Madonna is touring North America and Europe this summer with a stop in Israel:
- The trek will kick off May 24 in Los Angeles. It will consist primarily of North American arena dates, as well as 12 European shows. A handful of North American dates were confirmed through early-August, along with an Aug. 18 show in London and Sept. 1 concert in Paris.
"Madonna has already started rehearsals for the re-Invention Tour and she can't wait to get back on stage to recreate her songs from the earliest days of her career up until the present," manager Caresse Henry said in a statement. "There is no doubt that this tour will be the pinnacle of her long standing and well deserved reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of our time."
Current members of Madonna's Icon fan club will have access to ticket pre-sale opportunities. There will be no supporting acts.
....Here are Madonna's confirmed tour dates:
May 24: Los Angeles (Forum)
May 29: Las Vegas (MGM Grand Garden Arena)
June 8: San Jose (HP Pavilion)
June l3: Washington, D.C. (MCI Center)
June 16-17: New York (Madison Square Garden)
June 27: Boston (Worcester Centrum)
July 4: Philadelphia (Wachovia Center)
July 11: Chicago (United Center)
July l8: Toronto (Air Canada Center)
July 24: Atlanta (Philips Arena)
July 28: Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (Office Depot Center)
Aug. l: Miami (American Airlines Arena)
Aug. l8: London (Earls Court)
Sept. 1: Paris (Bercy) [Billboard]
I like Madonna a lot, despite what some may think, as I believe is self-evident from this story I wrote last November (if Madonna comes to Cleveland, I'm there):
Britney and Madonna
Britney Spears and Madonna have made an intergenerational mutual assistance pact, sealed with a very public kiss at the MTV Video Awards this summer, and made tangible through Madonna's vocal appearance on Britney's current single, "Me Against the Music."
For her part Madonna has dubbed Britney — who turns 22 on December 2 — her worthy successor from among the variety pack of pop-tarts, while Britney conveys upon Madonna, 45, the admiration and respect of a new generation, revalidating the former Material Girl's relevance as middle age casts a lengthening shadow across her ray of light.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Sandra Smallson
Ha Ha Eric. Tell me something that I dont know. Like you've got backstage passes you'll be sending my way. Meanwhile, was there any need to repost that ridiculous and senseless article of yours again? I can't imagine you enjoy showing your flaws. Just when I was beginning to think you might have some sense afterall. I guess if it pleases you to do so, oh well, we all must get our kicks some way. I'm done with picking it apart as it can be even by a 2 yr old:)
By the way, is that the 2nd tour pic? Or just an old pic? I suggest you find a way to go watch Madonna. Sadly, I am not a member of ICON so I could not get pre-sale tickets. I was reluctant to join cos I felt it was being run by the incompetents at music today. Just my luck that I miss out on pre-sale. I hope to get my tix on Friday morning. Fingers crossed.
2 - Eric Olsen
The article has not been posted here until now. It praises both damsels, though apparently not sufficiently for your taste. I honestly can't imagine what you would object to, apart from the line about Madonna not being blessed with great natural talent, which besides being true, is in the context of a compliment about what she has done with that talent. Oh well.
3 - Eric Olsen
The pic is from Vanity Fair '02, btw.
4 - mwanji
Toxic has "with a strong, throaty vocal"??? I like the song (but the video looks like they didn't have much of an SFX budget), but the vocals are heavily processed - in a cool way, at times.
5 - Eric Olsen
Strong for her anyway! The vocals are certainly processed but all her vocals are processed. More importantly, did I call tha or what? That was written in November and HAS become a huge hit. I rock and am not ashamed to say so.
6 - Sandra Smallson
Aah, vanity fair, I think I have that issue, must check. Confused me cos its similar to the kinda look of the tour pic.
Eric, I am not getting into that discussion with you again. What is true and is not true in your opinion on music as I am sure I have stated before, is irrelevant to me. I don't hold you in high regard when it comes to your articles and opinions on music. So, I'm afraid that you have no credibility on the issue in my opinion.
