madonnalicious

Madonna Poked Fun At Redfoo's Weakness

Madonna poked fun at LMFAO star Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy during their Super Bowl rehearsals - because he struggled to lift the pop superstar.
The Sexy and I Know It hitmaker and bandmate Sky Blu joined Madonna onstage at the Super Bowl half-time show in Indianapolis earlier this month and their performance was flawless - but he admits he almost let the Material Girl down during one sequence.
He tells Rolling Stone, 'In rehearsal, she said, 'If you were working out more, you could life me a little easier'. Her biceps were way more cut up than mine. She was like, 'Get a jump rope!''

From contactmusic.com

Holy mackerel! Super Bowl show from the stands

Take a look at this video clip showing the fantastic video floor effects (that did not show up on TV) and running commentary from a very excited Dad (we think) and two 12 year olds watching Madonna live for the first time!

It is an interesting and funny way to watch the show - the effect during Like A Prayer when the football pitch seems to be pulled away to reveal a starry universe and the audience turn on their torches is wonderful!

Thanks to Anna-Clare and Rachel

Madonna Controlled Every Aspect of Nicki's Super Bowl Look

Madonna always has been - and always will be! - the H.B.I.C.
Before Nicki Minaj joined her onstage during Super Bowl XLVI on February 5, the 53-year-old Material Girl personally approved every aspect of the rapper's look.
'Madonna was the first person in history who was able to make me change my wig,' Minaj, 29, said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show Monday. 'I had some choices in terms of color, but...she has a way with words.'
'She knows how to word things so that you don't feel uncomfortable,' the hip-hop star explained. 'I went through four color changes on my wig for the Super Bowl. We got the platinum blonde and she smiled. Once she smiled, I was like, 'Thank you, Jesus!' I couldn't take it anymore.'
The 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' legend was also the first person to convince Minaj to try red lipstick. 'It's so funny because when I did it, I wound up loving it. I told her, 'I'm so glad I trusted you. You're amazing! You're the queen, and everybody has to bow down.''
'She knows what she wants,' Minaj said in defense of Madonna. 'When you see her vision, it's like, 'Oh, OK. Now I get it.'
To be included in such a monumental performance was life-changing for the rapper. 'Why would she include me in such a special moment? It's such a special moment for her,' Minaj said. 'I had to give my all.'

From www.usmagazine.com

Madonna Super Bowl Gig A 'No-Brainer' For Cee Lo

When Madonna calls, you answer.
The Queen of Pop rang up Cee Lo Green several months back about performing 'Like a Prayer' during the Super Bowl halftime show, and he didn't give it a second thought.
'I was asked - cordially invited - by Madonna to be a part of it and, of course, very eagerly obliged. So it was basically as simple as that,' he told MTV News late Monday about the eye-catching gig, which included a dazzling light show, loads of dancers and fellow guests LMFAO, Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.
'It was kind of like a no-brainer. Working with Madonna is a very simple process,' he added. 'She's a very hard worker, quite the perfectionist, and we worked awfully hard for that entire 12-minute performance to be as close to perfection as possible.'
With 100 million-plus viewers tuning in to the game and halftime show, it was no doubt the biggest audience Cee Lo and company had ever performed in front of. But everyone was so ready for anything that there was very little room for error or time to be nervous, Cee Lo told us.
'In our line of business and at this point of my career, I think I'm as prepared as you can be,' he said. 'I'm most certainly poised to be in that place, in this place. It's where we rehearsed, so well in advance, that it becomes a second nature.'
Cee Lo cited the professionalism of Madge and the entire crew for the performance going off without a hitch. 'The technicalities of it are just amazing,' he said. '[It was] such a large crew that really helped. Without their tenacity and their know-how, it could not be done. It would be impossible. So I must commend the entire crew. Technically it takes an entire team to make something like that a success.'
Fashion also played a big part in the performance. While Madonna was sporting looks by Givenchy, Cee Lo's black, sequined choir robe was a design all his own.
'They tease and they call me 'Reverend Green' and 'Preacher Green,' so I had a couple of those robes made just for fun,' he explained. 'I mean, you know me, I'm still the same, you know, known for my sense of style, so on and so forth. And when the nature of the performance was discussed and they were saying, 'We're gonna do 'Like a Prayer' and everyone will be in robes,' and they were looking for my measurements to see if they were going to have to make me one, and I was like, 'What do you mean? I have my own already!' So she was pretty touched by that. I brought a lot of myself.'

From MTV.com

Madonna was the real Super Bowl's Champion!

Let’s put aside our Patriots hangover and agree that something good came out of last night’s game: The big winner out of the Super Bowl was Madonna.
There was, after all, some sniggering before the game about how She Of The Cone Bras of Yore was going to comport herself on stage, at the ripe age of 53. We grant far more leeway to aging male rockers, mostly laugh when Steven Tyler gawks at 'American Idol' contestants who are young enough to be his granddaughters. We’re more skeptical when female stars - dancers and erstwhile sex symbols - want to keep doing what they’ve always done.
But in her halftime show, Madge didn’t comport herself like a relic trying to act 30 years younger than she is. She paid tribute to her oldies. (Yes, gulp, oldies. 'Open Your Heart' was released in 1986.) She presented some new material (not as good as 'Like a Prayer,' but that’s always the way). She danced precisely as well as she needed to. She looked like she was having a ball.
I’m already looking forward to Lady Gaga’s Super Bowl appearance in 2052. In the meantime, Madonna has shown younger fans where Gaga got her ideas; she’s the original model for the female pop star as brilliant master of self-invention. And, in her elder-stateswoman role, she’s sent a message on behalf of women everywhere. Aging gracefully can, when required, involve doing cartwheels.

