Madonna Energizes Chicago Concertgoers
Chicago, IL -
Madonna kicked off her Re-Invention tour in Chicago last night, the first of four sold-out shows at the United Center. The Material Girl didn’t disappoint fans, some who paid upwards of $400.
Never shy of making a statement, Madonna opened the politically charged show wearing a beautiful corset but three songs later went military when she changed into combat gear for American Life. The Bush attack featured the sounds of dropping bombs and graphic video playing in the screens behind and above.
The choreograpy was spectacular with the 45-year-old Madonna proving she’s as flexible and energetic as years past. The night featured songs from throughout her 20-year career, including "Papa Don't Preach," "Vogue" and "Express Yourself," Some of her previous hits were “re-invented” seemingly due to her new-found spirituality, evident during the show.
The audience, which stood most of the show, seemed especially charged when Madonna sang her rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. During the song, a video, of sick and injured children, displayed in the background again made a strong statement. The crowd cheered when a picture of Lennon appeared during the video.
To some the strong political statements seemed a bit too much. “Do we really need Madonna to become Joan Baez? Why isn't she content just to be Cher?”, wrote the New York Daily News during a review of the tour’s Los Angeles opening. "Bring back the sex," demanded the Los Angeles Times.
Madonna closed with “Thank you, Chicago,” as “"Reinvent Yourself” was displayed over the stage. There was no encore.
An estimated 750,000 people are expected to see 39 shows scheduled for the US and Canadian leg of her tour. Last night in Chicago, thousands went home satisfied with the Re-Invention tour. After three additional shows in Chicago, Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, the tour travels to Toronto, Canada.
Madonna's Drowned World tour in 2001 grossed $US55 million from 28 shows in 12 cities.
The 24-song setlist for the Reinvention Tour:
Opening music - The Beast Within
Vogue (from Dick Tracy, 1990)
Nobody Knows Me (from American Life, 2003)
Frozen (from Ray of Light, 1998)
American Life (from American Life, 2003)
Express Yourself (from Like A Prayer, 1989)
Burning Up (from Madonna, 1983)
Material Girl (from Like A Virgin, 1984)
Hollywood (from American Life, 2003)
Hanky Panky (from Dick Tracy, 1990)
Deeper and Deeper (from Erotica, 1992)
Die Another Day (from American Life, 2003)
Lament (from Evita, 1997)
Bedtime Story (from Bedtime Story, 1994)
Nothing Fails (from American Life, 2003)
Don't Tell Me (from Music, 2000)
Like A Prayer (from Like A Prayer, 1989)
Mother and Father (from American Life, 2003)
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
Into The Groove (from Like A Virgin, 1984)
Papa Don't Preach (from True Blue, 1986)
Crazy For You (from Crazy For You/Vision Quest, 1985)
Music (from Music, 2000)
Holiday (from Madonna, 1983)
Never shy of making a statement, Madonna opened the politically charged show wearing a beautiful corset but three songs later went military when she changed into combat gear for American Life. The Bush attack featured the sounds of dropping bombs and graphic video playing in the screens behind and above.
The choreograpy was spectacular with the 45-year-old Madonna proving she’s as flexible and energetic as years past. The night featured songs from throughout her 20-year career, including "Papa Don't Preach," "Vogue" and "Express Yourself," Some of her previous hits were “re-invented” seemingly due to her new-found spirituality, evident during the show.
The audience, which stood most of the show, seemed especially charged when Madonna sang her rendition of John Lennon’s Imagine. During the song, a video, of sick and injured children, displayed in the background again made a strong statement. The crowd cheered when a picture of Lennon appeared during the video.
To some the strong political statements seemed a bit too much. “Do we really need Madonna to become Joan Baez? Why isn't she content just to be Cher?”, wrote the New York Daily News during a review of the tour’s Los Angeles opening. "Bring back the sex," demanded the Los Angeles Times.
Madonna closed with “Thank you, Chicago,” as “"Reinvent Yourself” was displayed over the stage. There was no encore.
An estimated 750,000 people are expected to see 39 shows scheduled for the US and Canadian leg of her tour. Last night in Chicago, thousands went home satisfied with the Re-Invention tour. After three additional shows in Chicago, Tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, the tour travels to Toronto, Canada.
Madonna's Drowned World tour in 2001 grossed $US55 million from 28 shows in 12 cities.
The 24-song setlist for the Reinvention Tour:
Opening music - The Beast Within
Vogue (from Dick Tracy, 1990)
Nobody Knows Me (from American Life, 2003)
Frozen (from Ray of Light, 1998)
American Life (from American Life, 2003)
Express Yourself (from Like A Prayer, 1989)
Burning Up (from Madonna, 1983)
Material Girl (from Like A Virgin, 1984)
Hollywood (from American Life, 2003)
Hanky Panky (from Dick Tracy, 1990)
Deeper and Deeper (from Erotica, 1992)
Die Another Day (from American Life, 2003)
Lament (from Evita, 1997)
Bedtime Story (from Bedtime Story, 1994)
Nothing Fails (from American Life, 2003)
Don't Tell Me (from Music, 2000)
Like A Prayer (from Like A Prayer, 1989)
Mother and Father (from American Life, 2003)
Imagine (John Lennon cover)
Into The Groove (from Like A Virgin, 1984)
Papa Don't Preach (from True Blue, 1986)
Crazy For You (from Crazy For You/Vision Quest, 1985)
Music (from Music, 2000)
Holiday (from Madonna, 1983)
