After what she describes as a “near-death experience” last summer, global music legend Madonna was finally able to launch her career-spanning Celebration Tour in October of last year.
The 65-year-old singer, songwriter and actress postponed the jaunt by a few months following a serious bacterial infection that she told the crowd during her first of five nights at Kia Forum in Inglewood on Monday, March 4 had left her in a medically-induced coma for 48 hours.
“My children are the reason I kept going, honestly,” she said. “I owe them a big thank you.”
Though some fans have been blasting Madonna for being “fashionably late” to her own shows on this outing — with a few even getting together to sue her and promoter Live Nation for her tardiness — she was on stage by 9:40 p.m. Monday night with a brood of incredible dancers that kicked things off with “Nothing Really Matters,” “Everybody” and “Into the Groove.” The Celebration Tour continues at Kia Forum on March 5, 7, 9 and 11 before heading to Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert on March 13.
“I’m about to tell you the story of my life,” she told the crowd before strapping on an electric guitar to play one of the first songs she ever learned on the instrument, “Burning Up.” You’ll have to actually go see the show to hear the story behind just how she learned to play guitar because I can’t repeat it here and, well, it’s better when Madonna tells it, or acts it out.
This tour truly is a jaw-dropping spectacle that has so many moving parts and memorable moments jam-packed into a two-and-a-half-hour program. Technically, she played 26 songs, but there were so many musical Easter eggs hidden throughout the show that were revealed within the multiple acts as remixes or snippets of other Madonna songs or covers. And her dancers are an eclectic group of humans that deliver unbelievably entertaining performances. They engage with the audience and compliment the Queen of Pop as she transitions from era to era via a myriad of elaborate costumes and they indulge both the boundary-pushing sexual content and bold activism that she’s unapologetically shared with the masses for decades.
It’s a family affair, too. Madonna’s son David Banda joined her on guitar for “Mother and Father” and daughter Mercy James played piano during “Bad Girl.” For “Vogue,” Madonna brings out a special guest each evening to help judge her dancers as they catwalk down the stage, showing off their best moves. Monday night’s guest was actor and TV show host Eric André, who bared his buns for a quick spanking with a riding crop before judging the eager contestants who were being hyped up by the evening’s emcee, Bob the Drag Queen.
The production and lighting for this tour is insane. The stage itself is massive and includes several pit areas for fans and a trio of catwalks for Madonna and her dancers to play. The main stage area houses a huge light ring and a ginormous disco ball, which got plenty of use during the evening. There was a spinning carousel-like chapel on stage for “Like a Prayer,” a huge video cube that Madonna laid upon for “Bedtime Story” and bright beams of light were used to make three boxing rings on the stage, where dancers were mock-fighting with glittery gloves during “Erotica” into “Justify My Love.” She also gives the fans in the higher sections a better view of herself as she steps into an illuminated frame that lifts her into the air and moves her out and across the arena.
Throughout the evening Madonna’s commentary was quirky and funny, but she made sure to sincerely thank the audience for continuing to show up and support her. Through the music and her words she shared what was important to her by paying tribute to artists such as Prince and Michael Jackson. Also causes that she’s passionate about, including LGBTQ+ rights and she paid homage to AIDS victims during the emotional “Live to Tell.”
Madonna herself was nonstop throughout the evening, dancing, singing and playfully joking around with her dancers and the crowd. “Hung Up” and “Ray of Light” became massive dance parties and “Express Yourself” and “Crazy For You” were just a wave of nostalgia.
As the show moved from decade to decade, Madonna brought out a person clad in fashion appropriate for that particular era, that was representative of herself. They became a symbol throughout the evening of this artist, this person, who shared both triumphs and heartbreak through song and dance.
During a video montage that rapidly went through the various media controversies surrounding Madonna throughout the years, it ended with Madonna expressing “the most controversial thing I’ve ever done is to stick around.”
Madonna: The Celebration Tour
When: Monday, March 4
Where: Kia Forum, Inglewood
Next: 8:30 p.m. March 5, 7, 9 and 11 at Kia Forum, 3900 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. Tickets start at $85.50 at Ticketmaster.com. 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 13 at Acrisure Arena, 75702 Varner Road, Palm Desert. Tickets start at $226 at Ticketmaster.com.