From The Boston Globe / Joanna Weiss - thanks to Micheal

Stylist B. Akerlund Tells of Jaw Dropping Fashions of Super Bowl

For the second year in a row, the industry's leading style/costume designer, B. Akerlund, was responsible for the dynamic and outre half time show fashion viewers have come to expect from the biggest music performance of the year.
The wildly anticipated debut Super Bowl performance from the Queen of Pop was crafted with a Roman Empire thematic in which every element was infused with a gladiator vibe mixed with modern day elements from Rome. Madonna represented none other than the Queen herself and owned the stage with looks featuring Givenchy Haute Couture, boots by Miu Miu and earrings by Bulgari.
The fashion masterpiece took over three months to create in which Akerlund worked in lock step with the creative vision of Madonna who was involved in every detail down to each gladiator. Akerlund called upon the best and most forward thinking in the business to lend their creative genius, including Givenchy and Riccardo Tisci, who in addition to dozens of designers all over the world assisted in cultivating designs.
'This was by far the biggest challenge I have ever taken on in my career, and I could not be more honored to be a part of such an amazing and historical event,' says B. Akerlund. 'Nothing could ever come close to working with Madonna on this Super Bowl performance, her attention to detail and commitment to all of her projects is truly inspiring and life changing.'
The performance consisted of 500 outfits including head to toe looks for surprise guests LMFAO, Nicki Minaj, M.I.A. and Cee Lo Green as well as costumes for 100 drum line performers, 150 gladiators and 200 choir singers.
For additional information please visit www.bakerlund.com

From PR Newswire

PRNewsFoto/B. Akerlund

Madonna headlines Super Bowl halftime show

The NFL and a major television network are apologizing for another Super Bowl halftime show.
There was no wardrobe malfunction, nothing like that glimpse of Janet Jackson's nipple eight years ago that caused an uproar and a government scrutiny. Instead, it was an extended middle finger from British singer M.I.A. during Sunday night's performance of Madonna's new single, 'Give Me All Your Luvin.''
In front of some 110 million viewers on NBC and uncounted others online, she flipped the bird and appeared to sing, 'I don't give a (expletive)' at one point, though it was hard to hear her clearly.
The NFL and NBC wasted little time in responding.
'The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing and we apologize to our fans,' said Brian McCarthy, spokesman for the NFL, which produced Madonna's halftime show.
The risque moment came during the biggest TV event of the year. The screen briefly went blurred after M.I.A.'s gesture in what was a late attempt - by less than a second - to cut out the camera shot.
'The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show,' NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. 'Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers.'
Jackson's infamous oops during the 2004 halftime show raised a storm of controversy and put CBS in hot water with the Federal Communications Commission amid questions about the responsibility of TV networks to police their airwaves.
This year's game, in which the New York Giants beat the New England Patriots 21-17, is expected to challenge last year's record of being the most-watched U.S. TV event ever.
M.I.A. is best known for her 2007 hit 'Paper Planes,' a Grammy nominee for record of the year that memorably features a sample of the Clash song, 'Straight to Hell.' It was featured on the soundtrack to the movie 'Slumdog Millionaire.'
After the incident, McCarthy said that M.I.A. had not done anything similar during rehearsals and the league had no reason to believe she would pull something like that during the actual show.
Madonna had admittedly been nervous about her performance, hoping to position herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars with an opulent show and a sharp performance that mixed her new release with more familiar songs. She seemed like Roman royalty when muscle-bound men carried her extravagant throne across the football field to the stage for her opening song, 'Vogue.'
Guests Cee Lo, Nicki Minaj and dance rockers LMFAO also appeared with Madonna. The singing and dancing on 'Vogue' was smartly choreographed, as Madonna moved more deliberately - she is 53 - but still adroitly. She briefly appeared to stumble at one point while trying to make a step on the stage set, but recovered in time.
She let a tightrope walker make the more acrobatic moves during a performance of 'Music.'
Madonna carried gold pompons for a performance of her frothy new single. Twitter was alight with questions about the vocals being lip synched or augmented by tapes, particularly during this song.
The best guest was clearly Cee Lo, who joined Madonna for the final song, 'Like a Prayer.' They were joined by a robed chorus in the show's most soaring performance. With a puff of white smoke, Madonna disappeared down a trapdoor in the stage, and lights on the field spelled out 'World Peace.'
The performance was also carried live on SiriusXM Radio, giving Madonna the biggest single audience of her career. For all the elaborate choreography and flashy effects, the finger incident is the more likely headline from the event.

From AP Via Yahoo! News

Super Bowl backstage picture

Madonna's Facebook page published this great picture of Madonna and Guy Oseary (and several centurions) heading out to the field for the Super Bowl Halftime show.

Stars React to Madonna's Splashy Super Bowl Halftime Show

Madonna admitted to feeling nervous about her performance at the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show earlier this week, explaining, 'I have to put on the greatest show on earth in the middle of the greatest show on earth.'
Despite an uncomfortable-looking pair of boots and plenty of opportunities for wardrobe malfunctions, Madonna's performance went off without a hitch - although it did seem that she'd followed Elton John's advice to 'lip-sync good,' and M.I.A. flipped the bird in a totally nonchalant way that will probably generate a lot of FCC complaints.
The stars were amused, anyway, as a host of famous folks offered their opinions on Twitter during and immediately following the performance.

Kim Kardashian: Madonna is EVERYTHING! She looks soooo good!

Fred Durst: Wow. Great game. Madonna just took love performance to the NEXT level!!

Diddy: Madonna had the best Half-time performance of all time !! Everyone on that stage killed it! @nickiminaj @MIAuniverse @CeeLo

Neil Patrick Harris: I really dug the halftime show. Not sure how it looked on TV, but all the production and projections combined with Madonna rocking? Loved.

Giuliana Rancic: Thinking Madonna's boots were Givenchy. Trying to find out for sure. I need those!!! They were sick!!!

Kelly Ripa: We need to watch it again in slow mo. RT @ABTVHD: Totes! “@KellyRipa: Thank you MADONNA! #MDNA”

Sherri Shepherd: I think #Madonna is one of the few artists who thru the years has consistently been able to reinvent & keep herself relevant. Go 53 yr old

John Leguizamo: #madonna was cougarific

Snoop Dogg: Madonna killen the superbowl her show is soo fresh. Wowoowowowowowoowowowowowow!

Nash Overstreet: Whatever anyone says. That halftime was dope. Madonna has never been a "singer", but always a performer. That SHOW was crazy.

Sharon Osbourne: Madonna is back! She's the queen. Just sensational!

Paris Hilton: That was one of the best half time shows I've ever seen! Madonna was incredible!

Bethenny Frankel: Holy madonna balls. That was epic

Kelly Osbourne: Nothing I have watching musically has made my heart pump with so much joy then Madonna's performance #thesuperbowl f**king amazing!

Rainn Wilson: I wonder how much Madonna can bench?

Garry Shandling: Is this Madonna? Help me.

From www.zimbio.com

Press Pictures: Super Bowl Halftime Show

Here are a selection of some of the press pictures taken last night during Madonna's spectacular Super Bowl Halftime performance.

