Sticky & Sweet Tour
Tour by Madonna | |
File:Madonna-Sticky&Sweet1.jpg | |
Associated album | Hard Candy |
---|---|
Start date | August 23, 2008 |
End date | December 21, 2008 |
Legs | 3 |
No. of shows | 17 in Europe 30 in North America 11 in South America 58 Total |
Madonna concert chronology |
The Sticky & Sweet Tour is the eighth concert tour by American singer-songwriter Madonna to support her eleventh studio album Hard Candy. The show tours Europe and the Americas. It is Madonna's first major venture from her new recording and business deal with Live Nation, following the Hard Candy Promo Tour.[1]
Background
The world tour was officially confirmed by Guy Oseary, Madonna's manager and Arthur Fogel, Live Nation's CEO Global Touring and Chairman Global Music on May 8, 2008. To promote the tour, a website was released on the day of the first show.[2] The tour is described as a "rock driven dancetastic journey". The show features four acts:[3]
- Pimp: a fusion of modern urban life and 1920's deco.
- Old School: Madonna revisits her early days in NYC and also pays homage to friend Keith Haring.
- Gypsy: a blend of nomad gypsy culture and folk music .
- Rave: a futuristic dance floor with eastern influence.
Controversy
- Political
During the "Get Stupid" video interlude, the audience viewed images of disaster throughout the ages along with images of Hitler and Mugabe. US Republican presidential candidate John McCain was featured in the segment as well along Hitler and Mugabe. Images of Lennon, Gandhi and Al Gore are featured towards the end of the video along with US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. The video caused an uproar in the political world, especially to McCain's camp. Tucker Bounds, McCain's spokesperson stated:[4]
The comparisons are outrageous, unacceptable and crudely divisive all at the same time [...] It clearly shows that when it comes to supporting Barack Obama, his fellow worldwide celebrities refuse to consider any smear or attack off limits.
During her performance at Petco Park, Madonna (and fans) congratulated President-Elect, Barack Obama, on his historic win for presidency of the United States. Madonna stated, "This is a historical evening. This is a motherfucking important evening and we are lucky to be sharing it with the World [...] This is the beginning of a whole new world. Are you ready?! Are you fucking ready?!"' The video screens displayed images of Obama along with the message, "We Won". [5]
- Religious
During her show at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, Madonna dedicated her song "Like a Virgin" to Pope Benedict XVI. She stated:[6][7]
I'm gonna dedicate this song to the Pope, because, I know he loves me. I am a child of God! And you know what else?...[begins to sing first verse of Like a Virgin].
Neither Pope Benedict XVI nor the Vatican have made any remarks towards the dedication or any comments made.
- Wembley Stadium
Madonna fans complained that they experienced poor sound quality in some areas of Wembley Stadium. Fans proclaimed:
"The sound for those of us in the seated areas was very, very poor [...] During a number of the songs being performed, people around me were discussing the price of bread - really"
Representatives from Live Nation and Wembley Stadium has denied any audio problems. [8] Madonna also was criticized for being 40 minutes late to the performance, leading to a late ending of the concert. This caused chaos as many concert-goers were left stranded as tube trains had finished. Representatives from Live Nation commented that "Stage times are only guidelines." [9]. Madonna was later fined by Wembley Stadium for arriving late.
About the show
The show begins with the "Sweet Machine" video, displaying a piece of candy being manufactured in a plant. As the video ends, "Candy Shop" begins and Madonna appears on stage on the 'M' throne. Next follows "Beat Goes On", featuring Madonna and her dancers dancing atop a vintage Rolls-Royce. Madonna grabs the guitar during "Human Nature", featuring a video of Britney Spears trapped in an elevator. Next, Madonna performs "Vogue" with new choreography, a nod to Kylie Minogue's performance during her 2006 tour. As the act concludes, a video for "Die Another Day" features Madonna as a boxer. Additionally, there are dancers on stage for a faux boxing match. Madonna returns, jumping rope, for "Into the Groove" which includes a double dutch dance interlude. After an exhausting dance routine, Madonna lies on stage for the beginning of "Heartbeat". She mimics a lifeless patient brought back to life. Her dancers control her movements, as if they were puppeteers. Madonna grabs her guitar once again for a rock-infused "Borderline", a song she hasn't performed in over 20 years. "She's Not Me" shows Madonna making fun of her "reinventions" having dancers emulate her styles from the videos of "Open Your Heart", "Material Girl", "Express Yourself" and "Like a Virgin". At the end of the song, Madonna withers on stage, crawling during the beginning of "Music". A short video is played featuring a tagged subway train. The doors open to reveal Madonna and her dancers.
