Here are three San Jose fan reports from the first show at the HP Pavilion last night. To read the full versions of the reviews visit the San Jose - Fan Reviews section.

From Daniel:
I think I came at least twice (kidding) during the show - kidding! This is THE CLOSEST I've ever gotten to the diva herself. The best is when she did Like A Virgin right in front of me! We were in Sec 115, and she gave mad props to our side of the arena - she said this side of the room (right side) has more energy than the left. Of course, we all went buck wild. It was great to see everyone jumping up and down screaming for her attention.
For those of you waiting....get ready....it's one hot ass show. I'm tempted to buy another tix for the 2nd bay area show!

From Lionel:
OMG what an amazing show she put on! Between songs she pointed out that the people in Vegas were boring and the crowd in San Jose was much more livelier. She later said 'Who said Vegas was fun?' to which the crowd went crazy.
During one of the later songs a fan threw a t-shirt on stage, she then got the shirt threw it back down and said 'That's not very nice!' between verses.

From Ricco:
The show went perfect, and at one point she said one side of the room was singing and yelling louder than the other side. When she was satisfied both sides were even, she said what a great crowd, you guys are the sh*t. The crowd went nuts.

Today's edition of Canadian newspaper Le Journal Le Montreal published a story today saying that Madonna will launch her new DVD I'm Going To Tell You A Secret on Tuesday 20 June at the Parking Nightclub.
There is very slight chance that Madonna will show up, and her management have already asked for a large VIP section for her staff and friends....and there will be tight security.
The first 50 people at the door with a Madonna concert ticket will get in for free. This club has a capacity of 1500 persons.

You can also read more about it at www.radio-canada.ca

San Francisco Chronicle: Madonna dazzles the HP Pavilion
As someone who no longer has anything to prove, Madonna could easily coast through her rigorous two-hour performance and, at age 47, nobody would blame her. But Tuesday at the HP Pavilion, the first of two sold out shows, she pushed herself to the limits in an exhausting, exacting performance and barely paused for a breath.

San Jose Mercury News: Madonna delivers shock, awe at HP Pavilion
As the only pop mega-show this summer - Britney Spears is pregnant again, Christina Aguilera is going retro to revive her career, and Justin Timberlake is reportedly taking voice lessons - Madonna did what was expected Tuesday night and delivered a multi-dimensional concert with healthy doses of shock and awe.

Pictures by Karen T Borcher at the San Jose Mercury News at the first San Jose show.

Last week Madonna was named as the most popular celebrity on Russia's most popular national music channel Muz-TV - second was Russian national mega-star singer Alla Pugacheva and third was Brad Pitt.

Ever wondered what the view was like at the end of the central catwalk? Well these pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Tony T at the end of the catwalk during the two shows in Las Vegas may go some way to answer these questions....

To view larger versions of all of his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

In yesterday's edition of the New York Daily News this small piece of gossip was published in the Rush & Molloy column:

Madonna may get the highest price ever paid for a TV concert special - $15 million from NBC, we hear - from her current 'Confessions' tour.
It remains to be seen whether the network would air her posed on a cross, moving provocatively on a 'horse' or shouting profanities during an anti-Bush montage.
Hubby Guy Ritchie's documentary on the tour would also air, and the diva should be getting a nice payday from H&M when she goes shopping there with her crew....

National newspaper La Prensa Gráfica has published this advert giving fans from El Salvador the chance to win tickets to Madonna's first Madison Square Garden show.

US pop queen Madonna could be the latest of a string of celebrities to pose as a model for Swedish low-cost fashion retailer Hennes and Mauritz (H and M), a Swedish newspaper said.
The daily Expressen said that Madonna was in negotiations with the company.
'She's a superstar, a style icon - and controversial. Now Madonna could be H and M's next clothing model,' the paper said.
H and M would neither confirm nor deny the report. 'Our policy is to never comment on such reports,' company spokewoman Kristina Stenvinkel told AFP.
The retailer announced earlier this month that Dutch designer duo Viktor + Rolf would create a special collection for H and M this autumn, to be launched in November.
But it has yet to announce who will don the creations in the accompanying advertising campaign. Previous H and M models have included superstars Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford and Anna Nicole Smith.
Last year, British supermodel Kate Moss was dropped from the group's ad campaign after allegations arose that she had taken cocaine.
Expressen said Madonna had a long history of collaborating with Swedes, including music producers, songwriters, music video directors and even her yoga instructor.

Check out the current edition of UK magazine heat (03-09 June issue) for some great pictures from the opening night of the Confessions Tour:

madonnalicious visitor Salvador wanted to share his favourite Madonna quotes and observations from the two Las Vegas shows:

Saturday's Show:
'You are supposed to be the most lively people on the planet.' (She said this to the subdued crowd)
'You people suck!' (Her response to the audience when they did not repeat, 'Time Goes By So Slowly' to her liking near the end of the concert)

Sunday's Show:
'Ladies and Gentlemen, put out your cigarettes, because for the next two hours, I WILL BE THE ONLY ONE ON FIRE!'
'The Vegas crowd is on fire tonight!'

She also read someone's t-shirt on the front row, stage left. I don't remember the exact wording, but it was some homage to smiling. She said that person was her favorite that night. Afterward, someone else in the front row tried to get the title as well, but she responded, 'No, I can only have one favorite in every show and tonight, he's my favorite.'
Sunday night was a much better show. During the final number, Hung Up, she walked on the catwalk (this group repeated, 'Time Goes By So Slowly' much better than Saturday's group) and allowed two guys sitting next to the catwalk to sing the line into the microphone while she held it! After the, 'Have You Confessed?' line appeared, the lights stayed off for quite some time. The audience was shouting for an encore and it seemed as if it was going to happen. A loud, 'Awwwwwwwwww', resonated in the arena when the lights came up some time later.

These pictures were taken at the second Las Vegas show on Sunday 28 May by madonnalicious visitor Ryan.
To view larger versions of all 16 of his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

 

 

The Get Together EP is now available to download at iTunes:

1. Get Together
2. Get Together (Jacques Lu Cont Mix)
3. Get Together (Danny Howells & Dick Trevor KinkyFunk Mix)
4. Get Together (Tiefschwarz Remix)
5. Get Together (James Holden Remix)
6. I Love New York (Thin White Duke Remix)

The current edition of UK magazine new (05 June issue 166) features two article on the opening night of the Confessions Tour:

 

Another 2,200 tickets in all price categories will be on sale tomorrow (Wednesday 31 May) at 9:00am for Madonna's Sunday 06 August show in Rome.

Tickets will be available through Ticketone (online at www.ticketone.it, call centres and local outlets) - for more information click here.

German fans will finally be able to see I'm Going To Tell You A Secret on TV on Wednesday 21 June at 10:15pm on channel PRO7.
It's a Madonna-Day and Swept Away will also be premiered that day at 8:15pm.

madonnalicious visitor danalas has sent in these pictures and report from the first Las Vegas show on Saturday 27 May at the MGM Grand Garden venue. To view larger versions of all of his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery:

 

 

'Welcome ladies and gentlemen, winners or losers'....That's how Madonna addressed her awesome Vegas crowd at the Saturday night show. It's almost all gambling and good luck in Las Vegas, such as she said of finding her good friend Isaac gambling 'in a craps table' and inviting him to sing along, and luck when we noticed our seats were right next to the catwalk and that we saw Madonna less than a foot away.
The show was amazing, with climax moments almost in every song....how can anyone put together a pole dance next to a crucifixtion, a disco fever impressive dance routine and a wonderful La Isla Bonita tropical/dance mix....it’s all about being the queen....she knows how to do it, and she does it perfectly.
I hope you all enjoy these pictures of the show....and talking about lucky, how about meeting Donna and Nicky popping out when we were on our last-minute tour merchandise shopping....check it out!