These images will be seen all over newspapers and magazines worldwide within the next few days - so please share any scans of them (especially US press) with us at madonnalicious@gmail.com

Pictures from AP / Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Madonna dazzles in Super Bowl half-time show

Madonna dazzled the Super Bowl crowd with an high-octane half-time show that started with an army of Roman gladiators and ended with plea for world peace written in lights.
The glittering 12-minute performance at Lucas Oil Stadium featuring several guest stars had legions of fans racing to Twitter to give their thumbs-up, with some going so far as to declare it one of the best in Super Bowl history.
'Now THAT was a halftime show!' said @michaelsette7 of Toronto in a typical tweet of approval. 'All hail the queen. Bow down everyone, bow down!'
Entertainment Weekly critic Ken Tucker agreed, calling Madonna's performance 'joyous, unironic, open-hearted ... She was both in full command and full of generosity towards her massive audience.'
With a new album titled 'MDNA' out March 26, the 53-year-old Madonna teamed up with choreographer Jamie King and Canada's Cirque du Soleil for the most-watched musical interlude of any major sporting event in the world.
Her challenge was to redeem last year's dismal showing by the Black Eyed Peas, whose futuristic performance failed to impress spectators already put out by Christina Aguilera botching the lyrics of the US national anthem.
With muscular spear-wielding gladiators in gold marching onto the field, Madonna - styling herself as a Roman empress with a diamond-studded crown and kinky thigh-high boots - kicked off the show with her 1990 dance hit 'Vogue.'
She then shifted into hip-hop mode, bringing out breakdancers - and an impressive tight-rope walker - for 'Music' from 2000, accompanied by electro duo LMFAO who sampled their 2011 hit 'Sexy and I Know It.'
Rap queen Nicki Minaj and irreverent M.I.A. then joined Madonna for the just-released 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' set to a 'Glee'-like cheerleader theme, complete with golden pom-poms and marching band.
In a blink-and-you'll-miss-it moment, M.I.A. - real name, Mathangi 'Maya' Arulpragasam - flipped a middle finger to the camera while singing a four-letter word that is part of 'Luvin''s original lyrics.
The image on the screen then scrambled just as briefly, suggesting that NBC television - the official broadcaster of this year's Super Bowl was caught off-guard.
'We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during halftime,' NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. 'It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late.'
For the finale, Madonna rolled out her 1989 hit 'Like A Prayer' with crooner Cee Lo Green, a black-robed gospel choir and the stadium illuminated with thousands of tiny lights, concluding with the words 'world peace' set against the darkness of the field - and Madonna disappearing in a puff of smoke.
Half-time at the Super Bowl has been one of the most coveted gigs in American pop music since the late Michael Jackson performed with a 3,500-child choir in 1993, but hit a bump with his sister Janet Jackson's infamous 'wardrobe malfunction' in 2004.
'This is a Midwestern girl's dream to be performing at the half-time show,' said Madonna, a Michigan native, prior to Sunday's show.

From AFP Via Yahoo! News

Video: Crowd-shot footage from the Super Bowl

This report from last nights Super Bowl features some crowd-shot video of the performance which gives a different view of the stage. Click on the image below to watch.

From AP Via Yahoo! News

Madonna in Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci

The House of Givenchy is pleased to announce that Riccardo Tisci designed all costumes worn by Madonna during her half time performance at the Superbowl on February 5th, 2012 in Indianapolis.
Performing at the Superbowl for the first time, Madonna has chosen Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci for her unique performance.
Designed as part of the spectacle, all costumes were changed on stage, from an all over hand-embroidered gold cape that served as the performance's opener, to the unveiling of a black mini dress worn with its hand-studded belt and an embellished black coat that completed the three costumes set: Madonna's legendary music met Riccardo Tisci's codes in what seemed to be the most perfect way.
Channeling Riccardo Tisci's work for Givenchy in the past years, the designs for Madonna's Superbowl performance incorporate signature references such as bold leopard print, three-dimensional embellishments, graphic placements and evocative cuts.
Riccardo Tisci stated: 'Following my collaboration with Madonna on her last tour three years ago, it is a great honor for me to be a part of yet another historical and iconic moment. People say everything has a limit, but limits do not exist with Madonna. I am so happy that, after being busy in other scenes, she decided to go back on a music stage. Not only to bring us Music, but also to make such a statement of Performance and Fashion.'
Wearing Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci, Madonna performed a 12 minutes set including some of her greatest hits ('Vogue', 'Music', 'Like A Prayer') and her brand new single ('Give me all your luvin'' featuring Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.) for the first time.

DESCRIPTIONS:

Gold cape all over hand-embroidered with gold metal cut out pieces, studs, crystals, sequins and paillettes, lined in leopard-print chiffon.

Black mini dress in silk cady, worn with leopard print short cape in silk charmeuse hand-embroidered with gold metal cut out pieces, studs, crystals, sequins and paillettes and a black python hand-studded and hand-embroidered belt with its removable matching flaps.

Black coat in silk cady hand-embroidered with shiny black rectangular sequins and micro pearls.

Gold metal hat hand-embroidered with crystals.

All worn with hand embroidered nappa leather gloves.

Madonna takes the Super Bowl!

Vogue, Music, Give Me All Your Luvin', Like A Prayer and a little bit of Open Your Heart and Express Yourself thrown in for fun!

What a show, I wonder if schoolgirl cheerleader Madonna ever imagined she would be cheerleading the halftime show at the Super Bowl?

Why Madonna Isn't Getting Paid For Her Super Bowl Gig

Madonna released the song 'Material Girl' in 1985, and she’s spent the intervening time proving the moniker true. She earned $58 million in 2010 and grossed $280 million on her last tour, averaging $6 million in nightly ticket sales.
But when Madonna performs her Super Bowl XVLI halftime set, she won’t be earning a penny. Why? Same reason the Black Eyed Peas didn’t get paid for theirs last year—halftime show acts perform for free.
'Typically, the entertainers for the Super Bowl do not get a cash payment,' explains Marc Ganis, president of the consultancy Sportscorp Ltd. 'This is the kind of exposure that entertainers would give their right arm for...they could do 20 Leno and Letterman appearances and still not reach that [kind of] audience..
Indeed, Madonna has plenty to gain from doing the show for free. Her new album, MDNA, is scheduled for release in March; she is expected perform its first single, 'Give Me All Your Luvin’,' at the Super Bowl with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. The film W.E., which the singer produced and directed, opens in the U.S. this week. And, to top it all off, Madonna will announce dates for her upcoming world tour after the game.
'No other vehicle provides a platform to entertain the nation on a day they want to be entertained,' says Paul Swangard, managing director of the University of Oregon’s Warsaw Sports Marketing Center. 'Sunday we’ll be reminded that before there was Gaga there was Madonna. It is clear the Material Girl still wants a piece of the action.'
So how much is that action worth? Considering that the halftime show is essentially a nationwide advertisement for Madonna’s various ventures, let’s evaluate it in the context of what companies pay for commercial time during the game. Volkswagen recently paid $3.5 million for a 30-second spot, a new record. By that math, Madonna’s 12 minutes are worth $84 million.
There are other perks. Though Madonna and other halftime acts don’t receive a performance fee, they receive plenty of goodies on top of the free advertising. They don’t have to pay for backup dancers, pyrotechnics, load-in, load-out, etc—expenses that can add up to $5-$10 million for a show like Madonna’s. They also receive free transportation and accommodation for their entourages.
Given all these benefits, playing the Super Bowl halftime show for free is more than worth the trouble. In fact, it’s incredibly lucrative–and such a good deal for artists that some suspect a major change might be on the horizon.
'They get so much out of it,' says Ganis. 'Frankly, it wouldn’t shock me if, some day, the entertainers end up paying the NFL.'

