a new dress, and does Dress You Up with a new Spanish guitar arrangement. I thought it really worked, suprisingly. I didn't think the inclusion of Into The Groove and Lucky Star worked as well, as it just seemed like she threw them in to add some more old songs, but this was a really great segment of the show. Possibly my favorite portion. She looked like she was really enjoying herself.
16. Who's That Girl - This sit-down portion of the Latin segment, with Madonna strapping on an acoustic. It was a great a sing along moment.
17. Rebel Heart - Dedicated to Rocco who was in the audience, featuring fan-submitted art flashing on the screen behind her. The art was great, and provided a sweet stroll down memory lane with all of her looks and incarnations.
18. Illuminati - An unbelievable interlude featuring the male dancers tethered to long, bendy poles. It has to be seen to be believed. Huge highlight. I love that she gives the dancers such memorable moments to shine.
19. Music - This kicks off the cabaret portion of the show and features her best look of the night. "You know what they say. It's lonely at the top. But it ain't crowded (WINK)."
20. Candy Shop - I was surprised to see this in the set, as it wasn't a hit, and didn't seem to be a fan favorite. I loved the new arrangement of it, and it gave me a new respect for the song. I hope this tour version leaks somewhere, because it would definitely get some heavy play from me.
21. Material Girl - This song got the loudest response of the night. This was sort of an update on the video, with another great new arrangement. It's interesting to hear an old favorite sound so current. Towards the end, she's under a bridal veil and holding a bouquet, in another nod to her past. I love that she's not afraid to look back on this tour. She celebrates the past and the present.
22. La Vie Vn Rose - Another sweet acoustic moment to connect with the audience, and a great vocal moment as well. Highlight.
23. Unapologetic Bitch - This performance made me like the song more. She brought a fan onstage and she and the dancers danced with him and gave him his moment to shine. He seemed genuinely shocked but held his own pretty well. Sidenote: I think it might have been Andy Cohen's date for the evening as they were sitting together with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in the VIP section. LOL when he tried to give Madonna a hug at the end, and she was like, "NO. Stand over there please."
24. Holiday - Perfect encore song, and got the entire place moving. The American flag draped over her kind of reminded me of The Girlie Show performance of this song, where the lining of her coat was the American flag IIRC. Kelly Ripa was going apeshit during this one. It was cute.

I thought the show was fantastic! I loved that she celebrated both the new songs and the old ones, and she really opened up and seemed to be having a great time after the first few numbers. Also, the stage extends so far into the main floor, that the show is practically in the round, which means not many bad seats in the house. Everyone I attended with agreed it was a big step up from the MDNA tour.

Sidenote - there was this 14 year old boy there with his mom, sitting next to us, and he knew every word of every song (even the new ones), and looked like he was absolutely LIVING for her. It was touching to see her affecting the youth, and not just us old farts. It also reminded me of my own mom taking me to concerts when I was young. Bless her for sitting through Lovesexy for me.

I'm looking forward to this tour. Glad you had such a great time. Thanks for sharing.

SchlomoThaHomo said:

I was at MSG last night, and here are my thoughts on the show. We had a great time!

1. Iconic - Fantastic opening performance. Whoever directed this tour is a real master, and it was especially evident during the opening song. Watching the screen felt like watching the DVD, because the shots were so good, that the live footage already looked edited, if that makes sense. I still don't love this track but I can't think of a better song from the album that could have opened the show. Maybe Bitch I'm Madonna? Everyone around me was talking about how good she looked.
2. Bitch I'm Madonna - I felt like this song should have either opened the show or come much later, as it was sort of dwarfed by the opening spectacle of Iconic. This performance deserved to be more memorable. It does include some of the choreography from the Fallon performance, and I have to say she looks much more comfortable and loose doing it now vs. then.
3. Burning Up - This was never one of my faves, but it was enjoyable. Aside from the added guitar, it stayed pretty faithful to original version, which I think is cool. Not every old song has to be reinvented imo. I think Lucky Star would have been a better choice as it's referenced in the preceding song. But I guess if you look at it on paper, this is where she says, "I'm going to start sinning now." WINK.
4. Holy Water - This is clearly the most shocking part of the show and is memorable for that reason, but I just don't think the song is strong enough to warrant this kind of production. I felt the energy level sort of drag around me. The nuns on stripper poles/Last Supper recrecation was sure to get people talking, but the song itself just doesn't do it for me.
   
   And the inclusion of Vogue was just sort of an afterthought and kind of pointless. She could have performed Vogue, instead of Holy Water, at the Last Supper Table, in the "Jesus seat," and created something iconic, and a bit more cheeky instead of crass. Kind of like the VMA performace of Vogue.
   
