She's 50, but the beat goes on. She's touring Europe promoting her Hard Candy, but the concert nearest to us was again miles away in Vienna. getting there is becoming an easy ride, but getting to the sound stage where we took photos from was quite something. 

An incredible 60,000 people crowded onto the Donainsel, an island on the Danube river. We had to squeze our way through the mass of people, pretty much alone for the support band Robyn, but for the Queen of pop, we got two security guys yelling in front of us and making a corridor. :D But we still had to push and shove to get there. The concert was nice, under a huge stage, and she put on quite a show. But she also knows the power of goodbye - she left without a single encore under a huge sign Game Over. Like it or not, it really was over, and all the 60,000 people flocked to both sides of the Floridsdorf bridge to get to the overcrowded U-Bahn.

Long lens were the key to this venue. Anything shorter than 300 mm was pretty far away, since we were on some 50 meters. But I spent the rest of the concert in the wavebreaker and that's something to remember. You know who you are that made it possible, so thanks again! Madonna arrived on a throne, which is normal for a queen. It's a little out of the ordinary though for a queen to be giving the finger to the audience, haha :D, or calling them motherfuckers (pardon my french) - not in a bad sense, of course. She started with songs from her Hard Candy, and then mixed some older hits into her Hard Candy set list. With some impressive visuals and descending parts of the stage that were also monitors playing clips from her videos, she brought the show to an end, but not before losing a mike. However, such occurances don't stop an event like this - mikes are in abundance. :D

Amazingly, Donauinsel was full of Slovenians. Tens of buses and cars arrived - the same cars that kept overtaking me on the highway (while I was going ten km/h over the limit) like I was standing still (the Slovenian way I guess). And while I'm having my "beauty sleep" (hahahaha) tomorrow, Madonna's in Budva for her next concert.

More at www.dax-photo.com and www.gorenc-on.net 

Songtexte von Madonna!

Denominada como Queen of pop, la cantante es un ícono popular internacional de las últimas tres décadas, aspecto que incluso sus detractores le reconocen. Es una estrella de rock conocida por reinventar su imagen, por la ambición, innovación y provocación en sus vídeos musicales y espectáculos, y también por sus polémicas personales y por el uso de símbolos políticos, religiosos y sexuales a lo largo de su carrera. Desde sus inicios en 1983, con el lanzamiento de su primer álbum Madonna y hasta su último disco Hard Candy, ha adquirido y mantiene un asombroso éxito y fama mundial, que ha atravesado distintas generaciones.

La trayectoria de Madonna es un ejemplo del triunfador «hecho a sí mismo», típico de la cultura norteamericana, con sus éxitos, fracasos y reapariciones. De un entorno un tanto gris y conservador, Madonna escapó a Nueva York a finales de los años 70 para dedicarse a la música. Ha logrado múltiples reconocimientos, incluidos 7 premios Grammy de un total de 27 nominaciones para estos. Su afán de superación como artista le condujo a papeles protagonistas en películas como Evita, por la cual ganó el Globo de Oro a la mejor actriz. Pero Madonna también ha conocido momentos difíciles: su carrera en el cine ha sido desigual, y ha sufrido duras críticas, descenso comercial y dificultades personales, que ha superado con renovados bríos.

En el 2000, el "Libro Guinness de los Récords" publicó que Madonna es la artista femenina más exitosa de todos los tiempos, estimando que las ventas superan los 338,6 millones de álbumes y sencillos vendidos en todo el mundo.^[2] Su actual compañía discográfica, Warner Bros., afirmó ya en 2005 que las ventas mundiales de Madonna exceden los 380 millones de discos, sólo en formato álbum.

Es una mujer de negocios bien conocida por su sagacidad comercial y su visión de futuro. El 16 de octubre de 2007, Madonna y la compañia productora y promotora de conciertos "Live Nation Inc." anunciaron un acuerdo que suponía el final para la larga colaboración entre ella y Warner Bros.. La nueva empresa promotora de conciertos participará en los discos, giras, mercancías, películas y otros proyectos musicales de la cantante. Bajo los términos del acuerdo propuesto, Madonna, de 50 años, recibirá un cheque de unos 18 millones de dólares al momento de la firma, y un adelanto de unos 17 millones por cada uno de los tres discos compactos que grabe. Una porción de la compensación sería en acciones. Este acuerdo representa para Madonna unos 120 millones de dólares por los próximos 10 años.

Video de Madonna en España Sevilla

The video intro sequence set the whole thing up - it was amazing. A candy-styled pinball extravagansa. You could see that this five minute intro was a project in itself. From the video content to the way it was displayed on moving screens. It really set the gig up. Dancers appeared and then the Queen of pop was revealed on a throne turning on a platform.

The opening 'Candy Shop' was Madonna informing everyone that she is still working on delivering her best material. Then she followed it up with another one off the new album 'Beat Goes On' and then 'Human Nature' so when 'Vogue' kicks in the crowd are well up for it. Madonna is in great shape and is dancing flat out.

An interlude follows where two of her dancers perform a mock boxing match which Madonna slips into something less comfortable and presumably catches her breath. She reappears with a black Gibson Les Paul and plays 'Into The Groove' complete with Keith Haring-like video content broadcast behind her. Another new one 'Heartbeat' follows and then she's back with another Gibson for 'Borderline', this time it's a pink SG complete with a whammy bar!

