Madonna at BAM

[ArtMan]

There is now a class action suit filed from fans who  couldn't attend, after purchasing tickets, due to her later start.   Ticketmaster wouldn't refund their money.I doubt they will get anything and she probably doesn't care.  

[inception]

On tonight at 10:35, was in a great mood, got out by 1:05.
Show did not disappoint.
For about 1st hour ushers still seating latecomers.

All around me groups of bears. 2 in front of me insisted on standing, which caused fight with 2 beside me. 1 in front "I paid for this seat & I'll do whatever I want in it!"
They were only 2 standing in the whole section, I had to stand to see. Felt bad for lady behind me, noticed she had an empty seat beside her so I moved back a row. 2 standing left about 12am.
Turned out lady I sat beside was mother of one of dancers and was very appreciative of my moving.
I don't believe in "karma" but still that's karma bitches

[inception]

I went to bed just after 2 but didn't sleep well, & woke up about 5, & have spent the last hour looking at crap online. My plan today is to spend about 4 or 5 hours at the pool before I fly home tonight.
The thing that I keep thinking about is how well put together Madonna's show was - how good the dancers were, how much the video elements added to the performance and comparing it with the terrible new Cirque du Soleil show I saw Saturday night. Yesterday afternoon when I came back to my room from the pool, housekeeping had left this weeks new edition of "Las Vegas" magazine, which is mainly all advertorial, and Cirque or MGM resorts must have paid plenty for both the front & back cover as well as a 6 pages inside touting R.U.N. Then when you go to the show, the money they must have spent renovating at Luxor - the decor & neon lighting & the staging look like 100's of thousands of dollars, if not in the millions. Yet the actual show, and choreography is so very, very bad.

[boylikethat]

I attended Saturday night's Vegas show. She went on about 11:15 and we were out by 1:30 so I'm wondering if someone talked to her after the mess Thursday's show caused. I thought the show was great and Frozen was the highlight for me. The Madame X songs worked really well within the concept of the show. The Polaroid went for $3,000.

I could tell there were a lot of casual fans in my section who were getting upset that she was playing so little of her back catalog. About a third of my row was gone by the last half hour of the show and about the same with the row in front of me. 

My one complaint was how hot it was in the venue due to Madonna's request of no AC. I had to step out for a moment during the Portugal segment just because it was so hot. I'm sure that led to a lot of the people leaving early as well. 

I caught Gaga's Enigma residency Friday night and that was a great show too. 

[ArtMan]

If people took the time and did a little research they would know what the setlist is going to be in advance.  In Madonna's case, she has been doing the Madam X tour for a while.  It is no secret that the setlist consisted mostly of songs from the new cd.  Although I would have liked to hear hits, I loved the Madam X cd so hearing those for the first time would not have bothered me.  I am going to see Sara Bareilles next week.  By checking her setlist I already know she is doing 8 songs from her new cd.  I bought it and glad I did .  One of my favorite this year.  I am seeing Celine Dion in January.  Even though she has a new cd coming out, her setlist is for the most part, hits.  She is only doing 2 songs from the new cd.  Do some research and you won't be disappointed.

[inception]

ArtMan said: "If people took the time and did a little research 

Most peopele don't do any research.  If you bought your tickets from Ticketmaster,  & not resale,  you even got sent a hardcopy of the Madame X cd.   You can lead a horse to water , but you can't make it drink.

No one where I was seemed upset about not being greatest hits.  Of course the dancer's mother was pointing out her son every time he did something. Some people were like yeah whatever, but all the drunk bears were living for her. (Chaz?  During Crave he had the big black feather boa. ) Also as we exited she was telling everyone how I had moved to let her see her baby better.

The lack of A/C was annoying, and when it turned on as the theatre exited it was a relief.

I thought is was a great show & while I knew some of what was going to take place, there was still plenty that hadn't been spoiled by online reviews.

[Miles2Go2]

Oh I know which dancer you mean. He’s fabulous!

Is this him?

https://instagram.com/chazbuzan?igshid=x1f8g6a2ri26

[TotallyEffed]

Does anyone know where the money from selling the Polaroids goes?

