Madonna wows star pals at Wembley

By Ruth Doherty on Friday 12 September 2008

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Marie Claire Celebrity News: Madonna

Madonna proved she’s still the reigning Queen of Pop as she put on a sizzling performance at Wembley last night – and celebrity guests included Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Fergie.

The 50-year-old only stayed at husband Guy Ritchie’s 40th birthday bash at The Punch Bowl for an hour the night before – and with her energy-packed performance, we can see why.

The mum-of-three strutted her stuff in a silk top hat, high-cut leotard, fishnet tights and knee-high leather boots; an outfit that proved her dedication to the gym – and the £6 million she spent on her own private workout world – really paid off.

The superstar’s performance at Wembley was part of her Sticky and Sweet world tour, which is hitting 37 venues in just under four months.

Thousands of fans turned up last night to watch their pop heroine in action – and the enthusiastic crowd was peppered with celebrity pals like Gwyneth Paltrow, The Black Eyed Peas’ Fergie, and Kate Hudson, who was, at times, left open-mouthed by Madonna’s on-stage athletic exploits.

Kate and Gwyneth, who enjoyed the show together, looked relaxed, giggly and laidback, and sported casual outfits that matched their mood.

Madonna herself was, obviously, more dressed-up diva, and rocked the stage in a Givenchy outfit in the opening sequence, called Pimp, as an homage to ‘1920s deco and modern-day gangsta pimp’.

The three remaining sections are called Old School – a tribute to her roots in the urban dance music of early 1980s New York – followed by Gypsy and Rave.
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Friday 12 September 2008

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Phew, it's going to take me a while to recover from this one.

As I took my seat for the Madonna gig at Wembley stadium you could could feel the excitement growing amongst the huge crowd and just knew that this was going to be something special. When the lights went down and Madonna took to the stage the noise from the crowd was deafening, the atmosphere electric.

The two-hour show saw Madonna perform songs from her latest album Hard Candy and many of her greatest hits, as well as indulging in eight costume changes. Her energetic routine would have put to shame artists half her age.

The amazing dance routines and visual effects added to what was an electrifying perfomance by the undisputed Queen of Pop. You wouldn't believe that Madonna recently turned 50, she had more energy than artists half her age! She danced continually throughout the two-hour set.

This concert was an amazing jaw-dropping experience, Madonna looked great, the crowd were amazing and I'm absolutely thrilled to have been there!!!!!!!

Comment by Rachel Doyle on September 12 11:51

I have to disagree with the sentiments in your article....It was RUBBISH! We couldn't see her let alone comment on costume changes. Having paid 300 pounds for two tickets, I felt it was just a complete rip-off. Absolutely no atmosphere. The people sitting next to us left after an hour. NEVER will I buy another ticket for Madonna. I regret wasting so much money on such a disaster of an evening.
Comment by Siobhan on September 12 12:37

Great concert, not as good as confessions but still an amazing show, how does this woman come up with so many ideas, and put them all together. Like a prayer was amazing overall a great experience and a great venue. We traveled from worcs and got back in less than 2 hours!
Would pay to go and see her again and again. A job well done!
Big up MADGE
Comment by lloyd burford on September 12 12:44

I was looking forward to this concert but and I have to say I was very disappointed, she started late and 2 hours was not long enough for the price of the tickets. The venue was far too large even a Diva like Madonna who couldn't fill it with atmosphere. The tube home was sombre with a lot of unsatisfied customers. Can we get our money back please?
Comment by Ruth Kirk on September 12 12:51

I take my hat off to Madonna in trems of how she looks and her amazing dancing etc. I don't agree with critics on other sites today who've bemoaned the fact that she didn't do traditional versions of the old favourites. Madonna has always evolved her style - it's one of the things that make her great - and I loved the interpretation of Borderline and the wonderful La Isal Bonita.
The huge disappointment was Wembley. Architecturally it's amazing but for a concert of this type, very poor. We were to the left of the stage in block 502, row 34 - about as high up as you can get. The sound quality was very, very poor. We were kept waiting outside for an over-running sound-check and I'd be interested to know whether they were just running late or realised the problems they had with sound in parts of the stadium. With many songs we couldn't identify for quite a while what we were listening too, there was feedback at times and the sound quality of Ray of Light in particular was truly awful. I know we were up in the gods - we expected Madonna to look like an ant - but in a new facility like Wembley we expected the sound quality to be excellent. It was far from. The screens at the side of the stage could have been bigger for those of us viewing from a distance.
I would love to know what Madonna herself thought of the night. I think the poor sound quality affected how engaged the people in my block got in the show - in terms of dancing etc. It never really got going that respect compared to other shows I've been to.
I'd definitely go to see Madonna again but sitting at Wembley, definitely not! Be interested to know if the sound was good for people standing?
Comment by Mary on September 12 13:11

