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Review: Madonna at Earl’s Court Arena, London
LONDON--Between 1983 and 1997, Madonna pulled off just about every hair and music style that fits into the pop category. However, as 2000 waned and "Blonde" was no longer seen as "Ambitious," she needed something new to get her albums flying off of the online record shelves.
Enter William Orbit, bringing with him a suped-up dance vibe as a producer and co-writer for 1998's "Ray of Light" and 2000's "Music." His vision and her reputation got them--as to be expected--a lot of money and a lot of awards, and generated enough of a buzz to to merit the Madonna Drowned World Tour, her first outing in eight years.
On this night, though, the Madonna live experience was not a bouncy novelty for her fans--and didn’t seem to be for her, either. Although she has maintained one of the best voices in the business after 11 albums, that inexplicable something that makes for a great performance was missing from Saturday night’s (7/7) show.
Noted for her many costume changes, Madonna opened the night as a f----off rock chick, dressed in a red kilt and tight black top while singing "Drowned World/Substitute for Love," followed by "Impressive Instant." For "Candy Perfume Girl," the third song, she played the guitar for easily impressed, pink Stetson-wearing fans. Unlike Courtney Love, though, the ragged rock bitch image and guitar playing do not come naturally for Madonna. Her swearing at the audience and her playing were overly posed, as were the geisha and cowgirl image changes that came later.
The entire night was well constructed, from the lighting and Madonna's "flying" around the stage to the ample selection of "Music" and "Ray of Light" songs on offer. "Frozen," "Nobody's Perfect" and "Don't Tell Me" were as clear as studio recordings. The show's most candid and inspired moments were when the spotlight was only on Madonna as she softly sang "No Regrets" and a fifth-gear, rappish version of "Holiday" during the encore.
But for the most part, the show was propped up not by Madonna's performance, but by its dancers, excellent lighting, and the action on the main stage's big video screen.
For a minimum of £40 ($60) a ticket, fans had the right to expect no less than a Disney World of a production, which was exactly what they received. The Material Girl brought with her 150 trucks worth of sets and props--including such curiosities as a mechanical bull saddle that was, according to the U.K. press, blessed by an Oklahoma priest. Yet, for however much she invested in the tour, she was likely to have made that back fivefold as fans had to fork out £25 ($40) for Drowned Tour memorabilia picture books and £30 for camouflage crop tops.
Where Madonna’s mind was once on the music, it’s now elsewhere. To give her the benefit of the doubt, perhaps her family has taken precedence over performance.