Here is the first press review from the first show at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, from John Katsilometes at the Las Vegas SUN newspaper:

John Katsilometes takes in a true Las Vegas spectacle - Madonna at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Back in November the MGM Grand Garden Arena staged concerts by three monumental rock figures U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones. All entertained in their own distinctive fashion, but none quite shouted 'Vegas' like the artist who filled the MGM on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Making effective use of 15 dancers, four musicians, three backup singers, a half-dozen wardrobe changes and a multileveled set that featured several LED screens, a pair of dancing platforms flanking the stage and a giant mirrored disco ball, Madonna was uniquely at home on the Vegas stage. The dancers - an athletic lot that could perform with any Cirque production in the city - were particularly impressive.
And the crowd - including a person sitting a few rows in front of me who was either New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson or someone who could sit in for Richardson on 'Lou Dobbs Tonight' - stood almost the entire night and went nuts for the remarkably flexible 47-year-old pop icon.

To read the rest of the review visit www.lasvegassun.com

A new special magazine devoted entirely to Madonna has been published in Quebec, Canada.

The magazine Biographies takes a look at Madonna's life and career and contains many pictures and quotes.

Click on the cover to enlarge.

Here is madonnalicious visitor Harrison's view on the first Las Vegas show:

I don't want to bore and recap all the songs (not that it would be a bore, but by now everyone knows the set list.) I was at the first Las Vegas show after being at the first Los Angeles one, and what a difference.
At first, I didn't expect anything but a repeat of her LA show, but she seemed more relaxed. Not that she wasn't having fun at the LA show that I've loved, but in Vegas, she smiled more and interacted with the audience more.
At one point, she singled out a gentleman in the front row, 'Are you in the CIA?' She gives him a second to respond and nothing. 'If you're gonna sit there, at least smile at me.' A manic fan behind me screams, 'yeah, we wish to be in the front row so smile a--hole.'
I met some great people at this venue. I sat at section 114, and I think all her fan club members were at this section because it was a loud and proud section.
Now, if only I had tickets to her last show, I could compare again. For all of you that have tickets to any of her shows, perpare yourself for an amazing time, and wear comfortable shoes cause you're not going to be sitting.

Madonna is on the cover of the June 2006 issue of free Canadian publication Fugues.

The magazine features an eight page interview with Madonna. The interview is mainly a French translation of an interview already published in the April Issue of OUT magazine, but writer Denis Ferrara contacted Madonna again a few weeks ago for several updates regarding the new show. She talks about her choice of songs, the disco ball, costumes, old hits, her love of guitar playing and the fact that she doesn't think the messages in this show are too heavy.

For more information on where to get the magazine and to read the article online visit www.fugues.com

Check out our Las Vegas fan review section to read the complete version of madonnalicious visitor Lance's personal view of the first Las Vegas show:

Sorry is one of my least favorite songs on the new album, but I have to say it was one of my favorite songs of the night. I would compare it to the rock version of Burning Up from the RIT. It got me going, fist pumping in the air. It was powerful. The set was very much like the video with the cages and the dance off scene. 'Feels like girl power to me! she screamed at the end....

UK newspaper published this full page review on the Confessions Tour:

Here is our first fan report from Madonna's first show at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday 27 May from madonnalicious visitor Brian:

The stage was kind of like updated and 'disco-fied' version of one in the Re-Invention tour. The three 'remote' stages were screens as well and showed various images 99% of the time. The main 'remote' one in the middle also had a trap door. That's also where she did her 'chair routine' when she sang Let It Will Be.
The huge moving screens in the Re-Invention tour were back but much smaller. The centre screen was round and went up and down this time. All screens showed tightly choreographed images and videos. The whole thing was set up in such a way that the first few rows didn't always get the action. She was at the runway and the middle 'remote' stage quite a bit.

With the backdrop of Steven Klein's video, the descending and opening of the disco ball was quite a scene. The video included the latest photoshoot, x-rays of broken bones (her riding accident?) and more riding accidents of others. Future Lover was just hot!
She did 'Like A Virgin' with that bull riding thing kind of hanging in the air. More amazing moves with the pole by our beloved M.
Forbidden Love was beautifully done, with two male dancers holding hands doing some interesting moves, which M herself later joined them. The backdrop was some flowers falling. Did I say beautiful already?
You'll love both parts of Sorry. One was with real dancers and a cage. The other one was the video of a remix (PSB I think) of Sorry. Images of political figures (Bush, Blair, etc.) were mixed with Madonna's (from the Sorry video itself). Basically it was Madonna saying 'don't explain yourself, don't say you are sorry' to them.
She rocked with 'I Love New York'. She sang 'suck George Bush's dick' like she did at Coachella. 'Ray Of Light' was also like a repeat of Coachella.

Madonna continuously spoke 'at' a few people at the first row for only sitting there and not doing anything. She once even said 'if you are only going to sit there, at least you can smile'. Since it was Vegas, those seats were taken by VIP's and the likes of the MGM Hotel. Those people probably didn't care for Madonna and got the tickets for free. What a shame. Real Madonna fans would kill for those seats. I suppose people in Vegas are just too used to 'big shows'.

You will love the disco part of the concert, especially the 'disco-fied' version of Erotica. And the white suit was simply brilliant. The crowd went crazy when she did 'Lucky Star'. Basically everyone sang with her.
The concert ended with Hung Up. It's bascially the same routine that we have already seen, with the 'time goes by, so slowly' part extended. Balloons fell from ceiling.

All in all, another amazing concert by Madonna. The only song that didn't quite fit was Drowned World. It sounded awkward for reasons. I also wish those people in the front row were actually fans who would enjoy the concert. Note to fans and myself: Vegas is not the best place to see Madonna. I couldn't even find a paper that had reviews or news about the concert.

The Friday 26 May edition of Chilean newspaper La Tercera supplement Glamorama featured a two-page article on the tour - click to enlarge.

Wild About Music is hosting the Madonna Tour Shop for the Los Angeles kickoff of her Confessions Tour and will remain open until her return to the Staples Center on June 3rd.
The shop will feature the complete selection of tour merchandise, usually only available within the venue. In addition, Wild About Music will also offer Madonna collectibles and a selection of handpainted fine art canvases and framed photographs by premiere lens men Steven Klein, and Jean-Baptiste Mondino, some of which will only be available at the Santa Monica gallery.

'Big thanks to all of you have visited! It has been great meeting all of Madonna's fans and hearing everyone's stories and seeing their concert pix' says Wild About Music owner Shelley Meyer. 'What an incredibile fan base she has, when you all come in it's a party over here! We hope to see many more of you before her return next week, please don't miss this chance to see all the merchandise in an easy to shop environment and see all of her wonderful art as well.'

Wild About Music is located at 1450 2nd Street, Santa Monica, just off the Promenade. Hours are 11 AM until 9 PM Sunday-Thurs and until 10PM on Fri & Sat. (310) 899-3114.

Madonna's Confessions Tour has made the front cover of South Africian magazine You (01 June issue) - click on the images to enlarge.

These fantastic closer-than-close pictures were taken by madonnalicious visitor Scott D at The Forum on Tuesday 23 May - to view larger versions of all 19 of Scott D's pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

 

Pop superstar Madonna has furiously hit back at criticisms the crucifixion stunt on her Confessions tour is disrespectful to Christians, arguing her motives are honourable.
The singer sparked a religious backlash on the first night of her Confessions tour in Los Angeles when she mounted a six-metre (20-foot) high mirrored crucifix and sang Live To Tell.
But the 47-year-old claims the iconic image was only employed to spur audience members to donate to her AIDS relief charities.
She tells the New York Daily News, 'I don't think Jesus would be mad at me and the message I'm trying to send. Jesus taught that we should love thy neighbour.'
Accompanying the stunt were images of third-world poverty, which were flashed across huge video screens at the venue, and a reminder that 12 million African children are now orphans because AIDS has killed their parents.

madonnalicious visitor Sergio has sent more pictures - this time from the third and final show at The Forum on Wednesday 24 May - visit the Confessions Tour gallery to view more of Sergio's pictures - including one of Madonna's friend Ingrid Casares.

The current issue of Entertainment Weekly features a brand new Confessions Tour review. Madonna is is the star of the contents page! Click to enlarge.

