We are now just one day away from the start of Madonna‘s MDNA tour spoilers are coming in left and right from rehearsals in Tel Aviv and it looks we’re in for one hell of a treat!
While we eagerly anticipate opening night, we thought it would be fun to look back at some of our favorite performances from her previous world tours. I’ve now completed the virtually impossible task of narrowing down all the performance I love to just ten. Have a look at my selections below and let us know what you think!
10. SHE’S NOT ME
From the Sticky and Sweet Tour
There are hints of the equally fabulous Let It Will Be Confessions Tour performance here, but it’s taken to a whole different level with M poking fun at herself with the mannequin dancers sporting her famous looks. I love the freak out at the end where she rolls around the stage then crawls back to the main stage with the express yourself jacket over her shoulders and a wig sitting wonkily on top of her head. Hilarious!
9. KEEP IT TOGETHER
From the Blond Ambition Tour
This song is a classic in book and it really comes alive in this A Clockwork Orange inspired version performed on the Blond Ambition Tour. I just adore the Sly & The Family Stone Family Affair intro, the husky vocals, and all round excellent choreography. Don’t you miss these extended tour performances?
8. GAMBLER
From The Virgin Tour
She performed this back in 1985 and never again since, although I always pray for it to make an appearance! Decked out all in black and sporting killer shades, M slays this performance. Killer song and attitude for days, marvelous!
7. EROTICA/YOU THRILL ME
From The Confessions Tour
Who would ever have imagined that the early Erotica demo known among fans as You Thrill Me would show up in a live format 14 years after the fact. This was an incredible surprise and it’s a genius reworked version of Erotica complete with super sensual choreography.
6. HOLIDAY
From The Girlie Show
Killer performance of this classic track which frequently appears on tour. Love the military inspired costumes, the insane drums and Niki’s ad-libs. So much energy in this performance its unreal, and it clocks in at over 12 minutes!
5. MUSIC INFERNO
From the Confessions Tour
I lost my mind watching the build up to this one live during opening night of the Confessions Tour. Madonna on screen dancing in a red dress high above the stage was blowing my mind, as were the dancers and of course the music, but when M entered decked out in a white disco suit and proceeded to strut towards the end of the stage and bust moves from Saturday Night Fever I nearly keeled over. Stunning choreography and just an all round fun performance.
4. VOGUE
The Girlie Show
M always kills Vogue live, I’ve yet to see one bad performance of the song! I particularly love the Girlie Show version where she reinvented it slightly and the costume is gorgeous – love that headpiece!
3. NOBODY KNOWS ME
From the Reinvention Tour
Nobody Knows Me is one of my favorite tracks from American Life so I was really excited to see it live. I expected it to be good but was not prepared for the sheer brilliance of such a simple performance. M struts up and down a conveyor belt stomping to the beat of the track and floors everyone in attendance, if that’s not pure star power I don’t know what is!
2. INTO THE GROOVE
From the Who’s That Girl Tour
There is so much energy in this extended mix of one of the best pop songs ever crafted, I just adore the brilliant piano parts. Madonna and her dancers are on fire here, bounding up and down the stage with fervour, this gets me every time and I’ve even been known to recreate this performance in my living room after a drink or two!
p.s I still want that jacket!
1. LIKE A PRAYER
From the Blonde Ambition Tour
This is has to be the ultimate tour performance in my book. It goes without saying that the song is a classic, and it’s also one of my favorite songs, but this performance just takes it to a whole different level! God? she cries as she slides off the bed and then slips into her church robes. Love her leaping up and down the stage and that glorious end when she gets down on her knees and Niki wails above her. Heaven indeed.
What are your favorites? Share them with us on Facebook or Twitter!
