United Center-Chicago, IL
October 26, 2008
By Anthony Kuzminski
What can one say about Madonna; she a maverick, maniacal and possesses an immense talent for manipulation. Consider me guilty for falling under her spell but once again, her live show left people gasping for more. While it was not quite on par with her 2006 Confessions tour, she still managed to deliver a forceful knock-out to the first of two shows in Chicago. The main difference between this show and her ’06 one was that the material on Confessions is far stronger than Candy Shop. Despite this and obscene ticket prices (with sickening re-sale deals with Stub Hub), the Sticky and Sweet tour is an A-grade production with staggering staging, spectacular lights, a troupe of dancers and a backing band that didn’t miss a beat. Here is a song by song analysis of the show.“Intro/Candy Shop”
Arriving on stage like the Queen she is, the screens separated to reveal Madonna on a chair commencing the show as she encouraged the crowd to “get up out of your seats” from the chorus of “Candy Shop”. Her backing dancers were in pseudo tuxedos that mimicked her moves on the main stage.
“Beat Goes On”
Here’s where the theatrics go into another realm. The collaboration she did with Chicago’s Kanye West. Madonna and her backing dancers made their way out to the second stage half way into the crowd (where she would spend at least half of the show). The Candy Shop number didn’t resonate and needed the Rolls Royce that was rolled out for this number to elicit a response.
“Human Nature”
Madge stays on the second stage and pulls out a guitar for this mid 90’s number that featured a video cameo by Britney Spears. The dance song was transformed into more of a rocker with a bite. Despite turning 50 a few months back, Madonna is still a sex symbol for the ages and she pulls her sexiness off with ease and is still sultry and seductive.
“Vogue”
The second stage rises as what is arguably her definitive dance number was adorned by the crowd. Her backing singers wore flesh colored tops outlined by black lingerie.
VIDEO INTERLUDE
A mini boxing ring was erected up front for two of her dancers to duke it out while Madonna took a costume change.
“Into The Groove”
The classic Desperately Seeking Susan number elicited an immense reaction from the crowd as Madonna took the stage dancing her way to the DJ found on the left side of the stage. Despite my reservations on her ticket price, she is in awe-inspiring shape and looks better than most women in their 20’s. A disco pole, with the DJ in tow, went back and forth on the stage as Madonna barely needed to sing the words to this one as the crowd did her job for her.
“Heart Beat”
Another Candy Shop number that while good is lacking the extra punch to be deemed a classic.
“Borderline”
The evening’s highlight in a tour de force performance featuring heavy metal thunder featuring an array of attacking guitars that would make Metallica proud. There were no theatrics for this one as the band (who spent most of the night on the sides of the stage) were moved to front and center as Madonna plucked her Les Paul with a vengeance flexing her arena rock muscle. Ever since seeing “****” back in 2004 and 2006, I long for seeing a Madonna concert where the music is at the forefront and the gimmicks and theatrics are left home. Each tour when it is just her and the band, it awakens her inner talents. She proves the naysayers wrong by showcasing what she does best, creating meticulous and magical pop ditties that are timeless.
“She’s Not Me”
A revealing and introspective look back on her life which featured four of her dancers dressed as previous incarnations of Madonna. While the staging proved to shine a new light on the Candy Shop songs, ultimately the moments were fleeting as the new material proved to not be as intoxicating as her 2006 tour where the material screamed to be given a second chance. I left the 2006 show rushing home to rediscover Confessions; I didn’t have the same watershed moment this time around.
“Music”
Her most potent Y2K track (and the only one from this album) brought the house down.
VIDEO INTERLUDE
“Spanish Lesson”
A cylinder shaped screen draped over the top portion of the stage where from beneath it a piano emerged with Madonna in a black hood on top of it. A very Latin flavor with dancers draped across the stage. Sadly this number was overshadowed by its excess and no matter how much creative staging one provides, it never quite took off.
“Miles Away”
Madonna wraps an acoustic guitar around her for yet another Candy Shop song but this one came to life on stage. Its arm waving chorus evoked strong reactions and emotions from the crowd.
“La Isla Bonita/Lela Pala Tute”
The classic True Blue number had a rustic stage and set. The dancers brought about a communal feeling to the proceedings. For everything written about Madonna, when she is on stage she creates a family atmosphere. What makes rock bands such a driving force is you feel a sense of communal history when they are on stage. Madonna changes her dancers and bands every tour, but somehow she manages to make us believe in this family persona…that’s power.
Romanian folk musical interlude
A brief dancing interlude at the top of the stage as Madonna sits back and watches.
“You Must Love Me”
Almost mariachi like in its delivery, the poignant Evita ballad struck a chord. Beneath the entertainer is a voice that can elicit tremors. All she needed was her guitar and her voice, yet another reason why I hope she forgoes all the toys in the future and focuses on the music.
VIDEO INTERLUDE
“4 Minutes”
More elaborate staging with individual screens showcasing Justin Timberlake but even the new king of pop couldn’t save this one. It surprisingly bombed with the crowd as they stood there motionless.
“Like A Prayer”
“Prayer” may be the best song she ever wrote. This album is still a devastating collection of songs. This tour, the song begins with a techno beat before surging into a more familiar album version bringing the crowd to their knees.
“Ray of Light”
What else can I say other than she almost shook the roof off the arena with this number, always and forever a classic. At its completion she sung part of “Beautiful Stranger” a-capella as a tease before the next song.
“Hung Up”
Sadly this was the only song from Confessions on a Dance Floor. Just like in 2006, it left the crowd gasping for air as the energy overflowed into the crowd. The strobe light madness complimented this chord heavy reinvention. A
“Give It To Me” (Finale)
Madonna has never been one to ever leave on a whimper and tonight was no different. Unlike previous tours where she roars into high gear during the finale, this one took a little while to catch on, but she worked the crowd into a dance club tizzy with bodies surging against one another as the arena lit up amidst a sea of screaming fans. As Madonna sung the lyric “No one’s gonna stop me now”, it was a mantra for not just this show, but her career and most importantly her life. This won’t be the last time we see Madonna and the next time she returns, don’t be surprised if she attempts to outdo herself yet again.
Anthony Kuzminski is a Chicago based writer and Special Features Editor for the antiMusic Network and his daily writings can be read at The Screen Door and can be contacted at thescreendoor AT gmail DOT com.