USA Today are asking its online readers: Which concert tour do you want to see this summer? - to vote for Madonna's Confessions Tour visit www.usatoday.com

Portugese newspaper Diario de Noticias published this report on the Confessions Tour in the Wednesday 24 May edition - click to enlarge the article.

Madonna is the winner of one of the two Popcorn Award prizes she was nominated for this year. Hung Up won in the Best International Hit Single category. Madonna was also nominated for Best International Video Of The Year with Hung Up.

This advert was featured in London newspaper Standard Lite today - advertising the fact that tickets went on sale today for Madonna's 8th and final show in London.

A quick reminder for fans after tickets for Madonna's 8th show at Wembley Arena on her birthday (Wednesday 16 August) - they go onsale at 9:00am (BST) Friday 26 May. For details on how to buy these tickets visit the tour page.

madonnalicious visitor Lazaro took some great pictures at the second show (Tuesday 23 May) at The Forum - here are a few but to view larger versions of all his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

 

ROBERTBOYRACER brings us his report from the last show at The Forum:

What a perfect night to cap off her run at The Forum. The show ran smoothly the entire 2 hours. It has been an exhausting few days for me and I can just imagine what Madonna and crew must feel like after four (including Friend and Family show) fabulous performances.
This time around I noticed that Issac (the singer) plays a part in not only the three songs he is featured but also in two others. He sings backup on La Isla Bonita and he hustles along with the entire group at the end of Hung Up wearing a white leisure suit and turban, he certainly proves he can get his groove on with all the rest.
It is just the beginning for Madonna and crew. There are alot more shows to go so make sure you catch one this summer. Let the ride begin! Next stop Vegas, baby!

Chilean daily newspaper La Tercera published this report on the tour.

Here is madonnalicious visitor Steve's third and final report from The Forum:

Well, tonight's show was perfect, fun, wonderful! The crowd adored her! I'd been busy reserving my energy the past two nights and fascinated by watching Madonna and Company, so tonight I decided to let go and just have a great time dancing. I can't even think of a flaw in tonight's great concert.
It was all the glamour, drama, and dancing you could squeeze into two hours! Ingrid Casares was front row, and Molly Sims and Brittany Murphy were there.

Act One: Take a Ride
I marvel at the way Madonna transports her self-obsession into her work. I think Madonna could break a nail and construct a world tour around it. I'm already finding favorite moments. For those of us stuck in the front rows during 'Future Lovers,' the dancers do an exquisite little trot on the runway. I choose this moment to fixate on Mihran, who could easily steal Cloud's thunder, no pun intended. This segment is just so entertaining.

Act Two: Spiritual Girl
I hope Madonna's critics take a moment to study her face during the crucifixion. She knows exactly what she's doing and does more acting than all her films combined. I'm sure she will discuss this in press interviews - um, I wonder if she planned this?
And for those who don't like her look: the motif of her wardrobe is designed to show off her stupendously toned body: her bowling-ball buns, whisper of a waistline, pencil-thin thighs, and champagne-glass breasts. And with the most powerful arms - and brain - in this world on top of it all.

Act Three: She Got Herself a Universe
I'm noticing that this show doesn't HAVE a dead spot. I was anxiously awaiting the problem-plagued final act, but everyone was clearly smokin' and in sync and it just flowed like a river tonight.

Act Four: Burn, Baby, Burn
Well, I think we could all think of our favorite numbers to install here, but Madonna has chosen 'Music,' 'Erotica,' 'La Isla Bonita,' 'Lucky Star,' and the stupendous 'Hung Up' and they are great. I turned around and noticed that all the security and police (yes) are bobbing their heads, smiling, and transfixed by Madonna's hot body.
Once they really become comfortable with the pyrotechnics, I think there will be natural fizz in this segment, and tonight it hit the ceiling.
During 'Lucky Star' I was right underneath Madonna, Donna Delory, and Raistella. The area in front of me was pretty clear, so I bobbed up and down like a pogo stick, and Donna smiled and laughed at me.
Mihran and Cloud are so similar to Madonna. They both have heat rising off their bodies. Mihran's eyes are filled with intensity. They were both clearly having a good, good night. Cloud's entrance in this wasn't as perfect as opening night - but it's such a stunt, I doubt he'll be able to nail it every night. The three of them really end the show marvelously, even before they are joined by the entire troupe and slowly fade away.
Terrific show. I'm SO glad I came out to L.A. for this. And Madonna fans are fabulous people - I had nothing but positive experiences at the Forum (besides the heat).

A suit Madonna had worn in Evita (and also on the cover of Vogue) was auctioned today in London at Christies. For more information visit www.christies.com

Madonna's New York Post gossip column champion Liz Smith published an article today on her impressions of the Confessions Tour:

'This is who I am/You can like it or not/You can love me or leave me 'cause I'm never gonna stop.' So sings Madonna.
Forget the crucifix. No, really. It has already become the visual image of Madonna's spectacular (and spectacularly ambitious) 'Confessions' concert. But as usual, there is more to M's work than meets the eye. The 'blasphemous' sequence, in which she sings 'Live to Tell' suspended on a cross, is accompanied by desperate images and dire statistics about children dying of AIDS in Africa. Why the cross? Don't ask M, who'll only tell you her work must speak for itself and she believes in the intelligence and imagination of her audience.
In spite of the crucifix controversy, this show contains some of the great set pieces of Madonna's career. 'Music' is transformed into an homage to 1970s disco in general and John Travolta in his white-suited 'Saturday Night Fever' persona in particular. This incredible number is worth the exorbitant price of admission.
There is her entrance from the ceiling in a giant glitter ball....'Like a Virgin' performed in her dominatrix equestrian outfit, playfully gyrating like a 20-year-old on an oversized saddle....'Ray of Light' and 'I Love New York,' display Madonna's impressive guitar licks and her ability to command the stage as a rock-chick extraordinaire. 'I Love New York,' which is one of the weakest songs on her 'Confessions' album, comes alive, thanks to Madonna's ferocious in-the-flesh tackle of it.
The sinewy, sometimes androgynous singer/dancer channels Iggy Pop in her angry, defiant 'Let It Will Be,' and then switches moods instantly with a haunting 'Drowned World.' Both songs question fame, in a different frame of mind, reflecting Madonna's continuing search for peace within this maelstrom of her own making.
There are the head-scratching moments, numbers that don't come off ('Erotica') and cringe-inducing profanity directed at the president. (Really, at almost 48 years old, there's no need for Madonna to engage in juvenile pandering. Especially as she makes her political point powerfully in a video montage that includes George W. Bush existing side by side with Hitler, Mussolini and other charmers.)
Even if you are not especially a Madonna fan, I defy anybody to watch this woman work for two hours onstage and come away unimpressed. (She is greatly assisted by her incredible troupe of dancers, of whom Daniel 'Cloud' Campus and Leroy 'Hypnosis' Barnes are standouts. But every single one in her cast is brilliant!)
Madonna is determined to tattoo her vision onto her audience and make them think whether they want to or not. She is equally passionate that her fans get the very best of her, doing what they want to see her do. She sings (live), she dances like time has stopped and surely she never fell off that horse!
The star provides an ongoing visual feast; almost too much happens on a Madonna stage (and in her head!). She and director Jamie King are over-fond of the giant visuals that back Madonna and can overwhelm her, but these are often beautiful, and for the fans in the nosebleed seats, they're compensation for watching their idol from a vantage point that reduces her to the size of a postage stamp.
Though they seem polar opposites, Madonna and Marlene Dietrich have a lot in common. Marlene also offered herself as fans wanted to see her - encased in sequined gowns, a shimmy here, a hand gesture there. Madonna's act is considerably more athletic, but nonetheless a result of iron stamina, perfectionism, self-love and a professional standard that is out of reach by even the most dedicated performers. (Indeed there is an almost Prussian, compulsive work ethic in Madonna's personality.)
Old age and infirmity stopped Marlene, and she drew the curtain on her public self. Madonna is still a young woman, but not a youngster. Watching her aerobic intensity, one wonders how much longer she can do it. And why she wants to continue the brutal grind? Why? Because whatever her art and world attention has meant to Madonna, it hasn't altered.
She has changed in some ways: married, a mother of two, a devotee of religion, but the great need that propelled her from Michigan to Manhattan way back when is as strong as ever. She wants to be adored - she wants to shock, confound, create, never rest on what has been. She looks to the future. Madonna is consumed by ambition and ego yet sometimes longs to free herself.
'Confessions' - which might be subtitled 'I'm Still Here Ha! Ha! Ha!' - isn't a perfect concert, though by the time it reaches N.Y.C. in June, it might be. But it is a perfect showcase for a woman who has imposed her will on the world. And has no intention of loosening her grip.
One of the happiest people at Madonna's concert was pal Rosie O'Donnell, loaded down with camera equipment. It was her first time out with a digital camera; she usually prefers old-fashioned film - 'I love that darkroom smell!' Rosie compared notes with celeb lensman Kevin Mazur, much loved for his talent and good manners. Rosie has long documented Madonna's concerts. 'I send her scrapbooks. I figure when we're both 80 we'll be in rocking chairs, going, 'Ah, remember the 'Confessions' tour, honey?' '
Maybe. But I have a feeling M will be on her 'Madonna 80: Ready, Willing and Still Able' tour.

