Madonna + Concert = Disaster

After having first become a fan when I was 13, I finally got to see Madonna in concert the other night. I wish I’d stayed home. For the first time, we walked out before a concert came to an end. There were others. The entire left side of me departed early. I had not seen so many bored faces since I was last in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. People were texting, with disappointed looks on their faces. One guy actually fell asleep! True story. I wrote a blog about Madonna’s reign being over shortly after her Superbowl performance. I said I would not bother going to see her in person. However, I gave into my feelings of nostalgia, and changed my mind. I should have stuck with YouTube, and saved my money.

Here’s how it all played out. To begin with, she hit the stage well over two hours late. When she did finally appear, the second song she did (do not know the title) talked about shooting her lover in the head. Naturally she and one of her many dancers  (the stage was awfully crowded) decided to act out the scene. It was disturbing, to say the least. Her son was in the building, witnessing all of this. He took the stage during the lengthy opening act. Great parenting skills. While using profanity to look “cool”, she did everything from lay out prostrate on the stage, to doing a strip tease, showing her rear end in the process. There was sagging and cellulite I’m sure no one wanted to see.

What I found most disappointing was the way she either did not perform, or botched her ’80s hits. She slowly and hesitantly staggered into “Papa Don’t Preach”, before abruptly ending it. I could barely recognize “Open Your Heart”, or “Like A Virgin”. The rest were overlooked. I get wanting to promote your new music, but don’t forget those songs which made you a household name, because that’s what people want to hear. It’s what they came for. She seems ashamed of them, as if she’s “better” than them in some way. At the end of the day, they are what she will be remembered for. Madonna and the name “material girl” are forever linked.

The best song of the night was “Vogue”. “Express Yourself” would have been OK, had she not taken digs at Lady Gaga. After switching to “Born This Way”, she went into a childish chant claiming “she’s not me.” My sister was shocked. Overall, the entire show was more like a bad Broadway musical, combined with a Gaga show. We saw Lady Gaga last year, who put on a fabulous show. I would not call myself a fan, however even I got on my feet at one point. The Madonna show was a strong reminder, minus the excitement. People mostly remained glued to their seats. It is obvious someone has done some intense studying and scrutinizing.. and I don’t mean Gaga. Yes, she has been influenced by Madonna, but you could not really see it in her live performance. She was herself. However, Madonna had all of these dancers, with these over the top antics, just like Gaga’s show. She also told everyone to vote (for Obama), and revealed a temporary tattoo with his name on her back. There were loud boos, and exits. This election is already overly contentious. I’m sure many in the crowd wanted to get away from it all for a while, instead of having it tossed in their faces yet again.

Madonna wants to stay relevant and controversial. She does not to be replaced. She needs to take two things into account. One, someone new will come along. It happens. Two, no one can take your legacy. There will only be one Madonna. However, she is too busy making a fool of herself, and disappointing her fan base to see it. I agree with holding on to your youth, not ageing prematurely. I must say though, at 54 somethings are just not age appropriate. Showing your bare butt?? More comical and desperate than provocative. Yet the ticket prices were outrageous.

Fortunately, we bought the cheaper tickets.

~ by kmnnz on October 28, 2012.