This act closes with "Rain", an animation featuring a pixie finding shade under a petal during a rainstorm. The next act begins with "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You". The song features Madonna cloaked behind a video screen. Madonna performs "Spanish Lesson" featuring a flamenco-influenced dance solo by Alexander Kolpakov. Madonna plays the guitar once again for "Miles Away". "La Isla Bonita" features the Ukrainian-gypsy group, Kolpakov Trio, incorporated the gypsy wedding song, "Lela Pala Tute". Madonna and dancers sit aside, allowing a solo performance for Kolpakov Trip for "Doli Doli". Madonna returns to stage for "You Must Love", a moment that is acclaimed by both fans and critics. The act ends with "Get Stupid" video. The video is a call to action concerning global warming, famine and other global issues. Madonna returns on stage for a virtual duet with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland for "4 Minutes". Madonna performs a triumphant "Like a Prayer" with messages from the Bible, Qur'an, Torah and Talmud and then "Ray of Light". Before she performs "Hung Up", Madonna takes request from the audience, asking for "an oldie but goodie". She sings the first verse and chorus before moving into a rock version of "Hung Up", with Madonna stating, "In exactly 28 moves, the Queen with trump the King." A brief video plays featuring a modern take on the classic arcade game Asteroids. Madonna returns on stage for "Give It 2 Me", ending the song with a sing-a-long.
The show ends with the words "Game Over" on the video screens.
Opening acts
- Robyn (select European dates)[10]
- Benny Benassi (Rome)[11]
- Paul Oakenfold (London,[12]Santiago,[13] Buenos Aires[14], San Diego,Miami, Los Angeles)
- Bob Sinclar (Paris)[15]
- Hamutsun Serve (select venues)
Setlist
- "Sweet Machine" (Video Introduction) (contains elements of "4 Minutes", "Die Another Day" and "Give It 2 Me")
- "Candy Shop"
- "Beat Goes On"
- "Human Nature"
- "Vogue" (contains elements of "4 Minutes" and "Give It To Me")
- "Die Another Day" (Remix) (Video Interlude)
- "Into the Groove" (contains elements of "Toop Toop", "Jump", "Apache" and "Double Dutch Bus")
- "Heartbeat"
- "Borderline"
- "She's Not Me" (contains excerpts from "Thief of Hearts")
- "Music" (contains elements of "Put Your Hands Up 4 Detroit", with excerpts from "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life")
- "Rain" (Remix) (Video Interlude) (contains elements of "Here Comes the Rain Again")
- "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You"
- "Spanish Lesson"
- "Miles Away"
- "La Isla Bonita" (contains excerpts from "Lela Pala Tute")
- "Doli Doli" (Kolpakov Trio solo) (Dance Interlude)
- "You Must Love Me"
- "Get Stupid" (Video Interlude) (contains excerpts from "Beat Goes On", "Give It 2 Me", "4 Minutes" and "Voices")
- "4 Minutes"
- "Like a Prayer" (contains elements of "Feels Like Home")
- "Ray of Light"
- "Hung Up" (contains elements of "Candy Shop" and "4 Minutes")
- "Give It 2 Me"
Additional notes
- Before her performance of "Hung Up", Madonna asks the audience for a song request. "Express Yourself" has become the most requested song to date. Other songs include: "Like a Virgin", "Holiday", "Open Your Heart", "Lucky Star", "Dress You Up", "I Love New York", "Beautiful Stranger", "American Life", "Burning Up", "Sorry", "Secret", "Causing a Commotion", "Material Girl", and "Everybody". Madonna typically sings the first verse and chorus before moving into "Hung Up".
