What can possibly be said about Madonna that hasn’t already been said? Since exploding on the music scene in the early-80s, the woman born Madonna Louise Ciccone has worn more hats than a mannequin at Lids, tackling everything from directing/producing films to authoring children’s books in addition to her “day job” as the world’s best-selling female recording artist in history. No artist has been able to consistently reinvent themselves with quite the same success as Madonna, so when I found myself with a pair of tickets to the first night of her MDNA Tour’s stop in LA, I really had no idea what to except…but you can be certain I wasn’t going to miss the show.
As most of the acts I follow usually play the city’s mid-sized venues (El Rey, The Wiltern, etc.), this was actually my first time at the Staples Center, and upon entering, I couldn’t help but notice how simply MASSIVE it is. I also couldn’t help but notice some of the seats were literally behind the stage. That’s how dedicated Madonna’s fans are; they’ll pay money just to stare at her back the entire night. Though, admittedly, she does have a fine-looking rear — fans were treated to a good, long look at her fishnet-covered behind when she mooned us at one point during the show, and damn if she isn’t in great shape for ANY age, let alone a person with 50+ years under their studded belt.
That was the primary thing I took away from this show: Madonna is still at the top of her game. Her new music featured all the best of modern pop production and included appearances by the hottest artists in music today — Nicki Manaj and Lil’ Wayne “performed” their featured verses from “I Don’t Give A” and “Revolver” respectively via the enormous screen at the back of the stage) — and classic tracks held up amazingly well, especially given the artist’s inventive production tweaks (or complete overhauls, as was the case with such tracks at “Like A Virgin”). Physically, Madonna could go toe-to-toe with any of today’s young performers, as she danced her way through set after set and costume after costume.
At any given point during the spectacle (and it was a spectacle), I had to make the tough decision of where to look. Do I try to take in the stage as a whole? Focus on the giant television screens positioned to the sides of the stage for a close-up look? Enjoy the breathtaking visuals happening on the screen at the back of the stage? But no matter where my gaze landed, it was always drawn back to Madonna herself. Even when surrounded by dozens of other performers (some of whom were quick to showcase their double-jointedness, rock hard abs, or ability to play the snare drum while suspended high above the stage), the “Queen of Reinvention” was never lost in the mix. Indeed she was the center from which all of the gorgeous madness emanated, and the pop music world could do far worse than to continue to revolve around Madonna.
Tickets are still available for Madonna’s performance at the Staples Center tonight, and for more info on the artist:
Madonna’s website
Source:
http://lamusicblog.com/2012/10/review/show-review-madonna-the-staples-center/