   Also, I get that shitting on Catholocism is kind of one of her "things," but I'd like to actually hear what she has to say about it, rather than have her continually try to think of new ways to disrespect it in her shows. What's next, getting eaten out by a priest on stage? It's like she keeps trying to top herself by pushing the envelope, but the letter inside the envelope is blank.
5. Devil Pray - Possibly my favorite song on Rebel Heart. I felt like this was a "cool down" moment for her after the Holy Water spectacle, as it wasn't very memorable of a performance. Like Bitch I'm Madonna after Iconic, I felt like the better song was dwarfed by the spectacle of the song before it.
6. Messiah - I'm glad this song was included in show, even if it was only an interlude. It ended up being one of the most stunning and memorable moments of the entire night for me. It features two gorgeous dance solos from two different dancers, blending choreography, staging, and effects, to create something magical.
7. Body Shop - I love what she did with this song. The stage transforms into an actual body shop, featuring some great choreography with her "grease monkey" back up dancers. She's trying to rock the big 1984-85 hair but I have to say it really ages her. Maybe the only styling misstep of the entire show for me.
8. True Blue - Finally a moment for Madonna to take off her on-stage "thinking cap," and sit down (on a stack of tires), to chat with the crowd. These are always my favorite moments at a Madonna show, when the wall comes down. The performance was sweet, and well received.
9. Deeper and Deeper - Another old tune done in a faithful manner to the original. This is a personal fave so it got me up and moving.
10. HeartBreakCity/Love Don't Live Here Anymore - A spiral staircase comes down over the mini-heart stage, as she interprets the song with chorography that has her and a dancer moving up and down the stairs. Another great moment. Her vocals during Love Don't Live Here Anymore were stellar. I don't recall hearing her holding out big notes like that before in a live setting.
11. Like a Virgin - Big highlight. Just Madonna by herself, working every inch of that stage. There's even a moment where she twerks for a second. Hats off!
12. S.E.X. - Interlude. 4 male dancers simulating sex with 4 female dancers on 4 beds. It was just ok.
13. Living For Love - This is essentially the Ellen performance with a different cape. I prefer the Grammy performance myself, which could have kicked off the encore section and really whipped the crowd into a frenzy. I'm not sure this dance version has the same impact. It does provide some great visuals but feels misplaced.
14. La Isla Bonita - A charming performance that kicks off the latin-themed portion of the show. I loved the interaction with her and the dancers. It was great choreography that didn't seem so polished (though, I'm sure it was knowing Madonna).
15. Dress You Up / Into the Groove / Lucky Star - Continuing the Latin theme, she comes out in a new dress, and does Dress You Up with a new Spanish guitar arrangement. I thought it really worked, suprisingly. I didn't think the inclusion of Into The Groove and Lucky Star worked as well, as it just seemed like she threw them in to add some more old songs, but this was a really great segment of the show. Possibly my favorite portion. She looked like she was really enjoying herself.
16. Who's That Girl - This sit-down portion of the Latin segment, with Madonna strapping on an acoustic. It was a great a sing along moment.
17. Rebel Heart - Dedicated to Rocco who was in the audience, featuring fan-submitted art flashing on the screen behind her. The art was great, and provided a sweet stroll down memory lane with all of her looks and incarnations.
18. Illuminati - An unbelievable interlude featuring the male dancers tethered to long, bendy poles. It has to be seen to be believed. Huge highlight. I love that she gives the dancers such memorable moments to shine.
19. Music - This kicks off the cabaret portion of the show and features her best look of the night. "You know what they say. It's lonely at the top. But it ain't crowded (WINK)."
20. Candy Shop - I was surprised to see this in the set, as it wasn't a hit, and didn't seem to be a fan favorite. I loved the new arrangement of it, and it gave me a new respect for the song. I hope this tour version leaks somewhere, because it would definitely get some heavy play from me.
21. Material Girl - This song got the loudest response of the night. This was sort of an update on the video, with another great new arrangement. It's interesting to hear an old favorite sound so current. Towards the end, she's under a bridal veil and holding a bouquet, in another nod to her past. I love that she's not afraid to look back on this tour. She celebrates the past and the present.
22. La Vie Vn Rose - Another sweet acoustic moment to connect with the audience, and a great vocal moment as well. Highlight.
23. Unapologetic Bitch - This performance made me like the song more. She brought a fan onstage and she and the dancers danced with him and gave him his moment to shine. He seemed genuinely shocked but held his own pretty well. Sidenote: I think it might have been Andy Cohen's date for the evening as they were sitting together with Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos in the VIP section. LOL when he tried to give Madonna a hug at the end, and she was like, "NO. Stand over there please."
24. Holiday - Perfect encore song, and got the entire place moving. The American flag draped over her kind of reminded me of The Girlie Show performance of this song, where the lining of her coat was the American flag IIRC. Kelly Ripa was going apeshit during this one. It was cute.

I thought the show was fantastic! I loved that she celebrated both the new songs and the old ones, and she really opened up and seemed to be having a great time after the first few numbers. Also, the stage extends so far into the main floor, that the show is practically in the round, which means not many bad seats in the house. Everyone I attended with agreed it was a big step up from the MDNA tour.

Sidenote - there was this 14 year old boy there with his mom, sitting next to us, and he knew every word of every song (even the new ones), and looked like he was absolutely LIVING for her. It was touching to see her affecting the youth, and not just us old farts. It also reminded me of my own mom taking me to concerts when I was young. Bless her for sitting through Lovesexy for me.

awesome review!!