- At the October 11, 2008 performance at Madison Square Garden, Madonna dedicated "You Must Love Me" to her daughter, Lourdes as it was her 12th birthday. At the same show, Pharrell Williams joined Madonna onstage for both "Beat Goes On" and Give It 2 Me".
- At the November 6, 2008 Los Angeles show, Madonna was joined onstage by Britney Spears during the performance of "Human Nature". Later that night, Justin Timberlake joined Madonna onstage to perform "4 Minutes".[18]
- At the November 26, 2008 Miami show at Dolphin Stadium, Madonna was joined onstage by Timbaland during the performance of "4 Minutes" and by Pharrell Williams for "Give It 2 Me". [19]
Tour dates
Australian leg
Originally, Live Nation reported that Madonna's 2008 world tour will make stops in the Americas and Europe. However, in March 2008 (before the tour was announced), Australian press reported that Madonna plans on making a stop in Australia for her 2008-09 world tour. She is quoted as saying: "How bad do you want me to be there? [...] There's a chance. It's been a while. It's the least I can do."
Music promoter and manager, Michael Chugg, states that an Australian leg "will happen" and that local promoters are working hard to make it happen. Madonna apologized to her Australian fans during her last tour, the Confessions Tour, saying that she tried to work Australia into her schedule but ultimately could not. If so, this will be Madonna's first visit to the country since The Girlie Show World Tour in 1993. [23][24]. In October 2008, Sunrise, the syndicated Australian talk show reported that Madonna will tour Australia in January 2009. Reporter, Molly Meldrum states that Madonna divorce from Guy Ritchie prompted her to include more dates on her tour. [25]
Box office score data
Venue | City | Tickets Sold / Available | Gross Revenue |
---|---|---|---|
Millennium Stadium | Cardiff | 33,460 / 33,460 (100%) | $5,279,107 [26] |
Stade Charles Ehrmann | Nice | 41,483 / 41,483 (100%) | $4,381,242 [26] |
Olympic Stadium | Berlin | 47,368 / 47,368 (100%) | $6,048,086 [26] |
Military Airfield | Zurich | 70,314 / 70,314 (100%) | $11,093,631 [26] |
Amsterdam Arena | Amsterdam | 50,588 / 50,588 (100%) | $8,140,858 [26] |
LTU Arena | Dusseldorf | 35,014 / 35,014 (100%) | $4,650,327 [26] |
Olympic Stadium | Rome | 57,690 / 57,690 (100%) | $5,713,196 [26] |
Commerzbank Arena | Frankfurt | 39,543 / 39,543 (100%) | $6,020,706 [26] |
Wembley Stadium | London | 73,349 / 73,349 (100%) | $11,796,540 [26] |
Parque da Bela Vista | Lisbon | 75,000 / 75,000 (100%) | $6,295,068 [26] |
Olympic Stadium | Sevilla | 47,712 / 59,258 (82%) | $4,874,380 [26] |
Circuito Ricardo Tormo Cheste | Valencia | 50,143 / 50,143 (100%) | $4,941,980 [26] |
Stade de France | Paris | 138,163 / 138,163 (100%) | $17,583,211 [26] |
Danube Island | Vienna | 57,002 / 57,002 (100%) | $8,140,858 [26] |
Jaz Beach | Budva | 47,524 / 47,524 (100%) | $3,463,063 [26] |
Olympic Stadium | Athens | 75,637 / 75,637 (100%) | $9,030,440 [26] |
Izod Center | East Rutherford | 16,896 / 16,896 (100%) | $2,812,250 [27] |
Madison Square Garden | New York City | 61,586 / 61,586 (100%) | $11,527,375 [27] |
TD Banknorth Garden | Boston | 26,611 / 26,611 (100%) | $3,658,850 [27] |
Air Canada Centre | Toronto | 34,324 / 34,324 (100%) | $6,356,171 [27] |
Bell Centre | Montreal | 34,301 / 34,301 (100%) | $5,391,881 [27] |
