Eric and Kevin Have A Date With Madonna In Miami

[live2tell75]

Hello! Hopefully everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving. This last Wednesday, Kevin and I drove down to Miami to see Madonna’s latest tour: The Sticky and Sweet World Tour at Dolphin Stadium. This show was special for both of us because it was our 10th Madonna concert, (6th together). To commemorate this occasion I designed shirts for us complete with a listing of all the shows attended on the back. (I know I’m a dork!) This show will always be very memorable because we had the best seats we have ever had. We were 16th center row from the main stage. The best part was that their was a runway/catwalk that extended from the main stage onto the floor to row 20. And we were 2 seats from the runway! It was great because she performed about 70 percent of the show from the end of this catwalk, only a few feet from us! We basically crapped ourselves when we saw our seats!

 

We couldn’t ask for a better night. It was in the high 60’s low 70’s, not a cloud in the sky. The energy of the 50,000 attendees in the stadium was intense! Once the show started, it was quite the visual spectacle. Between the large video screens, dancers, special effects and of course Madonna herself, it was sensory overload to the max!

 

This tour was in support of her latest album, Hard Candy. The intro featured the 2-story video screens showing off a colorful twisted Charlie and The Chocolate Factory-ish landscape. Once the screens started to break apart, move around and start to spell C-A-N-D-Y, she appeared on her throne. Were else would she be? I guess she deserves it since she has lasted for 25 years.

 

The show was divided into 4 sections: First was Pimp, a fusion of modern urban life and 1920's deco. Second was Old School, Madonna revisited her early days in NYC and also pays homage to her late artist friend Keith Haring. Third was Gypsy, a blend of nomad gypsy culture and folk music. And finally rave: a futuristic dance floor with eastern influence. The show had a few surprises unique to our Miami show. We had 2 unexpected guests show up. Timbaland made a surprise appearance during their hit 4 Minutes. And Pharrell surprised her during the closing number "Give It To Me".

 

She sang songs mostly form Hard Candy but threw in a few gems from her catalogue of hits. Crowd pleasers were a techno remix of "Like A Prayer", a rocked-out version of "Borderline" and a fan favorite, "La Isla Bonita." The highlight of the night for us had to be during the closing number, "Give To Me". She and Pharrell brought the microphone down to our area to sing-a-long. Our friends Amy and Carey who were seated elsewhere in the stadium freaked out because, Kevin and I were on the giant video screens on either side of the stage!

 

So with out any more wait, I present the photos I took during our show. Enjoy!

Her dancers, like her never stopped moving throughout the show. Next up part 2 of the photos from the concert, The Old-School-New York section. Stay Tuned!

We loved the reworking/remix version of "Vogue."

All of her dancers were really hot.

She puts on an amazing show.

Her dancer's costumes, or should I say lack of costumes were unique.

"Vogue" was awesome.

Also during "Human Nature", Brittany made an appearance via the video screens to help with the line: "I'm not your bitch."

I was in Madonna heaven!

There was also a very cool round video screen that would move up and down over the end of the catwalk/runway stage.

Madonna rocked out for "Human Nature".

Did I mention we loved our seats?

A little bit of dancing, ok maybe a lot!

It was amazing.

During the song, "Beat Goes On", a ghetto-fabulous car joined her and her dancers on stage.

Pharrell and Kayne West made appearances via the video screens during the song, "Beat Goes On."

We were happy with our seats.

And her sugar was "raw".

She told the crowd her sugar was "sticky and sweet".

Very colorful.

The video screens were so cool!

Performing the first song of the night, "Candy Shop" from her album, Hard Candy

Only Madonna could make an entrance on a "M" throne.

Who's that girl?...

It was awesome the way the screens broke apart and moved around the stage.

The video screens were really high-tech.

The intro/build up was very cool.

And the M experience begins!

The crowd in Dolphin Stadium was ready to see their queen!

This is how close we were to the catwalk/runway part of the stage.

Madonna's manager Guy Osery and A-Rod talk before the show.

A-Rod, I guess it is official, he and Madonna are a couple.

And guess who showed up...

The back of the shirts I made for us.

As was Kevin.

I was a little bit excited.

Carey and Amy before the show.

Kevin and I in front of the stage.

Amy, Carey Kevin and myself before the show.

[BeemerBoy]

But did you like your seats?

 

Awesome shots, Eric.