From Forbes.com

Super Bowl song and performance spoilers

This report from Madonna's rehearsals for the Super Bowl were published online at IndyStar.com - only read on if you want to be spoiled!

Madonna prepped four songs during a five-hour rehearsal Wednesday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, according to sources involved in the production of Sunday’s Super Bowl halftime show.
Madonna worked on renditions of 'Vogue,' 'Music,' new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' and 'Like a Prayer.'
During the opening segment of 'Vogue,' the international star sat in a golden throne and was carried aloft by a crew of young men.
Two previously unconfirmed guest acts, Cee-Lo Green and pop duo LMFAO, participated in Wednesday's rehearsal.
LMFAO's Redfoo and Sky Blu folded lyrics from their songs 'Party Rock Anthem' and 'Sexy and I Know It' into Madonna's 2000 hit 'Music.'
Green donned a bejeweled choir robe when joining Madonna for a duet of 'Like a Prayer.'
The rehearsal, originally scheduled as a four-hour session, stretched to five hours of work. At its conclusion, Madonna thanked members of the volunteer crew for staying late.
In a television interview scheduled to air today, Madonna says she’s anxious about taking center stage in Indianapolis.
'Oh, my God, I’m so nervous, you have no idea,' she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
'First of all, it’s the Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is kind of like the holiest of holy in America. I’m going to come in halfway between the church experience, and I’m going to have to deliver a sermon that’s going to have to be very impactful.'

Press Pictures: Super Bowl Press Conference

Madonna is pictured below at the Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show Press Conference that took place yesterday afternoon.

Pictures from AFP / AP / Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Madonna: Super Bowl show a 'dream' come true

Pop superstar Madonna said it was a dream come true to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday and conceded she was feeling pressure at the idea of singing in front of the huge live television audience.
Last year's Super Bowl attracted 111 million U.S. viewers - the largest for a single TV broadcast in the United States.
'This is a Midwesterner girl's dream to be performing at the Super Bowl halftime show,' said Madonna, who was born in Bay City, Michigan.
'In over 25 years of performing that I've done, I have never worked so hard or been so scrupulous or detail-oriented or freaked out as much as I have...trying to make the most major show at this Super Bowl,' she added.
Asked if she felt the pressure of the massive audience, Madonna, who has performed at stadiums around the world on her global tours, replied simply 'Yes, I do.'
Madonna, whose biggest global live TV performance was likely Live Aid in 1985, said she would sing three "old songs" and her new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' during the show.
The 53-year-old Material Girl said she would dedicate her performance to her father.
'I was raised in the Midwest, and he is the personification of Midwestern values, he gave me the work ethic that I have, so if I am a hardworking girl who never stops it's because of him.'
'Also, I am sure of all the things I have ever done in my life this will be the thing he is most excited about,' she said.
The halftime show has increasingly featured high-profile pop acts, a far cry from the first Super Bowl in 1967 when college marching bands entertained the crowd.<
Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, U2, Prince, Bruce Springsteen, The Black Eyed Peas and Janet Jackson are among recent performers.
Jackson's appearance in 2004 was the most controversial as she made headlines worldwide with her infamous 'wardrobe malfunction.' Justin Timberlake, who was performing with Jackson, grabbed her costume and tugged at it, exposing her breast's nipple to millions of TV viewers.
Madonna said all efforts had been made to ensure there would not be a similar episode in her show.
'Great attention to detail has been paid to my wardrobe, there will be no wardrobe malfunction - I promise,' she said.
Asked which quarterback she would choose if both called her for a date on Saturday night, the entertainer picked the New York Giants' Eli Manning over the New England Patriots' Tom Brady. Why Eli? Because of the New York connection, she said.
A question about Victor Cruz, the salsa-dancing wide receiver from the New York Giants, got her doing some salsa moves for reporters who packed the room. "He's inspired me," she said.

From Reuters Via Yahoo! News

One new, three old for the Super Bowl!

Madonna confirmed at the Super Bowl Halftime Show press conference today that she will be performing one new song and three old ones.

She also joined one of the presenters of the NFL Network on the sofa to chat about her cheerleading past - including how she loved the quarterback, but he didn't love her and how she wants Lourdes to go to the University of Michigan.

Super Bowl Press Conference

Madonna is currently giving a press conference about her Super Bowl Halftime show performance - you can view it live on the NFL Network or at www.zonein.tv/3165130

2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show Teaser Advert

Here is the second teaser advert for Madonna's halftime Super Bowl show this coming Sunday. The clip features footage from the Sticky and Sweet tour.

Minaj, M.I.A. and LMFAO to join Madonna in Super Bowl show

The biggest game of the year for American football, the Super Bowl, which booked Madonna to perform a 12-minute set during the halftime show this Sunday, February 5, is making room for special guests, adding to the anticipation for her mini-concert.
Nicki Minaj referred to her participation on the new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin'' via Twitter, saying 'Super Bowl rehearsals w/the Queen ;)' and adding, 'Epic, of course.'
Electro pop singer M.I.A. will join the singers as she did on Madonna's forthcoming album, MDNA. The dance duo LMFAO will also play on the stage with Madonna.
Other songs rumored to be on the singer's set list include 'Ray of Light,' 'Vogue,' 'Music,' and 'Holiday,' according to the New York Daily News, after a supposed leak on a Wikipedia entry, though her management has not confirmed the list.
These hits were also alluded to in the National Football League (NFL) magazine, which wrote, 'Though Madonna's set list was not officially announced at press time, fans might expect her to give all her luvvin', provide a ray of light and be in vogue with her music.'
The Los Angeles Times wrote that Madonna described the pressure of the performance as '12 minutes to put on the greatest show on Earth.' She joins other previous Super Bowl halftime acts including Prince, The Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and U2.
The football game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, features the New York Giants and New England Patriots. The telecast was viewed by an estimated 106 million television in 2011 and is expected to repeat if not surpass this viewership.

