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: tour
Bruno Mars kicked off the 2013 Billboard Music Awards last night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. He performed his song, “Treasure,” and brought down the house! The always-sexy Mars was looking good in his red suit. His good looks is matched with a great voice, making him a nominee for the first-ever Milestone Award. However, he lost to fellow nominee Justin Beiber. I’ll admit, when I first heard them call his name, I was instinctively disgusted. So, when I heard the roar of “boos” that went through the crowd, I was quite amused. Even his speech, complete with an “I should be taken seriously” remark to the audience, made it that much sweeter. However, in retrospect, I feel the booing was uncalled for. I don’t know a whole lot about Beibs, so I’m probably not the best person to judge his win of a “milestone” award. There’s a way to handle yourself, and the audience are just as wrong for booing him as Beiber is for addressing it in his speech.
The moment of the night came when will.i.am presented Madonna with the Top Touring Artist Award for her “MDNA Tour.” The concert, which will air on Epix and EpixHD.com June 22nd, became the highest grossing tour of 2012, and the second highest grossing tour by a female artist, second only to Madonna’s own “Sticky & Sweet Tour.” Madonna came out in a provocative outfit, gave a great speech, and made will.i.am hold all her “props.” It was a fantastic moment! Madonna also won the awards for Dance Artist of the Year and Dance Album of the Year for “MDNA.”
Jennifer Lopez was also there to perform her current single “Live It Up” with Pitbull. Taylor Swift and Selena Gomez were living it up in the audience during the high-energy performance. Granted, they are very young, but it was still nice to see the audience actually enjoying a fellow artist’s performance, rather than the phony, stiff, competition-fueled energy you usually get at those award shows.
Back in March, Madonna did a Facebook chat with Jimmy Fallon and said she wouldn’t be doing anymore promotion for her “MDNA” album. Well, time has a funny way of changing people’s minds. As part of the current American leg of her “MDNA Tour,” Madonna stopped by “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She came dressed in an updated version of her cone bustier designed by Jean Paul Gaultier, which she wears in the show during “Vogue.”
Ellen asked Madonna about the nudity in her show as well as her daily routine. Madonna also played “word association” with Ellen, giving her opinions on fellow artists. She thinks Britney Spears is a “good kisser” (no surprise there), Pink is “cool,” J.Lo has a “nice ass,” and that Lady Gaga has a “good voice.” Madonna also complimented the Rilke tatoo Gaga has on her arm. One can only hope this calms down the feud rumors, but we don’t know how successful that will be. Ellen also shared a story about how Madonna called her during the time she was coming out on her sitcom.
Madonna also met the “Vogue” bar mitzvah boy (who is all grown up now) and played a trivia game with three of her fans. Madonna also taught Ellen how to vogue and showed her some dance moves. And she brought her son Rocco on stage for the grand finale. Ellen dunked him and raised money for breast cancer research. The hour-long episode fed Madonna fans’ hunger for more promotion as she has been busy with her tour.
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 