[live2tell75]

^Thanks Scott and yeah I think I liked my seats.

 

Part 2: Old-School New York

"Music" brought the people together in Miami. Part 3 is coming soon.

A fun part of "She's Not Me", was when she acted like she was beating up 4 of her dancers that represented some of her older iconic looks like in this photo, Material Girl and Vogue.

During "She's Not Me"

A video montage of her gazillion looks accompanied her on stage during her new song, "She's Not Me."

She rocked out a new version of an early hit, "Borderline."

After a little double dutch, more jumping rope.

She knows how to work the poll!

Madonna gets a work out during one of my all-time favorite songs, "Into The Groove."

2 of her dancers box while a remix video interlude of the song "Die Another Day" blasts through the stadium.

[Nrthwnd]

Great concert report, Eric!

 

Loved the "She's Not Me" shot with Her two "former selves," heh heh.

 

Thanks for sharing Her M-ness with us.

[DenDen]

If I didn't have to work, I would have been there. All my friends went and said it was awesome, and now i can see it. Thanks for sharing!

[live2tell75]

^&^^ No problem guys, I'm glad you're enjoying it . Thanks!

 

Part 3: Traditional Gypsy Folk

I love how Madonna is looking on in the background in this photo.

"I want to be where the sun holds the sky..."

"La Isla Bonita" had the entire stadium signing along.

During this part of the show, she brought out a Romanian traditional folk group that really added to the fun atmosphere.

A highlight of the night was the Madonna classic, a festive "La Isla Bonita."

She sounded great during her latest single, "Miles Away".

"Spanish Lesson" an another new song, is my least favorite song on her new album Hard Candy. But in concert it was a lot of fun!

She opened this section of the show with another new Hard Candy song, "The Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" from on top of a rotating piano.

I really thought this interlude was visually cool.

During "Rain" 2 breakdancers danced on either side of the stage.

The animation was weird and random, but beautiful at the same time.

For the transition of the next section of the show, cool animation was shown on the screens to a techno remix of Madonna's hit song "Rain" with a mixture of The Eurythmic's classic "Here Comes The Rain Again"

Best part of the night was when she sang "You Must Love Me" from Evita. People have said Madonna isn't really a singer but an amazing entertainer. I usually agree but she sounded absolutely gorgeous! The last part of my concert review is coming soon. Stay tuned!

Her dancers seemed like they didn't have any bones in their bodies!

[terrancew_hod]

Well the marketing director of my volunteer organization will appreciate these pics; he went and he had the nose bleed seats! My shift at the Welcome Center was quiet because everyone was at the concert!

 

Also, I'm glad I didn't go to the concert; you can barely see her without zooming! It would be like watching ants dig for food!

 

Terry

[Swimace]

Wow Eric, it looks like you had an awesome time! While I don't ever see myself going to a Madonna show, I have to say that the production value of this show looks insane! It looks more like a permanent show than a tour!

[andre8]

I have the albums:

Like A Virgin

Confessions on a Dancefloor

and Hard Candy.

 

I have to say that I hate the song Voices.

 

I think the Reinvention Tour Vogue was better then the Sticky And Sweet Tour.

And Madonna should have had a better dress during 4 Minutes, it's RAVE.

[Big Mike]

Hey Eric Buddy!!!

 

Those pictures were fun to look at!!

 

Glad to see you two had a fantastic time!!

 

I went to one Madonna concert once, it was very good!

 

 

Hope to see you guys again soon!

 

 

Peace, Big Mike

[robbalvey]

That is an AWESOME report!!! I only got to see Madonna once during the Truth or Dare tour which was a LONG time ago, but I can totally tell she still puts on an AMAZING show!

 

It makes me want to go see her again!

 

--Robb

[twistedmickey]

I was also there and can say the concert was very good. I still prefer her last concert. More intimate venue and like her previous album more than the latest. Fav. part was Isla Bonita.

[ktglads]

wow - your pictures show how really crappy our seats were when we saw the tour in Toronto. It really was an awesome concert, though

[Erik Johnson]

Now I know why her concerts are as expensive as they are. The money certainly goes into it's production. Sweet TR.

[live2tell75]

Thanks to everyone for the kind responses, I'm glad you're enjoying my concert review. Onto today's update: Section 4 - Futuristic Rave.

A memory of the show we picked up, a special lithograph made especially for the Miami date on the tour. Next up, we finish our Thanksgiving adventure with a stay in Key West. Stay tuned!