But thats just my opinion and you no doubt feel the same about my opinions. So, we must agree to disagree on this, sweetie:)
7 - duane
Referring to Eric's post, Sarah says, "I'm done with picking it apart as it can be even by a 2 yr old" (she had one of those goofy smiley faces, too). I had my 2-year-old nephew Skippy take a look at Eric's article, and Skippy says "It rocks, baby" (actually, it sounded more like "ih wocks, beebee," but no matter). So, Sarah, I'm afraid we must once again disagree with you.
One of these days, Madonna will have to reinvent herself and become a musician.
8 - Eric Olsen
Thanks Duane, and a special shoutout to the neph!
9 - Sandra Smallson
Duane, thank you for your predictable contribution. I'm sorry to shock you but I am not going to argue with you about this. Been there, done that. I am delighted that M is not a musician in your opinion. I think you are one of the more foolish people on this site as I have said from day one so your opinion on anything is a nonsense. You are entitled to it but it means nothing. So, thank you for the compliment. Clearly your nephew at 2 is already foolish, Shame he could not break the pattern.
I dont know what the big deal is here. Eric, you can keep writing your nonsensical drivel and parading as some sort of responsible, sensbile music journalist, but let me assure you that you are not. Thats my opinion. You'll be amazed how many people share my opinion, even a journalist with almost same views as you on some things but not with the same level of ignorance and irresponsibility when putting it to print. He just can't be bothered to write on here. So why not leave Madonna alone and worry about how you can reinvent yourself as a respectable journalist. Duane, can just reinvent himself as a person with a brain and stop trying so hard to feel amongst. If you notice I ignore you. But once there is Madonna or Sandra Smallson, you rear your ugly head. You must have a permanent hard on and may desire a threesome. On behalf of both let me assure you we would rather sleep with Ellen Degeneres.
I watched a recent interview and she said she's been in this business 20 years, she has nothing to prove, those who do not think she is a credible musician/artist never thought she was from day one and those who think she is have always thought she was or either have come to think. Either way, she will do what she wants and believes in her own talent and people can keep on talking. That's how I feel now after the first time I joined this site. She has nothing to prove. So why should I waste my time arguing about her with a collection of narrow minded self important, self righteous u know whats..neither of us will convince each other. Let's move on. Hopefully, this will disappear.
Thanks anyway for info on the tour, though I knew that already:)
10 - Eric Olsen
Sandra, back to the same old: don't be such a flagrant idiot. The only necesary "reinvention" I am aware of is how you deal with people who simply disagree with you. Do not call me "irresponsible" just because you do not agree with my opinion on matters of taste. Your disjointed thrashing over such things is a grim alloy of logorrhea and masturbation.
11 - Sandra Smallson
Eric, go and read Tom Johnson's post. It is for "critics" like you. Though he did not mean it for you, I think those he refers to are made of the same ilk as your irresponsible self. I wish I was calling you irresponsible because you did not agree with me. Sadly, its worse than that. I am calling you irresponsible because it is my opinion that you are an irresponsible journalist for all the many reasons mentioned in that pitchfork media post. You suffer from all those issues.
I am sure if you are true to yourself, you will realise that my lack of respect for you as a music journalist clearly does not stem from the fact that we have different tastes in music. Let me assure you, that, that is not the case. Afterall, like you said, you like Madonna. You have even confessed to liking some of her sons, so what on earth are you on about tastes for? LOL. If it makes you sleep better at night to think that I call you irresponsible based on diff tastes, then sweet dreams darling. In the cold light of day, I call you all those things because from your articles I have read, that is how I see you.
I dont know why I am even bothering arguing with you about your abilities or lack there of as a journalist. It's not like you are a well known respected journalist anyway. It's not like you've reached the pinnacle of your profession. You are probably only regarded as a journalist on this site, in your household and the rare occassion when you get a shot at mainstream media publications. So really, your opinions lack bite on any level and you do not deserve or warrant teh attention I am giving you on this matter. This is clearly a waste of energy on both our parts. Why don't we just move on. We were getting along just fine, I thought..:)
12 - Sandra Smallson
typos..teh=the...sons=songs
13 - Eric Olsen
Keep digging Sandra, your pit of ignorance and foolishness looms ever higher over your head. You know nothing about me, my background, my accomplishments, or my status. You don't know what I do, what I have done, who I am, or apparently, much of anything at all.
