I’ve had varying luck with Madonna’s concerts.

On the one hand, I was fortunate to see the last concert in the Blonde Ambition World Tour; while studying in Nice, during the summer of 1990 (my mother still maintains I majored in “plage” and “discotheque” – and she’s not wrong…).  It remains, a quarter of a century later, one of the best concerts I’m likely ever to see; and the bar against which all other concerts have been measured.  Madonna was at the zenith of her Madonnaness, as captured in Alek Keshishian’s documentary, Truth or Dare; and it was wonderful.

On the other hand, in 2004, I took my mother to the second of the two nights Madonna’s Re-Invention World Tour played in Las Vegas.  Apparently, Madonna had sprained her knee, the night before; and as a result, at our performance, she sat on a stool, in front of a scrim that flashed post-apocalyptic scenes and words in Hebraic lettering, while played acoustic versions of her songs, on a guitar.  No mind-blowing dance routines, no juxtaposing of raunchy sex and Catholic imagery.  Nada.  And then it happened.  She did an acoustic cover-version of “Imagine”.  I glanced at my mother, who shot me a look of sheer disdain, and said curtly, “She’s ruining John Lennon for me.  Let’s go.”  So we did.

Fast-forward a decade or so, and I saw a preview of the set-list for the now-touring Rebel Heart Tour, and I noticed that I only knew one out of three songs.  “That’s it.” I said.  I told my friends I was conscientiously dissenting from attending, this time around.  Then I sat down, to write an essay I’d titled “Not This Time, Madonna.”  While performing my editorial due-diligence, I got online and looked-up the official set-list.  When I saw that many of my favorites (“Into the Groove” for instance) had been added – albeit in short-form, as parts of medleys – I pulled a 180, and got into the proverbial groove.

So, now I’ve got my fingers crossed, hoping that despite singing none of her songs from Like a Prayer that the individual named by Guinness* as the “Best Selling Female Artist of All Time” will turn it out.  If the reviews and critics are to be believed, she’s having a great time, up there.  With any luck, my concert-crew and I will come away from the Rebel Heart concert, feeling the same.

I mean, c’mon bitch, she’s Madonna!  

Madonna | Rebel Heart Tour
MGM Grand – Las Vegas
Saturday, October 24
Click HERE for info

Get into it!

[Editor’s Note: According to the same rankings, she’s the highest selling artist, living today – of either gender.]