One of the world’s most popular DJs, Paul Oakenfold is used to playing big rooms. So he was completely comfortable opening for Madonna last night at Quicken Loans Arena. While his relentless fist-pumps and head bobbing came off as rather cheesy, his set of progressive house music that included lively remixes of Blur’s “Song 2” and Rihanna’s “We Found Love” had at least some of the crowd up and dancing. Oakenfold clearly had the crowd warmed up for Madonna by the time he left the stage at 9:45 p.m.
But it took Madonna nearly an hour to finally arrive on stage. As she finally took the stage at about 10:40 p.m. to the sound of Gregorian chants and the ringing of church bells, the capacity crowd a delightfully eclectic group of housewives, cross-dressers and club-goers that made for good people watching rose to its feet. After an obligatory prayer Madonna, however, didn’t deliver on that energy, despite being accompanied by a live band and a huge ensemble of dancers. Her vocals sounded shrill on “Girl Gone Wild” and on “Gang Bang,” which she performed from the confines of a cool stage prop that looked like a cheap hotel room. “Express Yourself,” which was accompanied by a cheerleader routine, fared better and “I Don’t Give A,” a tune that featured a marching band suspended above the stage with wires, was another highlight.
This article appears in Nov 7-13, 2012.
Irrelevant review.
This show is authenticity, sincerity, great Art (with a huge A) and received plenty of rave reviews worldwide including in Cleveland.
This is probably the best Madonna show ever.
Best Madonna show EVER??!! PLEASE! Madonnas best shows are far behind her when she gave a shit about her fans and played what they wanted to hear. I get that she’s not the same person and she hates performing many of her old songs. But its not about HER! Its about us! And I DJ spinning records is NOT an opening act. If I would have known she would be 2freaking hours and 45 minutes late, I could have stayed at the Casino longer and maybe win enough money to pay for this waste of my night.
Yes, I agree with Alex. This is a ridiculous review of one of her best tours! Clearly, the writer doesn’t understand her when he calls her one of rock’s biggest divas. Madonna is not a rock artist, she is a pop/dance artist. He admits that she talked to the audience, but then he claimed she was cold and lacked stage presence. What does he expect her to do? She can’t spend the whole night chatting, she was there to sing and dance.
The sound was awful, the set list was terrible. WORST SHOW EVER!!-Comic Book Guy
Why does Madonna have to play what fans want to hear? She does a few of her hits, but she is an artist. It is up to her to decide what songs she wants to do and which she doesn’t. I don’t think fans have the right to dictate to Madonna or any artist what songs they should do. She has a dj on first because she has always been heavily influenced by dance and electronic music. DJ’s often play stadiums and arenas these days with the rise of EDM. Madonna has never been just about playing hit songs. Her shows are more like Broadway shows with the theatre element. All of her tours have always been this way.
wow, i really thought this show was AMAZING! All the lighting, special efffect, costumes, staging. The only misstep was “Hung Up”, but that’s forgiveable. I am proud that Madonna actually came to my hometown this time around.
This reviewer is just bitter that he wasn’t in the triangle
Totally agree, Tina. Those hits made her famous. The fans listening to those hits made her famous. The only ones she didn’t butcher were “Express Yourself” and “Like a Prayer.” A quarter of “Papa Don’t Preach” doesn’t count, and ‘Open Your Heart” wasn’t meant to be a ballad. Don’t even get me started on “Like A Virgin.” All the bar pre-show parties were more fun than this show. I’ve never been to a show where I didn’t have to stand up the whole time while losing my voice. I was so excited about the show, and felt extremely disappointed when it was over. I saw several people leaving early. I’m glad I only got the $45 nosebleed seats, I wouldn’t have wanted to be in the triangle, it wouldn’t have gotten me any more pumped up plus I’d be out of a heck of alot more money!
All that being said, the show itself (set, etc) was an amazing spectacle. But that means nothing when you can’t sing and dance along.
First off regarding the Golden Triangle posted by Rebecca Hoffman, you won the spot didn’t pay for it. I went to several shows and was in the Triangle and it was amazing. I thought the show was amazing . I didn’t go to hear all of her older music ! I went to see variety . I think the people that wanted all older tunes haven’t bothered to listen to the newer music. What is she supposed to stay in the 90’s? All you complainers will probably be the reason she won’t come back to Cleveland. She’s 54 and she’s amazing. I thank her for coming to Cleveland. Quit picking her apart and show thanks. By the way her protest was not staged. Wasn’t done a few days prior in Pittsburgh.