14 - bhw
So why not leave Madonna alone and worry about how you can reinvent yourself as a respectable journalist.
Jesus. Not that Eric needs my help, but just what is the deal? You make this sort of personal attack because you disagree with his opinion of MADONNA? Like, could there be anything more ridiculous?
15 - Sandra Smallson
Eric: You know nothing about me, my background, my accomplishments, or my status. You don't know what I do, what I have done, who I am, or apparently, much of anything at all.
Sandra: And I am the better for it.
Hit a nerve didn't I? The man doth protest too much.
BHW, what is even more ridiculous is you jumping in here clearly misunderstanding the surrounding story of this spat. I am sorry if you find me ridiculous but that's what I think about Eric and have thought that about him for some time now. It's not news to him so I dont know what the current over reaction is about.
I am satisfied that Eric knows and I know that my feelins on his views on music matters do not rest solely on his opinions on Madonna. If you or anyone else want to believe that, or if Eric wants to believe that instead of searching within and seeing his faults thats up to him. We are all entitled to our opinions. He thinks I know nothing about anything, I think he is all I have said above and worse. What's the big deal?!
16 - Sandra Smallson
Bhw, atleast you should have done me the honour of being unpredictable:) Comment 10 by Eric is not a personal attack ? But you jump on my observation on his lack of ability as a personal attack? Please, spare me the misguided indignation. We've all been here before.
17 - Eric Olsen
Sandra, I have tried to be friendly with you and treat you as something other than a jabbering loon. I now see the error of my ways and have reinvented myself as someone who will not make the same mistake again.
18 - Sandra Smallson
My heart bleeds. Now, be courageous enough to take the 1st step towards reinventing yourself as a journalist of any kind infact.
19 - Al Barger
What Madonna really needs are SONGS. When was the last time she wrote a real song? I can't think of any since Dick Tracy.
One more big slut routine isn't going to help her. For one, she's already long since done that to death. Also, there's going to be diminishing returns on that stuff with age.
She and Britney got some publicity with their silly stage kiss, but so what? It was really more a source of MOCKERY than anything positive for either career- and deservedly so.
Did I mention that Madonna needs to write some SONGS if she's going to be, you know, a MUSICIAN? No amount of hype, no fancy costume changes, no lesbian schtick will cover for the fact that she hasn't written a real song in a dozen years.
20 - Mark Saleski
you talkin' about what she's written or what she's recorded?
there were some good songs on Ray of Light.
...don't know if she wrote 'em though.
21 - Al Barger
There was a SONG on Ray of Light? I guess I haven't listened to the whole thing, so maybe something slipped by me. The song or two I heard didn't sound like anything, but I can't say I listened real close.
22 - Mark Saleski
...can't wait till she comes out with her EC covers record: Imperial Bedroom.
23 - TDavid
Oh no, not the Madonna take again.
Every time Madonna comes up I'm drawn to the opinion that I haven't heard anything from her since the 80's that I really care for.
Unfortunately she doesn't believe in sharing much of her newer music with the legal online music streaming venues (Rhapsody, Napster, etc) and there's no way I'm not interested in dropping $10-15 on something from her. I mean, she was "OK" in the 80's, even had a few good songs, but fast forward to 2004 and I don't see her relevance any more except as playing her old stuff.
The Britney tonguing was interesting, though, but it didn't have much to do with music, nor was the song very good IMO.
Of course, in Madonna's defense, I can say the same about many other bands from this era, that are still clinging onto the 80's.
With that said, it's one thing to passionately stick up for an artist, but when someone starts telling a good writer he is nothing more than a hack when there are thousands of articles to factually disprove this theory, it does look like that person is a "jabbering loon" and I might add: a fan with an unhealthy obsession.