From AFP Relax News Via Yahoo! News

Madonna's 'Brutal' Super Bowl Rehearsals

Madonna is holding 'brutal' rehearsals for her Super Bowl show.
The star is to perform her new single 'Give Me all Your Luvin' live for the first time at the NFL Super Bowl XLVI Half Time Show on Sunday, and has been putting Nicki Minaj and M.I.A. - who appear on the track - through their paces in preparation.
A source told The Sun newspaper: 'Madonna has been brutal in rehearsals. Although they've been having a laugh, they've been doing up to 12 hours in a New York studio.'
'She's saying they can sleep after the Super Bowl. She's involved in every aspect of the show, including Nicki and M.I.A's outfits.'
'Nicki has been telling pals it's the most gruelling thing she has ever done and wouldn't expect anything else, calling it an 'epic learning experience'.'
Despite the gruelling rehearsals, M.I.A is looking forward to appearing on the show, one of the most watched programmes of the year in the US.
She told BBC Radio 1: 'I've never been to the Super Bowl, so it's my first time. I'm going to be performing with Madonna and Nicki Minaj. If you're gonna go to the Super Bowl, you might as well go there with America's biggest female icons.'

From contactmusic.com

Sneak Peek at Super Bowl Stage

TMZ.com have published 22 pictures taken of Madonna's Super Bowl stage over the weekend in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, while crew were testing stage lighting for the show. The word Vogue is featured lit up on the floor panels!

Thanks to Vickster

Madonna to perform with LMFAO at Super Bowl

will.i.am has confirmed that LMFAO will duet with Madonna during next month's Super Bowl.
The Black Eyed Peas rapper, who signed the duo to his will.i.am Music Group label, revealed that he will attend the event to watch his act.
Talking to Capital FM, will.i.am said: 'I'm going to the Super Bowl this year to see my group LMFAO perform with Madonna.'
'Check that out, will.i.am Music Group is pretty freaking two for two. One year the Super Bowl the next year another group part of the Super Bowl in collaboration with Madonna. That's still happening.'
Madonna is still to reveal details about her set, but it is expected that Nicki Minaj and MIA will join her on stage to perform her new single 'Give Me All Your Luvin''.
It has also been rumoured that Cee Lo Green will join the iconic popstar on stage to perform alternative versions of some of her most famous hits.

From Digital Spy

What can we expect from Madonna's Super Bowl performance?

Madonna may be 27 years removed from her first No. 1 hit, but something about her Super Bowl halftime show will be brand new: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and MTV-era icon will sing on an Indianapolis stage for the first time.
Eight Madonna tours, from 'The Virgin Tour' in 1985 to 'The Sticky & Sweet Tour' in 2008, have bypassed Indianapolis.
It took the Super Bowl - a sporting phenomenon that's never been presented in New York (at least it won't be until 2014), Chicago or Las Vegas - to bring the Material Girl to the Circle City.
What's in it for her?
The football game is expected to attract more than 100 million TV viewers in the United States, giving Madonna a massive and captive audience for marketing purposes.
Her most recent album, 2008's 'Hard Candy,' yielded one Top 10 single, '4 Minutes,' and two songs that fell short of the Top 40.
New Madonna music, a single titled 'Give Me All Your Love' featuring guests Nicki Minaj and M.I.A., will be released in February, while rumors of a 2012 world tour populate the Internet.
The Super Bowl could even boost 'W.E.,' Madonna's latest effort as a film director. The romantic drama arrives in theaters Feb. 3, two days before the big game.
'What a launching pad,' said Steve Gerardi, owner of Indianapolis-based concert promotion company SG Entertainment. 'It's great exposure. Look at the cost of a 30-second ad, which is more than $2 million. You can't beat that in valued exposure.'
A Super Bowl halftime show typically lasts 12 minutes.
For the NFL and NBC, the network carrying Super Bowl XLVI, Madonna's appearance may attract viewers who otherwise wouldn't check out the telecast.
'People are going to watch the game, period,' Gerardi said. 'I think the NFL is going to get a big 'wow' out of this show. It's another great decoration and the icing of the cake.'
Professional critics and amateur social-media pundits gave low marks to the Who's heritage rock at Super Bowl XLIV and the Black Eyed Peas' modern pop at Super Bowl XLV, leaving the NFL with a two-year skid of absent 'wow.'
Nikki Reed, an on-air personality at Top 40 radio station WZPL-FM (99.5), said she isn't sure Madonna can snap the streak.
'I'm bored with the idea of Madonna,' Reed said. 'It's been awhile since she has been this huge figure. I hope that I'm wrong, and I hope that she kills it. That would be an incredible thing for her career.'
At the office of the Super Bowl Host Committee, news of Madonna's halftime booking arrived Sunday night with the public announcement made on NBC.
Spokeswoman Dianna Boyce said the host committee has no role in selecting the halftime artist (or the yet-to-be-announced performer of 'The Star-Spangled Banner').
'For the host committee, it's really just the next stop in building the level of excitement toward game day,' Boyce said of the halftime announcement. 'It's all about the fever and fervor and the level of fan enthusiasm.'
Madonna sounded genuinely fired up on Sunday night, when showbiz TV show 'Extra' asked her about the Super Bowl gig.
'It's a huge deal,' said Madonna, attending a New York screening of 'W.E.' 'To be as exciting as the football game is a huge challenge. And to get your stage set up in eight minutes, another huge challenge.'
In 2004, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson were singing one of Timberlake's hits, 'Rock Your Body,' when he grabbed Jackson's bustier and pulled away the material that covered her right breast.
A split-second of nudity resulted in a $550,000 indecency fine for CBS.
In subsequent years, acts selected to play halftime have skewed decidedly older than Timberlake (23 at the time), Britney Spears (19 at Super Bowl XXXV) and Christina Aguilera (19 at Super Bowl XXXIV).
Prince was 48 when he played Super Bowl XLI. Subtract last year's appearance by the Black Eyed Peas, and Prince is the youngest performer in a post-'wardrobe malfunction' parade of Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and the Who.
For the record, Madonna will be 53 when she takes the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But does middle age guarantee a squeaky-clean show? If that's the NFL's logic, radio personality Reed offered this zinger:
'If they're old enough that it's going to take 10 minutes to take off their pants on live TV, we're safe to go with that,' Reed said.
Gerardi said it's unlikely that Madonna's performance will be hailed as a universal smash, but it's already making headlines.
'It's impossible to please everybody. I'm sure a lot of people will say, 'Why didn't they get Taylor Swift or the Foo Fighters or Jay-Z?' But Madonna is an American icon.'