Time for more fan pictures from the second night at The Forum - this time taken by Thomas. Below is a fantastic picture of Madonna and her 'girls' during Music.

To view larger versions of all his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

Get Together jumps to #15 on Billboard Dance/Club Play chart this week.

Get Together jumps to #13 on Billboard Dance Radio Airplay chart this week.

Fans can now download two HQ clips of the opening night footage that was shown on Monday 22 May on E News and The Insider.

Bobby Love's, at 3729 North Halsted in Chicago, will be holding an advance pre-concert party on Saturday June 10, beginning at 9:00 PM and going until 10:00 PM. Madonna will be the soundtrack night, but this party will feature a live 2 hour plus Madonna mega-mix, spinning by DJ Tim A., and performances by several of Bobby's dolls. Great seats to see Madonna live will be raffled:

GRAND PRIZE
2 front row seats on June 14
FIRST PRIZE
Date with DJ Tim A, front row seat on June 15
RUNNERS UP
5 floor seats, 1 for June 15 and 4 for June 18

Raffle tickets are on sale now, and for more information, you can contact DJ Tim A directly at 312-735-0019. Proceeds from the sale of the raffle tickets will be donated to Children's Place of Chicago. For more information about Children's Place, visit their website at www.childrensplace.org
There is absolutely NO COVER at Bobby Love's, so if you are going to be in Chicago, join us for an all night Madonna extravaganza!

Visit www.notstarring.com/actors/madonna to see a list of films Madonna either auditioned for and lost, or turned down when the favoured actress was available.

Here are some great pictures taken last night at the second show of the Confessions Tour - these were taken by madonnalicious visitor Frank (read his report below).
To view larger versions of all his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

I went to the Tues 23rd show and took some great pictures. I was to the right of the runway right at the rail! It was better than front row because Madonna was literally one foot away at one point. The concert was one of Madonna's best. How she continues to have MORE energy and look better as she ages is the 8th wonder of the world.

 

 

 

madonnalicious has learnt that the sequel to Madonna's first childrens book The English Roses will be published in October and is called The English Roses Too.

Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, Grace and Binah have their friendship tested by a dashing and charming new boy at school whose arrival coincides with the approach of the annual spring dance.

With a publishing date of October hopefully this means Madonna can fully promote this new book as the Confessions Tour will have finished in September.

Here are a couple of pictures from last night's show at The Forum - they show Madonna singing onstage with Yitzhak Sinwani during Paradise (Not For Me).

Here's a review from the second night in Los Angeles from ROBERTBOYRACER:

It was another amazing night! The show keeps getting better and Madonna is in complete control of the audience. Everything went according to plan. She descended from her disco ball and played with her dancing horses. She set the crowd ablaze when she appeared on the mirrored cross, and when you thought she had given her all, she blew the roof off the forum when she did I Love New York and Ray Of Light.
She has really taken to the guitar like a true rock goddess! Wielding it around and jamming with the rest of the boys in the band, probably even better! Both songs seemed edgier then the previous nights. These are the songs to look out for in the show, they're my favorites!
Erotica was the number that threw a spoke into the wheel, near the end of the song, Madonna's mike pack came out of it's pouch. She knew she couldn't go on with the rest of the dance routine holding both mike and mike pack in her hands. She turned her back to her lead dancer and motioned for him to slip it back in while she finished the song.
Well it wasn't as easy as that, the song finished and as she walked away it fell out again. This time she called on Stuart, and knowing she wasn't gonna make it backstage to change shoes she remarked, 'I have to put my dancing shoes on!' Tony rushed out with the next pair and the change was done right there on stage - and some critics say there's no spontaneity in the show. In the end it all worked out and the show came to an end with Hung Up.
Reviews in the Los Angeles area papers all gave glowing reviews of opening night. They praised Madonna's ability to take on the old and create something new and fresh. So no matter if they are riding boots or disco diva dancing shoes, it's always a perfect fit with Madonna.

Below are more articles reporting on the opening night of Madonna's Confessions Tour - featured are Portugese newspaper Correio da Manhã, US newspapers the LA Times and the New York Post.

 

madonnalicious visitor Steve gives us his impressions on the second show of the Confessions Tour which took place at The Forum last night:

A very odd, subtle mix of Get Together is playing as you enter the arena. I had to strain to hear M whisper 'It's all an illusiooooooon.' She thinks of everything. I'm beginning to see lots of similarities to RIT and the 'Love Profusion' mix that played quietly before that show.
At the opening night I have to admit that the show lurched forward, stopped, lurched forward again. This show, Madonna turned the ignition, and her little Confessions machine's motor started running.

Future Lovers
Lights out. The Steven KIein video begins running - it is so elegant. A gigantic Madonna addresses the crowd: 'forget your problems. Come with me.' It is, indeed, very futuristic.
As the disco ball begins its descent, it's like watching a tennis match. The video. The ball. The video. The ball. And the SCREAMING CROWD. The ball opens like a flower and there she is. There is Madonna.
The crowd erupts at the return of Dita. In her Gaultier riding outfit, top hat, and mane of black hair, Madonna disciplines those naughty little dancers, all decked out in ultra-kinky S&M leather equestrian gear.
Get Together
Madonna returns to the main stage with two dancers and performs 'Get Together.' And she resurrects those great 'Music' deep-knee bends. How does she do it?
Like A Virgin
As x-rays are projected on the video screens, a little mechanical bull discreetly rises out of the stage right catwalk/platform. Madonna says, 'Do you want to take a ride with me?', in keeping with the equestrian theme.
After it's in position, Madonna trots over and mounts it. Now in a see-through black lace top and bustier, Madonna virtually performs an entire yoga routine atop it, turning it into a merry-go-round, pole dance of sorts. Madonna is SO Madonna. Like A Genius.
Jump
One of the most energetic points in a very acrobatic show. There are actually a FEW cages in this show. A giant gymnastics cage is lowered from the ceiling and connects the center stage with the main stage and the dancers do some pretty impressive stunts on it. At this point I can see that the show finally ignited!

Interlude: the music is a bit Live To Tell, a bit Isaac.There are clips of torture and war. It is VERY 'Imagine.' Dancers are on the catwalks acting out the torture - by parents, spouses, governments....

