Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions and more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Andrew in Cardiff last night.

 

 

 

 

Madonna opened the European leg of the Confessions Tour with a fantastic show at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff - not only was this the first European show of the tour it was also the first stadium concert this tour.

To read all the fan reports from the show visit the Cardiff Fan Reviews section:

From Adam:
I feel very privileged to have witnessed the opening European show last night. The last time I saw Madonna was way back in 1993 at the Girlie Show, and, she has definately got better with age!
She looks fantastic, sounds fantastic and is pleasure to watch and admire. These cynical critics who are always putting her down should take note! I dont know many 47 year old working mums who could bring South Wales to a standstill twice on a Sunday evening. There was gridlock at midnight!

From Anita:
Technically I do think the show knits together superbly well. As always the set and use of screens is fantastic. One thing that stuck out for me was the quality of her dancers. They really play their part well in this show. They look gorgeous - I think they do her proud (shame they don't get more credit in the tour book).

From Ben:
Jump got the crowd eating out of her hand - a Pop Classic in the waiting, peformed whilst dancers, and the lady herself, did some pretty nifty gymnastics around some cages.
Oh and Let It Will Be must also seen to be believed - she really goes all out for this one, throwing herself through a very spunky, punk rock-esque strut, all the while singing without getting out of breath.
Her interaction with the crowd was warm - 'I've never been to Wales before - but I LOVE it!' and inspirational - 'We all have the power to unite the world, and it's great to see so many countries united under one roof.'

From Brent:
I must admit the stage was massive, the catwalk was alot higher than the American shows, probably due to the size of the stadium, but it was still fabulous anyway! She was electric, and looked amazing on her Confessions stage!

From Dan:
Highlights (for me at least!) included ' Future Lovers' - WOW! 'Live to tell', the whole Disco section - especially 'Erotica' I also loved 'Paradise (But Not For Me)' which isn't usually on my list of favourites, but the arrangement and Issac's beautiful vocals made it a standout.
It was the best show I've seen her do (and I've seen 'em all!) The energy and power of her performance shook the whole stadium!

From Lee:
I went to see Madonna in Cardiff last night and am still buzzing from the amazing performance. She came on stage at 8.30 and for two hours she amazed me. If you have tickets you are in for the time of your life, if not....THEN GET SOME.

From Neil:
There are few words that can explain the jubilation of having your idol sing a full verse of a song into your eyes. After she finished the final bridge of Let It Will Be, I was at a loss for words. In a sea of people trying to take camera and phone pictures, there I was stood, frozen, 3 feet from my idol, she saw there was no camera between me and her, she looked over the cameraman, into my eyes and sang. Im still getting shivers.
The lights stayed down for a long time afterwards, and there was a sigh of dissapointment when no encore was forthcoming, however there were certainly NO boos as has been fraudently reported in the media.

From Nicky:
Wow! Just got back from seeing Madonna in Cardiff. She was awesome. I saw her arrive around 3:30pm. She was travelling in a silver Range Rover and had a police escort.
The show was fantastic. It seemed to go really quickly, she was quite chatty to the crowd and seemed very relaxed. Cardiff certainly gave her a warm welcome.

From Paul:
Before Drowned World she said how pleased she was to be in Wales for the very first time, and she also commented that she was happy to start the European leg of the tour here. She said 'Thank fuck' for starting the European Tour because she was looking forward to the audiences standing up. She also commented on the wide variety of different flags in the audience and that, in the world as it is today, it was great to see everyone coming together as one.

From Richard:
After a nine hour journey I am sat at my desk thinking yes it was worth it, last night was my 14th Madonna gig and she never ceases to surprise. I will post some pics later today for you I was at the front within the gold circle and to my delight Madonna came over gave me 'a look' pointed at me licked her finger and put it down her pants I all of a sudden became rather hot and bothered!

From Rob:
Madonna said she 'loved this Arena' as 'people at my concerts in America had been sitting down' - Madonna seemed to feed off the energy of the fans and the great atmosphere that surrounded her. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget.

Even though the UK press extensively covered the tour premiere back in May, they still devoted a lot of newsprint to Madonna's European opening night at the Millennium Stadium last night....and all the reviews were good!

Featured below are scans from UK newspapers the Daily Star, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror, The Independent and The Times.

Hung Up has been nominated for five MTV Video Music Awards today: Video of the Year, Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, Best Pop Video and Best Choreography in a Video.

For the first time in VMA history, viewers will be able to vote for their favorites in all categories (not just Viewer's Choice) - visit www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2006/voting

To read the original news report from MTV visit: www.mtv.com/news

The show will be held at New York's Radio City Music Hall on Thurday 31 August.

Here is a first look at one of Madonna's promotional adverts for H&M on display in Stachus - Karlsplatz in Munich, Germany.

Madonna kicked off the European leg of the Confessions Tour last night at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. And most reviewers agree it is worth the price tag!
Here are some press reports from the night - to read the full review click on the report title:

BBC Wales: Confessions from a Madonna show
The Queen of Pop has arrived in Europe with her Confessions tour, thanking not God but something far more carnal (this is Madonna - use your imagination) as she did so for being in a place where 'people in the audience dance'.
They certainly did. Even before Her Madgesty appeared, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium pitch was a mass of moving bodies packed like sardines, eagerly awaiting the first glimpse of their regent.

dotmusic: Madonna rides into town for concert
Madonna rode in on a saddle and a crucifix on Sunday night when she finally kicked off the opening night of the European leg of her world tour.
The queen of pop entertained a crowd of 59,000 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff with an erotically-charged performance.
It was the first time her Confessions tour had been seen outside America and in a stadium.
She said: 'It's also our first show in Europe. I'm sick of people sitting down in concerts. It's really boring.'

Guardian Unlimited: Madonna - Millenium Stadium, Cardiff
Jenny Hughes' last Madonna gig was in 1993, when the singer brought her Girlie Show tour to Wembley Stadium. Unable to get a ticket she listened from the balcony of her flat. Thirteen years later and now living in Newport, she was finally about to see Madonna as well as hear her. 'She keeps going, always reinventing herself,' she said.

MTV.co.uk: Madonna Sparkles on UK Return
Madonna arrived on stage atop a huge disco ball as she launched the UK leg of her Confessions tour at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium last night (Sunday).
Playing to a crowd of 60,000 fans, the queen of pop didn’t shy away from the wow-factor either.

The Press Association: Thousands turn out for Madonna show
Thousands of Madonna fans arrived in Cardiff for the opening date of the European leg of her world tour.
The show at the Millennium Stadium is the only UK date on the queen of pop's Confessions tour outside London.
Her fans saw the concert open with an equestrian theme in front of a huge disco stage set.

Madonna's Get Together was the highest new entry in the UK singles chart this week entering at #7.

The show has begun in Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, Madonna herself shouting out to the crowd Alright Cardiff, are you ready to ride with me, I said are you ready?

madonnalicious visitor Allen took this picture with the Millennium Stadium full up with fans and ready for the arrival of Madonna!

Hasit Shah, a journalist at BBC News in London, is trying to find fans who are going to concert in Cardiff tonight, for a short interview on BBC Radio Five Live's Breakfast programme tomorrow morning.

If you can help then contact Hasit on 020 8624 9501 or at hasit.shah@bbc.co.uk

madonnalicious visitor Howard has just sent in this picture of the Millennium Stadium filling up with fans in preparation for tonight's concert.

As fans can see the stage set up in the stadium is pretty much the same as in the arenas, and the side catwalks have not been extended out to meet the side of the venue. The 'disco horses' backdrops though are a new edition.

ICON, the official Madonna fanclub, have confirmed Madonna's Confessions Tour will play Moscow on Monday 11 September at Moscow University.

More information about this tour date is expected to be announced this week.

madonnalicious visitor Dan Carver filmed this clip at the last US show in Miami on Sunday 23 July - the clip features Madonna's mess up with the lyrics in Let It Will Be, her mic not working and her speech straight after the song about how she needed to have a word with '....that Mr Bush man!

madonnalicious visitor LECICCONE also filmed the Let It Will Be mistake from a closer point of view - this time you get to see Madonna kick the mic off the stage and then have problems with the sound afterwards:

Since Jump started getting airplay in Canada last week, fans can now vote for the song on CKOI at www.ckoi.com/6a6

The Friday edition of the Liverpool Echo newspaper published this story about wanting Madonna to headline a 2003 Summer Music Festival.

 

madonnalicious would like to thank all the fans who have submitted news items, fan show reports, pictures and video clips from the North American leg of the tour.

There is still a lot of fan submitted pictures and video clips to put online....do not worry madonnalicious has not forgotten....they will all get online eventually!

madonnalicious is now looking for fans attending the European shows to send in all their pictures and reports - send any submissions to madonnalicious@gmail.com

We are especially interested in news and pictures from the Cardiff concert on Sunday, to see if there are any show changes and how the stage and catwalks are set up for a stadium concert!

madonnalicious visitor Will took these pictures at the last Madison Square Garden show on Thursday 19 July - for more visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

 

 

Here is the story behind some of Madonna's equestrian themed costumes in the W magazine shoot with Steven Klein:

Madonna’s record-breaking Confessions Tour has been selling out venues across the nation all summer, and though the tour is finished in the States to make way for Europe, fans can get their own little keepsake from Boston-area sexuality boutique (www.erosboutique.com).
Earlier this year, owner Sheila Rae was contacted by the Queen of Pop’s people after the superstar fell in love with ErosBoutique’s selection of Equestrian Fetish Gear and requested a large selection of it for her W photo shoot!
'I was in New Jersey at the time, and I kept calling into work to see if I had any messages, but they kept telling me nothing was new,' says Rae. 'Then when I got back I sifted through a pile of messages and found one that read, ‘Madonna’s people called – they need all the equestrian stuff right away!’'
Rae returned the call and was told that Madonna wanted everything from their Equestrian selection with exception to the pony butt plug.
'I packed everything up and overnighted it to her in Los Angeles,' Rae recalls. 'She wanted the Pony Up, which is a full horse gag with a chain and attached rings. And she fell in love with the authentic V-brow Pony Bridle, which she kept – it’s a real English bridle with authentic buckles and fancy silver screws. We also sent her our saddle, which is huge. It also had a dildo attachment on it so you could ride it that way if you wanted, but she didn’t want the dildo.'

The result was a Steven Klein-shot spread over 58 pages in the May issue of W Magazine, the cover of which features the blonde bombshell biting ErosBoutique’s English Riding Crop ($38) and wearing their Latex Gloves ($48), both of which she requested to keep for personal use after the shoot was done. Madonna herself called Sheila to ask if she could keep the crop and gloves, which, of course, Sheila said yes.
Since the magazine hit newsstands, ErosBoutique has received so many calls about their Equestrian Fetish Gear (thanks to a credit in the magazine) that they can barely keep up with demand!
'When W called me and told me she came across our site when she was looking for inspiration, it sort of surprised me, but then again, it didn’t,' Rae says. 'She’s always cutting edge, she’s always shaking things up. The Equestrian fetish actually originated in London, so we’re just catching up with it here in the United States. Who better than Madonna to lead us there?'

A high-end retailer offering the best adult novelties around, ErosBoutique’s website (www.erosboutique.com) has been in operation since 1996 giving top of the line sex toys, fetish wear and videos to customers from around the globe. The company delivers to international customers aswell. They also have a brick-and-mortar store located at 581A Tremont Street in Boston.

Fans in Italy are trying to put together a special surprise for Madonna during the Sunday 06 August show in Rome.
After Madonna sings Drowned World - fans should join in with a chorus of Crazy For You - to read the full information (in English and Italian) visit the project's website at www.semplicementegeri.it/madonna and show Madonna we are crazy for her!

The current editions of German magazines In and In Touch (27 July issues) both feature shots of Madonna wrapped up and in the sea at Miami beach last week.

 

She may only drink Kabbalah water, but Madonna has a use for alcohol, more specifically - vodka. The singer uses the spirit to get rid of the sweat stains from her stage outfits after every performance.
And, it seems that the method is so effective that the singer's assistants go through a bottle a night of vodka getting rid of the stains.
An insider revealed that while this may seem bizarre to some, the Queen of pop is not the only one to use the fiery liquid, for most opera houses use it too. 'It's fantastic for perspiration marks. Alcohol kills the bacteria, keeping stage clothes fresher. It's a trick they use in opera houses because the big divas perspire a lot.'

LAST CALL for artists - TRIBUTE TO MADONNA BIRTHDAY PARTY & BENEFIT
There is still room for your original Madonna art!

If interested see contact info below for details and art call form. Do it today!
Artists from US & ALL countries are welcome to participate.
Sample of work can be submitted via internet, please send a website or samples of current work/style. FINAL deadline for final piece to Atlanta is August 10, 2006.

See invite below for details. For a complete art call form/info please email:
Leann at artforjustice@gmail.com – add Madonna Art Call in subject line.
Call with questions: 1.404.350.9232

Madonna wrapped up her U.S. tour Sunday night in Miami and followed her performance with a stop at her official cast and crew afterparty at the Raleigh Hotel penthouse. The tireless singer made her way to the top at around 12:40 a.m. without one single paparazzi shot, having been whisked into the elevator by intrepid staffers. DJ Tracy Young spun and Maverick Records honcho Guy Oseary checked every guest coming into the intimate, 30+ soiree. There were no crashers.

Below is a scan of the Central European press advert for the I'm Going To Tell You A Secret DVD/Live CD that was featured in the Polish press this week.

Also pictured below is the same advert seen on the streets of Berlin, Germany.

 

Final preparations are being made as Madonna kicks off the European leg of her 'Confessions' tour in Cardiff.
The show on Sunday at the Millennium Stadium will be the biggest arena yet for the world tour, which started in the Los Angeles in May.
Around 59,000 fans are expected for the show, the first of 21 dates across Europe, including eight in London.
Adapting her show to each venue, the singer will include an equestrian theme during the opening in Cardiff.
The star's tour director Chris Lamb, from California, has worked with Madonna for 20 years.
He and his 'army' have been constructing the set in the stadium since Monday. With 150 workers over from the USA, Mr Lamb said they also employed around 200 local people.
'We've done 35 shows in America in indoor arenas, this here is the first stadium show for two years,' he said.
'People are not coming to see a rock concert - this is a show, closer to theatre than a rock concert.'
Mr Lamb said the cost of the concert was 'enormous' but added it was all relative the whole expense of the tour.
After two decades of working with Madonna Mr Lamb believes the singer will never retire.
'I don't think she'll ever stop. She's a perfectionist, focused and she knows every little thing about the show,' he added. "She wants to outdo herself and challenges herself."
And with regards to the set she 'comes up with the basic idea and is involved from square one.'
The tour director said the set was 'enormously technical' and was state of the art with its video show.
However two large silver 'disco horses' backdrops placed on each side of the stage have not been approved by Madonna yet.
Even though she's seen the drawings Mr Lamb awaits her verdict before they get final approval.
The media, invited to the stadium on Friday, were not allowed to photograph them.
DJ Paul Oakenfold will open the Hung Up singer's concert at 1900 BST and will perform his set for around an hour and a half before Madonna's two-hour show.
There will be a 'golden circle' to hold around 3,000 fans in front of the stage on a first come first serve basis.
Madonna's tour continues at Wembley Arena and finishes in Prague before it moves to Japan in September.

Madonna's official website www.madonna.com have published the front cover of Madonna's 2007 calendar which features the H&M campaign shot by Rankin.

The 2007 Madonna calendar has now gone on presale at fanfire.com. The calendar features pictures by Steven Klein, Guy Oseary, Shavawn Rissman and more! It includes studio and live images from Madonna's Confessions Tour.

Note that one of the photographers listed is Madonna's manager Guy Oseary - he was spotted by fans at some of the Confessions Tour shows snapping pictures - so maybe some of these will make it onto the calendar!

USA Today reported the top 25 moments in MTV history - Madonna has three mentions in the top 25:

* Her Like A Virgin performance (1984)
* Her interaction with a drugged out Courtney Love caught on tape (1995)
* The Kiss With Britney and Christina (2003)

Todays edition of the South Wales Echo newspaper has published this story on preparations for Madonna's Confessions Tour touchdown at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday - click on the article to enlarge and read.

Get your paws on tix to Madonna’s London shows....It’s quite simple really: Madonna tickets are like gold-dust with extra bits of gold smothered on top, dipped in a special golden soup!
And yes, we’ve got tickets to give away! We’ve got one pair per date, but for chance to win more watch MTV Select every weekday from 4pm – 5pm on MTV and TMF Live every weekday from 5pm – 6pm on TMF.

To enter the competition online visit www.mtv.co.uk/mtvuk/comps

The 'CONFESSIONS TOUR' party is here!
Saturday 5th August 2006 - 12pm to 8pm
It's at G-A-Y basement bar: www.g-a-y.co.uk
Map to find the bar: Click Here

Come along NO ticket needed, NO payment.
Just bring yourself and any friends that will enjoy 8 hours straight of Madonna Videos and Music.
Take a look at previous parties here: madonnafanparty.mysite

Fans can finally download the Get Together EP on the UK version of iTunes.

Madonna and Lourdes day at the beach in Miami this weekend is featured in the new issue of Life & Style magazine (07 August edition).

Click on the image to enlarge.

Billboard Boxscore has just posted the final statistics for Madonna's North American leg of her Confessions Tour: (Venue / Gross / Attendance / Shows)

Los Angeles Forum / $7,686,380 / 40,044 seats - 3/3 sold out shows
Las Vegas MGM Grand / $7,257,750 / 27,328 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
San Jose HP Pavilion / $4,761,555 / 27,024 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
L. A. Staples Center / $2,804,583 / 14,183 seats - 1/1 sold out shows
Fresno Save Mart Center / $3,749,800 / 20,154 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
Phoenix Glendale Arena / $4,890,090 / 28,820 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
Chicago United Center / $9,271,790 / 52,000 seats - 4/4 sold out shows
Montreal Bell Centre / $5,670,150 / 34,940 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
Hartford Civic Center / $3,451,235 / 21,558 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
Boston TD BankNorth / $6,337,115 / 36,741 seats - 3/3 sold out shows
Philadelphia Wachovia / $4,639,775 / 29,749 seats - 2/2 sold out shows
Atlantic City Boardwalk / $3,246,100 / 12,322 seats - 1/1 sold out shows
New York Madison Squ / $16,507,855 / 91,841 seats - 6/6 sold out shows
Miami American Airlines / $5,568,485 / 29,749 seats - 2/2 sold out shows

The tour has grossed an astonishing $85,842,663 from North America alone.
The North American leg of the tour is now over. Now Madonna's sensational tour shall soon be conquering Europe and Japan!

Here are more pictures of the Confessions Tour poster campaign around Rome to advertise Madonna's Sunday 06 August concert there.

Visit us.video.aol.com to view a small tongue-in-cheek clip of Madonna bathing on Miami beach last weekend....and no that's not a real shark!

On August 22nd, directly after the Confessions Show in Hannover of our Queen and Goddess, the one and only Madonna, a very special After Show Event will take place in one of the best Gay Clubs Germanys, the Men's Factory!
Madonna Music all Night long with Material Girl DJ Tim Mason and Vogue Queen DJens! Free entry for all Concert Tickets Owners! It's Time to put on your Dancing Shoes!

Click on the flyer for address information.

Keep voting for Madonna as the Sexiest Female Singer on iBaller.com's celebrity poll at www.iballer.com/topten

A similar poll is being conducted by ESPECIALES, a Spanish television station in Chile. Fans can vote for Madonna as the singer 'Most Beautiful Of All' at especiales.tvn.cl

Madonna's world tour touched down in Glasgow today, even though she's not playing the city. As the queen of pop prepared to embark on her UK leg of the show, Glasgow Airport saw a flurry of activity dealing with her precious cargo - her glamourous wardrobe.
Just after completing the US leg in Miami, the staging, equipment, lighting and sound gear was packed up and flown to the UK. Her stage wardrobe was brought in this morning on the Florida to Glasgow FlyGlobespan flight, whose staff were responsible for millions of pounds worth of gear which British fans will get their first glimpse of on Sunday.
A total of 20 tons of equipment was among the tour material being brought in over two days - leaving Florida yesterday and arriving in Glasgow today and tomorrow.
It will then be taken by road to Cardiff where Madge will be kicking off her UK dates for the Confessions on a Dance Floor tour on Sunday.
Ben Sergeant, Cargo Manager for Kestrel Aircargo who handle flyglobespan, said: 'We were handling a particularly valuable cargo and I am sure her fans will be eager to catch a glimpse of her outfits which have been flown in to Glasgow.'

Go to www.capitalgold.com now to find out how you can win FRONT ROW tickets to see Madonna live in London. You can also win top-price tickets to her concert on August 15th as well as a DAB Digital Radio by playing Beat The Intro: Madonna Edition. There will also be more top-price tickets up for grabs in a special competition that goes online on Monday August 7. Good luc!

Gay.com are running an online poll to find Madonna's all-time greatest song - fans are given a choice of 15 songs to choose from. To vote visit www.gay.com

madonnalicious visitor LECICCONE has sent in some great pictures from the last night in Miami on Sunday 23 July - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more and larger versions.

 

 

 

 

Ticketline are selling tickets with zero booking fee for Madonna's concert at Cardiff Millennium Stadium: click here for Seated Tickets or for Standing Tickets

Madonna is on the cover of free London magazine London Careers.net (24-30 July issue) to advertise a competition in which fans can win a pair of tickets to see the Confessions Tour at Wembley Arena on Thursday 03 August.

To enter visit www.magazine.londoncareers.net and click on 'Competitions'.

The last train on Sunday night from Cardiff that stops at Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool, Abergavenny and Hereford is now 22.45 and NOT 22.35.
The rail network have changed the time for people who are coming from the Madonna concert.
British Rail have been informed by the Millenium Stadium that the gig will end 22.00-22.30 which is earlier than usual for Madonna concerts but is probably down to a Sunday night curfew.
If the concert overruns British Rail aren't sure but are expected to hold the train for passengers for a short period of time.

Hilary and Haylie Duff have covered Madonna's Material Girl for their new film which is out in the USA on Friday 18 August. Visit the website at mgm.com/materialgirls

Madonna's company Maverick and manager Guy Oseary is a producer of this film.

Click here to listen to a streaming version of their cover.

Music retailer Amazon.com are listing Madonna's next single Jump as having a release date of Tuesday 29 August in the US.

More great fan pictures have been added to the Confessions Tour gallery - this set was taken at the second Miami show by madonnalicious visitor Tim.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna has come up with a string of bizarre demands for the UK leg of her tour, The Mirror claims today.
The singer has requested that her dressing room toilets have a brand new loo seat for each night of the Confessions tour, which begins in Cardiff on Sunday.
A source revealed, 'The seat has to be inspected by her people, then installed - with an unbroken seal - by plumbers before each gig.'
Madge has also asked for three special Kabbalah candles - a 'DNA of the Soul' candle, which restores meaning to lives, a 'Power of Prosperity' candle which helps the star to remain unaffected by fame, and an 'Evil Eye' candle which protects against negative glances.
A foot spa and a new lick of white paint for her dressing room have also been requested by the singer.
Madonna's spokesperson Liz Rosenburg confirmed that cleanliness is very important to the star, adding, 'And who wouldn't want a new toilet seat wherever they go?'

Here's a list of Madonna's must haves:
1. New seat cover on her loo
2. Three Kabbalah candles to protect and keep her safe
3. White roses in the dressing room
4. An all white dressing room - including the walls
5. A love seat
6. Bottles of Kabbalah water
7. An Ein Gedi Dead Sea Foot Spa
8. Unsalted Edamame - a type of Japanese pea to snack on

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Brian at the last Miami show on Sunday 23 July.

 

 

 

The singles market looks likely to witness a five-way battle of the females for the number one spot this week, with just a few hundred sales separating Shakira, Rihanna, Madonna, Lily Allen and Christina Aguilera, according to early retail reports.
Leading the crop is Shakira's Hips Don't Lie (Epic), which, if it holds on to the number one position, would see a return to number one after a three-week absence. Christina Aguilera's Ain't No Other Man (RCA) is climbing into the top five after entering at 18 on downloads last week, as is Madonna's Get Together (Warner Bros), who is fighting for a top five placing with Kasabian's Empire (Columbia), released physically, digitally and to radio yesterday.

Jeannette Wall's The Scoop column on MSNBC.com has picked up on the 'Madonna radio boycott' story that Billboard reported last week:

Singer’s fans have organized a petition demanding justice for Material Girl.
Is Madonna the subject of a Dixie Chicks-like boycott?
Songs from the Material Girl’s latest album, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor,' have been hits around the world, but hasn’t fared as well in the U.S. Some fans are alleging that radio stations owned by Clear Channel - a company with strong ties to the Republican party - are refusing to play her music because of the pop star’s comments blasting George Bush and the war in Iraq. Madonna has been an outspoken critic of the war and during her current 'Confessions' concert tour, makes obscene comments about President Bush.
Clear Channel stations were said to be key in keeping the Dixie Chicks’ music off the air after one of them made highly publicized comments about being 'embarrassed' to be from the same state as George Bush.
Nearly 5,000 Madonna fans have signed a petition that’s being sent to Clear Channel head Mark P. Mays, accusing the company of keeping the singer off the radio airwaves. 'The evidence that there is a boycott from American Radio is too obvious for words....Madonna rules the planet, EXCEPT for the USA,' according to the petition writer, who went on to note that Madonna holds the two top positions in the United World Chart, but a number of petition signers report that when they request Madonna’s music, they’re told by Clear Channel-owned stations she’s too old or not popular enough.
A spokesman for Clear Channel told the Scoop he had no comment on the alleged boycott. 'It's not to say we won't have comment in the future - just not right now,' he said.

For fans interested in signing the petition visit http://www.petitiononline.com

This great shot of Madonna strutting down the catwalk with her dancers and the audience in awe was taken by madonnalicious visitor Luis at the last Miami show at the American Airlines Arena on Sunday 23 July.

Last night was Madonna's second show in Miami and her last date in North America. Here are some fan report highlights from the show - to read the full versions visit the Miami Fan Reviews section:

From Cristal:
Second night here and Miami and she rocked! She mentioned how she would love the opportunity to be alone in a room with GW Bush. The things she would say to him! She asked if we would join her given the opportunity. The crowd went wild.

From Dan:
She also blamed the hot arena and global warming on George Bush. She said, 'I think global warming has reached this stadium. I think I need to have a talk with Mr Bush. Do you think I should? I am having an orgasm just thinking about it!'

From Felix Meow:
During Let It Will Be she wore a hat in the middle part of the song and then when she was on the floor right before the just watch me burn part she fucked up on the lyrics and jokingly sang, 'Now I remember the words that I'm supposed to sing'.... and then afterwards she was saying, 'I guess I am having technical difficulties with my brain....and she was like, 'damn it's hot in here'.

From Martin:
The Queen turned it up for her second night at the American Airlines Arena in Miami. She was enjoying herself quite a bit as she appeared from within the crystal ball during 'Future Lovers' and was smiling a lot during 'Get Together.'
During 'I Love New York,' she pointed toward the people in section 3 on the floor right after singing about L.A. being for people who sleep and then said, 'but not you.'

From Ryan:
It was my first concert ever! I was spoiled by Madonna. As a 19 year old fan of Madonna, I was blown away. I love how she has such a great sense of humor about herself. During 'Let It Will Be' she kind of forgot one verse, and yelled out 'Fuck', it was so funny because she was laughing and we were laughing at it and then she started to sing to the song 'I can't believe I forgot the words to this song'. Later she asked us if we forgave her and we did of course.

Fans in London should grab a copy of tonight's edition of the Evening Standard as it features Madonna on the cover and a full page article inside about her cover up on Miami beach this weekend.

A quicky reminder for UK fans that Madonna's new single Get Together is released today. Buy it now and help Madonna's get her third #1 single off Confessions.....

On July 24th Madonna releases Get Together, the third single from her million-selling 'Confessions On A Dancefloor' LP with exclusive remixes by Danny Howells, James Holden, Tiefschwarz and Jacques Lu Cont. Available on 2-track CD and Maxi CD, it follows the Number One singles 'Hung Up' and 'Sorry'.

Watch the video for Get Together online at streamos.warnermusic.com

Madonna is on the cover of the August 2006 issue of Portuguese TV listings magazine Zapping celebrating a Madonna weekend on VH1 on Saturday 19 August and Sunday 20 August.

Click on the cover to enlarge.

Madonna's Like a Prayer, condemned by Christian organisations as blasphemous upon its release in 1989, has topped a poll of videos which 'broke the rules'.
The clip showed the singer dancing around burning crosses and kissing a black Christ-like figure in a church.
It came first in a survey of 10,000 MTV viewers, with Madonna's songs Ray of Light and Vogue also in the top five.
Baby One More Time by Britney Spears was number two, with Michael Jackson's 13-minute epic Thriller in third place.
Madonna - one of the icons of the MTV age - has been excluded from the network's playlist on more than one occasion because of the content of her videos.
It refused to show Justify My Love in 1990 because of its sexual themes.
Erotica and What it Feels Like For a Girl - depicting an angry woman on a crime spree - would be screened only in the early hours when they were released in 1992 and 2001 respectively.
The full top 100 will be played as part of MTV's 25th anniversary on 1 August.

1. Madonna, Like a Prayer
2. Britney Spears, Baby One More Time
3. Michael Jackson, Thriller
4. Madonna, Ray of Light
5. Madonna, Vogue
6. Michael and Janet Jackson, Scream
7. Robbie Williams, Rock DJ
8. Eric Prydz, Call on Me
9. Jamiroquai, Virtual Insanity
10. Spice Girls, Wannabe

Time to go back to the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City for these fan pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor club78boy - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view even more of his pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

Kevin Reilly, president of NBC Entertainment, told a gathering of TV critics that:

Madonna is going to do her show, and we will decide which numbers are in the (TV special) and which are not, and that is whole numbers. We are not going to make piecemeal edits.

Kevin Reilly also stated that although Live To Tell was 'controversial', it was likely that it would remain in the broadcast as it was important to the show.

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view our first set of pictures from the Miami show last night - these were taken by madonnalicious visitor Jon who won front row tickets - below are some of his picture highlights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna played the first of two nights at the American Airlines Arena in Miami last night, here are two fan reports from the show:

From Daniel:
Let me tell you the vibe in Miami was Awesome! Madonna ruled Miami tonight, she said she lived here a long time ago and she partied, perhaps too much and now she's back to play in Miami! The crowd went wild! Her show started late at 9pm. Gloria Estefan in the house and so was her long term friend Ingrid Caseres. Some locals celebrities as well.
Miami is the perfect place for Confessions. The weather, water and ocean breeze filled the night air! Madonna's has incredible muscle tone, she looks beautiful. Have fun in Europe Madonna! Will miss you here in the States.

From Jorge:
We love to see Madonna dance. She spoiled us in past tours, so it's good to see her back to her dancefloor roots. She also gave a hilarious speech before Drowned World about how she used to live in Miami, but has since grown up and moved away, but that she was back to have fun tonight. She also had a funny encounter during this speech with one of her front row bitches who was trying to yell something at her in Spanish. She asked him if he spoke english and when he tried to hand a tshirt to her she responded 'no, gracias.' You had to be there to laugh at it, but it was great.
I also have to say that this was the best vocal performance of Drowned World I have heard from this tour so far. She sang the verses beautifully in a sweet tone and sounded great. I also loved the finale and the whole show left you wanting more. When you do tour again, please return to Miami, Madonna!

Visit www.sun-sentinel.com to view a selection of press pictures from Madonna's first night at the American Airlines Arena in Miami last night.

If the 'Confessions' tour that Madonna brought to AmericanAirlines Arena on Saturday night had anything to confess, it might have been this: The previous tour needed work.
By cutting back on the rigid set pieces and written-in-stone choreography of the 'American Life' production, and returning this time with a better batch of songs, Madonna looked and sounded positively revived. In front of a cheering, sold-out crowd, the 47-year-old pop queen put on an entertaining, loose-limbed show.

To read the rest of this review visit www.sun-sentinel.com

This great shot was taken by madonnalicious visitor Timothyprj at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday 18 July - for more and larger versions visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

Madonna fans coming into Cardiff next weekend need to plan ahead because city centre roads will be closed.
The concert, held on Sunday, July 30, will mean all roads around the Millennium Stadium will close from 7.30pm.
Bus routes into the city centre will be affected.
Cardiff council advises cars to exit the M4 at junction 33 and follow signs for Millennium Stadium park and ride car parks.
The concert will be filmed by a Channel Four documentary team who are planning a future programme on the Queen of Pop.

This great cover shot of Madonna was featured in local newspaper Atlantic Shore in a preview of her one and only Atlantic City show last weekend.

South and Mid Wales radio station Real Radio are having a Madonna Day on Monday 24 July. They are giving away tickets to Madonna's Confessions Tour show at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff each hour to lucky callers who ring in after they play a Madonna song. The giveaway starts at 8:00am and will continue until the evening.

For those fans outside Wales you can listen online at wales.realradiofm.com

madonnalicious visitor Fernando took these great shots at the last Madison Square Garden show on Thursday 19 July - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions and more pictures.

 

 

 

 

Fans travelling to Cardiff for the Madonna concert on Sunday July 30 need to plan their journey ahead of time and be aware there will be road closures operating in the city centre.
With a huge crowd expected at the Millennium Stadium and many central road closures operating between 7.30pm and 11.30pm, the best way to travel to Cardiff is by car share or by using the various park and rides sites.
Cars should exit at junction 33 of the M4 and follow signs for Millennium Stadium Park and Ride car parks. It costs £10 per car. The drop-off points in the city centre are within 5 minutes walk of the Stadium.
The car parks will be manned from 2pm, with the first bus at 2.30pm. The last bus will leave the pick-up point at 11.30pm after the concert, with the car parks closing at midnight. Stewards will be on hand to help any disabled drivers needing assistance.
Due to the city centre road closures, the public are advised that ALL buses travelling in, out and around the city WILL be affected.
More information is available from www.traffic-wales.com , Traveline Cymru on 0870 608 2 608 or www.traveline-cymru.org.uk, Cardiff Bus at www.cardiffbus.com www.liftshare.com or www.sewtacarshare.com

The current issue of German magazine Gala features this review of Madonna's tour documentary/live CD I'm Going To Tell You A Secret - click to enlarge.

Madonna has cleared up rumours she and husband Guy Ritchie are planning to adopt a child by revealing she's actually planning to play mum to an African village.
The pop superstar set tongues wagging when news broke about her reported links to African adoption agencies last month.
More recent reports even suggested the singer and her movie maker husband were even seeking new dad Brad Pitt's advice on adoption after he became the legal guardian of girlfriend Angelina Jolie's two adopted children.
But now Madonna has revealed, through her aides, she has much bigger plans.
In a statement released yesterday, a spokeswoman says, 'Actually she is adopting a village of children....Madonna is participating in the building of a school and home for hundreds of kids in Malawi, Africa and that is her current passion and commitment..

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions of these great pictures at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday 19 July by madonnalicious visitor Rachel.

Her Tour Is Hot, But Airwaves Are Cold For 'Confessions' Album
BY MICHAEL PAOLETTA

Madonna is in the midst of a sold-out North American trek that may end up being the top-grossing tour ever by a female artist. But this on-the-road success is not carrying over to American radio, which largely snubbed the first three singles from her latest album.
'Hung Up' got middling airplay on mainstream top 40 outlets, 'Sorry' was barely played, and 'Get Together' has been all but ignored by pop stations. (Her album, 'Confessions on a Dance Floor,' has sold a healthy 1.5 million copies, according to Nielsen SoundScan.)
Naturally, the disconnect has left executives at her Warner Bros. label - and more than a few fans - wondering, what gives?
More than 3,300 fans have signed an appeal at http://www.petitiononline.com. The 'End the Madonna on U.S. Radio Boycott' petition is addressed to Clear Channel Communications CEO Mark P. Mays.
Message boards at Entertainment Weekly and VH1, among others, are rife with everything from support for Madonna to conspiracy theories about why she can't crack the radio dial.
Warner Bros. was aware that the songs on 'Confessions' could present challenges at mainstream top 40 radio, acknowledges Tom Biery, the label's senior VP of promotions. 'Top 40 radio is so hip-hop-driven,' he says. 'We were coming in with a global pop star who made a dance record.'

To read the rest of the article visit www.billboard.biz

The current issue of New York magazine features this great article focusing on what concert-goers thought after they had seen Madonna's Confessions Tour return to Madison Square Garden this week. Click on the images to enlarge and read.

TIME magazine theater critic Richard Zoglin and music critic Josh Tyrangiel both caught Madonna on her new tour. In a series of e-mails, they discuss the Material Girl's music, her prices and her fitness regimen.

To read the insights between these two critics visit www.time.com/time/arts

Here is the news fans have been waiting for....a confirmed broadcast of the Confessions Tour, with Jonas Akerlund directing:

NBC announced today the network will broadcast 'Madonna: The Confessions Tour Live' - a two-hour special set to air in November 2006. The special will be taped this summer at Wembley Stadium in London, UK during her worldwide sold-out 25-city 'Confessions Tour' and marks the first-ever broadcast network performance by the international pop superstar.
'Madonna is one of the greatest artists of our time and never fails to generate excitement,' said Kevin Reilly, NBC Entertainment President. 'We think this is going to be a big event for television.'
The concert special will feature songs from the artist's recent multi-platinum Warner Bros. Records release 'Confessions On A Dance Floor,' which debuted at No. 1 in 29 countries and has sold over eight million copies around the globe. The broadcast will also include some of Madonna's greatest hits from her legendary career.
In the course of an unparalleled career, the incandescent star has racked up a staggering 35 No. 1 hits on Billboard's Dance charts. The multi-Grammy winning artist, songwriter, producer, best selling children's book author, video visionary and cultural icon has sustained an unrivaled reputation for astonishing stage spectacles and has made musical history many times over including international record sales of over 200 million albums.
The special is produced by Blackdog Films. Madonna, Angela Becker and Guy Oseary, are executive producers; Jonas Auckerlund directs and Sara Martin produces.

The current issue of Japanese magazine Showcase features a great Madonna cover and a 22 page editorial inside. Included is a look at the Confessions Tour, a Madonna timeline, a Madonna dictionary and a look at her fashion throughout the years. See below for a preview from the magazine.

US pop queen Madonna will perform in Russia for the first time on September 11 and 12 as part of her Confessions world tour, a Russian organiser said.
Madonna's two concerts will take place on a specially-constructed stage on the Sparrow Hills overlooking the city centre, close to where Moscow State University is located, ITAR-TASS news agency reported.
'Decorations and costumes for the singer will arrive in Russia on 27 trailers,' the organiser was quoted by ITAR-TASS as saying.
Madonna is set to perform in Britain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Netherlands as part of her 2006 tour, according to the star's official website.

Fans travelling to the Atlantic City concert last weekend would have seen this great billboard advertising the show.

Madonna's Get Together remains the #1 song on the US Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart (issue date July 29 2006).

The Odyssey Night Club in Vancouver, British Columbia is having a Madonnathon 3 on July 28th. It is music, videos, and performances by Vancouver's Original Madonna impersonators.

Madonna played her sixth and final show at Madison Square Garden last night. Madonna was hot and so were the crowds if these madonnalicious fan reports are anything to go by - read the full versions in the New York City Fan Reviews section:

From Antonie:
Madonna's show was the best of all other shows I have gone to before. Let me tell you, nothing ever beat the Blond Ambition Tour, except last night's Confessions Tour at Madison Square Garden. She told us that she loved NYC and that she is going on STRIKE as she never ever wants to leave the city that made her what she is now. Madonna stopped and really laid down on the stage and was silent for a moment pretending to be on strike. It was a beautiful moment, in what seemed a Madonna that was very relaxed and enjoying herself. Great Great Show.

From bobbyblue:
THE AUDIENCE WAS ON LAST NIGHT! You could feel the energy when you walked into the arena. You knew it was going to be a good show! Madonna was beautiful as usual and even though she expressed how tired she was the audience was so much fun that I think we truely energized her.
She didn't have to make anyone stand up because we (the audience) were crazy the whole night! She said that she just wanted to stop and always play MSG! She wanted to cancel all the basketball games, and such it just be Madonna 24/7, 365 days a year! Course I couldn't afford it but, hey!

From Fernando:
WOW WOW WOW is all I can say! The final night at THE GARDEN was such an IMAPCT! Madonna spoke to the audience and said that we should protest and she never going to leave NY and she would just keep playing at THE GARDEN. The crowd roared, howled, whistled and screamed like never heard. The crowd was full of energy, dancing, singing and everything in between.

From Sam:
And of course at the beginning of the last segment of the show, she asked the audience, 'You ready to dance?' Well, we were and finished her last show in NY in style. All in all, another great show by her Madgesty.
And the biggest item of the night - it was not unbearably hot. Everyone was shocked. People only broke a slight sweat after dancing for an hour. There was definitely some air moving in their last night.

From Steve:
Amidst a deafening applause, Madonna staggers to the stage and settles down with her water.
She sniffs into the air and says, 'I smell weed.'
She looks down at the front rows and says, 'Is somebody smoking POT? Are you STONED?'
YESSS! is the response. 'All RIGHT!' she says.
The crowd literally freaks out. It is amazing.
She continues, 'You're my FAVORITE front row bitches!'
INSTANTLY loud boos come from the other side. 'Uh oh. Sorry. Are YOU my favorite front row bitches?!'
YEAH! they shout.
'Well, okay. I love you both. I love you ALL. Except, this is my last night in New York.' Loud boos.
'I know. I don't wanna leave. I'll tell you what. Let's stage a protest. I'll never leave, how's that?' Loud cheers.
'I will never stop singing tonight. We will stay here all night. Let's all lay down on the floor and refuse to leave after the concert.' Loud cheers.
'Let's not let them EVER have anything else at the Garden but me. No more basketball games. No more concerts by....OTHER pop stars..

The last two shows at Madison Square Garden saw the debut of a new leotard for the Hung Up finale. It is a still a purple leotard but now has jewels sewn into it, both on the front and the back. *Correction....it actually debuted in Philadelphia!

This picture below taken at the last New York City show on Wednesday 19 July by madonnalicious visitor Fernando shows it off perfectly!

A further batch of tickets have been released for Madonna's last two shows in the US in Miami on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 July....grab them while you can!

Russian media site www.gzt.ru reported today that SAV Entertainment has confirmed that Madonna will perform in Moscow on Tuesday 12 September, and it is possible another concert will take place on Monday 11 September. The show will probably take place in the Luzhniki or Lokomotiv Stadiums.

However we still await official news from Madonna's team on these dates!

These great panoramic crowd/lighting effects shots were taken by madonnalicious visitor Dan at last night's show in New York City - click to enlarge. The pictures also show how great the middle catwalk is for bringing Madonna right to the centre of the crowd!

Madonna's Confessions Tour tops the Billboard Boxscore (7/29/2006):

1)TD BankNorth Garden Boston, MA 36,741 capacity/soldout / $6,337,115
2)Wachovia Center Philadelphia, PA 29,749 capacity/soldout / $4,639,775
4)Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City, NJ 12,322 capacity/soldout / $3,246,100

Here's a sneak peak at the two Madonna features in the new edition of US magazine In Touch (31 July issue) that hits newstands tomorrow - click to enlarge.

 

Madonna, who's completing her run of sell-out shows at New York City's Madison Square Garden tonight, has topped Pollstar magazine's list of the biggest-earning tours of 2006 so far. Madonna's Confessions tour has raked in 54.3 million bucks to date, followed closely by the Rolling Stones, whose latest tour has earned 52.5 million dollars. Number three on Pollstar's list is Billy Joel, who's earned 47.2 million bucks, but has sold the most individual tickets of any other artist on the list.
So far in 2006, Billy has sold over 613 thousand tickets; Madonna's only sold 292 thousand. So why has Madonna earned so much more money? Simple - she's charging twice as much for her tickets. Here are Pollstar's top 5 highest grossing tours so far from 2006:

1) Madonna 54.3 million dollars, 291,621 tickets
2) Rolling Stones 52.5 million dollars, 309,554 tickets
3) Billy Joel 47.2 million dollars, 613,002 tickets
4) Tim McGraw/Faith Hill 46.5 million dollars, 574,605 tickets
5) Cirque Du Soleil's Delirium 43.3 million dollars, 473,378 tickets

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions and more pictures from Madonna's return to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday 18 July - the pictures below were taken by madonnalicious visitor Fernando.

 

 

 

 

 

Check out the New York City Fan Reviews section to read more from Madonna's return to Madison Square Garden last night:

From Bill:
She was amazing. The greatest thing was seeing her rock those disco moves in Music/Disco Inferno right in front of me, and also the smile on her face when the disco ball opens and the crowd goes nuts. It was a night to remember for sure!

From Fernando:
Not a dance step missed, not a note out of tune – all so effortless and graceful. Madonna told us how it was here where it all started for her 20 years ago and she is grateful to be in a room full of people that love her....it is because of them she is in....it was an emotional moment....she even mentioned those who tried to bring her down and reject her....she stated 'Fuckers!' The crowd went WILD!

From Jerry:
Last night was amazing! I can't really remember what happened or what songs she sang....I was in awe of everything. Now I see why you have to see the show more than once. I do remember her saying how much she loves New York and that she moved here chasing her dreams, and playing MSG was definitely a dream come true. Madonna said New York has a very special place in my heart and you are lucky you live here....you are lucky you live here!

From Matthew:
Leo DiCaprio and Lukas Haas attended the show (Guy Oseary escorted them in and out) and Madonna's cowboy hat was back. She also said not to listen to people who say you can't do things (in relation to waxing nostalgic about her first MSG gig in 1985), saying, 'Fuck those fuckers!'

From Scott:
Madonna made a nice speech about the people in the Middle East and how lucky we all are to be living before Drowned World. The end of I Love New York seemed to go on forever with the crowd eating it up! During I Love New York when she said 'other places make me feel like a dork' everyone went nuts and she goes 'What can I say? It's true!' and the crowd went wild!

From Steve:
She returns to the stage and says: 'I'm exhausted. But you give me energy. I have a fine appreciation for New York. This city turns me on and tunes me in. I came here over 20 years ago, and a lot has happened to me in this city. The Garden is one of them. There are some special people in the audience tonight. I want to thank my front row bitches. When I first came to New York, a lot of people rejected me. And a lot of people helped me. I want to thank both of them. You guys are lucky to live here. You guys are lucky to LIVE.'
As the entire troupe was lowered, I kept a close eye on the interaction between Cloud and Madonna, because they just have something going on, always. Cloud is on some sort of wonder drug - his body moves like a superhuman. He burns of more calories doing the 'Hung Up' dance than I do in a year. And that's just the beginning. He never, ever stops smiling, winking, licking his lips - he's just a one-man band. I look at his face and, to Madonna, I can see him say, 'C'mon, Mama.' Madonna smiles - he always manages to delight her and keep the energy at a 10 until the last second. Did I say 10? Make that 11.

madonnalicious visitor divineprince took these great shots on Madonna's return to Madison Square Garden on Tuesday - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions of these pictures.

 

 

 

Madonna was hot last night, but her audience was roasting.
The sold-out crowd at Madison Square Garden sweated out the performance when the Material Girl demanded the air conditioning be turned down because of her sensitive vocal cords. On one of the hottest days of the year, the venue was a toasty 85 degrees at the start of the concert and a blistering 90 by the end, a Daily News reporter armed with a thermometer found.
'It's suffocating,' said Stephanie Krukovsky, 22, of Toms River, N.J., who was fanning herself in the steamy upper deck. 'I'm just disappointed that the air conditioner is not on. But it's only one night.'
Some fans aware of Madonna's anti-AC demands brought electric hand fans to try to keep cool.
'It's really, really bad,' said Olga Byrne, 64, of Staten Island. 'It's so hot, but it's worth it.'

Tell us your most important and influential artist....
Here at MTV we're having a birthday! In August we hit the delightful 25 years old. Naturally we're gonna kick up a storm (why change a good thing right) and we wanna know who you think has been the most important and influential artist of the last twenty-five years.

To vote for Madonna visit www.mtv.co.uk/mtvuk/

H&M are now running a competition to win tickets to see Madonna on tour in London or Paris - check out www.hm.com for competition details.

Fans who wish to enter will need to pop into their local H&M store to collect the password to enter the competition.

After enduring a rough patch in their relationship, Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are stronger than ever and are even considering adopting a child.
Guy's father John Ritchie caused headlines earlier this year when he spoke about the celebrity couple's marital strife, but now claims the family is back together.
He tells American publication In Touch Weekly, 'Their marriage is back on track. I know that Madonna is away a lot at the moment and leaving Guy alone, but it just isn't a problem.'
'He knows that will happen and he is not worried about it at all. He doesn't mind her working. Their marriage is back on track.'
The elder Ritchie even addressed rumours that the couple may be adding to their family saying, 'I love my grandchildren, and of course nothing would make me happier than if they do adopt.'
'How lovely to have another one, it sounds like such great, great fun.'
'I'm sure both Rocco and Lourdes would love it as they are so close and another sibling would be super.'

Want to know another secret behind Madonna's body - then read this article about how Madonna uses a vibrating power plate to help keep her body looking amazing.

To read the article visit www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz

Click on the flyer below for more information about a screening of I'm Going To Tell You A Secret and birthday tribute party to Madonna in Charlottesville.

Head over to MTV Europe to enter a competition to win tickets to Madonna's birthday show at Wembley Arena....and a guitar she has played on tour!

madonnalicious visitor David took these great shots side stage at the Sunday 02 July show at Madison Square Garden - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions.

 

Rush & Molloy report today in their column in the New York Daily News that:

Madonna and Lenny Kravitz treated her backup dancers to a screening of Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth' in the private screening room of the Times Square Planet Hollywood.

This great shot was taken at the Wachovia Center on Wednesday 12 July by madonnalicious visitor Serkan.

In celebrating Madonna's return to Madison Square Garden for two further dates tonight, madonnalicious reporter Steve brings us all the facts and figures about this record breaking event:

I just wanted to make you aware of the fact that Tuesday's concert will be a special one for Madonna and for Madison Square Garden - and for New York City.
On Tuesday, She will tie the Rolling Stones' record of playing 22 sold out concerts at the Garden.
She will break that record the next night, and with her Wednesday the 19th concert (the '6th and Final Date!') she will be the artist who has played more sold out dates at the Garden than any other performing artist ever - 23 sold out concerts.

Some factoids about Madonna and Madison Square Garden:

1) It is the only venue on the Confessions Tour that she also played on the Virgin Tour.

2) She was not even scheduled to play the Garden on the Virgin Tour. Her tour was to conclude at Radio City, where she performed 'Like A Virgin' at the very first MTV Awards. But she got SO big during the tour that they added the two dates at the end of the tour. (I saw the last one, 11 June 1985). In March, they anticipated an audience of about 15,000. By June, that audience turned out to be more like 55,000.

3) Still a Manhattan chick in 1987, Madonna did a one-night-only AIDS benefit at the Garden in mid-July, then returned for her Giants Stadium gig in New Jersey the day after 'Who's That Girl' the movie opened in August.

4) Ironically, the Garden was closed for renovation in 1990 and Madonna was forced to take Blond Ambition to Nassau Coliseum and the Brendan Byrne Arena (the site of the Keith Haring AIDS benefit). (The Byrne Arena has been renamed to the Continental Airlines Arena or something equally horrible.) Thus technically making Philadelphia the only city Madonna has visited on every tour. A minor technicality.

5) The Garden was one of a handful of U.S. dates that Madonna played on the Girlie Tour. She played three sold out concerts there in October 1993. It is distinguished by many other of the international Girlie Show dates in that it was indoors.

6) She played five instantly-sold-out shows at the Garden on the Drowned World tour, her first U.S. tour in 11 years. She played 'You'll See' at her Garden dates and a few other American dates before switching back to 'Gone' for the HBO broadcast and DVD.

7) She played six dates at the Garden for Reinvention, and used footage from opening night in her documentary when talking about Michael Moore's film. Her six-night stand at the Garden set a record and was the top-grossing U.S. concert engagement of the year.

8) Her '06 Garden dates are without question the top grossing dates of the year, and will set more than a few records. Madonna's love affair with the Garden ends - for now - this week.

Freeze Frame @ Pearl this Thursday 20 July
Doors open at 10PM
For VIP Table Reservations call Michael Sin at 305.632.3114
Featuring: DJ Shawn Rudnick....Bruno....J. Felix

A website www.optimistique.com about French singer Mylene Farmer published that Madonna has approached the French star for an eventual collaboration.

Both stars have provided their voices (for the same character) in the English and French version of Luc Besson's 'Arthur and the Minimmoys' movie.

madonnalicious visitor Fernando sent in the first set of pictures from Madonna's Atlantic City date last night - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view even more of Fernando's pictures.

It now looks like Madonna grabbing a fan's cowboy hat and wearing it during Let It Will Be, and then returning it to the lucky fan, has become part of the routine!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna played her first and only date at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City last night. To read the full length fan reports visit the Atlantic City Fan Reviews section:

From Erik:
Of course she did her routine just before Ray of Light to get everyone on their feet. She had to yell at a guy in a green shirt in the front row, saying 'You look like you want to order a drink, what do you think, you're at a bar?' People like that should never get to be in the front row. She kept telling the crowd 'You're not jumping!' during Ray of Light.
Madonna messed up the guitar intro to 'Paradise (Not For Me)' and told us she messed up and started over, with a laugh and some mumbled words to Isaac. It was great to see her so relaxed and having a laugh or two.

From Fernando:
She pointed a man out in the front row right before singing 'DROWNED WORLD' and asked him if he was okay or maybe wanted to order a drink since he didn’t seem to be having a good time. She stated that she was working her ass off and deserved a warm welcome. She added in jokingly, that she doesn’t even have an ass anymore because she was working so hard. She was very humourous but again very interactive with the crowd.

From Jeyan:
The highlights for me where my 30 seconds direct connection with Madonna! During Hung Up when she asked audience to sing along with her the 'time goes by so slowly' lines, and when she was right in front of me, I jumped on top of my seat (with my 1.84cm height), giving me direct eye level contact with Madonna. It was worth millions to look into her eyes, get a smile back and just get connected during that short period of time!
She was very talkative with the audience, telling us that it was her first time in Atlantic City, thus she needed a big round of applause. For the sitting audience, she said 'I work my ass off, now I do not even have an ass, so you better stand up and give some back to me.'

From Richie:
Wow! This was my first Madonna concert and im still in shock! I've read all the reviews and seen most of the pictures from the tour and it was still so much better than I imagined it to be. At one point in the show she asked the crowd 'Why are you sitting down....what do you think this is a Bar Mitzvah?' and of course the crowd went wild.
And after Let It Will Be while she was sitting on the steps she still saw people sitting down in their seats near the front row and yelled at them 'You look like you're sitting at a bar....you need to get the sand out of your underpants!

The single Get Together debuted at #5 in Canada.

Fans can vote again for the song to help make it #1 at:

www.chlc.com
www.ckoi.com/6a6.php
www.muchmoremusic.com/top10/
www.musiqueplus2.com/pop/
www.radioenergie.com/musique/top6

Following on from the news posted yesterday about Madonna being the cover star of the July 2006 edition of the Singapore version of OK! magazine - madonnalicious now brings you a scan of the cover.

Click on the cover to enlarge.

The world's largest independent archive of rock and pop memorabilia, including rare footage of Jimi Hendrix and Madonna, is to be opened up for the first time.
Legendary US concert promoter Bill Graham started his collection in 1966 and stashed it in an underground basement in San Francisco, California, where it languished for more than 10 years after his death in 1991. The archive contains recordings and films of up to 100,000 songs by legendary acts such as Led Zeppelin and Elvis Costello and features Sir Elton John singing his 1970 ballad Your Song.
Bill Sagan, the current owner, is in negotiation with artists' lawyers to secure permission to publish the material.

Madonna is on the cover of the new issue of New York City magazine Next (14 July edition) in a celebration of Madonna's return to Madison Square Garden this week.

A second date has been added to the Osaka stop of the Confessions Tour - the new date is Sunday 17 September.

Tickets for this date will be available via PIA Pre-reserve from Monday 17 July - with the general public sale from Saturday 05 August.

For more information visit info.pia.co.jp/et/promo/music/madonna

Now for some great pictures from Madonna's second night at the Wachovia Center on Thursday 13 July taken by madonnalicious visitor Fernando - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger and more pictures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Conjunction with The Terrence Higgins Trust, Alibi is proud to announce that is will be hosting a fantastic Confessions Tour Finale Party on Thursday 17 August to commemorate the end of her UK dates.
It promises to be a memorable occasion and we are offering an advance guestlist for visitors to madonnalicious before we promote the event to the general public.
We can also offer booth bookings for groups of 10 or more. As there is no cover charge all donations on the door will go directly to The Terrence Higgins Trust.
Come relive your tour memories at the hottest Madonna party in London - we very much look forward to welcoming you!

Click on the flyer before for more information on the event.

Madonna is the cover star of the July 2006 issue of the Singapore version of OK! magazine. The magazine looks at her style icon status through the years.

The latest issue of Japanese magazine Glamourous features a five page article on the Confessions Tour and I'm Going To Tell You A Secret - click to enlarge.

Visit the official Confessions Tour website at www.confessionstour.com to read a new interview with Clark Eddy, the man behind editing and putting together the Future Lovers and Get Together tour backdrop videos.

Fans can now catch the Get Together video online at Logan's (the clip creators) website at www.hellologan.com

Larger billboards in Rome are now being plastered with Confessions Tour adverts!

Here are some fan reports from Madonna's second and final show in Philadelphia last night - to read the full versions visit the Philadelphia Fan Reviews section:

From denim32:
I had a side view seat which was pretty interesting because you can see everything that goes on backstage. We saw dancers changing, Madonna getting last minute make-up touches while lying on the cross and a turntable that rotated Madonna and the dancers to various parts of the stage.

From Fernando:
Last night in Philadelphia, MADONNA WAS AMAZING....she was full of energy....full of life and really enjoying herself....
The crowd was very receptive, dancing, screaming and having a great time! It was a FULL HOUSE, not one seat left open. Lenny Kravitz made an appearance again! He really likes this show!

From Michael:
I was looking most forward to seeing/hearing Hung Up and I was happy with it but my biggest surprise was Music. I was BLOWN away by Madonna and her dancers' performance during this number. I loved the Disco Inferno music but the dancing and energy were fantastic! The crowd was totally into Music and it showed. I loved how she did some of John Travolta's dance moves from his big solo number in Saturday Night Fever. She can still dance like nobody's business and all the critics that are saying she's too old to act and dress the way she does can go screw themselves!

From Stefan:
I wanted to share the story she told us while resting on the stairs after performing the incredibly energizing 'Let It Will Be'. She said every summer her Father used to make her drive down to Pennsylvania to visit her Grandmother, where she would have to weed the garden, or clean the house, or run errands. She always used to equate Pennsylvania with work. Then she laughed and said 'and now, here I am in Pennsylvania....working.' And she smiled.

From Troy:
It was like an oven in the Wachovia Center but it's the price we have to pay to have her voice sounding top notch which it was all night!
During Get Together she made direct eye contact with me and reached out and grabbed this guy Keith from DC and held his hand. I was so jealous!

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Rob at the first Wachovia Center show on Wednesday 12 July.

 

 

 

 

UK newspaper The Guardian reported that the Pet Shop Boys have written a song for Robbie Williams called She's Madonna:

'One of the songs is called She's Madonna,' reveals Tennant. 'Apparently Madonna likes it, which is quite nice to hear. Robbie thought she might think he was stalking her.'

To read the full article visit arts.guardian.co.uk/filmandmusic

Here are more pictures from the first show in Philadelphia on Wednesday 12 July, these were taken by madonnalicious visitor Josh.

 

Madonna.com have published this statement from Madonna about Australia:

Please forgive me. I really did hope and expect to come to Australia during the Confessions Tour and asked my managers to try to include some shows there. I have fond memories from previous tours. Unfortunately, the logistics just didn't work out this time around. We looked into going from Japan to Australia and ending the show there but I have to get my kids back into school in England and they are, as you can understand, my most important priority.
The important thing to remember is that I'm not retiring anytime soon and I am gonna get to Australia as soon as I can. You remain in my heart and Thank you for your continued love & support.

Love, Madonna

A massive poster campaign advertising Madonna's Confessions Tour show in Rome have appeared in the city of Rome, and other large Italian cities.

The Confessions Tour stopped at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia last night, here are a few fan report highlighst from the show - to read the full versions visit Philadelphia Fan Reviews section:

From Christine:
She was very talkative to the audience. She was yelling at the front row bitches, she was saying how whenever she tours Philly, there's always this one section, the same section all the time, that's just sitting there like they don't wanna have a good time.
Then she said to that section, 'What were you guys given those tickets or did you buy them, well if you bought them, get off your fucking asses, you know have fun, unbutton that top button, you guys are gonna have to do much better, if you expect to be my front row bitches.' I lost it when she said unbutton that top button, that was so funny!

From Christopher:
I just got back from the show in Philadelphia....and I have to say it was the best show I have ever seen live. It starts off a little slow but then she kicks it up about 10 notches.

From Christopher S:
Overall, the show was her best so far and Madonna definitely sings every word live. The disco ball is awesome, and I hope she sells it after the show and makes more than her 10 million back!

From Josh:
The first concert here in Philly was amazing. Her opening was incredible. I stood up the entire time dancing and screaming. Everyone around me was up and dancing. My 5th time seeing Madonna live, and as always....a night to remember. The dancing for this tour is so different than her past tours, I loved it.

From Keys:
Later in the show she was mystified in her own words as to what was the problem with the left section front rows 2 and 3. She then asked if they paid for their tickets or someone gave them to you. During this time the camera panned toward them. They replied with an yes, and she said, 'Well f***ing act like you paid for them, that's your hard earned money.' She also made a comment about them not acting like front row bitches. If you're gonna be my FRONT ROW BITCH you better act like one!
During a certain song she walked down the catwalk and a fan threw her a rolled straw cowboy hat. She donned the hat sung some more, then threw it to the audience on the opposite side which pulled at it for a minute then the lucky owner waved it around before putting it down.

From Patrick:
So last night I went to the Philly show (I’m from DC) and sat immediately in front of the main cat walk which are the best seats in the house, and guess who was sitting right next to me? GWYNETH PALTROW! She came in once the lights went down and danced the whole time! She was there with a friend. She was very sweet and danced with me the whole night! Madonna kept looking our way and smiling at Gwyneth! She left before Madonna did Hung Up when Madonna’s assistant came and got her.

From Rob:
It was during Drowned World though that she made my year! She was singing and I was singing along, and our eyes met and she just kept them on me for about 20 seconds until she got up, came right to me and grabbed my hand and held it for about 7 seconds before sliding it away and returning to the stage.
It may have been such a short time, but it was phenomenal and unexpected. It wasn't until I turned around to ask my boyfriend if what I thought happened really did, that I realized that....oh yeah, there are 15,000 other people here. Thank you Madonna! It meant so much more than she'll ever know.

madonnalicious visitor KT took these great shots from the front row at last night's show at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions and more pictures.

 

 

 

In the latest edition of Ask Billboard on Billboard.com, Keith Caulfield confirms that Jump will be the fourth single off Confessions On A Dance Floor!

Keith also states that Confessions On A Dance Floor has so far sold 1.5 million in the U.S. according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Madonna's Get Together holds onto the #1 spot for the second week running in the US Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart (issue date 22 July 2006).

Madonna also holds positions #2, #3 and #6 on the Billboard Hot Dance Single Sales chart (issue date 22 July 2006) with Get Together, Sorry and Hung Up.

Here's a great shot by madonnalicious visitor Regis of Lenny Kravitz looking enthralled by Madonna's performance of Hung Up at Madison Square Garden.

Although madonnalicious brought your the news a while ago that Madonna was scheduled to play Red Square in Moscow on Tuesday 12 September - no official news had been forthcoming.

However today the NCA agency from St-Petersburg in Russia, unofficially informed the Russian press that Madonna's Confessions Tour will come to Moscow.

Today's editions of German magazines IN and In Touch both feature the brand new shot from the H&M fashion campaign and an obsession with her hands!

 

Retro-Spekt, Brisbane's hottest retro nightclub, presents a tribute to the Queen Of Pop....

MADONNA NIGHT *Returning by popular demand*
After a sell-out event in 2004, we're back to do it all again!

FRIDAY 21 JULY, 9.00PM
Showcasing Madonna's best-loved music videos, incorporating rare performances and live footage. With foyer DJ, giveaways & licensed bar!
Entry $10.00 per person (18+ID)

Globe Theatre, 220 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley (Brisbane, Australia)(next to train station)....70s & 80s dance mix will continue from 11.00pm - 1.00am!

Enquiries (07) 3388 0051 or www.globetheatre.com.au

Following the exclusive charm bracelet that was available only at the New York City shows - fans in Boston also had their own chance to get a unique Boston-only Confessions Tour charm bracelet (see picture below).

There is a contest on the TIM MOBILE NETWORK website for Greek fans to win tickets for Madonna's Rome concert.

I WANT TO WATCH MADONNA
Would you like to watch Madonna Live in ROME? Now you can!

Here's a look at the special tickets produced for Madonna's first concert at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday 30 July.

Madonna played her third and final show in Boston on Monday 10 July - here are some fan reports from the show:

From Jen:
The show exceeded all of our expectations and Madonna looked hot throughout. After singing 'I Love New York' she said she would write a song called 'I Love Boston' as soon as she could find a word that rhymes with 'Boston.' For a few seconds she buried her head in her hands trying to think of words. It was so cute!
Anyway, she did seem a little miffed that she did not sell out. She asked some people on the floor (who weren't dancing), 'Did you pay for your tickets or did someone give them to you?'

From Robert:
I spotted one of the 'Forbidden Love' dancers walking by near the end of the show at one point when he was not onstage, and before the show started some tour personnel asked the lovely girl sitting next to me if she wouldn't mind donating her 'I Love Cloud' T-shirt to Cloud's collection! Halfway through the show they returned and she switched shirts with one they gave her, and both Cloud AND Madonna made very clear eye contact with her at several points in the show.
Guy Oseary came over and hugged a man sitting two seats over who Madonna also made eye contact with throughout the show. Sitting about six or seven seats further down was none other than Aerosmith frontman (and Boston resident) Steven Tyler! Her voice sounded better than I have ever heard her, live or on record, and the 'Confessions' songs never sounded so superior!

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view madonnalicious visitor Fernando's pictures from the second Boston show on Sunday 09 July.

Included in his pictures is a fanastic shot of Madonna's dancers!

 

 

 

 

Madonna's new single, Get Together, has debuted on the UK Hit40UK Chart at #31 on just radio airplay alone.

The Official Madonna Afterparty in Philadelphia takes place on Thursday 13 July.

Pop icon Madonna has no qualms about stealing ideas from other artists because she insists it's an acceptable part of the creative process. Jessica Simpson and Paris Hilton have both been criticised recently for releasing songs that are reminiscent of Madonna's early hits, but she claims it's perfectly normal.
Madonna explains, '(Inspiration) is about paying attention. For instance, I saw David LaChapelles movie Rize, and it has incredible dancers in it. I found out who the dancers were and put them in my next video. I have an insatiable hunger and curiosity to find out about new things. Inevitably those things find their way into my work. I think that's what we do as artists and creative people - we're all plagiarising!'

Here's a look back at Madonna's second Montreal show, courtesy of madonnalicious visitor Arkudaki.
Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more and larger versions of his pictures.

 

 

 

 

Madonna played her second of three nights at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston - here are some madonnalicious fan reports from the show:

From Chris:
Madonna's performance was out of this world! She had a couple of technical problems though. Her mic cut out a few times; most notable for the entire second verse of MUSIC, but other than that, the show was amazing!
My favorite line of the show was, after she sang I LOVE NEW YORK, she asked us 'Do you think I should write a song called 'I love Boston?' The crowd went mental!

From Chris Snow:
I went to Madonna second show at the TD Banknorth in Boston. It was so damn amazing. She seemed so relaxed and she said before Drowned World/Substitute for Love 'Boston you make me so relaxed....thank you for me make me so calm and relaxed' or something along those lines. She seemed like she was in a playful attitude. Also she said something about 'There are times in my life where I have these moments of great appreciation....this is one of them.' The crowd went insane!

From Tom:
Wow! She was really on top of her game. With Boston's large Italian population coupled with the Italian win of the World Cup happening only hours before the show, you could tell that there was just a crazy atmosphere permeating through the city. I'm sure many people celebrated in the North End (where many celebrations of the World Cup win occurred) and attended the Madonna show in the evening.
Anyways, the show was top-notch. She had an absolutely GORGEOUS smile on her face as she came out of the big disco ball at the beginning. In the middle of 'Future Lovers' she smiled at the audience as if she were saying 'I've got you under my spell'. This continued throughout the night - there was even a moment or two in 'Live To Tell' where it looked like she was smiling while she was on the cross.
After 'I Love New York', she said 'Maybe I'll write a song called 'I Love Boston''. To which everyone cheered! She said 'I'll do it if you jump up and down in the next song', which perfectly introduced 'Ray of Light'. Before 'Drowned World' she said 'Sometimes I take my job for granted, and sometimes I realize how lucky I am to be doing what I do. Thank you for being here when I realized that tonight. Thank you for making me feel comfortable and relaxed in Boston, Massachusetts!'

These pictures of the Hung Up finale were taken by madonnalicious visitor William at the Thursday night Boston show.
Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions of these pictures.

   

To celebrate Madonna's Confessions Tour hitting Japan in Setember, Warner Brothers Japan are releasing a special tour edition of Confessions On A Dance Floor.

This special edition contains a full tracks CD album and exclusive bonus DVD. The DVD contains both the Hung Up and Sorry videos, and the making of featurettes.

This limited edition will be released in Japan on Wednesday 23 August.

Some 80,000 tickets for Madonna's concerts in Tokyo and Osaka went on sale on Sunday and were sold out in five minutes, promoters said Monday. This tour will be the 47-year-old singer's first in 13 years in Japan, and her fans were waiting in line or calling up the ticket agency well in advance of the 10 a.m. start of sales. The most expensive seats sold for 50,000 yen.
In order to meet the demand, an additional concert will now be held in Tokyo on Sept 21 at Tokyo Dome, following the already sold out concert on Sept 16 in Osaka and Sept 20 in Tokyo. Ticket reservations for the extra concert will start on July 11 and go on sale July 15. For more details, contact Kyodo Tokyo (0180-993-999) or Ticket Pia (0570-029-111).

The current edition of UK magazine HELLO! (11 July issue 926) features a short report of Madonna and family in New York City - click to enlarge.

Pop superstar Madonna has quashed rumours she's leaving obscure Jewish sect Kabbalah over concerns for her finances and family relations. The Material Girl singer is reportedly fed up of the financial burden of championing the Jewish belief system, and also fears the teachings are compromising her relationship with husband Guy Ritchie and her children.
One area of alleged contention is Christmas - which the family currently do not celebrate. Madonna would now reportedly prefer her kids not to be alienated from conventional customs. Adding weight to speculation of a religious rift, pals claim the singer is thinking of ditching Kabbalah's trademark bracelet. However, a spokeswoman for Madonna insists she has no plans to cut any strings. She says, 'As far as I am aware, it is completely untrue.'

Fans in France can enter a competition to win tour tickets in the July/August edition of French gay magazine Pref.
The competition is to win category one places at the Madonna concerts in Paris, Bercy, on Monday 28, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 August.
The competition method is by text, so check out the magazine and good luck!

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor DJ Danny Echi at the first Boston show on Thursday 06 July.

 

 

 

 

An extra date for the Confessions Tour in Tokyo was announced this morning.
The extra show takes place on Thursday 21 September at the Tokyo Dome.

Presale starts tomorrow (Monday 10 July) at 18:00hrs (local time) and the sale to the public is on Saturday 15 July.

For more information visit info.pia.co.jp/et/promo/music/madonna

Here is the first fan picture from Madonna's first show in Boston taken by madonnalicious visitor DJ Danny Echi.

Check back tomorrow for more great Boston pictures.

Madonna played her first show in Boston on Thursday night, here are the fan reports from the show - to read the longer versions visit the Boston Fan Reviews section:

From David-Anthony:
Madonna is TRULY the Queen. What an amazing show. I have been reading all the reviews and didn't think I would be as surprised, but it is totally different live.

From Flavio:
Madonna's first performance in Boston was just a state of the art show. Everything was perfect, including the temperature of 85ºF demanded by the Queen.
On the Hung Up performance....she gave all of herself and so did the dancers, it was a show out of this world. Madonna once again has proved that she is the best, and that she can do better. You go Madge!

From GrEgG*e:
Madonna’s show was Incredible last night! I think she could feel the excitement of the audience in Boston. My favorite was the opening with Future Lovers and then going into I Feel love, by Donna Summer. I must say she sounded flawless!
After she sang I Love New York, she said, 'You know what Boston? I like you guys too!'

From Jennifer:
She sang 'I Love New York' and you could tell the crowd was not into the song, I mean come on everyone knows the rivalry between the cities. The crowd almost stood still and then Madonna yelled to all of us....'I love Boston too' and the crowd went nuts. She said that the NYC fans are supposed to be crazy but Boston was crazier. I swear you could almost feel the building moving with energy and dancing.

From ksmithnyc:
WOW....what an absolute transcendental rush. I got tickets right along the center catwalk row 13 section A.....during 'Get Together', she rolled over on the catwalk and looked right at me as she was singing....then moved closer and closer and reached out her hand until I reached out mine and took her hand. It sounds so silly, but it was just like an absolute dream.

From Rob:
I was dancing and singing along all night, and when she was singing 'La Isla Bonita' she put the mike in my face and I sang (or tried to, hopefully the mike was off).

From Stephen:
The best audience interaction by far was when I man in the first row yelled to Madonna from the front row saying 'I love you' and she replied back 'you really love me' and the man replied back 'I would Die for You' Madonna said 'I feel overwhelmed that you would die for me' she seemed a bit stunned at the statement.

This fabulous shot of Madonna and her dancers heading down the catwalk was taken by madonnalicious visitor Diane at the first Madison Square Garden show. More of Diane's pictures can be viewed in the Confessions Tour gallery.

Madonna played her first Confessions Tour show in Boston last night - here are some press reviews from the show - click on the link for the full review:

Boston Herald: Madonna makes her audience 'Feel Love'
Madonna may be pressing the same old ideological buttons, but the Confessions tour is a stunning musical makeover.
The ’80s electropop sound of Madonna’s latest permeates the entire two-hour show, and last night she tore up the TD Banknorth Garden for the first of three Boston appearances.
Emerging from a one-and-a-half-ton disco ball, Madge appeared in riding gear, complete with top hat and crop. A sly grin came over her face as the crowd gave her the iconoclastic embrace that keeps her performing - it’s what gets her off. Thus truly being in her element as the center of attention, she gave us her all in return.

The Boston Globe: She gets into the groove
Anyone who attended Madonna's show at the TD Banknorth Garden last night is hereby excused from the cardio portion of their workout today.
For almost the entire, frenzied, two-hour performance, Madonna - whether on her own or backed by some combination of her cadre of spectacular dancers - was in constant motion, and the sold-out crowd of 15,076 got down right along with her.

Click on the flyer below for more information about a Madonna party being held in Miami on Saturday 22 July .

Here's one drawback to being Madonna's kids: You don't get to see the end of the Macy's fireworks show.
Madonna and her family showed up at Macy's private fireworks viewing party at The Water Club Tuesday night.
The Material Girl strode onto the deck with hubbie Guy Richie, daughter Lourdes and son Rocco in tow, plus two security guards and another couple, as members of the media and various friends of Macy's craned their necks to get a glimpse of the family.
Before the grand finale of the fireworks show even began, Madge's guards cut a path through the crowd for Madonna and her crew to make an early exit.
We caught little Lourdes catching one last wistful glance at the fireworks before marching out to the black SUVs waiting outside the club.

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view larger versions of these great pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Jason at the Sunday 02 July show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

 

 

In the new Billboard charts (issue date 07/15/06) Get Together is both the #1 Billboard Hot Dance Airplay song and the #1 Billboard Hot Dance Single Sales song.

As reported earlier this week, the NYC store Wear Me Out on West 47th St. between 8th and 9th Ave, has a window display in honour of Madonna's tour stop at Madison Square Garden - here is a look at the display.

Get Together is #1 on the official Croatian Airplay Chart, following both Hung Up and Sorry who were also #1 on that chart.

In the Netherlands Get Together went from #10 to #7 in the Mega Top 50.
I'm Going To Tell You A Secret went from #18 to #4 in the Album Top 100 and it's also #1 in the Dutch DVD Music Top 20.
Confessions On A Dance Floor also climbed from #43 to #35.

H&M have published the first shots from their Madonna and Crew advertising campaign that hits the street in August.
The pictures were taken by famed photographer Rankin and show Madonna modelling the tracksuit specially designed by H&M for her (these tracksuits will be instores mid-August) while her crew wear other items of H&M clothing.

Madonna and her entire 150 person crew for the Confessions World Tour each found clothes that reflect their own individual styles while shopping at H&M.
The international fashion retailer agreed to provide a complete wardrobe for Madonna and her 'touring family' as part of a long term agreement that includes an upcoming advertising campaign between H&M and the Material Girl.

With H&M and their world famous designers specializing in clothes for all family members, it seemed an ideal combination for the musicians, dancers, makeup artists, management and crew members of Team Madonna to have the opportunity to find exactly what they needed once they got offstage.
The entire team was given the chance to choose from H&M's latest collection which included Victorian romantics, British classics and couture inspired pieces

In addition, Madonna worked with H&M designers to create a unique track suit to wear while she's on the road. The tracksuit comes in black, white and purple. The top (€29.90) is narrow and feminine with a yoke and gathering and the trousers (€19.90) are fitted at the top with wide legs and detailed with zippers. 'We are pleased to be able to offer this track suit to our customers by mid-August' stated H&M's head of design, Margareta van den Bosch.

In H&M's upcoming advertising campaign, the dancer Sophia chose a black shiny nylon jacket with metallic press buttons teamed with loose fit jeans. Fellow dancer Cloud wore a striped and grey melange T-shirt with jeans and a matching hat. Madonna's very chic makeup artist Gina Brooke wore a black pencil skirt with a matching couture style blouse and sky high heels. Dave the Rigger chose a plain T-shirt and denim jeans and tour production manager Chris chose a checked cotton shirt to his denim jeans. Madonna's manager Angela Becker selected a silk camisole and black slacks under a grey melange wool vest.

H&M's autumn collection is built around four trends: mix and match for a complete look. Retro couture inspiration - chic, coordinated, romanticism with reference from the turn of the century, Classics of the classics - British style tailoring and knitwear updated in unexpected materials and color combinations, 1980's music scene - sleek rock style.

The advertising campaign is scheduled to begin in August.

Fans in the UK will get the chance to buy the Get Together UK 12" Picture Disc Limited Edition (2006 Wea/Maverick UK W725T) from Monday 24 July.

The tracklisting for the disc is:
1 - Get Together (Radio Edit)
2 - Get Together (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)

'The Office' and 'Pirates of the Caribbean' actor Mackenzie Crook was once so obsessed with pop queen Madonna, he camped outside London's Wembley Stadium all night before one of her shows, even though he already had a ticket. The British actor admits his teenage fervour was ill-advised, as he was completely fatigued by the time the Material Girl hit the stage.
He recalls, 'I once camped outside Wembley Stadium when I was 15 to see Madonna in concert. I had already bought a ticket, but I wanted to be the first in, to get as close to the stage as possible. In the end I was so exhausted from lack of sleep I just hovered at the back in a daze.'

These pictures were taken by madonnalicious visitor DJ Danny Echi at the Sunday night New York City show - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures.

Last night was Madonna's fourth and final date for now (until Tuesday 18 July and Wednesday 19 July) at Madison Square Garden. Madonna was highly talkative last night - here are a few fan highlights from the show:

To read the full length reviews visit the Fan Reviews section.

From Colin:
This was BY FAR the best show I have seen so far. There was just so much energy - it had a new tone - everybody was well rested and rocked the house!

From Fernando:
Celebrities spotted in the crowd included Chelsea Clinton, Kelly Ripa and designer, Kaballah pal Donna Karan! During 'I Love New York', the crowd went ballistic....prompting Madonna to yell 'Come on....let me hear you NYC' during the first verse! The place went nuts! After the song, she said 'I wanna see you out of your seats....you need to be appreciative', referring to her NY tribute.

From Mike:
Monday night's show was amazing. We were at the front of the floor and she gave it her all. I was amazed at her non-stop energy and intensity. It was a mind-blowing extrasensory experience. It was as if we were out at The Roxy dancing all night with Madonna. Definitely the ultimate disco dancing diva!

From Scotty P:
After Ray of Light she said, 'There are STILL some people sitting down and taking breaks. I'm NOT happy about that. My FRONT ROW BITCHES are not happy about that. You should be celebrating that you live in this motherfuckin' city by standing up! I'm sorry I'm obsessing about you people, but your energy is pulling me down. You should all be celebrating the 4th of July! Celebrating freedom! Celebrating that you can think and do what you what....within reason. I wish you all the ability to think for yourself.'

From Steve:
During 'Hung Up,' Madonna is going down the runway holding the mike getting people to sing. She has already slapped hands with several people. This one guy tried to touch her, and she jerked her hand away. She said, 'No, no touching. SINGING. I want you to SING.' She stuck the mike into his face and he could only scream. She laughed.

This charm bracelet was a New York City exclusive piece of merchandise. The bracelet which has Confessions Tour - New York on it was available at the shows for $25 and was snapped up really quickly!

There's a contest right now for all Canadians to win a trip to London to see Madonna. At stakes are 2 round trip tickets, a 5 night stay at the luxurious hotel Royal Lancaster and a $2500 winners shopping spree....and most important 2 tickets to see Madonna in concert!

For more information visit www.winners.ca/en/madonna_contest

The New York City branches of Virgin Megastore are celebrating the Confessions Tour hitting town. They are still selling exclusive tour merchandise and this picture shows the Union Square store window display.

Local LA station, 98.7, has a nationally syndicated weekly feature called, 'Radio with a Twist' - a LGBT radio program from 7-9 a.m. (also running on other areas, so check it out).
This week, they had the Top LGBT Summer Songs of all time and no other than Madonna's 'Vogue' was #1!
They have their LBGT Big 5 each week in major US markets and you can vote (no registration required) - make sure that nobody beats out our girl!
Madonna has 3 choices, All you do is click and vote.....BUT her new single 'Get Together' is the leading 1 of the 3 so if we can all VOTE for 'Get Together' we can make it #1.

Vote online at www.radiowithatwist.com/big_gay_5

Madonna is raising awareness during her Confessions Tour performance of Live To Tell for the AIDS orphan charity Raising Malawi.

Due to this fact, the charity website has placed a high quality professionally filmed two minute video clip of Madonna's performance of Live To Tell.

Visit www.raisingmalawi.org Multimedia section to view the video.

Madonna's third night at Madison Square Garden was HOT - the holiday weekend audience were wild and Madonna was in top form. Below are a few fan report highlights - to read the full versions visit the New York City Fan Reviews section.

From C-J:
When we first sat down we were pissed thinking that the seats (side stage) were horrible but once the show began there were only a small handful of times that we looked up on the big screen to see what was going on (the biggest time was during 'Live To Tell' because we were looking at the back of the Cross.)
During the interlude for 'Live To Tell' we could actually see her crawl onto the cross from the bottom and have a couple of people get her situated before it began to rise.
Another funny thing was just before 'Music/Disco Inferno' I could see everyone below the stage on their skates. When the music started Cloud was playing air guitar and stopped just before that part of the stage began to rise.

From DJ Danny Echi:
During 'Get Together' three rows up in front of me, on the left hand side of the stage, a fan threw up in the air a large amount of rainbow confetti. The timing was perfect. As Madonna sang on the catwalk, the line 'It's a illusion I don't care', the confetti was thrown up in the air falling on her. It was such a cool effect. For a second I thought it was a new part of the show. The fan not only threw it once but twice during 'Get Together'.
The second time she looked up in the air to see where it was coming from. The look on her face was a moment. She didn't like it.

From Fernando:
After Get Together and before starting JUMP, Madge told the audience, 'Please do not throw anything onto the stage as it could be dangerous, BUT the night is young and the show has just begun!'
Right after I LOVE NEW YORK (the crowd went CRAZY) she told the audience, 'You guys gotta stop making me curse, my daughter is watching the show tonight' Yes, Lola was definitely watching. But then she said, 'I TOLD YOU GUYS TO STOP THROWING SHIT ON MY STAGE, WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK THIS IS?!' That was hilarious and just awesome.

From Sammy:
Only twice did Madonna get miffed with the crowd....during Get Together someone threw confetti into the air over the stage (which looked great but was very dangerous) and when someone else threw a t-shirt at her. In true Madonna form, Madonna yelled 'Stop throwing s**t on my stage! Where do you think you are?!' My favorite moment was at the end of Let It Will Be, Madonna rolled over on her back and began singing New York, New York and giving random chorus line kicks into the air.
The crowd (including Lenny Kravitz, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lucy Lui, David Blaine, Mayor Bloomberg, Guy, Lola and Madonna's dad and step mom) loved it!

From Scotty P:
After a particularly wild Let It Will Be, she was downright giddy. She started singing Frank Sinatra's New York, New York, and she was cracking herself up....'These little town blues, are melting away, I'm gonna make a brand new start of it - in old New York, If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere, It's up to you - New York, New York.' Then she said, 'There's something about doing a show for a New York audience....the energy is so fuckin' intense, you just gotta go with it, but now I'm fucking exhuasted!'

From Steve:
A huge ball of confetti and glitter came down during 'Get Together,' and M evacuated the area, while they mopped it up. I guess a fan threw it. Then someone threw a jacket. Before 'I Love New York,' she said: 'Don't make me use the F word, because my daughter's in the audience! But DO NOT throw fucking shit on my stage. It is unsafe for the dancers.' And someone threw a bottle cap. The whole night was like that - a hot show, but an over the top crowd.

From Wellington:
Well everyone was there, I saw many of her crew, her makeup artist walking around, her hair dresser, her dresser Tony who I took a picture with and Guy Oseary who I shook hands with. Lenny Kravitz, Lucy Liu and Chris Rock were the celebrities that I could spot. Overall an amazing night!

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Joni at the first Madison Square Garden on Wednesday 28 June.

The current issue of Paris Match (issue number 2980) published on 29 June features an article Madonna la diva qui mate les étalons which is illustrated with many of the W magazine Madonna Rides Again pictures by Steven Klein.

This fabulous 'reflective' shot was taken by madonnalicious visitor Steve at last night's show (Sunday 02 July) in Madison Square Garden.

As madonnalicious reported back in May, new film The Devil Wears Prada features Madonna's Jump.

You can now visit the film's offical website at www.devilwearspradamovie.com and hear Jump playing in the background.

Unfortunately Jump is not featured on the CD release of the soundtrack, but Madonna's Vogue (which also features in the film) is.

Visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Lena at the first Madison Square Garden show on Wednesday 28 June.

NYC clothing store WEAR ME OUT on West 47th ST. between 8th and 9th Ave, just blocks away from Madison Square Garden, pays tribute to Madonna by devoting their windows to a Magazine Cover Installation of the Greatest Icon. The windows are full of Madonna's magazine covers from the beginning of her career to now and it's truly Amazing to see!

madonnalicious visitor Jorge caught this great shot of Madonna peering through the bars on one of the side catwalks during Sorry in Chicago on Wednesday 14 June.

Some good tickets for the three Boston shows (Thursday 06 July, Sunday 09 July and Monday 10 July) have been released on www.ticketmaster.com

madonnalicious visitor Scotty P took these pictures at the Thursday 29 June show in New York City - to view more of his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

Canadian newspaper LA PRESSE published an article last week that explains a fascinating fact about Madonna's family tree.

Jonathan Lemire, a Montreal University graduate, found that Madonna is directly connected to Louis-Joseph Papineau, an important figure in the Province of Quebec history. He was the leader of the reformist movement before the Lower Canadian Rebellion of 1837–1838. Therefore it is confirmed: Madonna has rebellion blood!

The article (and picture of Madonna's family tree) can be read at cyberpresse.ca

Montreal was the place the Confessions Tour and the world of Formula One collided. Madonna's tour stop in Montreal came at the same time as the Montreal Grand Prix and both Madonna and racing driver Michael Schumacher stayed at the Hotel St. James. Schumacher himself was heard to say he was happy Madonna was staying there as he could slip in and out of the hotel almost unnoticed!

German newspaper TZ München published this story (see below) in the sports section of the newspaper about Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg both attending the Confessions Tour show! Click to enlarge the article.

PHAG, the king (make that queen) of in-store promotions, kicks off the summer with a contest based on guilt, with a big dose of pleasure!
July 1 – 10, 2006, PHAG is offering one lucky winner, the chance to bare his/her soul (not body) in the store’s window! Yes, that’s right; the boutique’s 12th Street window will be transformed into the official 'PHAG Confessional.'
For 10 days, passers-by will have the opportunity to see patrons kneel and deposit their deepest, darkest secrets into the one-of-a-kind disco confessional, in hopes of winning a rare Madonna-themed prize package.

Madonna’s 'Confessions' tour will hit Philadelphia on July 12th, and her 11th studio album, Confessions on a Dance Floor, is one of the subjects in PHAGs new line of licensed, limited edition, gallery-quality canvas artwork, on display throughout the promotion. The images in the collection are licensed directly by the artist and produced as giclees on canvas, in a numbered series of 500 pieces, with hand-painted embellishments.

The lucky PHAG Confessional contest winner will be announced during the 'Confessions on Camac' Dance and Drag party, Monday, July 10th from 8 pm to midnight at Tavern on Camac, 243 S. Camac Street. Visit PHAGs retail location or website for contest rules and entry details.
A pair of tickets to one of Madonna’s two Philadelphia performances will also be raffled off during the 'Confessions on Camac' party, with proceeds benefiting Mazzoni Center and the Trans-health Conference.
Winners of both the PHAG Confessional and the ticket raffle need not be present to win. All contest entry forms/raffle tickets are currently available at PHAG!

For more information visit www.thephagshop.com

madonnalicious visitor Debbie has submitted these greeat pictures of Madonna leaving her Montreal hotel on Wednesday 21 June. Madonna is wearing the specially designed H&M tracksuit that will soon be on sale in H&M stores around the world.

Leann from Art for Justice and Victims United has sent in a reminder for fans who wish to submit art pieces for the fundraising event on Wednesday 16 at Bazzaar Urban Lounge, in Midtown Atlanta.

The event is an art show and benefit for Art For Justice And Victims United, and support Crisis Line & Safe House for Domestic Violence, of GA & Carole Sund Carrington Memorial Reward Foundation.

Work can be submitted all via internet, please send a website or sample of current work/style. Deadline for final piece to Atlanta is August 1, 2006. Art will hang from August 13 - Sept 30, 2006 if not sold.

Commission: Art For Justice And Victims United will receive 30%, you = 70% If you would like to donate a piece to our silent auction or additional proceeds for crime victims, we'd love it!
Mediums accepted: 2D, 3D only - painting, drawing, mixed media, collage, photography. Choose your fave Madonna era, theme, etc. - Get creative!

For a complete list of details and art call info please email: Leann at artforjustice@gmail.com - add Madonna Art Call in subject line.
Call Leann with questions: 404.350.9232
Visit: www.artforjustice.com / www.bazzaaratlanta.com