AFTER a long week of clock watching, wardrobe malfunctions and assorted drama, Madonna kept the action on the stage for her second last concert on the Rebel Heart world tour.
Her first show of a two-night stand at Sydney’s Allphones Arena kicked off only seven minutes after the heralded 10pm start.
And, hey, it’s Sydney on a Saturday night outside of the lockout zone, so let’s party.
Perhaps filming these two last gigs dictated the punctuality.
But the precision and creativity of this musical and visional feast for the senses is all Madonna.
Vibrant and imaginative costuming is more dazzling than a Paris Fashion Week catwalk.
The choreography is gobsmacking with bodies flying at heights and angles, which appear impossible, not to mention those wicked pole-dancing nuns who are, yes, very naughty.
As for that unapologetic potty mouth? It isn’t any more shocking than what you hear walking through a suburban shopping mall.
Madonna didn’t miss to the opportunity to have a swipe at those who have accused her of being drunk during recent shows, either.
After pointing out she doesn’t imbibe when she’s “working”, she joked that accusations she was an alcoholic might drive her to drink.
“I don’t wanna be accused of having a meltdown. God forbid a mother should miss her son, it’s a goddamn sin,” she said.
And her singing, not generally acknowledged as her greatest strength, is actually pretty good.
I was lucky enough to only be a few metres away during the ballad section, which included the vocal challenges of Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, and she sounded on song.
The fast-paced show didn’t skimp on the production values during those pesky costume changes, with big-budget short films and videos to keep the audience entertained, as well as mesmerising solo spots by her dancers.
The setlist had plenty to keep the faithful singing loudly, with the set-list includingTrue Blue, Like A Virgin and La Isla Bonita.
As a performer for more than three decades, Madonna is taking the pop concert into uncharted territory.
Like other longstanding members of the superstar club, fans want her to keep going.
The only ones who don’t, don’t actually go to Madonna concerts.
Maybe they should; the worst thing that could happen is they would have a blast as her 14,000 fans did in Sydney.
She performs her final show tonight at Allphones Arena with limited tickets still available.
More at Daily Telegraph
