The highest-grossing tour of 2012 and the second highest-grossing tour by a female artist, otherwise known as Madonna’s “MDNA Tour,” premiered tonight on Epix. The concert film was filmed mostly in Miami, Florida along with many other locations used for the final edit. This made for a great opportunity to create the best version of the show possible. And while the film, for the most part, lives up to that expectation, there are some inevitable imperfections. Such imperfections include a lack of continuity in some areas. During “Like a Virgin/Love Spent,” there’s a shot where Madonna had a tattoo that said “Eva” on her back, but the rest of the shots show that her tattoo said “Psyche.”
The edit did a great job at capturing the cinematic nature of the show. I was pleased to see the venue was indoors, as it added to the “theater” feel of the show. This was much more of a theatrical production. The show told a story and, at times, felt like you were watching a movie. I was particularly impressed with the visual gun shot effects used during “Gang Bang” as well as seeing “Like a Virgin/Love Spent” in black and white. The audience shots were great, too. One guy was dressed in the same Gaultier bustier that Madonna wore during “Vogue,” and another girl was dressed in a nun’s habit. This tour has earned a reputation as Madonna’s most controversial tour ever. From the violence to the nudity to the swastika, this tour had many memorable moments. It was so important that this film did the tour justice. And, after viewing the special twice, I can say that it definitely meets that challenge!
Tag Archive: concert
Jennifer Lopez and Pitbull are like a match made in dance/pop Heaven. The world first got a taste of “On The Floor” in 2011, and it became one of the biggest singles of Lopez’s career. Then, “Dance Again” served as the lead single off her greatest hits album in 2012. Well, now in 2013, Pitbull and J.Lo are back with “Live It Up.” The song is an irresistable summer anthem that will hopefully be all over the radio very soon. The lyrics, “Make love, don’t fight/Let’s fuck tonight,” will hopefully become a national catchphrase.
Lopez will perform the song on the “American Idol” finale and the “Good Morning America” Summer Concert Series on July 19th.
The first single from Mariah Carey’s forthcoming studio album premiered this morning. The song is titled “#Beautiful” and features singer Miguel. At first, I assumed the hashtag symbol was just something used for Twitter to hype the song’s premiere. I was wrong. When I clicked on my iTunes this morning to purchase the song, I was stunned to discover the hashtag is actually part of the title. Nothing grinds my gears more than when people say the word “hashtag” when they speak. Some things are meant to be tweeted, not spoken. So, I was nervous that the song would have the word “hashtag” in the lyrics. Thankfully, it does not. It’s just a short (very short), catchy pop/R&B tune. Miguel opens the song and Mariah comes in on the second verse. While it isn’t as disappointing as “Triumphant (Get ‘Em)” was, I wish Mariah would’ve sang more on this track. The fact that it’s very short bears repeating. The entire song clocks in at 3:23, it just comes and goes very quickly. That said, it is very catchy and Mariah sounds very pretty on this song. However, she’s had much stronger vocal performances and I don’t expect this to become Mariah’s 19th Billboard Hot 100 #1. Although, I’d love to be proved wrong…
The song’s video premieres on “American Idol” Wednesday, May 8th and Mariah will kick off the Summer Concert Series on “Good Morning America” on May 24th.
The following teaser was unveiled on Mariah Carey’s YouTube page last night. It announces the singer’s new single, “Beautiful,” featuring Miguel. According to the announcement, this song is where “the new era begins,” leading fans to believe this will be the first single from the new album. It will be available worldwide May 6, 2013.
Mariah is also set to perform as part of Good Morning America’s “Summer Concert Series” on May 24th.
The universe (yes, UNIVERSE! We are that large…) of Little Monsters should rejoyce in celebratory happiness today. The pop music powerhouse, better known as Lady Gaga, has released, “Born This Way: The Collection.” It is a collection of 2 CDs and 1 DVD. The Monster Ball tour is chronicled in the DVD, “Lady Gaga Presents The Monster Ball Tour At Madison Square Garden.” It features the concert special that aired on HBO in May. It also contains some never-before-seen footage from the backstage goings-on. Liza Minelli was at the Monster Ball show in New York and greeted Gaga backstage prior to showtime. Gaga told Minelli how inspirational she was to her when she was a theater student at New York University. Minelli’s words of advice for Gaga: “Concentrate and fuck ’em up.” The bonus material also featured a touching moment between Gaga and one of her Little Monsters. He told Gaga that she helped him come out. Gaga gave him a hug and an autograph. This is one of my favorite moments of the whole DVD. Not very many people give to their fans the way Gaga does. That’s something to be applauded.
The concert itself is an extravaganza. The singing, dancing, playing. It is amazing how much talent exists in Lady Gaga’s being. She is the real deal. No lip-syncing, either. When you pay money for a ticket to Gaga’s show (or even the DVD), you’re getting your money’s worth. Another part of the backstage bonus material features Gaga warming up her voice before the show. The hard work and effort she puts into her work is also to be commended. She takes good care of her voice and makes a great role model for aspiring singers.
The entire 17-track album, “Born This Way,” is also featured in the set. The album is filled with pop anthems, incredible vocals, and amazing production. The opening track, “Marry The Night,” talks about Gaga’s love of her hometown, New York. The title track is an anthem of acceptance and love. Regardless of the external (or sometimes internal) factors that seperate us, we’re all born this way. So, any form of hate and judgement can be forgotten. “Judas” is a song that’s about forgiving your betrayer and accepting your past mistakes as a part of your identity. Songs like “Americano” and “Highway Unicorn (Road to Love)” discuss social issues such as same-sex marriage and immigration. While “Hair” and “Bad Kids” tackle the turbulent and tough years of adolesence. A time when you’re growing into yourself and figuring out how to be an adult. Songs like “Electric Chapel” and “Black Jesus † Amen Fashion” seem to celebrate art as a religion. “Yoü and I” showcase Gaga’s true talent as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. A guitar solo from the legendary Brian May only enhances this already outstanding song. The late Clarance Clemons played on “Hair” as well as the album’s final cut, “The Edge of Glory.” It’s a song Gaga wrote about her Grandfather who passed away recently. It’s a dance-pop anthem that speaks about facing your fears and recognizing that there is another world after this life is over.
The third and final installment in this powerful set is, “Born This Way The Remix.” It contains 14 club-ready remixes that put an interesting new spin on some of the tracks on “Born This Way.” The most impressive of the mixes is the “Wild Beasts Remix” of “Yoü and I.” The original is almost unrecognizable. It truly takes on a life of it’s own. It’s original and that’s what a good remix has to have, in my opinion.
So, Little Monsters should not pass this up. It will surely be a collector’s item in the years to come! It also makes a great gift to open on Christmas morning. No, I’m not trying to advertise this product, but you’ve got to admit that this would make any Little Monster’s holiday more festive!
Pop Cultural Journalism 