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Monday Night 7:30pm– The United Center in Chicago was on fire with the electricity of Madonna.  Before the show, fans milled about in ode-to-Madonna chic: “B*tch I’m Madonna” t-shirts, 80’s cut-off workout wear, bull horns, and Matador costumes. Then, as the lights dimmed, three giant stadium screens projected a video of Mike Tyson hyping the crowd up, proclaiming “I am beautiful” as short clips of Madonna flashed upon the screen.  The billowing music filled the room while a slew of soldiers marched across the stage carrying large crosses along a sword-shaped catwalk.  And then, as the crowd grew more and more anxious, she was there…descending from an airborne cage onto the stage.

There is much to say about an artist who has remained relevant for four decades.  Rebel Heart, this latest tour, is iconic because it is marks an important milestone for Madonna: it is her tenth worldwide tour showcasing her thirteenth studio album.  In a world where many music artists climb to fame through marketing campaigns and disingenuous internet feuds, Madonna remains steadfast as one of the greatest performers in the scene today.  Don’t get me wrong, Madonna has her fair share of controversy – but she more than compensates by forging sincere and genuine connections with her fans. This was evident as fans remained elated well before, during, and after the show.

Moreover, what made the show so memorable was Madonna’s flair for the bold. During her performance she would stop and order members of the audience around just to remind them who’s still in charge.  She brought up a drag queen dressed up as Britney Spears and threw a marriage bouquet out to a same-sex couple.  Her fans had come to see someone who they’d been watching for years, through good times and bad…and Madonna wasn’t going to disappoint.
In light of the gorgeous fanfare that lit up the stadium, there were moments when the stage spectacle overshadowed the music.  But, ever the performer, Madonna used these times to showcase her dance moves, agility, and stamina that could put any twenty-four year old pop star to shame.  There were times when I thought, “Could Miley Cyrus pull this off in 30 years? Doubtful.”

As the night went on – the music interweaved into a slew of dance heavy songs paired with elaborate story telling which made even the most novice Madonna fan to become enraptured by the dazzling set pieces and costume changes turning Rebel Heart into a Vegas-style experience.  Madonna was ever confident and talented during her show, proving that she is anything but obsolete.  Not being one to shy from controversy, Madonna kept the audience gripping their seat with the song, “Holy Water”.  Which, if you have any recollection of Madonna in the early to mid 90s, you’ll have all to well an idea of what went down.

The longevity and confidence of Madonna [the artist] was in full force during the Rebel Heart Tour. Most of the set list featured songs from the latest album, Rebel Heart, but peppered in were re-vamped versions of her classic hits.  “Like A Virgin” was stripped down (literally) to her dancing and playing to the audience on stage — as was “True Love,” which displayed her ukulele skills.  “Material Girl” delighted the crowd with a black and white slow-jazz version wherein she threw her male dancers, adorned in top hats and canes, down a tall slanted stage.  Closing the night was “Holiday.” Madonna came out draped in an American flag while the crowd sang every word as she led the fanatic orchestra out onto an elevated stage.

Yes, time has let Madonna become your mothers age, but she’s still the cut-throat, visceral pop-queen you’d be timid to bring home to meet your actual mom.

 

[Michael Heidemann  MDHeidemann@gmail.com]

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