United Center | Chicago | 30,968 / 30,968 (100%) | $5,777,490 [27] |
BC Place Stadium | Vancouver | 52,712 / 52,712 (100%) | $5,389,762 [27] |
Oracle Arena | Oakland | 28,198 / 28,198 (100%) | $4,964,765 [27] |
Petco Park | San Diego | 35,743 / 35,743 (100%) | $5,097,515 [28] |
Dodger Stadium | Los Angeles | 43,919 / 43,919 (100%) | $5,858,730 [28] |
MGM Grand Garden Arena | Las Vegas | 29,157 / 29,157 (100%) | $8,397,640 [28] |
Pepsi Center | Denver | 23,501 / 23,501 (100%) | $4,434,020 [28] |
TOTAL | 1,357,906 / 1,369,452 (99%) | $187,119,142 |
Record sellouts
On September 11, 2008, Madonna performed to a sell-out crowd of over 74,000 fans and a gross of over $12 million USD and surpassed all previous grosses at both the old and the new Wembley Stadiums. [29] This record breaking performance adds another first, following the Zurich performance in front of 72,000 fans was the largest audience ever for a concert in Switzerland. [29]. The Lisbon date with 75,000 fans made the biggest concert ever in Iberian Peninsula [30] and one of the biggest crowd of Sticky & Sweet Tour. The two shows in Mexico City on November 29th and 30th sold out in record time also. [29]Also, Madonna's show in Montenegro was performed to almost 70,000, the biggest-ever event held in the small Adriatic republic. [31]
Critical response
Madonna's tour has generated rave reviews:
- The Independent gave the show 4 stars and quotes: "If those who took in this spectacular opening to Madonna's world tour have seen anything as slick, innovative and energetic in recent months, then please point it out. The choreography, visuals and live talent were world class and mind-blowingly well executed, intelligent and witty." [32]
- The Times: "In the premiere league of song-and-dance spectaculars, the queen of pop remains unrivalled and undefeated." [32]
- The Sun: "Without question Madonna is still the Queen of Pop. Long live the Queen." [32]
- The Daily Mail: "Nobody does a big stadium show quite like Madonna - this is a theatrical, two hour blockbuster." [32]
Personnel
Show Director: Jamie King |
Light Design: LeRoy A. Bennett |
Band
Guitar: Madonna, Alexander Kolpakov2, Vadim Kolpakov2 and Monte Pittman |
Piano: Ric'key Pageot |
Crew
- Production
Assistant Show Director: Tiffany Olson |
Keyboard Technician: Robert Longo and Steve Borisenko |
- Video
Video Creative Director: Alex Czetwertynski |
Video Crew Chief: Oman Montes |
- Costumes
Assistant to Costume Design: Annie Psaltiras, Terry Anderson and Sarah Laux |
Tour Costume Road Supervisor: Lana Czajka |
- Staging
Production Supervisor: Benny Collins |
Monitor Engineer: Matt Napier |
- Other
Drivers: Abel Meza, Greg Gates, Paul Jennings and Jason Desimone |
Tour Security Director: Scott Nichols |
1 A member of Hamutsun Serve
2 A member of Kolpakov Trio
Source: [34]
References
- ^ a b "Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" Tour - Official Press Release" (Press release). Live Nation. 2008-05-08. Retrieved 2008-07-09.
- ^ [1]
- ^ "Sticky & Sweet Tour - Press Release" (Press release). Warner Bros. Records. 2008-08-20.
- ^ "McCain camp calls Madonna concert segment 'outrageous, unacceptable'". CBC News Canada. 2008-08-25. Retrieved 2008-08-27.
- ^ Madonna. Madonna Congratulates Barack Obama. California: YouTube. Event occurs at 0:18–1:16. Retrieved 2008-11-07.