Wouldn't it be more polite to simply agree to disagree?
Now I will expect to be flamed.
24 - Sandra Smallson
There you've been found out Al Barger. You yourself carried away by the "hype" you so dislike:) Only for one to come to find that you, and I QUOTE " Can't say I listened real close":) to the ray of light Album. So, how can you confidently state that she has not written a song in 12 years? It's criticism like that, that causes people like me to respond. It's not in whether you like an Artist or not. It's baseless criticism which is so easy to spot such as yours.
Mark, she did co-write most of the songs on ROL.
I have no problem with most of Madonna's antics Al. I see some of them as all part of the show. The fact that she burned crosses in the Like a Prayer video did not make the song bad. The fact that she was kissing women in the Justify my love video, did not make the song bad. If she likes being provocative and pushing people's buttons then let her be. You don't have to like it. But to leap from there and say she hasn't written a song in 12 years really tarnishes your opinion and makes it not worth taking on board.
For me, some of the publics perception of Madonna always seems like the same problem Pete sampras had. Sampras in my opinion is the greatest tennis player ever. Some never thought so because they found him boring, he wasn't charismatic and they refuse to accept the completeness of his game because his serve was huge. They forgot that he had every shot in the book. They say he had no backhand. He had a backhand but compared to the rest of his arsenal it was a relative weakness but it was a good shot. He had a whole arsenal of shots but because his serve was huge, his critics often claimed he was all about the serve. You do not win 14 slams and remain number 1 for 6 yrs in a row if all you've got is a big serve.
Same thing with Madonna. She has written and co-written some pop classics that live on and WILL live on. She has remained at the top and/or thereabouts worldwide of her profession for 20 years. She has sold approximately 200 million albums. Her accomplishments are endless and she is no doubt an Icon. She has been in the biz for 20 years. You dont achieve that sort of longevity if all you do is play a big slut routine or lesbian antics. You and I know that Al.
Its been 20 years. If that was all she was good for, she wouldn't have lasted this long. But because she was a woman and rightly or wrongly thought that to be heard in this business and to stand her ground she had to elevate herself from the norm even if it meant doing things that would outrage the old boys club she did those things. What does she get for it? people like you who are unable to see beyond that and see that this is a musician who has longevity, has written and performed classic songs and is still experimental with her music contrary to what some of the press say.
I dont say she is the greatest singer or dancer or writer, etc etc. but to say that a woman who has been in this business for 20 years having written classic songs and performed them the world over and is known as the most succesful female artist ever is not a musician in your mind, or is only good for self-promotion or whatever nonsense Madonna critics always come up with for whatever warped reason, really beggars belief and belittles your mind. Nobody has to like anybody, but credit must be given to where credit is due. If Madonna were a man, there would be no one saying she has no talent. That's all I've got to say about that.
There's enough music in the world for us all. Appreciate the one you want to appreciate:)
25 - Sandra Smallson
Tdavid, am I not entitled to think that Eric is a hack? Must I think what YOU think? Must I like the articles you like? It always amazes me how you all are so blinded to your double standards. You say I call eric a hack because he disagrees with me. Yet Eric who a few days ago was two topics from calling me a genius has now decided I am a jabbering loon who knows nothing about anything BECAUSE I do not agree with him. oooh, great critic eric, you great critic u! This is clearly proof that you dont allow your personal feelings to cloud your judgment;) LOL..Puhleeze. I have asked him to read Tom Johnson's post on the pitchfork media people. That's the first step to healing himself. He is not the only one. Al I can't say I have listened closely but I have an opinion Barger may need to read it too. Everybody needs to read it.
You, Tdavid, have called me a fan with an unhealthy obssession because I think Eric is not worth a minute. Do you see the double standards here? lol..I doubt it. Agree to disagree? We long since did that and if you are so interested, look up other topics, you will see that I do not rate Erics opinions on many things. So this fantasy you all have to pin EVERYTHING on our disagreement about Madonna is really amusing.