'She's Not Me', 'Music', Video Interlude (with Eurythmics' 'Sweet Dreams'), 'Devil Wouldn't Recognise You', 'Spanish Lesson' and 'Miles Away' are next. 'La Isla Bonita/Lela Pala Tute' get the crowd going frantic and then there is a strange Romanian folk interlude where Madonna is sitting whilst being serenaded by the eldest guitarist of the folk group. Quite touching and nice to see Madonna take a much needed rest - she's really been giving it plenty! 'You Must Love Me', Video Interlude, '4 Minutes' and then 'Like A Prayer' which is electric. So retro it's great though I would have liked to have seen the backing choir instead of hearing them recorded.

'Ray Of Light' is awesome. And the projections behind seem very current what with CERN's LHC recreating the Big Bang this week. Then Madonna tells us she's up for doing requests but "I'm not doing that one cos I can't remember the lyrics...I can't even remember the words to the new ones". Then, with just the drums backing her, she delives a quick rendition of 'Express Yourself' with the audience providing a very convincing accompaniment. "This is why I love the UK!" she explains, then dropping into the opening guitar riff of 'Hung Up'.* She's been having the craic with the audience throughout.

Ending with 'Give It 2 Me' Madonna is definitely stating that this is no farewell tour and that she these new songs are just as relevant, timeless and anthemic as the classics she didn't play. In fact she didn't even need to play 'Material Girl' or 'Like A Virgin' or 'Holiday' or 'Lucky Star' or Crazy For You' or 'Papa Don't Preach' or... you get the idea.

Great gig and the Queen of pop she is... but she ain't no Prince.

* Girls take note! For this track Madonna used an open tuning and just played the 4 bass strings meaning she could rock out with just using one finger. She's definitely a worthy guitarist though as she proved with 'Borderline'.

Footnote: Many people seem to have had an awful experience because of the sound. Those wishing to complain should write to info@livenation.co.uk stating their full contact details (name, address, phone number, email), the nature of their complaint (please be specific about what you could or could not hear) and your seating and booking reference numbers (these will be on your tickets). (Thanks Martyn!)

Live Nation will be handling Madonna's new studio efforts, tours, merchandise, DVD releases, sponsorships, licensing agreements, fan club, Web site, and TV and film projects until 2017. Yikes!

You can also write to Madonna via her website here.

Here's the final setlist from last night's show (don't read if you like being surprised!)

Intro
Pleasure Principle
Control
What Have You Done For Me Lately
Feedback
You Want This
Alright
Miss You Much
Rhythm Nation - Interlude
Never Letchu Go
Come Back To Me
Let's Wait Awhile
Again
So Excited
So Much Betta
Nasty
All Nite (Don't Stop)
Rock With U
Together Again
Young Love
Say You Do
Don't Stand Another Chance
Doesn't Really Matter
Escapade
Love Will Never Do (Without You)
When I Think Of You
All For You
Got 'Til It's Gone
Call On Me
That's The Way Love Goes
I Get Lonely
Funny How Time Flies (When You're Having Fun)
Any Time, Any Place
Discipline
Black Cat
If
Rhythm Nation
Luv
Band/Dancer Introductions
Runaway

*Picture courtesy of Associated Press - Janet Tour Rehersal

Other images from last night's opening show can be viewed at Janet-Xone Flickr page.

Tomorrow, 16 August 2008, is Madonna's birthday. The "Queen of Pop" has always been a favourite of mine and I still can't believe that she has lasted 25 years in the business. She constantly re-invents herself by pushing the boundries and never being complacent, dispite critisism. She does what she wants, how she wants and when she wants. I don't necessarily want to do what she does, but she inspires me to always push for more...

Frozen (from 'Ray of Light' Album), is my favourite Madonna song and sometimes wish she would write more songs like this...

Happy Birthday, Maddy! One day I will have the priviledge of attending on of your Live Concerts...

Obviously the set list (as it stands) highlights more of her past hits (If, Rhythm Nation, Control, Alright, That's The Way Love Goes, Black Cat, Nasty, etc) but she still managed to squeeze in some newer stuff (Feedback, The 1, etc).

Who am I kidding? Janet could stand on stage and not say a word and I'd pay a pretty penny to be there. Needless to say, I'm pretty pumped for this tour. I'm most excited to see her perform "You Want This" off of her Janet ('93) album. The video was pretty sick -- don't believe I've ever seen her perform it live so that will be a nice surprise.

So here's the set list -- can't wait!

Well, as we reported 2 months ago, Madonna's new CD WILL hit number 1, but with her lowest debut EVA!!!!  Even her late minute addition to 106th & Park on BET Friday won't help her.  We are hearing the cd will be in the 300,000 mark.  The industry is changing and we knew the lack of digital media and tv appearances were going to hurt her.  Yea, you have been on the cover of almost every magazine in the past two months, but the print media is a dying breed. 

You bucked the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame by not performing on it.  They may not pay you but remind everyone why you were inducted in your first year.  Let people know you are still dynamic.  Don't do a 6 song set the week your cd comes out in front of 2,000.  Do that after the hall of fame.  You were once the forefront of what was hip or about to be hip, but perhaps doing it for the money instead of the music is leaving you in the back, because sometimes, the best marketing ideas are the ones that may yield you the least amount of the ca$h, but in the end, you will be rewarded. 

The Queen of pop's throne for the moment is vacant, but that does not mean Mariah is taking it.  When you do an autograph signing, you stay until every fan has signed, just like Janet did when she had one earlier this year.  Treat your fans with class throughout your career, not just at the beginning.  You do that, in the end, you will have something more valuable than that green stuff.-Dr.FB