Live To Tell
I guarantee you, you will never again hear 20,000 people gasp like this. I was afraid to move. Of course, a girl named Madonna danced on a gondola in Venice singing about being a virgin - for almost the first time - so what's new, really? But it's strong stuff, and I'm honestly not surprised that there's been a knee-jerk reaction to it. Look - she's not on this Earth to sing 'Vogue' every night. Ironically, the only words that come to mind are 'holy shit' and 'Jesus Christ.'
Forbidden Love
A nice, choreographed dance routine on the main stage while two hot male dancers to a little gay thing - similar to 'The Beast Within' in The Girlie Show. I was really enjoying this and dancing in my aisle seat (lucky moi).
Isaac
Yitzhak Sinwani joins Madonna and this is a surprisingly energetic number. Nice!! One of the dancers does a sort of harem dance.
Sorry
Yet another cage comes out, and an explosive Sorry takes over the room. Dancers and acrobatics everywhere. Madonna plants some hot kisses on the female dancers. Her see-thru top comes off, revealing her leotard.
Like It Or Not
Madonna works the runway between the stage and center stage with a stool that reminded me a lot of 'Open Your Heart.' I marvel at the way she incorporates her persona into her every move.The crowd really eats it up. I can see Madonna is having a good, good time, and her hair is so gorgeous (for those who care about this!).

The Sorry interlude is very odd, I still can't quite get a handle on it, but they do use the video and sync her lips with, I guess, a mix of the song.

I Love New York
The video screen projects the New York skyline. Once again, this keeps the crowd after the rocking Sorry. Madonna spills her tea-colored water in a Volvic bottle all over her jacket, but laughs it off. 'New York is a state of mind,' she tells the crowd.
Ray Of Light
The dancers all join Madonna in classic New Wave gear. Black outfit, white tie. Tight choreography.
Let it Will Be
A word to all you Madonnamaniacs (that means you), if you want Madonna to stick her tongue out at you, be at the center stage. She completely lets go in the center stage for this, and there is no barracade, just a completely overwhelmed security guard or two - boy, does the crowd around her go wild. You cannot get closer to Madonna. It's The Pit of the Confessions Tour, and you don't have to win a contest. Just be on the floor about in the middle of the floor. I have decided that the best seat for this show is roughly the 15th row. I was in row 12 and missed a lot of the action on the center stage.
Drowned World
Seated on the edge of the stage, Madonna finally rewards the front rows with an intimate number. Her voice is very good, by the way. Really, she looks beautiful.
Paradise (Not For Me)
She is joined by Yitzhak Sinwani for the duet. It's very special. You need to really take a journey on a Madonna concert.
Disco Inferno
Don't diss this song! If you liked 'Hollywood,' you'll love it.

Oh dear. Last night, Cloud made a spectacular entrance. Just fabulous. And tonight....I watched him lose his balance on his roller skates, and he fell. I felt bad for him. I wonder when one of them will go into the audience. He was visibly unhappy. Then he fell again. Welcome to 'Truth Or Dare,' my dear.

Music
John Travolta only WISHES Gaultier had designed HIS suit! But they probably didn't even have the FABRIC that they have today - I noticed how beautifully cut it is, and how it moves. Madonna has a good time.
Erotica
I'm beginning to hear the You Thrill Me aspect to this song. The white suit comes off and Madonna does a spectacular tango with her Die Another Day partner from the RIT in a pink and lavender skinsuit.
And....again....Madonna's sound pack flies off her and the problems start. They can't fix it. She misses the entire opening to La Isla Bonita, and I can see she is distracted, trying to confer with Stuart, and shooting looks of hell at the entire crew. But smiling at the audience.
La Isla Bonita
It's funny how people have been talking about ABBA, Giorgio Moroder, and Donna Summer....but I noticed a striking resemblance between her pink and lavender jumpsuit and the one that Debbie Harry of Blondie used to wear. It is VERY Studio 54 - even without the Travolta suit. There is a trace of 'Heart Of Glass,' the landmark 1978 Blondie video that marked the moment when rock and roll and disco shook hands and called it 'dance music.' The way Madona celebrates this moment in time is inspired and drives this whole show and I'm sure will continue to be revealed as the tour progresses.
The entire troupe still does a rousing version, but I can tell they're all distracted, trying to smile, looking everywhere, bumping into each other.
Lucky Star
Madonna works all catwalks during this, signalling that the concert is wrapping up. She does completely blend 'Lucky Star' with 'Hung Up.'
Hung Up
Madonna dissapears briefly, and returns in the glasses, the Gucci jacket, and the leotard for an exact replica of 'Hung Up' from the US Grammy show of February 2006. It's amazing the way the crowd howls at this.
Cloud has a funny moment. He is pointing at Madonna's ass and mouthing 'Wow!' She sees him and looks down at her ass, thinking that she has split a seam or something, realizes that he was just workin' it, and they both completely crack up laughing hysterically. It was very impromptu.
But he's still having problems. There is something itching his collar and he keeps missing moves, scratching his hair and neck. (The room was ridiculously hot.)
Once again, as 'Hung Up winds down, the dance troupe is slowly lowered into the stage as they dance and the video screen surrounds them. The room is definitely loving it, but I can tell they are all working hard and the fun dropped out for them right during 'Music' tonight. Again, 'Have you confessed?'

madonnalicious visitor Sergio took some pictures at the Sunday night Forum show - to view larger versions of all his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

A fabulous new and much longer trailer for Madonna's documentary I'm Going To Tell You A Secret is available to watch online at the following links:

Click on the appropriate link to watch: QUICKTIME or WINDOWS MEDIA

Click on the flyer below for more information about a Confessions Tour launch party taking place on Friday 19 May in Fort Lauderdale.

Madonna received good reviews in most of the UK daily newspapers today (the more conservative ones were concerned about the use of a cross during Live To Tell).

Featured below are the Daily Express, Daily Mail, Daily Mirror and the Daily Star:

Madonna, The Clinton Foundation, and The Carter Foundation each donated $100K to help build the Raising Malawi - Consol Homes Orphan Care Center.

To read the full story about this charity visit www.raisingmalawi.org

madonnalicious visitor Bruce Baron poses this interesting hypothesis on the cross:

Madonna is a well known collector of paintings by artists from the first half of the 20th century (Leger, Picasso, De Lempika, and Kahlo etc.). From the same period is the surrelist work of Spanish-Catalan painter Salvador Dali.
On The Confessions Tour during 'Live To Tell', Madonna's choice of hanging on a modern style dimensional cross instead of the traditional flat wood design is vaguely reminsicent of the 1954 Dali painting 'Crucifixion'. Dali describes his picture as 'Metaphysical, transcendent cubism'.
Madonna's cross used on the tour is not a exactly a 'hypercube' as in the painting (it would have been difficult for her to both lay flat and be supported), but the dimensional cubical element in the design is an obvious similarity. Perhaps this image was an inspiration?

More online press reports from the opening night show are available to read here:

1010 WINS: Madonna Kicks Off 'Confessions' Tour
She was an equestrian, a disco princess and a black-clad rocker - plus she crucified herself on a mirrored cross - all in less than two hours.

FMQB: Madonna Still Embracing Controversy On Tour Opener
Madonna kicked off her Confessions tour in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and the 47-year-old Pop queen is still not afraid to ruffle a few feathers.

LA Daily News: Madonna doesn't miss a beat in tour kickoff
Madonna's new world tour kicked off Sunday at the Forum and the Church of England immediately weighed in with a bad review - something about the singer wearing a crown of thorns while being crucified on a mirrored cross.

Sydney Morning Herald: Madonna's new move: crucifixion
Madonna has launched her first world tour in two years, delighting an enthusiastic Los Angeles crowd by hanging herself from a cross, insulting US President George Bush, and dusting off some of the sexy moves that have sustained her career for more than 20 years.

Here are some more pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor William at the tour opener - to view larger versions of all his pictures visit the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

Madonna's tour website www.confessionstour.com have just announced:

Having opened to fabulous reviews on Sunday night in Los Angeles, tour promoters The Next Adventure and Kyodo Tokyo are pleased to confirm that Madonna will visit Japan this September. Madonna Confessions Tour will play the Osaka Dome on Saturday, Sept. 16th and Tokyo Dome on Wed. Sept. 20.
Ticket reservations will begin on Saturday, June 10th with public on sale Sunday, July 9th. Ticket prices will be 14.000 yen, 11,000 yen with special seats available for 50,000 yen. Additional ticket information will be announced soon. For Concert Inquiries, please contact: Kyodo Tokyo, Inc. For Ticket and Ticket Package Information, please contact PIA.