I must have gone to a different concert - it was the worst concert I have been to and I've been a dedicated fan for years. The sound was terrible, the screens were too small and the lip sync was dreadful. I, along with many many others left early disappointed and wanting our money returned...
Comment by Mel on September 12 13:16

I do agree.
The show was amazing. Although i would have enjoyed it more if i was sitting bit closer. Madonna was about 2 inches tall from were I sat, and the big screens were a second late from the real time, so that annoyed me a lot! But yes, the powerful crowd (including me:) Did add a lot to the whole experience. I am definately buying standing tickets next time! I hope there will be a next time
Comment by Egle on September 12 14:03

I must have been at the wrong show!
Her Madgesty was due on stage at 8PM - she didn't show until after 9PM? We were left to entertain ourselves with Mexican waves but by the 5th even that wore thin. By 9:15PM when she showed, some people around us in the upper tiers had already left! The sound was diabolical! Her voice was muffled, odd words missed the mic and the accoustics were terrible! From our view, Madonna was 3mm high!Not worth £150 AT ALL!
For a couple hundred more I could have been sitting next to Gwyneth in the VIP area!
We left at 10:15PM after trying to guess the 4 songs that we had 'heard'
As part of the crowds on our way out, people were asking for our tickets to trade-up their seats - we refused as ours were hopeless to begin with!
Madonna? Prima donna!
Comment by Raj on September 12 14:06

My friends were disappointed! Said she was miming and that people were leaving 3/4 of the way through. They said the tickets were a waste of money!
It's funny how people can have such different perception!

Comment by Helena on September 12 14:42

There were only 2 people in front of me and then there was the stage...OK I was spoilt,so I have to disagree with you all...the sound ROCKED, the performance was unbeatable by any female performer and it was well worth the £200 for golden circle tickets. It was AMAZING..Madonna even smiled at me, as a life long fan it was just the best, it only took half an hour to get to the M1 by car after the show too.. sorry guys, but I had the BEST time!
Comment by Joanne on September 12 17:36

I was sitting on block 123. Show was stunning, audio was very good from where I was sitting, but the screens were definatly far too small!
Such theatrical type of show should be held in smaller arenas, NO big stadiums. This was definatly a money spinning tour, not a creative Madonna at her best!
I really hope she performs again at smaller venues, and be herself again! Your R'n'B and Rock chick does not suit you Madonna.
If I wanted to go and see a rock concert I'd have gone to see Guns and Roses!
Become yourself again Madonna!
Comment by mc on September 12 18:19

We had pitch standing and were not far from the stage, but even standing I couldn't see Madonna on stage I was watching the screens. The sound was fantastic so I am so sad to hear other people missed out on the sound. On other forums a lot of fans are slating Madonna for the poor sound and the trains stopping leaving thousands stranded, to be fare thats not Madonna's fault is it. I personally don't think I will go to another concert at Wembley, we were not really told anything about why the gates were so late opening, then when the doors opened the staff were holding fans back, even at times fans were being grabbed by staff. But apart from that I still am a huge fan of Madonna A FANTASTIC SHOW!
Comment by Sharon on September 12 18:47

I went to the concert, I was in the standing area and I loved it. The sound sounded fine to me and Gwyneth, Penelope, Fergie and Kate walked straight past me, made my night! Madonna was amazing!
Comment by Helen P on September 12 21:45

I was standing at £75 a ticket and although it was an amazing view I was closer than when I saw her at the Arena in Manchester for the Reinvention Tour - and I paid £100 for that seated ticket. I think the standing tickets are better as if you get there early enough you can get a good spot, as we did. I was pleased with the show and love the updated versions of the old classics - as a previous watched said, it's what makes her unique...constant change and challenging the status quo.... we've all heard the old classics a million times over in the original format, why not do something different. I was sorely disappointed in Wembley - both the security and the police assitance both during the gig and after was attrocious and it took us 5 hours to get from Wembley to Victoria. Will think twice about making the journey from North down South for a big gig again...am tempted to try Cardiff next time!
Comment by Genevieve on September 13 00:22

Amazing-Amazing Amazing! Great atmosphere at Wembley and only took no more than 15 minutes (if that) to get to the station after! The sound was great...went to Cardiff a few weeks ago also...show was still amazing there but atmosphere of crowd was diabolical.. everyone pushing really got quite violent at times...would not recommend Cardiff! Whereas London really know how to party!
Amazing! Can't stress how great it was! Also helps being right at the front!!she looks incredible!
Comment by ange on September 15 14:21

I'm glad some people had a good time. Around me people were leaving in droves after just a few songs, complaining to staff and generally not enjoying paying all that money to not be able to hear or see anything! It was a complete and utter rip off. I imagine 70% of the people at that concert will not bother going to see her again.
Comment by SSS on September 16 16:49

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