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Madonna’s Sticky & Sweet Tour Rolls Into New York With Reworked Hits, Virtual Britney

10/7/08, 4:07 pm EST

Photo: LeSegretain/AFP/Getty

Madonna may have toyed with dominance and submission on this year’s Hard Candy, but there was no question who was carrying the cane at the first New York City date on her Sticky & Sweet Tour last night (the trek’s second stop in the States). Emerging on a throne to the thumpy sound of “Candy Shop,” the 50-year-old singer kicked off a tightly choreographed two-hour set designed to accentuate her physical and musical strength and flexibility.

(Check out photos from Madonna’s opening-night show here.)

Skipping rope during a section evoking the 1980s New York where she began her career, Madonna pranced on the DJ’s table during a beefier “Into the Groove” as colorful Keith Haring figures spelled out the lyrics on giant video screens. With some chunky power chords, “Borderline” became a Cheap Trick-style power-pop song, “Vogue” was mashed up with the funky brass of “4 Minutes” and “La Isla Bonita” morphed into a Gogol Bordello-esque hoe-down featuring fiddle and accordion.

“You know who’s not invited to my party? Sarah fucking Palin” Madonna shouted after a montage of images that included Oprah and Bono urged “Get up – it’s time – your life – your choice.” As expected, she did permit another embattled mother to share her spotlight briefly: during a punchy “Human Nature,” Britney Spears paced a stalled elevator in a video. When the song reached its final refrain of “I’m not your bitch” Spears spoke: “It’s Britney, bitch!” and the crowd erupted. Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and Pharrell also made virtual appearances.

The focus quickly returned to Madonna, of course, and her impossibly muscled body. Strutting down the set’s catwalk during a defiant “She’s Not Me,” tearing out guitar chords at the noisy conclusion of “Hung Up” or reinventing older hits like “Like a Prayer,” she made a solid argument for her continued durability as the Jumbotron showed off her sinewy arms and steely legs. (She rarely sounded winded, though she was singing live.) Unlike the Confessions tour, where her dancers and costumes stood out fantastically, Sticky & Sweet was all Madonna, all the time. It was her Candy Shop, after all, and when the lights came up after a spectacular clubland rendition of “Give It 2 Me,” “Holiday” came over the sound system, and fans danced their way to the exits.

Set List:

“Candy Shop”
“Beat Goes On”
“Human Nature”
“Vogue”
- “Die Another Day” (video interlude)
“Into the Groove”
“Heartbeat”
“Borderline”
“She’s Not Me”
“Music”
- “Rain” (video interlude)
“Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You”
“Spanish Lesson”
“Miles Away”
“La Isla Bonita”
“You Must Love Me”
“4 Minutes”
“Like a Prayer”
“Ray of Light”
“Hung Up”
“Give It 2 Me”

Related Stories:

Madonna Debuts Hard Candy With Justin Timberlake at New York Club Show

2005 Cover Story: How Madonna Got Her Groove Back

Madonna: The Rolling Stone Covers


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Comments

bob | 10/7/2008, 4:40 pm EST

I really hope that her tour fails and she goes back to England.

john | 10/7/2008, 4:52 pm EST

BOB her tour is a success,if you dont like her don’t go.Your not invited to her party

bobby blues | 10/7/2008, 4:55 pm EST

I hope she pisses off more people like bob.

Jay | 10/7/2008, 5:40 pm EST

I was at the concert and it was amazing! Madonna’s energy was mind blowing and the crowd loved every minute of it. It’s no wonder that Madonna is the Queen of Pop and forever will be.

Chaz | 10/7/2008, 5:51 pm EST

A Madonna tour failing ? How could it fail when it has sold more than a million tickets. Its a virtual sell out….Besides LA…
She rocked out….I agree SARAh FUC*ING Palin…Couldnt come to my party either :-)

joytower | 10/7/2008, 5:51 pm EST

for bob

Hey Bob | 10/7/2008, 5:57 pm EST

It hasnt happened for 25 years and it ain’t gonna happen now Im not even a fan of hers but damn if she keeps on keepin on

AG | 10/7/2008, 6:11 pm EST

hi I’m from Paris
i saw the show in Paris and it was just amazing
I’m happy to see that US fans seem to love it

Al Grore | 10/7/2008, 7:20 pm EST

Sarah is coming to my party… I’m cereal…

jenn520 | 10/7/2008, 7:23 pm EST

Bob, it’s never wise to bet against Madonna. You’d have better luck hoping for something else.