This fabulous picture of Madonna on top of her boombox during Hung Up was taken by madonnalicious visitor William at the tour opener on Sunday night.

Here is a selection of online articles and reviews about the opening night of the Confessions Tour - to read the full articles click on the appropriate links:

ABC News: Madonna Kicks Off 'Confessions' Tour
She was an equestrian, a disco princess and a black-clad rocker plus she crucified herself on a mirrored cross all in less than two hours.
Madonna is known for her theatrical, action-packed shows, and Sunday night's sold-out opener of her 'Confessions' world tour was no exception.

BBC News: Madonna starts confession in LA
Madonna has kicked off her Confessions world tour with a high-energy performance involving a crucifix and a giant disco ball.

LA Daily News: Madonna late to the party, but starts tour riding high
Pop diva Madonna kicked off her 'Confessions' tour 45 minutes late at The Forum on Sunday, but fans said they'd wait another two hours if they had to for the colorful dance music icon.

USA Today: Opening night with Madonna: The inside scoop
The beat-crazy energy seldom flags in a highly polished two-hour show subdivided into Equestrian, Bedouin, Never Mind the Bullocks and Disco sections, though it's the heady pulse of dance music, fortified by a sharp band, that dominates throughout.

Tonight's West End Final edition of the London newspaper the Evening Standard features a full Madonna cover and a full page three article inside - providing much more coverage than their earlier edition. Click to enlarge the images.

 

German TV channel Viva are set to premiere Madonna's new video for Get Together on Wednesday 24 May at 3:00pm (CET) during their Viva Live show.

UPDATE - 24 May 2006: Viva postponed the premiere and have not yet set a new date for the broadcast of the video.

London newspaper the Evening Standard is published late morning in the UK and therefore was the first UK newspaper to capture the news about the opening night of the Confessions Tour - they put Madonna on the cover splash and nearly a full page spread on page three. Click on the article to enlarge.

An 8th and final date at London's Wembley Arena has just been announced on London's Capital Radio. The date is Wednesday 16 August....which also happens to be Madonna's 48th birthday!

Tickets for this date go onsale this Friday morning at 9:00am via the usual outlets.

A better title for Madonna's Confessions tour might be the Go to Confession Tour, as you feel like you need to by the time the show is over.
As we've come to expect from Madonna, her latest tour, which she kicked off Sunday at the Forum, is so provocative that it's hard to count the ways.
Let's see, there was the whole hanging on a cross, wearing a crown of thorns thing. The riding the rhinestone-studded, black leather carousel like she's the main attraction at the erotic shop across town thing. And, of course, that nasty George Bush comment thing, which she brought back from her Coachella show last month.
The show started off nice and sweet with images of horses on the screens and Madonna in full equestrian attire descending from the ceiling in a one-ton disco ball. A closer look at that outfit, however, revealed she's going for the dominatrix look and that whip wasn't meant for a horse.
As Madonna sang 'Future Lovers,' mixing in a little of Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' for good measure, her leather-strapped male dancers slithered around her like a lost scene from 'Eyes Wide Shut.' 'Get Together' offered more of the same, but nothing could have prepared the capacity crowd for what would follow - and we're not talking about her own X-rays on the screens.
Bringing 'Like A Virgin' out of the vaults, Madonna introduced the song by asking the audience if they wanted to go for ride. She then saddled up on a carousel-like set piece and rode it like no carousel should be ridden.
The moves sent the room into a frenzy and caused one of the only sing-a-longs of the set, which featured 10 Confessions on a Dancefloor tracks and, unlike the Re-Invention Tour that launched in the same venue almost two years ago, only a few old favorites.
As is the case with all of her tours, however, Madonna gives you a lot to watch. Her fourth tune, 'Jump,' might have featured the most impressive eye candy of all. Between the jungle gym that descended onto the runway and the crew of perfectly-toned tumblers racing around, it was like the Olympic gymnastics freestyles finals on Red Bull.
For her next tune, Madonna made one of her seven costume changes and returned to the center of the stage a la Jesus Christ on the cross (if that cross were built in 2006....by Marilyn Manson), singing 'Live To Tell.' Like Kanye West on the cover of Rolling Stone, it was a fascinating image, whether or not you think it's immoral.
The middle of the set was mostly a showcase of Confessions, including a stirring rendition of 'Issac' featuring the song's namesake guest voice and a video montage for 'Sorry' that managed to knock most of the world's leaders. 'Don't say forgive me,' Madonna sang as pictures of the war in Iraq flashed with shots of President Bush.
In 'I Love New York,' during which Madonna played a black guitar surround by her six-piece band suddenly covered head-to-toe in white, the singer not only added 'but not you guys' after the 'Los Angeles is for people who sleep' line, but changed the 'Just go to Texas/Isn't that where they golf' lyric to a derogatory Bush remark.
Aside from those references, though, Madonna kept her political comments to a minimum. In fact, she kept all her comments to a minimum, only encouraging them to dance when the time was right, like 'Ray Of Light.'
After delivering the back-to-back ballads 'Drowned World' and 'Paradise (Not For Me),' Madonna got back to her business of catering to the dance floor and her band launched into a version of 'Music' that mashed with 'Disco Inferno.'
While dancers whisked around her on roller skates, Madonna donned a white suit and danced down the runway to the small stage in the middle of the arena, where she did her best 'Saturday Night Fever'-era John Travolta routine, complete with the 'hitchhike' (you know, thumbs to the side).
'Erotica' was, well....you guessed it (let's just say it was performed in a body suit) and 'La Isla Bonita' was reinvented with a salsa groove.
With the exhausted crowd at their peak, Madonna brought out another oldie in 'Lucky Star' but modernized the track with a techno beat that slowly morphed into 'Hung Up.'
For the Confessions single, Madonna returned to center stage for the same provocative (told you there were many) performance she gave at the Grammys, only this one included a few new twists.
And as the curtain (or in this case, a giant curved screen) came up and the lights came on - no encore for the second straight tour - a message flashed across the screen? Have You Confessed?

Here is a selection of fabulous pictures taken by madonnalicious visitor Michael at last night's tour opener at the Los Angeles Forum - larger versions of these pictures and more are available in the Confessions Tour gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

Madonna has launched her first world tour in two years, delighting an enthusiastic Los Angeles crowd by hanging herself from a cross, insulting President George W Bush, and dusting off some of the sexy moves that have sustained her career for more than 20 years.
The Confessions tour will keep her on the road for two months in North America, and then resume on July 30 in Wales for a five-week stadium swing through eight European cities. Shows in Japan are also on tap for mid-September.
The 47-year-old dance diva spent two hours churning out most of the tunes from her new album, Confessions on a Dancefloor, as well as a few old hits such as Like a Virgin, Ray of Light and Lucky Star.
The audience at the Los Angeles Forum included Madonna's Kabbalah guru Rabbi Yehuda Berg, socialite Nicole Richie, and gay icon Rosie O'Donnell, who upgraded herself to a premium seat on the floor and left her spouse alone in the stands.
The meticulously choreographed Vegas-style routine began 50 minutes late when a giant mirror ball was lowered from the ceiling to the end of a catwalk stretching deep into the floor.
Out popped Madonna, in S&M-styled riding gear and whip, singing the new tune Future Lovers as four bare-breasted male dancers writhed around with ball gags in their mouths.
Later on, she donned a crown of thorns and suspended herself from a giant mirrored cross to deliver the ballad Live to Tell. Video screens showed images of third-world poverty and reeled off grim statistics.
During one of her half-dozen costume changes, another video montage juxtaposed images of Bush, members of his administration and British Prime Minister Tony Blair with footage of Adolf Hitler, Osama bin Laden, and Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe. Midway through the new song 'I Love New York,' she deviated from the script and made a crude reference to Bush and oral sex.
Beyond that, she barely spoke to the audience, largely focusing on keeping control of a busy nightclub-style stage that boasted 15 dancers, four musicians and three backing vocalists.
For the most part, she joined in the tricky choreography, her voice evidently not affected by the aerobic workout. She did pause for a few songs during which she appeared to play a shiny Gibson Les Paul guitar.
A disco segment near the end, where she dressed in a Saturday Night Fever-style white suit to perform Music thrilled the crowd, as did the Like a Virgin routine, when she climbed aboard a carousel-style black leather saddle.
There was no encore, and the lights came up as soon as she had completed a medley of Lucky Star and latest hit single Hung Up while sporting an illuminated white cape with Dancing Queen embroidered on the back.
Billboard magazine has forecast ticket sales could reach the $US200 million range, making it the most successful tour by a female artist.