By David Lindquist / INDYSTAR.com - thanks to Brad

Moment Factory to create multimedia for Madonna's Super Bowl

Canadian new media and entertainment studio Moment Factory announced their collaboration with Madonna and Cirque du Soleil during her live performance at Super Bowl XLVI on February 5th, 2012.
Moment Factory is world-renowned for its use of technology and art to develop remarkable experiences that draw audiences to live performances, special events, brand activations, museums, interior commercial spaces and urban landscapes.
Moment Factory's team of artistic technologists, together with Madonna's team, will create a spectacular multimedia display for the Bridgestone 46th Super Bowl Halftime Show, an NFL Network Production set to air on NBC February 5th, 2012.
'We are extremely excited to be working with someone as creative, talented and visionary as Madonna,' said Sakchin Besette, Partner and Creative Director, Moment Factory. 'Our team is comprised of artists whose expertise ranges from software development to motion design and all of us are absolutely delighted to be working with an artist whose creativity continues to astound us. Moment Factory always looks to engage audiences with something they have never seen before, and we are certain that this show will thrill spectators.'
Moment Factory is renowned for creating extraordinary, immersive and often interactive visual installations for the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Tiesto, Cirque du Soleil and Celine Dion's return to Las Vegas. Moment Factory was a key partner in the production ofArcade Fire's live performance at the Coachella Music Festival, for which they orchestrated the acclaimed 'LED balloon drop' alongside Chris Milk in Indio, California.
'Moment Factory is always delighted to work with our close friends at Cirque du Soleil. Moment Factory and Cirque have cooperated on many successful projects and truly enjoy working together,' said Eric Fournier, Partner and Executive Producer, Moment Factory. 'This is the first time we will be working with Madonna, Jamie King and the NFL and we are very excited to create the best entertainment for millions of fans who will be watching live and via broadcast.'
Moment Factory is a group of diversely creative minds that have come together to up the ante in technology and entertainment. Their most recent work will debut during the Bridgestone 46th Super Bowl Halftime Show, an NFL Network Production set to air on NBC February 5th, 2012.

From Moment Factory

Madonna to sing at Super Bowl

Madonna, a multi Grammy Award-winning Universal Records recording artist, will perform in the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show on NBC on Sunday, Feb. 5, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, the NFL and NBC announced at halftime of Sunday night's game between the New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions. Madonna's performance will be imagined by Cirque Du Soleil and Jamie King.
The Bridgestone Super Bowl halftime show is the most-watched musical event of the year. More than 162 million viewers in the U.S. watched last year's show. The Super Bowl and halftime show will be broadcast worldwide.
Madonna joins an esteemed list of recent halftime acts that includes The Black Eyed Peas, The Who, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Prince, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and U2.
A world class entertainer, singer, songwriter, producer, director, and video visionary, Madonna has sold more than 300 million records in the course of her three-decade career as The Material Girl. She is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Her last tour was the most successful tour by a solo artist in history. Madonna is currently in the recording studio working on a new album scheduled to be released next year. Her new film W.E., which she directed, wrote and produced, is opening in a limited one-week release Dec. 9 in Los Angeles and will open nationally on Feb. 3, two days prior to Super Bowl XLVI.
Madonna has partnered with a creative team from Cirque du Soleil, Jamie King, and multimedia artists from Moment Factory, to create a signature performance for the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show.

From NFL.com

Madonna to play Olympics gig in Hyde Park?

Madonna is to play a huge concert in London next year to coincide with the 2012 Olympics.
The 53-year-old singer will perform to 60,000 fans in Hyde Park next July when the UK capital will host the prestigious sporting event.
A source close to the singer, who recently took a break from music to direct new movie W.E, told The Sun newspaper: 'Madonna is planning a huge comeback and was determined to do it at Hyde Park while the Olympics are on.'
'She's been out of the limelight musically for a while but is ready to jump back into the saddle and thinks there's no better time to do it than when London hosts the Olympics.'

From thisislondon.co.uk - thanks to Brian

Roseland Pictures

madonnalicious reader Jared wants to share some of the pictures he took at Madonna's Roseland show last month - to view more visit his blog at blog.myspace.com/boy_toy

Madonna's swearing gets four complaints!

An expletive-laden performance by Madonna on live television and radio on Saturday has attracted just four complaints to the BBC from the public.
The popstar said 'f*ck' twice during her set at the Radio 1 Big Weekend gig on Saturday, which was broadcast live on BBC3, BBC HD and Radio 1.
During the performance at about 9.35pm on Saturday, she introduced her song Hung Up by holding up a cane and saying, according to a Sun report today: 'You guys are going to have to start f*cking it up out there 'cos I need to feel some love. I'm going to do an old song. But not too old. F*ck the present. Let's live in the past.'
After her performance, the presenter Zane Low apologised: 'An incredible performance....that said, a quick apology for those people who might have found the content offensive.'
A BBC spokeswoman today declined to issue a further apology for Madonna's language on Saturday.
'There was a very strong warning given at the beginning of the show. It was post watershed and at the end of the show Zane Lowe apologised if any offence had been caused,' she added.

From guardian.co.uk

Madonna makes her live UK return

Madonna has played her first UK show of the year, closing the opening night of Radio 1's Big Weekend.
Dressed all in black, the Queen of Pop performed a 40 minute set at Mote Park in Maidstone, pleasing fans with number one single 4 Minutes.
She also played a number of songs from her recent studio album Hard Candy, including Candy Shop and Miles Away.
The show came as part of a trio of live performances to launch the album, the other two being in New York and Paris.
Later in the set, Madonna reworked Hung Up for electric guitar, ending the song with a wall of noise. The show ended with another single, Music.
However, the singer didn't play any of her well known hits from the 80s and 90s.
Speaking to Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley before her performance, Madonna explained why she wanted to play the songs she picked.
She said: 'Obviously, I want to do new stuff because I’m very excited about it.'
'I feel that’s what people come to hear but I also want to do a few of my oldies but goodies.'
'I chose Hung Up because that was the biggest hit from my last record and I chose Music because it’s a crowd pleaser, it’s anthemic and it brings people together.'
The tent was full to capacity for the show. Extra monitors played the set to fans outside.
As Madonna disappeared behind a stage prop made to look like a tube train at the end of the show, most fans left happy.
31 year old Gerard Sutton told Newsbeat: 'It was great for Maidstone, she looked like she loved being here and everyone loved it.'
19 year old Georgina Finch from Hastings added: 'She was good but she should have sung some older stuff and should have been on for longer. She was awesome though.'
Radio 1's Big Weekend is the biggest free ticketed music festival in Europe and has previously been held in Dundee and Preston.
30,000 people are expected over the two days, and more than half a million people applied for tickets.