Dustin | 10/7/2008, 9:29 pm EST

Its bad luck to bet against Madonna…look at the fate of Janet, Whitney, Michael J, Mariah all of them bet against her and look at what happened to them

andy | 10/7/2008, 9:49 pm EST

WHAT DO YOU HAVE AGAINST MADONNA “BOB” SHE HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 80′S AND ISN’T GOING ANYWHERE THAT SHE DOESN’T WANT TO GO SO STOP YOUR HATRED FOR THE BEST FEMALE ENTERTAINER OF ALL TIME! ITS MADONNA!

geoff | 10/7/2008, 10:19 pm EST

who pays money to see this show? what a joke the only reason RS put this in the news section is to advance their liberal propaganda

Colb | 10/7/2008, 11:40 pm EST

Yeah, many of her shows have sold RIGHT out… Its impossible for her tour to fail. Its people who bet against madonna are just making madonna more successful, her tour all ready has almost done better then her Confessions tour, and its for sure going to do better…

Anonymous | 10/7/2008, 11:47 pm EST

Who gives a rat’s ass!!??

james | 10/8/2008, 12:19 am EST

madonnaforever

BOBing for APPLES | 10/8/2008, 2:13 am EST

We have to faceup Dustin you are right Janet made some comments about Madonna having no class and then later she mysteriously has wardrobe malfunction! Career in gutter, tour cancellations.

Mariah stated “I love Madonna in 80’s when she used to be popular?” Then years later her marriage falls apart she gets sacked from her record company!
Whitney actually respected Madonna and really admired her for being spunky!
Madonna will always be in the record books and people who hate her for some odd reason there will be thousands and thousands who will discover her and her legacy of Music!

robert | 10/8/2008, 5:33 pm EST

Isn’t she a little old to still be wearing hooker garb?

Roy | 10/8/2008, 6:14 pm EST

Madonna is a hypocrit. At the time she could have made a REAL statement against the wrongs and WAR in the world back in 2002, she pulled back her videoclip that adressed those issues. For the sole purpose of US album sales because it was unpopulair to question America at that time. Now she choses an easy target like Palin……like she did in the past with the church. Fuck you Madonna!

Gabi Hoopasteak | 10/8/2008, 7:00 pm EST

I heard Madonna’s hoo-hoo smells like onions.

Judy | 10/8/2008, 10:03 pm EST

All of you anti madonna losers should get off your high horse and get with the program. Madoona is an icon, very few people if any will ever get to her level. She’s smart, beautiful, talented and obviously more that you can handle. I suggest you lay dow and vote for McCain and the lovely Sarah ;) ahhh yup don’t u know!

Master Bates | 10/8/2008, 11:36 pm EST

What a disgusting pig this Madonna. Go away already. Nobody cares about your political views. Act your age whore. And as a last statement, I would like to tell Sarah Palin I would rather bang her than Madonna any day. Thank you.

john b | 10/9/2008, 1:30 am EST

Madonna has kids. She had to pull her video back in 2003 because her family was receiving death threats. This isn’t talked about much bet it is true. Yeah, Sara Palin is an easy target and Madonna might sound childish with her remarks, but don’t ever accuse her of being afraid of something.

albertonovo | 10/9/2008, 3:17 am EST

To all of you talking trash about Madonna, I have one question: If you hate her so much why are you reading about her? Much less taking the time to write about her. Get a life LOSERS. It’s not Madonna’s fault you guys don’t have a girlfriend to keep you occupied. You’re probably FAT and UGLY.

Moonie | 10/9/2008, 7:41 am EST

Cheap dimestore hooker…. yep

Marc | 10/9/2008, 8:52 am EST

Sarah Palin can come to my party…she’s a lot hotter than Madonna anyway.

Jackhole | 10/9/2008, 9:29 am EST

Who let the whores out? Woof, woof, woof, woof. Who let the whores out? Woof, woof, woof, woof.