A little twerk a la Madonna at 3:02. Get it, bitch!

SoulAlive said:

^^the only thing is....watching that clip,I miss Nicki and Donna I'm so used to seeing the two of them onstage with Madonna whenever she performs that song

They help in a way that cannot be replaced.
I loved all 3 together

Madonna on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden. Dancers were big parts of the concert, along with her biggest hits. But she also pulled liberally from "Rebel Heart," her latest album. Credit Krista Schlueter for The New York Times

Madonna Returns to the Garden, Unapologetic and Playful

Madonna let fans see her sweat when her “Rebel Heart” tour started its two nights at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. She belted “HeartBreakCity,” a bitter, accusatory breakup song, from a staircase as she battled the embraces of an acrobatic dancer. Then she tossed off a jacket to reveal a sweat-soaked blouse, and traded heartache for triumph with the first words — “I made it through the wilderness” — of “Like a Virgin.” She pranced and strutted through it with some moves from her 1980s videos and opened the blouse to reveal lingerie and cleavage. The lesson: Madonna the indomitable sexpot would prevail.

That’s undeniable. She mentioned, twice, that she first played Madison Square Garden 30 years ago, saying she felt nostalgic. But while much of her audience has grown up with her, Madonna, now 57, hasn’t allowed herself to become an oldies act. She filled the set with songs from “Rebel Heart,” released this year, and thoroughly rearranged her early hits

Through the decades, Madonna’s tours have delivered spectacles that push hot buttons galore: sexuality, power, faith, rebellion and sheer willfulness. They were all part of the “Rebel Heart” show, too. But on this tour, Madonna isn’t confronting her audience as much as sharing her prerogatives with it. The dance numbers go hopscotching through history and geography, reaching up in the air and across the arena, simply because they can.

Madonna’s set opened with a recorded monologue about wanting to “start a revolution”; her voice warned about “too much creativity being crushed beneath the will of corporate branding and what’s trendy.” She made her entrance inside a medieval-looking cage that she would break out of as she sang “Iconic,” a pep talk on self-realization for everyone, and then “Bitch I’m Madonna,” a reminder — with thundering dubstep bass drops — that she stands apart. She commanded a troupe of dancers costumed like samurai warriors, defeating one in mock combat. Then, almost immediately, she was a rocker with a black Flying V guitar, playing “Burning Up” as something like a Joan Jett song.

She delivered the show’s blasphemy quota early, with “Holy Water,” calling for oral sex amid bump-and-grind pole dancers wearing nuns’ headgear, and segueing into “Vogue,” with the dancers recasting the Last Supper as a bacchanal. “Devil Pray” — about setting aside drugs for spirituality — had her both genuflecting before a priest figure and grinding her hips

But then she set provocation aside. It was a friendlier Madonna who encouraged a singalong as she strummed a ukulele through “True Blue.” It was a frisky Madonna who danced through a simulated gas station, climbing on and off the mechanics, in “Body Shop.” It was a touristic Madonna who wore a long ruffled skirt and extended a flamenco version of “La Isla Bonita” into a Latin-flavored medley of early hits. An earnest Madonna exposed her voice in a solo rendition, with ukulele, of “La Vie en Rose.” And a suavely retro Madonna started “Music” as a chanteuse’s torch song before switching to its electronic beat and flaunting her skimpy rhinestone dress amid jitterbugging dancers.

Madonna’s ire was reserved for an ex: in “HeartBreakCity” and in a version of “Living for Love” that traded the upbeat gospel of the single version for a brutal bass stomp, as she played matador with men wearing horns. She closed the main set with another jibe, but a more celebratory one: “Unapologetic Bitch,” which brought back the night’s opener, the comedian Amy Schumer, to dance along and, with Madonna’s help, flash her underwear.

But Madonna took care not to end on that angry note. She was back, dressed in the American flag, for “Holiday,” sounding like the 1983 original with pumped-up bass, inviting the world to dance — a little nostalgic for once, but unstoppable.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/18/arts/music/madonna-returns-to-the-garden-unapologetic-and-playful.html?_r=1

SchlomoThaHomo said:

2. Holy Water - This is clearly the most shocking part of the show and is memorable for that reason, but I just don't think the song is strong enough to warrant this kind of production. I felt the energy level sort of drag around me. The nuns on stripper poles/Last Supper recrecation was sure to get people talking, but the song itself just doesn't do it for me.
   
   And the inclusion of Vogue was just sort of an afterthought and kind of pointless. She could have performed Vogue, instead of Holy Water, at the Last Supper Table, in the "Jesus seat," and created something iconic, and a bit more cheeky instead of crass. Kind of like the VMA performace of Vogue.
   
   Also, I get that shitting on Catholocism is kind of one of her "things," but I'd like to actually hear what she has to say about it, rather than have her continually try to think of new ways to disrespect it in her shows. What's next, getting eaten out by a priest on stage? It's like she keeps trying to top herself by pushing the envelope, but the letter inside the envelope is blank.

These clips look really good, Im actually a lil surprised lol