Forgive me but I have sinned....I've been to the Madonna Concert.

Alex Grech (Reflex / Capital Radio 88.7FM Presenter) reports...

Madonna's Confession Tour 2006 kicked off in the States and was followed by a concert in Cardiff and another two in Wembley Arena, London.  Next was Stadio Olimpico in Rome, last Sunday was a cloudy day; the city weather report prepared us for rainy showers. But who cares? I was on my way to fulfill a dream of 22 years, that of seeing the Material Girl in action live on stage.

By noon we packed and were ready to go, cameras, mobiles, caps, umbrellas and a surviving supply of food and drink. The concert was about to begin in nine hours time. Passing by the Grand Hotel Saint Regis, we noticed security cars, bodyguards and Madonna fans waiting at all the hotel entrances and back doors. Ok then.. so, that’s where she’s staying. The previous saturday morning, more fans followed Madonna through Via Condotti, Rome’s center around which the world of fashion turns. By the time we arrived outside the Olimpico, thousands and thousands of fans were already in the queue, some even slept overnight in sleeping bags or on towels.

I dare say that the Italians (under 40’s) love Madonna as much as their pasta. Born Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccione on 16 August 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, she’ll turn 48 next Wednesday. She’s the third of six children born to Silvio "Tony" P. Ciccone, a Chrysler engineer of Italian American extraction, whose parents originated from Pacentro, in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. Her french-canadian mother, Madonna Louise Fortin, died from breast cancer when Madonna was still five and her father later married the family housekeeper, Joan Gustafson, and they had two children.

The Stadio Olimpico gates opened at seven and we ran as fast as we could past the Stadio dei Marmi in the pouring rain. This ground boasts enormous tiers topped with 60 white marble statues that were gifts from Italian cities in commemoration of 60 athletes which participated in previous olimpics . We were up the stairs and down the ‘curvi’ in seconds leading to the concert stage as we stampeded on Totti’s turfed pitch which was covered and protected by platforms.  An enormous black stage with two horse designs on each side awaited us as we made our way closer and closer to the front. We stood fourth row from the barrier, behind the VIP Area (Del Piero, Totti, Puff Daddy and Lenny Kravitz were among the guests). It’s  quite a relief to be so close to the stage and was worth all the waiting.

The concert started at 8pm, as world renowned DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold , played a 1hr dance set. The crowd saved the energy for the next act. Madonna had promised that the tour will have the same concept of the Confessions on the Dancefloor album, so I expected dance music heavily influenced by the  fashion and disco music of the 70’s. I wasn’t let down. Madonna took the stage at 9.45pm, fifteen minutes late…typically from the diva.  And finally there she was bursting out from a huge shiny mirror ball hanging several metres above the catwalk, lowered down to the remixed beat of Donna Summer’s I Feel Love. Madonna appeared in black riding gear, with a whip and top hat.

By Like a Virgin, she was riding on a rotating leather saddle while X-rays of her recently broken bones were shown behind her. After the “equestrian” section, the show was split into three parts. The first was the most politicized flashing up photos of George Bush and Osama Bin Laden to African orphans as she sang a poignant Live to Tell from a crucifix, made up of 4,000 Svarovsky crystals, worth 5 million american dollars.

Madonna referred to two miracles that happened in Italy lately. The Italians winning the World Cup (imagine the cheering!)  and the fact that the rain stopped just before the concert commenced. Madonna then appeared strumming an electric guitar to a punked-up Ray of Light before changing into her trademark leotard for a final, glorious disco section that included Lucky Star and Hung Up. Backed by incredible dancers, it all made for an amazing spectacle. Madonna changed her clothes 7 times. Top fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier supplied all of them plus another 400 costumes for the dancers.

I must admit..I was on top of the world for two hours. And one thing’s for sure, things are never dull when Madonna’s involved. In the midst off her guts and all the fuss, it’s easy to forget that Madonna is the world’s best live performer. And this imitable show was an extravagant reminder.

You have confessed.


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Click on the photos to enlarge

Click on the photos to enlarge