UK TV show GMTV have just broadcast a second report from the opening night of the Confessions Tour - this clip features much more and better footage from the Get Together performance.

madonnalicious visitor Steve has sent in his song-by-song report from the show:

Steve's picture of inside The Forum as the audience were let in showing the catwalks set up.

All in all, a remarkable show. She did a brilliant job of promoting her new album, while touching on her key images - the lucky star, 'Like A Virgin,' and the sex goddess (which has been missing since The Girlie Show - smart going, M). Absolutely one of her best shows ever. If she'd had a voice, Blond Ambition would still rule, but she's performing SO much better now - this really is the ultimate Madonna concert. It fills me with joy to watch her, always.

These pictures were taken by Aaron at the Friends and Family dress rehearsal show on Saturday night - large versions of these pictures are in the tour gallery.

 

 

 

 

 

madonnalicious now offers fans a download of a GMTV UK TV news report on the opening night of the Confessions Tour. Included in the report are clips from Get Together and Like A Virgin - and yes those are Madonna's xrays of her broken bones featured in the video backdrop!

Is it coincidence or fate that the start of the tour began next to Hollywood Park, a premier horse racing track? Well, whatever its is, Madonna and crew got off to a smashing start. The audience was soooo much more responsive and active than at yesterday's rehearsal.
Everyone on stage seemed to feed off the energy. There were no nervous stomachs this evening. Madonna was more at ease it seemed. The entire show moved much more fluidly. One of two flubs was when the mike flew off the stage during Let It Will Be. A stage hand quickly handed it back. The second mishap was with the sound during the beginning of La Isla Bonita, she began the song but the audience heard nothing til the third line in.
She repeated her thoughts about Texas and George Bush's genitals during I Love New York as she did at the Coachella Festival, but all together, this was a great show.
Everything was tighter and sounded better than yesterday. Make sure you don't miss her while she races across the globe.

madonnalicious visitor Marcos has sent in the tour report from last night:

I am JUST home from the Opening night show at the Forum! Lucky enough to have seen the show from the side/stage area, I was able to see lots of behind the scenes changes and 'rushing' around.
Madonna was phenomenal. You could tell she was a bit nervous as she stepped down from the inside of the amazing 'ball', but once she felt how excited the crowd was, it was like they done the show one hundred times!!
The dancers are extremely talented and everything moves like clockwork. The costumes are awesome and Madonna looks SO lean! Her make-up was very light and simple.
During I Love New York, she changed the words from 'Texas, isn't there where they golf', to 'Texas, and you can suck George W. Bush's dick', which made the crowd roar!
Her costume changes are very quick and she you have a hard time figuring out where she will come out of next! Most of the changes backstage went very smooth.
I was just a few feet away from the side and was able to see her getting set up on top of the cross, she just laid there calmly waiting for her next cue (for Live to Tell).
I caught one dancer having a hard time removing his skates to get ready for the next song - he made it, but ended up with a black glove from the previous costume, which he managed to take off and shove it in the back of his pants!
At the end of the show, when the 'video curtain' that covers the stage came down, the stage lowered slowly and while the lights were still off, the dancers all walked up to Madonna for a HUG! It was amazing to see them celebrate and congratulate each other on opening night. The lights did not come on until they were done hugging, Madonna walked with her arm around one of the female dancers and a stage hand helped her step down from the stage.
And by the way, her pal Rosie O'Donnell attended the show and took pictures the entire time! I hope they will eventually publish some of them.
If you do not have your ticket yet, GO GET THEM! This show cannot be missed.

madonnalicious visitor Thomas has sent in more pictures of the fine art and tour merchanise available to buy from the Wild About Music store in Santa Monica.

   

 

madonnalicious brings you another look at even more merchandise available at the Confessions Tour show at The Forum last night.

Here is the final setlist for the Confessions Tour as listed in the tourbook:

Future Lovers
I Feel Love
Get Together
Like A Virgin
Jump
Live To Tell
Forbidden Love
Issac
Sorry
Like It Or Not
I Love New York
Ray Of Light
Let It Will Be
Drowned World
Paradise (Not For Me)
Music Inferno
Erotica
La Isla Bonita
Lucky Star
Hung Up

Fans can now download two HQ clips of the La Isla Bonita dress rehearsal footage that was shown on Friday 19 May on E News and The Insider.

madonnalicious visitor Matt has sent in these pictures from the Madonna Gallerie store that has opened up at the W Hotel in Los Angeles until Thursday 25 May.

madonnalicious visitor Thomas also sent these pictures in from the W Hotel:

 

 

According to Sky News Madonna is to produce a documentary on 1950's blonde bombshell Jayne Mansfield. She is said to find the story of Jayne's life fascinating.

Curtis Knapp, the photographer of Madonna's first ever magazine cover, Island, has contacted madonnalicious to let fans know about the other magazines that his iconic picture has featured on. He also shared a little about his influences and work:

For more information visit www.curtisknapp.com and www.hasselblad.se

Here is another exclusive report from the Friends and Family show yesterday, this time ROBERTBOYRACER gives us a different view of the show:

Well here it is, like it or not. Friends and Family night began with, as she put it, a disclaimer from Madonna herself. Right before the start of the show she appeared on stage to let everyone in the audience know that everyone in the show was a little nervous, it being the first time performing the show in front of a large audience. She went on the say that she was blessed to have and proud of all the crew and members of the show who put in so much hard work. She thanked everyone for coming and said 'let the games begin' before going back stage to start the show.

Future Lovers opened the show with Madonna appearing from within a disco ball. She did sing a few verses from Donna Summer's 'I Feel Love' during the song as reported earlier on madonnalicious. The opening numbers had the horse riding theme with dancers in saddles and a crop weddling Madonna. The video footage on the screens were scenes from her work on the W magazine shoot with Steven Klein.
Madonna danced solo through Get Together followed by an old favorite that hasn't been performed in years, Like A Virgin. She dusted off the old hit and rode it to a new height. Literally, a carousel horse, minus the horse, came from above over the left stage and she hopped on riding it like a stripper pole.
Next came Jump. The male dancer jumped and swung from a set of monkey bars while Madonna sang. Toward the end of the song she too had her twirl through the bars.

Live To Tell started with a dance interlude from three of dancers, Cloud being one of them. I'm not sure who the other two were but each were accompanied with a video and story of a trying time in their lives. It was quite touching, especially Cloud's. He spoke of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and finding light in darkness. Madonna appeared wearing a crown of thorns and crucified on a discofied cross just like a mirrorball. The lighting really made it a surreal religious moment. It was almost like seeing the real Madonna.
Forbidden Love followed with two male dancers standing side by side intertwining their arms in a dance that signified gay love not being accepted in society.
Issac began with the ethnic singer as heard on the album. Please forgive my ignorance as I don't know the language he sings but it was beautiful and much richer in person. Madonna touched on the opression muslim women endure in their society by having a dancer dressed as a muslim woman in a cage.
Madonna and her gals kicked some ass during Sorry and she flailed across the stage during Like It Or Not. That was followed by a Sorry video interlude.

She rocked off in I Love New York and Ray Of Light just as she did at Coachella.
Madonna sat at the center stage steps to sing a much more mellow, almost acoustic sounding, Drowned World/Substitute For Love. She was joined on pParadise (Not For Me) by Issac.