Fat, Ugly, Old Bald Guy | 10/9/2008, 9:37 am EST

You know, I took viagra last night and after looking at some of those concert pics of Madonna, it just went limp. Even Madonna doesn’t make Viagra cure my erectile dysfunction.

Steve | 10/9/2008, 12:27 pm EST

oh my god…. people who are “hoping” her tour will fail… hahahahahah what a joke…. even a small town i think the first show sold out like lightning and for the record….. confessions tour was and is the most successful show in terms of women artists… and THIS show had beaten the best one before… so ya what retards…. just because you dont like her doesnt mean the rest of the world doesnt….

cac | 10/9/2008, 7:43 pm EST

when does she go on stage is it 9pm? is there an opening act?

cac | 10/9/2008, 7:43 pm EST

when does she go on stage is it 9pm? is there an opening act?

Debra | 10/10/2008, 1:02 am EST

Modobama what a over the hill joke. Join the ranks of the vile Sandra Bernhard. One very good thing that has come as a result of Sarah Palin’s candidacy is that she has made more women aware of what “feminists” are really about. “Feminism” is an ideology unto itself and is intolerant of anyone who doesn’t fit it. This “feminism” has done damage to our society.

East Coast Conservative | 10/10/2008, 2:54 am EST

Madonna kick ass! She wakes all of you haters up and makes you respond to her. She could care less if you like her or not. Madonna got your attention and she is laughing at all of your hateful comments and postings right now. Sarah is a joke and who cares if she is an easy target. No other touring artist will even touch the political subject. Please, keep on hating and she will keep going… and going… and going:) I was there for this show and thank GOD that Madonna challenges us all to remember that we live in the land of the free. Meaning freedom of expression and all of our other constitutional rights. Wake up world and stop being stupid by repeating the same mistakes!!! Thank you MADONNA for an amazing concert. It was truly inspirational!

fit Lad | 10/10/2008, 3:03 am EST

Seriously? Her body is insane for being 50. I’m a trainer and I have clients in their twenties wishing they had the discipline to get those results. Congrats M!

fit Lad | 10/10/2008, 3:03 am EST

Seriously? Her body is insane for being 50. I’m a trainer and I have clients in their twenties wishing they had the discipline to get those results. Congrats M!

fit Lad | 10/10/2008, 3:03 am EST

Seriously? Her body is insane for being 50. I’m a trainer and I have clients in their twenties wishing they had the discipline to get those results. Congrats M!

cnfetta | 10/10/2008, 12:16 pm EST

Where in the world do some of you people live in??? Why the hate? Good for her, and I hope she keeps on speaking her mind for another 50 years! Sarah Palin is not invited to my party either you betcha! This country has become so ass backwards, Madonna is hardly the reason, but a reminder that we are still in a free country. Unless of course you live in the bible belt…

cnfetta | 10/10/2008, 12:35 pm EST

And those “trashy” comments? She is a performing artist, not a bank teller. I suppose you should cover the kids eyes at the olympics too… Those trashy gymnists in their degrading tights. I can’t believe they show thaton TV. Honestly. You don’t have to go to her show, she won’t miss you. Maybe Sarah Palin is having a Tupperware party? It may be more your speed.

Cheesy Fry | 10/10/2008, 6:29 pm EST

Nobody likes anybody who speaks their mind. Nobody likes a person that has an opinion. They find it threatning. People would rather have everyone else rounded up like cattle. You choose who you choose because you are afraid what other people will think. Madonna does her homework, she reads, she anaylzes and comes up with her own conclusions. MOST people are afraid to think for themselves because a of a fear of man. They fear what others will think of them if their ideas are different. Whatever topic it might be. Political, religious, etc…you are being dictated by others. Most people allow their peers, collegues, and family and friends dictate their lives. A form of dictatorship disguised at friends who have your best interest at heart. COWARDS!

B in Miami | 10/10/2008, 9:36 pm EST

why all the haters?? Madonna is doing what she does best..stirring up the pot and most of all – entertaining people..Kudos and g-d bless ya Madonna and thnx for all the years!! People- enjoy – relax .

Tom Jackson | 10/10/2008, 11:09 pm EST

Right on M-girl! You look fantastic and I love your songs!!
Tom J
Great Northwest

Francesco Sinibaldi | 10/11/2008, 3:57 pm EST

I bring you my love.

Every moment
I try to remember
the light af
an hidden report,
when my memory
outshines, when
your love disappears….

Francesco Sinibaldi

rbonilla | 10/11/2008, 7:07 pm EST

haz ben……

Ma Donald | 10/12/2008, 5:30 pm EST

Funny how people just mention her body, the stage dancers, videos being played during her show……she was the one who brought the horrific glitz of Vegas to rock and roll which we see everywhere now. She’s somewhat talented but is basically just a singer. It’s always been style over substance x 100 with her. And the feminist bit, pfff, because YOU are in charge with exploiting yourself rather than an evil man, that makes you a feminist ? Spreading your cooter while being carried out on a throne to open the show…..um hm……very feminist ;)

will | 10/13/2008, 12:41 pm EST

Madonna cannot be a has been. She is an icon and no matter what she does from here on she will always be THE reference point others will be compared to. I never cared for her early music but love everything she has done since RAY of LIGHT. Her show ROCKS!! Saw it in Amsterdam.

madmilker | 10/13/2008, 5:12 pm EST

i ear tat Ringo Starr is gonna be the open’n act sing… “love tat peace”…..oops! “Love and Peace.” He has given all his fans (13) free tickets to the event.

madmilker | 10/13/2008, 5:17 pm EST

i ear tat Ringo Starr is gonna be the open’n act singing… peace!…..oops! “Love and Peace.” He has given all his fans (13) free tickets to the event.
:) no emails…..please!

YLB | 10/14/2008, 9:54 am EST

Madonna sucks.

Joshua | 10/14/2008, 11:56 am EST

Madonna is a legend and a true Icon, NO one works harder and NO one puts on a better show than Madonna. Some of you are just plain envious of her or why would you waste your time reading about her and attacking her when you clearly know nothing about her. I have leukemia and since 2002 Madonna has paid over $40,000 a year to keep me alive paying for chemo Madonna has given millions back each year since her 1st album arrived saving lives and never once has asked for anything in return, she does not use her gifts of millions to boost her career like most people who give do. Madonna is feeding thousands of people with cancer and AIDS providing medical care at her own expence and you envious haters attack her when there are many others out there who really can use the abuse.

Mike & Luc | 10/18/2008, 11:27 am EST

Tonight we will be gushing over the Diva of all Diva’s as Toronto welcomes Madonna back to our city with open arms. I may be a grandfather with white hair but we will jump up from our seats LFLR row 20 and dance until we exit.
When so many other things in life tend to disappoint Madonna is a ROCK !
This will be the music event of my life – BRILLIANT, STICKY & oh so SWEET !!!

Stephen | 10/25/2008, 11:00 am EST

Political views notwithstanding, Madonna is a remarkable women and much more intelligent than most people give her credit for. That being said, I’d give anything to spend an evening with her. That muscular, well-toned body represents a sexual animal of the highest order. I’m sure she would be an 11 on the 1 to 10 list.

Stella | 10/27/2008, 3:27 pm EST

We hope you fail bob

Stella | 10/27/2008, 3:28 pm EST

The show is amazing!!! BRAVO MADONNA

Nobody important | 10/28/2008, 10:33 am EST

Going to show in Houston as my final wish to see Madonna live. Disease may soon take me, but this ONE night belongs to me. Hate her if you wish, but those that enjoy her outnumber those that don’t. Guess you could go see Scarey Carey, Opps, mariah carey if that is more your speed. There are ALWAYS seats available at her concerts (because nobdoy wants to go) and if you buy nosebleed seats, you get moved down closer to stage because those seats are empty.

Wake up people. Thank madonna for making you think rather than smash her in the dirt to make yourself feel important.

C Figwood | 10/29/2008, 7:10 am EST

Madonna is the greatest mother, icon, singer, actor to be on this earth. She is a bitch but, when you want something in life you have to make it happen anyway you can. MADONNA much love to you and your family. FOREVER A FAN. SEE YOU IN HOUSTON.

just home | 10/31/2008, 4:07 am EST

I just saw her live in Vancouver, the show was good, dancing great, costumes great, but…. she lip syncs, she did sing a couple of songs ‘live’ but, the lip syncing on others was terribe!

mikala | 11/1/2008, 5:27 am EST

BOW DOWN TO THE QUEEN , MOTHERFUCKERS!

R G | 11/2/2008, 12:15 pm EST

I have never seen Madonna before last nights show in Oakland Ca. I will admit she puts on a great show, but the lip sync part of it turned me off. I can now say I have seen her live, but would not pay to see her again. I felt cheated !

stupid | 11/2/2008, 8:47 pm EST

hey stupid, madonna wasn’t lip syncing.

R G | 11/2/2008, 11:59 pm EST

I would call it a lip sync when the microphone she is holding drops down from her face towards her midsection aimed at the ground and the lyrics she is ‘ singing live ‘ keeps playing with no change in volume / clarity. What would you call that ?

She is a great performer, but a live show should have live singing.

John | 11/3/2008, 4:35 am EST

I don’t think she lip syncs. We were sitting pretty damn close to the stage and I was constantly checking if she indeed lip sync. What I realized was Madonna sangs parts of the song but also had two back up singers cover certain parts of the song. This is easy to mistake as lip syncing as everyone is probably focused on Madonna and not the back up singers in the back.

John | 11/3/2008, 4:46 am EST

Oakland… I was there at that same show! Where were you seated, RG?

ben | 11/3/2008, 7:23 pm EST

doesn’t lip sync? really? have you seen the leak of the tour on-line? put madonna sticky and sweet tour studio version 2008 in any browser and look at the results. saw the show, loved it too but she does lip sync, didn’t bother me. show was great.

Juan | 11/3/2008, 10:19 pm EST

of course there is lip syncing because it’s a pop concert there were strained notes during some of the more edgier parts of some songs where she sounde like crap. Who is going to deny it. Getting back to artistic integrity Madonna herself had said she is in the indusrty to stir up shit and provoke people. What do you think you are paying for? If you take away anything from her show is that she has a great zeal for life and you can’t pay a price for that kind of inspiration.

what were you watching | 11/19/2008, 8:49 am EST

Just saw the show in Detroit. OF COURSE she was lip syncing. There were times when the mic was at her waste and the song continued.

Not complaining, the show was fun, but get a life. She didn’t sing everything.

Tim | 11/22/2008, 12:21 am EST

She doesn’t lip sync. there are backing tracks to cover some of the vocals that she does not pretend she is singing live. Such as when two vocal phrases overlap. And Sometimes she has the backup singers cover these parts. But if you actually listen, you can hear the difference. She is singing live whenever she has the microphone up to her mouth. I just saw her last night and she sounded great but was obviously singing live or there wouldnt be any missed notes at all!

Rick | 11/24/2008, 3:38 pm EST

I’m going to the show in Atlanta tonight. The tickets say the show starts at 8 pm. Can someone tell me what time she has actually been coming out?

Mike | 11/24/2008, 4:28 pm EST

Rick…I think she comes out an hour late..

sexy and a queen | 12/2/2008, 2:31 pm EST

very TIRED ;;;;;;;;;; MADONNA YOUR TIRED ANOREXIC – SELFISH AND DOESNT GIVE TWO SHITS ABOUT HER FANS AND DOESNT KNOW HER OWN LYRICS AND YOUR RAPE YOU FANS W/ YOUR TIX PRICES- !

Madonna sucks | 12/7/2008, 11:12 am EST

I would not pay a dime to see that Bitch!!!

Donald | 12/9/2008, 9:39 am EST

It is true that she uses backdrop vocals and back-up singers, but next to that, she does lip-sync, as in pretending she’s singing when she’s not. I saw the show in Detroit and she was lip-syncing a lot, and it was obvious when she was. If there are people who think she is actually singing all the time she looks like it, you need a reality check. I think Madonna is awesome too, but she does fake singing and that’s just the way it is, no matter how much people don’t like it.