From BBC Newsbeat

Screen Captures from Radio 1's Big Weekend

Here are some screen captures from Madonna's set at the Big Weekend.

Candy Shop

Miles Away

4 Minutes

Hung Up

Give It 2 Me

Music

Countdown to the show begins....

madonnalicious reporters at the Big Weekend have confirmed that the same DJ is now onstage (8:55pm) playing the same set that was played before Roseland and Olympia. The countdown to the show has begun....

Fans can watch the performance in an online stream at www.bbc.co.uk - and great news, fans outside the UK can watch it live too!

Fans rush into the Big Weekend

Thousands of music fans are at Mote Park in Maidstone for the first day of Radio 1's Big Weekend.
Usher kicked off the action around 1:30pm on Saturday (GMT).
The biggest draw of the day will be main stage headliner Madonna, as the queen of pop plays her only UK festival date of the summer.
30,000 people are expected over the two days, and more than half a million people applied for tickets.
The event is the biggest free ticketed music festival in Europe and has previously been held in Dundee and Preston.
Following a countdown by Radio 1 DJ Edith Bowman, the gates to Mote Park were opened at exactly midday.
Fans at the front of the queue sprinted to get to the front of the main stage.
Louise from Sittingbourne was first in the queue with her mates.
She told Newsbeat: 'We've been here since half past eight this morning and it is hot. We are looking forward to seeing Madonna and Scouting For Girls.'
14-year-old Chrissy from Gravesend came to the festival with her sister.
She said: 'It's the first time we've ever been to anything like this, we're waiting until the end of the show to see Madonna. The weather is beautiful. It's just a bonus really.'
Madonna's set list will include her current number one single 4 Minutes and some tracks from her chart topping album, Hard Candy.
Speaking to Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley, she said: 'Obviously, I want to do new stuff because I’m very excited about it.'
'I feel that’s what people come to hear but I also want to do a few of my oldies but goodies.'
'I chose Hung Up because that was the biggest hit from my last record and I chose Music because it’s a crowd pleaser, it’s anthemic and it brings people together.'
She's staying tight lipped on whether she'll sneak her current collaborator, Justin Timberlake, into the show.

From BBC Newsbeat

Radio 1's Big Weekend

Later this evening in a park in Maidstone, Kent, Madonna will be on stage. madonnalicious is asking for any fans who attend the show to send in their reports and pictures from the event.

Fans who cannot attend the event still can watch and listen to the event via TV, radio and online - visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2008/artists/madonna to see all the viewing and listening options - Madonna's set is expected between 9:15-10:05pm local time.

Also Radio 1 DJ Jo Whiley interviewed Madonna in New York the morning after Roseland, and you can watch her talk about how she prepares for the show - visit www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/2008/artists/madonna to view the interview.

Paris: Fan Pictures

madonnalicious reader George sent in his pictures and memories from Madonna's showcase in Paris last Tuesday.

It was a great night. I queued from 1:00pm and was a long day in the sun. But once in and at the front I knew the wait was going to be worth it. Madonna made eye contact with me several times and the whole venue was buzzing. This will be one of my greatest memories.

Madonna's Paris Show Speech

madonnalicious reader Jeyan attended the show last night, and filmed this clip of Madonna's speech to the fans before she performed Hung Up.

'Who do you love more, me or the Rolling Stones?'

Pop diva Madonna turned sexy hard-rock queen for a night at a private concert in Paris Tuesday night, telling her fans she loves to french-kiss the French as she ground away at an electric guitar.
Wearing black from head to toe, her blonde curls loose to her shoulders, Madonna put on a high-voltage half-hour show for a privileged 1,500 fans to mark the release of 'Hard Candy', her 10th chart-topping album.
'Who do you love more, me or the Rolling Stones?' she asked the crowd packing the Olympia, a mythical concert hall near the Paris opera, before launching into a ear-popping heavy-metal version of her mega-hit, 'Hung Up'.
'I thought you might say that,' quipped the queen of pop, who turns 50 on August 16, as the adoring crowd roared back their answer.
The Material Girl made her stage entrance seated in a black-and-gold fairytale throne, wearing a black satin bodice, satin pants and tailcoat with pink lining, lace-up boots with six-inch heels, and twirling a magician's wand.
Madonna told the concert hall it was 'a historical moment' for her to be performing on the same stage as the iconic French chanteuse Edith Piaf, or fellow legends Juliette Greco and Marlene Dietrich.
'Why do I have this relationship with France? I'm always drawn to working with French people - and frenching French people,' she quipped. 'Vive la France!'
Despite lukewarm reviews, Madonna's hip hop-influenced new album 'Hard Candy', co-written and produced with former N-Sync singer Justin Timberlake, and hip hop stars Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, shot straight to the top of the charts in France and across Europe upon its release last week.
Madonna has described the title as 'a juxtaposition of tough and sweetness' - but her performance in Paris was tough from start to finish.
Flanked by an electriying crew of hip-hop dancers and surrounded by pulsing video screens, Madonna ground, bumped, skipped and jumped her way through four of her new tracks - including the chart-topping 'Four Minutes' - as well as the now classic 'Music' and 'Hung Up'.
The magician's gear and heeled boots quickly gave way to dance-friendly running shoes and sleeveless black top, before she pulled out the saturated electric guitar for a heavy-metal sounding finale.
'Hard Candy' is Madonna's last album on the Warner label before she takes up her astronomical 120-million-dollar (78-million-euro), 10-year deal with US concert promoter Live Nation.
The Paris gig was the second of three private concerts being held to mark its launch, after New York on April 30 and before London on May 10.
One third of tickets went to listeners of the French radio station NRJ, which organised the French event, with the rest snapped up by VIPs and fans in the know, from France and elsewhere.
Andrew Stewart, 37, has seen Madonna 17 times on stage since 1987 and flew in from Thailand specially to catch the show.
'She's just the most amazing performer,' said the British web designer. 'She doesn't compare to anyone.'

From AFP Via Yahoo!