Music was turned into an all out disco song with a heavy sample of 'Disco Inferno'. She strutted across the stage in the Saturday Night Fever influenced Gaultier suit.
Erotica was also in the theme of 70's disco. She sang the chorus of what seemed to me to be a song from that era intertwined with Erotica, again forgive me, I'm sure someone will post what that song was.
La Isla Bonita was complete kitsch with it's tropical theme and sound. I really enjoyed the video imagery of islands, dolphins and a latin couple on the beach, real exagerated Miami-like.
The dancing queen doned a cape with those exact words emblazoned on the back during Lucky Star. The inside of the cape even lit up with lights.
Hung Up closed the show with the usual routine. Gold mylar balloons fell from the ceiling engulfing some areas of the floor. Madonna and crew disappeared as the stage slowly lowered leaving us with the question 'Have you confessed?i on the screens.
All in all the show was good. There were some hiccups in the show. During I Love New York Madonna's guitar wasn't as loud as she wanted it to be. The first two numbers felt a little hesitant but maybe they need some time to ajust to performing the material. The crowd also didn't seem very enthusiastic but this is Los Angeles so they must have been sleeping!

On the gossip side celebrity friends Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore were in the audience as well as long time friend Debi Mazar. Jamie King and Guy Oseary watched the show perched on a platform right behind the the light and mixing board setup.
So when Madonna reaches your city this summer, go out there and have the time of your life. Madonna wants you to!

Here are some pictures from the Wild About Music store in Santa Monica which contains lots of tour merchandise which we have not seen before.

madonnalicious can now bring fans a report from last nights Friends and Family full dress rehearsal show at The Forum in Los Angeles - this report contains the full set list and our reporter Matt's view of each song:

What do you do when one of Madonna's assistants personally invites you to her Friends and Family show the night before the official opening? Well, you try not to have a heart attack, you gain your composure and scream 'YES!'
I found myself trying not to hyperventilate from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We arrived at 7pm at the Forum for the 8pm performance, and seeing this private dress rehearsal was surreal. The stadium was nowhere near packed to capacity.
Madonna came out on the stage before the show started and gave a small speech. 'Welcome to our Friends and Family Show, the only show where I get to make a disclaimer before the performance. I'm very nervous. My dancers are very nervous. There's been a lot of toilet flushing backstage!' She continued to chat with the audience, thanking them and her dancers for a great show. She mentioned they just corrected lighting problems one hour before everyone arrived, and 'God willing we'll have a good show. So, let the games begin!'
And begin they did. Here's the show in order.

1. Future Lovers - As Madonna and equestrian images appeared on the big screen Madonna arrived at the end of the runway stage in a big giant disco ball. No surprises there. She sang Future Lovers in a very bondage-horsetraining outfit while the matching dancers performed 'pony play' movements. It was all very bondage, very sexual, very animalistic. The rumors of Madonna going into 'I Feel Love' are true; she sings a few verses and returns to 'Future Lovers'.

2. Get Together - This song was the album version and didn't deviate too much. She performed this song with two dancers and it was quite clear that our gal was nervous!

3. Like A Virgin - Madonna asked 'how am I doing?' before moving into a new version of Like A Virgin. Images of broken bones and horse hooves flashed on the screen as Madonna moved up the ramp to get on a saddle. She rode around, did a small pole dance as footage of horses bucking riders flashed around.

4. Jump - Video images of moving buildings played in the background as dancers perform acrobatic dance movements on the stage. Pretty impressive, lots of energy, tons of skill. DEFINITELY exciting. At the end of the number Madonna disappears into the stage and all the cages and forms return to the ceiling.

5. Live To Tell - This number begins with spoken words and three small stories as told by the dancers. Themes of domestic abuse, self-cutting and gang banging appear on the screen with big quotes before Madonna appears in the most controversial set up yet. Madonna comes down on a big mirrored crucifix while wearing a crown of thorns. Dressed in a red blouse and black pants, she sings the entire number while hanging on the cross as AIDS messages appear above. All in all it was a very moving performance.

6. Forbidden Love - Very straight-forward like the album. Dancers come on stage and do only what I can call 'the arm dance', with Madonna eventually joining in. Very creative, very visually interesting.

7. Isaac - I had no idea that the actual Isaac would be on stage with her, and it was extremely refreshing to hear him sing live. A dancer in the background slides around the stage as Madonna moves front and center to sing her lines. Desert videos project in the background as Madonna dances.

8. Sorry - The intro performed live is actually the Pet Shop Boys' version. Madonna dons a leather jacket and performs a routine very similar to the video.

9. Like It Or Not - Madonna has a very rough start on this song at her first performance. It eventually smoothes itself out and she ends the song with a fantastic dance with a chair at the end of the runway.

10. Sorry Video Reprise - Madonna runs off stage and we return with a video remix of Sorry. This time it's directed towards politicians as they are interjected between chips of Madonna. This version features a very heavy techno dancehall reggaeton sound. 'Don't Talk. Don't Speak' are repeated over and over in big giant letters. A fight happens onstage.

11. I Love New York - Madonna puts on a big coat and performs with guitar. A few technical difficulties force her to switch guitars twice. 'I can't hear my guitar!' she screams.

12. Ray Of Light - A slight variance of the original, with Madonna playing guitar as dancers in black satin outfits and white ties do a very 80s-inspired dance. A great number, but Madonna looks incredibly uncomfortable. Her voice reflects that. It's not the best Ray Of Light performance she's done.

13. Let It Will Be - Madonna takes of the jacket for a COMPLETELY revamped version of this song. Harder, louder, distorted and gritty, and we see the video projects go live for once. They feature a posterized, very 80's style Madonna singing the song in real time. It's very local cable access and pretty damn fantastic! A great effect. Very inspiring to hear her scream and sing over and over again 'Just watch me burn!'

14. Drowned World/Substitute For Love - Madonna screams 'Are you awake yet?' since the audience was so quiet. I believe that's only because we were such a SMALL audience. At any rate, she takes this moment to sit down and sing, especially after the last electrically-charged number. This version is very easy listening, very John Denver, if you can imagine. But it's great.

15. Paradise (Not For Me) - Madonna says 'This is my friend Isaac! as he joins her in a revamped version of Paradise. She plays the guitar beautifully in this number.

16. Disco Inferno/Music Mashup - Madonna changes the pace completely at this point of the show by introducing the song with a super-hyper collage of images and audio of past Madonna over the past 23 years. Dancers come out on rollerskates - YES, ROLLERSKATES - and Madonna returns in the 70's white Travolta-inspired leisure suit. Make sure to keep an eye out for how great she looks in the music video as she dances in a shimmery red dress. Music sounds great with Disco Inferno. The dance at the end is pure Madonna and shows a great sense of camp and humor. This number puts EVERYONE in a good mood.

17. Erotica - WHOA! Completely reworked and quite wonderful! A group dance number accompanies this very different version of the song as the 'Confessions'-style disco balls shine overhead.

18. La Isla Bonita - Reworked and totally different. Very tropical with a latin-house flavor and percussion. The group dances in front of tropical images and ocean views.

19. Lucky Star - Madonna falls to the ground as two dancers put a big giant cape on her. The cape reads 'Dancing Queen' and is shiny on the inside. Very fun. This version of Lucky Star is different and goes right into Hung Up.

20. Hung Up - This number is remixed and the costumes and choreography is similar to other Hung Up performances. She leads the audience in singing 'Time Goes By So Slowly' and when we're not loud enough she screams 'Come On Mother Fuckers! Next time you're going to buy your own tickets!' Gold balloons fall from the sky, everyone dances and walks backstage. No encore at this show.

After everyone returns backstage the screens display the message 'Have You Confessed?' The show ran 2 hours and in typical Madonna fashion she entertained like no other. I was a bit surprised to see less dancing on her part in this tour, but make no mistake about it, she's still at the top of her game.

Here are some exclusive pictures taken at the Friends and Family dress rehearsal show last night - click on the image for even more pictures.

Everything you ever wanted to know or didn't want to know about the Confessions Tour. Fabulous factoids-funny, surprising, fascinating, useless to some, enthralling to others details: