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.