Madame X is a performer extraordinaire
Madame X was in finest form tonight, her next to last show in L.A.
Among many personas, including spy and whore, Madame X is also a performer extraordinaire. The Queen exhibited wit all night long, and was at ease in front of a vocal and festive crowd.
Highlights for me: the multitude of Madonnas for Vogue; the fado stage set; the Batuka group entrance through the audience and onstage energy; the red X staging of Like a Prayer; the slightly unhinged and hugely creative performance of Dark Ballet. Tonight was a majestic journey of many new Madame X artistic pieces combined with a superb pick of classics including Frozen and Papa Don’t Preach, all of which underscore Her Majesty’s principled dedication to her art and to her voice.
The November 24 date started at 11:15 pm and concluded at 1:30 am.
Interestingly, Madonna had a challenge with the Polaroid picture. The first camera did not work, then the second backup camera similarly did not work. Third time is a charm as the third camera produced an auction photo. Madonna ‘developed’ the picture between her thighs… the winner was a guy who works at Disneyland. He initially offered $3,000, but Madonna shamed him into increasing his bid to $4,000.
The special guest for warm beer was Little Nas X. Madonna learned that he is from Atlanta, and his friends call him Montero, which is his real first name. Little Nas X noted that the Madame X show was the best concert he has ever seen. Madonna asked him to keep working hard at his career, as she will be watching.
A special treat for the crowd: Swae Lee joined Madonna onstage for Crave, and sang this current hit with Madonna with confidence and a strong presence.
In closing, I observe that the Madame X tour exceeds one’s expectations on many levels. Madonna’s singing voice is perfectly calibrated for tracks new and old. She is genuinely enjoying the back and forth with the audience. There’s a conversation of values – women’s rights, gun control, environmental concerns – that is part of the tapestry of the evening. The audience is entertained, but also educated. The biggest lesson is that Madonna has no equal; she is the summit of all that we could want in an icon and in a queen.
Thanks to Rob from Berkeley, California.