[Miles2Go2]

TotallyEffed said: "Does anyone know where the money from selling the Polaroids goes?"

http://www.raisingmalawi.org/

[Miles2Go2]

Caught the tour again last night in Philly. Great time! Third row center orchestra. Show started earlier last night. In fact, after the four musicians came out and did their instrumental set, I went out to lobby to get a glass of wine. They started flickering the lights and I joked that there is no way that she was getting ready to start this early. But in fact when I went back in the theater, the lights were already dimmed and the prologue had already begun with the quote by James Baldwin. Someone said it was probably about 10:38 or 10:40. Little changes here and there including Sodade being cut completely out of the show. Headed out to see the Liberty Bell and the “Rocky steps” before I go back for the last Philly show tonight. It’ll likely be my last show of the tour unless I end up going to the last Miami show (also last U.S. date).

[inception]

I haven't followed much about the tour since last month. After reading your post Miles, I went & looked at the updates on the MadonnaTribe website. I didn't realize that all the Boston dates had been cancelled. Also Paris & London dates have been rescheduled. I'd be cautious about making plans to travel & see any more dates due to her health problems. Hopefully she will have time to get well.
In a post from someone who did the backstage tour there was an interesting comment that the music director mentioned that while they had been planning the show "Ray of Light" had been considered but then dropped from the setlist. I remember thinking after I saw the show, that if I could have asked for only one thing extra, it would have been to have had that song included in the show. Hard to believe that that album is now over 20 years old! Anyways, so thankful that "Frozen" is in the show.

[Bettyboy72]

I truly hope this show is preserved with a Blu-ray release. I also hope she allows it be filmed in a natural way without effects and quick cuts like the last few. Those flourishes make the shows less watchable and give me vertigo at times.

It’s a beautiful, sincere show with her in great voice. The less bells and whistles the better.

[Miles2Go2]

Flew home last night from Philly after seeing it Tuesday and Wednesday night. This is the most (four times) I’ve attended one tour. The previous was twice (Rebel Heart Tour). Finances won’t allow a fifth trip to see her either in Miami or overseas. I know I have a lot to be grateful for especially getting to talk with her on October 3 and getting a hug, but feeling a little bummed my time with this tour is over. I made friends with fellow fans that have attended every or almost every show on the tour so far and are seeing all or most of the remaining dates.

Mini-review of both dates: she came on about 10:40 both nights (listed start time was 10:30). Possibly because she was in Philadelphia, she was more political. At BAM, she largely avoided talk of Trump. In Philly, she made calls to impeach him. The audience ate it up. It was easy to see who the conservatives/Trump-supporters were in the audience during those moments. At Tuesday’s show, there was a couple in front of me. Attractive female and her middle-aged conservative-looking (presumably) husband. She was having a great time, but he didn’t appear to be, especially during M’s call for abortion rights and to impeach Trump.

Choreography may have been slightly edited to avoid further injury. She has cut Sodade from the Fado Club section. Seemed to allow her to be more chatty with the audience.

Tuesday night I was third row, dead center orchestra. Wednesday night I was 4th row, center orchestra on the left aisle where she comes down with her dancers during Medellin. No physical contact with her. It goes quick with her in the middle between her dancers and security. When the Batuka ladies enter the theater from the back and down the aisles, I got one or two high-fives. Same for when they exit at the end of the night during I Rise.

On Monday night, four of my newfound friends and I attended a small, intimate concert by Miroca Paris (member of her band from Portugal) who was accompanied by two other members of the band (Jessica Pina - trumpet, Carlos - Percussion). Other members of the tour (Batuka ladies, musicians) were also in attendance. It was a humble setting with folding chairs that hurt my bony butt. Only about 20 chairs. Couldn’t have accommodated much more. And it was a magical and transformative night. Afterwards, we got to interact with and talk to Miroca, Jessica, and Carlos as well as other members of the tour in the audience.

I also got to explore Philly a bit during the day (Rocky Steps and statue, Washington monument, waterfront next to hotel, Liberty Bell). Had my first legitimate Philly Cheesesteak (twice!) and discovered I like it better with Cheese Whiz! I do a lot of work in Pennsylvania, sometimes near Philly, but I’m always working during the day so I never really got to do any other touristy things until this trip so that was nice.

Also, they had a few Philly-specific souvenirs at the show, including the tee with the deluxe album cover (short dark wig, guitar) with Philadelphia at the bottom, another tee from the tour had Philly info on the back and they had a bandanna/scarf that was specific to this stop. My favorite though was the black hoodie with gold lettering/insignia that was Philadelphia specific. I got that plus the deluxe album tee and the bandanna as well as the guitar picks. I also bought another eye patch to wear as an arm band as they weren’t selling the armbands and my other eye patch that I bought at BAM broke when I tried to wear it as an armband.  Oh and I bought another tee that I didn’t already buy at BAM. Still less than I bought at BAM, but it adds up!