Thanks to both Carey and Amy for making the night that much more special.

Carey loved her first Madonna concert.

The crew wasted no time to start taking down the stage and the seating area!

Our 10th Madonna concert was amazing!

And the M experience was over for now. Until next time

After the high energy closing number "Give It To Me", the game was over.

Including our section!

Towards the end of the song, Madonna and Pharrell wanted the audience to help them sing the lyrics of the song "Give It To Me."

The second surprise guest for the Miami show, Pharrell joined Madonna on stage during the closing number, "Give It To Me."

"Hung Up" was the only song during the show I wish she hadn't changed the original arrangement. It is such a great dance song. But the new version was still fun.

Rocking out once again, this time for a totally new rock version for the dance song, "Hung Up."

The stadium enjoyed a sing-a-long to a few verses of "Material Girl."

I thought this photo was perfect, during "Ray Of Light."

With some unique dancers break dancing during "Ray of Light."

Madonna rocked out on "Ray of Light."

During "Like A Prayer." I think this is one of my favorite photos I took of the night.

"Like A Prayer" is one of my all time favorite M songs.

A techno-reimagined, high energy version of "Like A Prayer" got the stadium dancing.

More of "4 Minutes".

It was a fun surprise to have Timbaland show up for the show.

Madonna interacted with the cool video screen versions of Justin quite well.

After the political video interlude, "Get Stupid" a surprise guest for the Miami show appeared on stage, Timbaland. He joined Madonna and Justin Timberlake (via video screen) for their hit, "4 Minutes".

[nay]

Very cool TR! You guys had amazing seats. I saw Madonna in concert a few years ago from ridiculously awful seats behind the stage, yet still had a great time. She puts on a hell of a show!

[the ghost]

This is a great TR but also a show I would never find myself at (my avatar will explain) but the production value is awesome. Second only to some Cradle of Filth concert I watched on paper view, with flying vampires, burning angels, and a crucifixion ( still kind of pissed madonna did that being a Christian)

 

anyway awesome photos and this concert looks cool.

[mcjaco]

How does one see a paper view?

[cfc]

Looks like the show would be worth seeing even if you aren't a big Madonna fan--great pictures, Eric.

[cathyJ]

Its good to hear that Madonna still sings many of her old hits at concerts. Interesting there is a small group of people who don't listen to Madonna's music. HER OWN KIDS !! Despite being called by many as the world's top pop music star, its been reported over the years that Madonna doesn't allow pop music ( and country music too BTW ) to be played in her own home. Not even her own hits. Not really a shocker since Madonna's household rules have been reported so much in the past ( No TV, No Radio, No Internet access, No Movies, No print materials, no junk food, no milk, no meat, no pasta., no tea, no energy drinks, no sugar...etc..etc... even a trip to an amusement park is a no no from mama Madonna ). I actually feel sorry for her kids.

[live2tell75]

Thanks again for the kind words everyone. So to give an even better perspective of what the Sticky and Sweet Tour is like, I'm going to post a few YouTube clips of songs from different concerts on the tour from around the world. First up: The Candy Shop Intro from opening night in Cardiff, Wales. Again, loved the animation for the opening. Check it out!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHK4Rc3GrQ4&feature=related

[live2tell75]

Here is a video clip from Germany performing "Candy Shop" and "Beat Goes On"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YxQY4OOL7OE

[live2tell75]

Here is a performance of the Madonna classic, "Vogue" from the Berlin stop on the Sticky and Sweet Tour.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n4bDB0ZEMtY&feature=related

[krouvi]

Great pictures.

I only saw her show once during the Girlie Show tour and still remembering it as a magical night.

I am waiting till she visits Israel again but considering maybe I should catch her in Europe.

However, I think the best tour ever was the Blonde Ambition Tour.

[live2tell75]

^Thanks! I'm sure she will make it back to Israel someday. You are lucky, you got to see her on The Girlie Show Tour. That tour was very limited, she only played a few cities in the U.S.

 

I agree, Blonde Ambition from watching it on bootleg DVDs was a great tour. It was her greatest hits from the 80's tour. I wish I could have gone. The closest I got to hear a lot of her older hits was the Re-invention Tour in 2004.

 

Here is a clip from the "Die Another Day" video interlude on opening night of the Sticky and Sweet Tour in Cardiff.