{{cite AV media}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameters:|month2=
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(help); Unknown parameter|date2=
ignored (help) - ^ Babington, Deepa (2008-09-08). "Madonna Dedicates "Like a Virgin" to Pope in Rome". ABC News. Reuters News Service. Retrieved 2008-09-10.
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suggested) (help) - ^ Madonna. Madonna dedicates "Like a Virgin" to the Pope - Sticky & Sweet Tour Rome - 06.09.2008. Event occurs at 0:34. Retrieved 2008-09-13.
{{cite AV media}}
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ignored (help) - ^ "Sound quality at Madonna gig 'poor'". Evesham Journal. Newsquest Media Group. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Madonna dismisses London show controversy". Daily Star. Northern and Shell Media Publications. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Robyn To Support Madonna's 'Sticky & Sweet' Tour". Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- ^ "Benny Benassi to support Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour". Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-07-11.
- ^ Stevenson, Nick (2008-06-24). "Oakenfold to open for Madonna at Wembley". MixMag. Retrieved 2008-06-27.
{{cite web}}
: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=
(help) - ^ "Madonna confirmó concierto en Chile el 10 de diciembre". Radio Cooperativa (in Spanish). 2008-06-22. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ "Madonna, Estadio River Plate". Ticketek Argentina (in Spanish). 2008-06-26. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
- ^ "Madonna & Bob Sinclar get Sticky & Sweet". Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-07-16.
- ^ "Madonna Sticky & Sweet Tour Set List". I Need My Fix. 2008-08-23. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ "Set list from Sticky & Sweet Tourbook". Flickr. 2008-08-24. Retrieved 2008-08-24.
- ^ "Britney, Justin to join Madonna on stage". MSNBC. Microsoft. 2008-11-05. Retrieved 2008-11-06.
- ^ Palm, Matthew (2008-11-27). "Diva Madonna still has some surprises". Orlando Sentinel". Tribune Company. Retrieved 2008-11-28.
- ^ "Sticky & Sweet Tour dates (Europe)". Sticky & Sweet Tour Archive. Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Sticky & Sweet Tour dates (North America)". Sticky & Sweet Tour Archive. Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-06-02.
- ^ "Sticky & Sweet Tour dates (Rest of the World)". Sticky & Sweet Tour Archive. Madonna's Official Website. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
- ^ Koha, Nui Te (2008-03-02). "Madonna set for Melbourne return". Sunday Herald Sun. Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|coauthors=
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suggested) (help) - ^ "Madonna set to tour Down Under, adopt another child". The Sunday Telegraph. Queensland Newspapers. 2008-03-02. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ "Madonna's coming! What's it worth to you?". Yahoo News (Australia). Yahoo! Pty Limited. 2008-10-28. Retrieved 2008-10-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Billboard Boxscore", Billboard Magazine, New York City: Nielsen Business Media, Inc., 2008-10-04, retrieved 2008-10-02
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Billboard Boxscore", Billboard Magazine, New York City: Nielsen Business Media, Inc., 2008-11-22, retrieved 2008-11-13
- ^ a b c d "Billboard Boxscore", Billboard Magazine, New York City: Nielsen Business Media, Inc., 2008-11-29, retrieved 2008-11-26
- ^ a b c "Madonna Sticky & Sweet European Tour Continues to Shatter Records". The New York Times. 2008-09-12. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ "Madonna pôs o público aos saltos". Correio da Manhã (in Portugeuse). Cofina Media - Grupo Cofina. 2008-09-15. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Tiny Montenegro town gears up for Madonna's big gig". Yahoo News: UK & Ireland. Reuters Limited. 2008-09-25. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ a b c d "Madonna's Sticky & Sweet Tour: The Beat Goes On!". The New Your Times. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
- ^ Bernstein, Jacob (2008-08-05). "Madonna's Costumes for Her Sticky and Sweet Tour". Women's Wear Daily. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
- ^ Bianco, Giovanni (2008). Official Sticky & Sweet Tour Program. Los Angeles, California: Signature Networks, Inc. p. 58. ISBN MDN44899.
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