BLAH | 12/16/2008, 12:36 pm EST

Madonna Madonna Madonna. People say she is so great but please educate me as to how she is so great…masturbating on a show isn’t so great.

nev | 1/29/2009, 3:44 am EST

madonna is awesome and will always be…we all love her and always will..the tour was incredible..simply amazing.im sad that you anti madonna fans didnt get to feel the inspiration…perhaps you should learn to love.maybe then you would feel the Light…

nev | 1/29/2009, 3:46 am EST

BOB…Madonna will never fail.we all feel sorry for you but your wish aint ever gonna come true…

ty2phine | 3/4/2009, 12:27 pm EST

Madonna’s show was watchable. Her vocals were mainly lipped. yes Lipped. Madonna uses prerecorded LIVE sounding vocals. Meaning she goes into the studio records “LIVE/DIFFERENT” sounding vocals to deceive her audience. This show pales in comparison to the incredible energy and heat of the REINVENTION TOUR where she did orginal takes on INTO THE GROVE/HOLIDAY/VOGUE. This show was predictable, boring, and that damn guitar…please put it down.and just dance and sing.

Madonna’s stage show was also so-so, i’m saying why is Britney & beyonce’s show more flashy than Madonna. When Madonna is the ICON?

Not impressed with a 51 year old enough to be a grandmother wearing fishnets and tights on stage.

Madonna is borderline disgusting now.

mike / sydney | 6/5/2009, 11:31 am EST

Madonna always lip-syncs over sings over a backing track when she dances and runs around a lot on stage. She’s always done that. When she is out of breath the volume of the backing track goes up. Just watch all tour DVDs and notice when the soft backing vocals kick in. I don’t understand why anybody, doubt’s that. In this tour she’s dancing most of the time and the Hard Candy tracks are not really Madonnas natural way of singing. She mentioned that in the press when she talked about the recording sessions for the album. You can hear this very often when she sings deeper notes in the concert. If she would stand still, breath and concentrate better she would sound well, but then the show would be boring. It’s her stage energy that makes her successful. Just with her live voice she wouldn’t be able to win a karaoke contest. ;-) Love you Madonna, but this show sucks in terms of live singing. I want some quality versus to lot’s of heavy breathing and off-key tunes. Amen ///

Anonymous | 7/16/2009, 6:03 pm EST

Madonna is brilliant! I saw her at
Wachovia Center in Philadelphia and the lady danced, sang and rocked! Just think, if she ever got played on rock stations, rock radio would not be in the sorry shape that it is in today. That goes for Indie 103 in L.A.,
Arrow 94.7 and HFS in D.C., WNEW in New York and now WBCN IN Boston. I’m sorry but Madonna is not a Top 40 act to me-she’s way too good for that. And if the remaining AC, Rhythmic and the Remaining Top 40 stations stop playing her because she’s just a little controversial and provocative-it’s their loss! The truth is, Lady Madonna is not going away any time soon. Get used to her because her songs are brilliant Ciccone works of art.
RS scribes like Peter Travers,
Caryn Ganz, Rob Sheffield,
Brian Hiatt and myself will always and forever listen to Madonna because we love her and we care about this brilliant Lady Rocker!
All hail Madonna, Queen of the
Musical Universe!

Swept Away | 9/19/2009, 4:04 pm EST

I watch the DVD last month… It was too Jamie King and thank God the editing was not as bad as that so-called JonAss Aukerland film.

It was too much concept and marketing. It seem like the show was intended to attract new audiences. Some numbers were unbearable, and most of the single from Hard Candy were made for the show. Too much conceptualizing, but it failed to have a concrete theme. There was nothing Asian in the so called Asian rave segment and the Gypsy segment was a bit artificial. There was too much energy in that OLD SCHOOL segment, it wasnt Madonna, it was Jessica Simpson impersonating the goddess. The two Japanese dancers with the dreadlocks were so out of place and ridiculous! The Choereography had two much of that FROG style leg spreading, which is really not Madonna.

The good points of the show: Like a Prayer (the outfit and wig was bad though). Borderline was freshen up, Human Nature(loved it), She’s not me, she enjoyed that number and was very natural, but the look-alikes onstage, it was too cheesy and its something from Missy Elliot show, not that I ever saw a missy elliot show.

Madonna look younger than she did in the Drowned World tour and she was happy… and she connected with audience… she was a SALESwoman onstage. She has always been, but this time, she was selling cheap candy. Its was too much MARKETING AND CONCEPT, too Jamie or whoever had the vision.

If she got her ass in Asia, I wont give her this review.

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