Nobody that was in the triangle had to pay for it. I won 2 free tickets from Madonna’s manager Guy and didn’t have to pay at all. It’s a place for her biggest fans to get to be in. I loved the show last night! I was also in the pit for one of the Yankee Stadium shows and even though it was pouring down rain she was in a good mood. Last night she was in an even better mood, joking around, getting a necklace from a fan and wearing it during Like A Prayer, interacting and actually talking to the fans in the pit. The production is incredible, I love the Gang Bang set it makes it seem like a Tarantino movie with the broken down hotel room, she sang about 95% of it live (Vogue), and I liked the slowed down version of Like A Virgin (I do think it takes some getting used to because she is singing so deep). Madonna has always been about promoting her new album. look at the Drowned World Tour everyone was mad that she did her whole setlist from Ray of Light & Music and about two hits. this is the MDNA tour not a greatest hits tour, that will be her last tour she will have to please the fans. Right now she is still a successful artist and is going to do what she loves, which right now is only her new music. I love MDNA, so I loved the tour. I think it’s her best tour ever besides Blond Ambition, it’s actually kind of a darker version of that one. I do think this tour isn’t for everyone, I just hope that people give her new stuff a chance, they may end up liking it and be glad they got to see her perform these songs.
Who really gives a shit about Madonna anymore anyway ?
She qualifies for AARP, is a snob, thinks she looks as good as when she was 20 (and even then she wasn’t pretty) and doesn’t give a crap about all those that paid her way to fortune and fame. Play what the people want, the hits you bitch. You wouldnt be able to have your expensive lifestyle without the people that have paid your way.
And as far as Rock goes, she is as much Rock and Roll as Mozart was. NOT
Great show !!. Rebecca FYI Golden Triangle was won not purchased. Best seats in the house! didn’t want to see her do more old stuff! I love her new music as well! I loved the variety. She did 23 songs and played for over 2 hours. If your a true Madonna fan , who cares if she was late ? Opening act was Paul Oakenfold. He is a fantastic DJ. Be thankful she came to Cleveland. She hasn’t been here in years. I truly hope she comes back . To the writer of the review. She didn’t do the protest as part of the show. Been to several shows this tour, first protest. She was in a great mood and wanted her Triangle full. If you don’t have something nice to say you should not judge and keep those mouths shut and Vogue! Love you MDNA.
Clearly some of you are living in the 90’s. no one puts on the caliber of show as Madonna. Always going to be haters! I’m 48 and have loved her from the beginning. Live the show. Love MDNA and live the Triangle. Thanks Madonna! Please don’t pass up Cleveland! We love you!
To all you people complaining about the set list, the show/tour is called “MDNA”, not “Greatest Hits”. Madonna is an artist and like all artist’s, she can express herself the way she wants, not the way other people want her to be. All of her tours are like this, all different and what is relevant to what is going on with her now. The only thing she “owes” the public is the best show she can, and as far as I am concerned she delivered. She worked her ass off on that stage, which you would have noticed if you hadn’t been pouting because she didn’t sing “Borderline”. Next time, do yourselves and the rest of us a favor and stay home with your Madonna CD’s. The majority of us like living in 2012.
If all you want to hear are her old songs, then maybe you should just stay home and listen to your cds. The tour is for MDNA people! The show was great, virtually non-stop for two hours!
BTW – Oakenfold was BORING!
Yeaaaaah, no one really cares about Madonna anymore. I treat her like I do all my old VHS videotapes…I recognize that she exists, but her best years were a long time ago and I’m really not sure why she’s still around.
Madonna rocked the Q. It was exactly what you would expect: state of the art. I appreciated the fact that she focused on her new album. Her catalog is so deep that it would take her days to play through.
For two hours she brought it loud and proud and when she slowed it down, I was happy to slow down with her.
She brought the house down with “Like a Prayer.” She is an artist. Rock on MNDA. Thank you for coming to Cleveland.
If your going to complain, then don’t go……U want old music, then go home and put on a CD!!!! This is about promoting NEW MUSIC and REINVENTING OLD MUSIC!!! This was not a concert, it was a THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE OF THE ARTS, precision performance, light show, and MADONNA………get over yourself and your old ways and don’t go in the future. THE BEST SHOW IN MADONNA HISTORY!!!!!!!
Holy crap she’s so irrelevant!!!!!!
But most notably a bitch…
Don’t do us any favors by coming to Cleveland Madge….We’ll get along just fine without you….
Its so funny how some people are downright rude if someone has a different opinion. That whole triangle was FREE??!! That’s pretty awesome, didn’t know that. Well give 1the to the Material Girl. I was at the Detroit Drowned World tour. Was a little disappointed THEN, that she didn’t do much older hits BUT her then new songs from Ray of Light and Music were awesome!!. I’ve listened to MDNA 3 times before the concert and once after. Its a little better since I heard it live but not much. Aaaaaand btw, Drowned World was simulcast on HBO . Hmm, no hype anywhere for this tour. Just sayin…
no hype for this tour? huh? it has been in the news almost every day since it started back in May – made news in every city it was in – it is on track to becoming one of the most successful tours of all time – what on earth are you talking about?
was a big waste of money….for a mediocre $200 seat she played about 5-7 songs while she was doing “wardrobe” changes…..her new album sucks……you think she would want to start a little bit earlier instead of ending close to 1am….by that time your only option is to head home not allowing for any after concert parties or get togethers
I wanted “Soo Much” to be there…Madonna is My Queen…I just “Do Not” understand why you would say negative things about such an “AWESOME” PERSON/PERFORMER 🙁
I love you Madge…No matter what any haters say!