Press Pictures: L'Olympia Paris

Here are the first selection of press pictures from last night in Paris.

From AFP / AP / Reuters Via Yahoo! News

Fans and L'Olympia ready for Madonna

madonnalicious reader Olivier sent in these pictures from outside L'Olympia venue before the show yesterday evening in Paris:

Walked by Olympia Hall tonight before Madonna's show. No luck for me, I couldn't get in! I took a couple shots from outside.
There was a large crowd, 'NRJ Loves Madonna' posters everywhere, girls handing out candies to those on line, NRJ Radio limos with Madonna's CD cover on them and a great large Madonna display on the Olympia front!

And here are some pictures madonnalicious took of the ICON winners tickets and wristbands allowing them entrance to the venue.

UK TV: The Big Weekend

Fans in the UK who couldn't get tickets to Madonna's headlining act at the Radio 1 Big Weekend concert on Saturday 10 May - can watch her performance on TV.

LIVE - Saturday 10 May - BBC 3 - Madonna set between 9:15pm and 10:00pm

HIGHLIGHTS - Tuesday 13 May - BBC 1 - Highlights of show and Madonna's set

Another chance to get tickets to Paris

If you didn't win tickets to the exclusive show Madonna will perform at the Olympia Hall in Paris on May 6, here is your chance to attend this special event!
The first 500 fans who lineup in front of the Olympia Hall, 28 Boulevard des Capucines, 75009 Paris, tomorrow morning, will get a wristband allowing them to attend the show tomorrow night!
Wristbands will be given away tomorrow, May 6, at 10am, Paris time.

From Madonna.com

Roseland: Is it possible to crush a rib cage?

madonnalicious reader Steve sent in his experience of Madonna at Roseland:

It is 8:15pm and my date is a totally hot football player on crutches. No, I'm not kidding. His name is on some VIP list at the front door. And they are being very nice to him. And to me, because I am with him. But they are not being very nice to anyone else. Teams of Roseland security and NYPD are making sad attempts at controlling the crowd, who stopped cooperating about an hour ago. After all, Madonna is unveiling the Next Madonna inside tonight.
Virtually every person who plans to enter Roseland (and many who will not) have filled 52nd St. and all are focused on a teeny hole that leads into the Roseland Ballroom. Fans lined up for days - only to get wristbands that allow them to get a REAL wristband to gain entry. (Once inside, I stood next to someone who was wearing three - one for the sidewalk, one for the line, one for entry).
My date, with me physically attached to his arm, and I are escorted past the front door. My wristband is cutting off my circulation (but I'm still wearing it the next day. I'll just lose some weight to let some blood back into my hand). We enter the arena - and the instant I get a glimpse of the stage, I LEAP away from my poor date and sprint towards it. (Don't worry about him - they found him a seat in the VIP area, a chair, a cocktail waitress, and cute boys - and girls - to smother him.)
I have rushed to a position a few feet from the stage. I am quickly surrounded by a very amped up crowd, quickly dismissing my thoughts of grabbing a drink or using the restroom. I pop a Listermint instead and prepare to remain there for the next two hours. A DJ wearing rhinestone headphones takes the stage and gets the crowd moving with retro hits like 'Raspberry Beret,' 'Don't You Want Me Baby' and 'Billie Jean,' alerting the crowd that the REAL Queen of Pop is in the house. You could almost breathe easily until about ten minutes before Madonna took the stage.
It is 9:59 p.m., and you know something important is about to happen when the DJ stops smiling and an assistant creep onto the stage with a chilled Poland Springs water and a towel. I see the band crawl onstage - tour veteran Monte Pittman has shaved his head but this is otherwise a new crew.
The lights went black. The room shakes. The screen, previously a gigantic banner for Hard Candy, begins to melt into black licorice and the entire stage turns into an ingenious video screen - even the floor.
Two cameras on cranes are now circling overhead, swooping into the crowd. I could have touched it at one point if I'd wanted to. I flashed it a Peace sign. I think that this is being used as the MSN webcast intro (it IS 10:01 after all) and we are all extras in Madonna's movie. We take the cue - we scream, we wave.

Candy Shop
Madonna stuck her finger in the socket at about 10:02 p.m. The DJ booth rotates around and there she is: sitting on a throne, wearing a black tuxedo with rhinestone Adidas stripes, holding a cane, wearing black fingerless gloves.
This moment is like a terror ride at Disneyland gone wrong. I am only catching glimpses of her through the waving arms, pogo-ing fans, and cellphone cameras. I myself thank my trainer and do a few demanding jumps just to get a good look at her.
She descends the stairs, tosses her cane, and gives us a taste of her new candy - 'Candy Shop.' This moment is saturated with love for those of us who are WELL aware that Her Eternal Hotness has left New York. There is nothing like makeup sex, right? The number zips by in an instant.

Miles Away
Madonna wastes no time losing her jacket and grabbing a guitar. Now in a black, see-through top, she cries to the crowd. 'Are you ready?!' Welcome to my Candy Shop.' Madonna performs 'Miles Away,' the second song from the new album "Hard Candy." Her mike is breaking up a bit. She glances over to Rosie O'Donnell, standing nearby, and shoots her a 'Do you believe this?' look. The video is outstanding - a plane takes off and turns into a Google satellite map of the Earth.
I am wondering, 'Is it possible to crush a rib cage? If you did, how would you know it?' Well, I'll deal with it later, because I'm looking at something truly important at the moment: the single bead of sweat that is forming at Madonna's brow. Her hair is golden glamour, with a hint of her trademark roots. Her no-makeup look almost looks like wax - flawless cream skin, pencil-thin eyebrows, charcoal eyes, peach lips, rose lip liner. She is wearing nothing but an amazing manicure and a Kaballah string.

4 Minutes
The room goes really, REALLY black. Blacker than ever. Suddenly, the opening shots of Timbaland in '4 Minutes' is on the stage video. Justin Timberlake appears out of nowhere. My feet elevate off the floor and my body moves forward another two feet. I think this is when I went deaf in one ear - the crowd easily drowned out the music. Decked out in a white jacket with black scarf, JT seems sort of overwhelmed, passes on this opportunity bask in the spotlight. Sort of dazed and clearly nervous, he grabs his crotch for the shrieking front rows, but backs off. He is NOT gay for pay, unfortunately.
Madonna strips off her blouse, now revealing a black leotard top. The two of them mount giant pillars that look like speakers, and they do a very clever dance routine atop them that does a great job of recreating the video. But JT's mike is having problems, and Madonna smiles at him. 'Deal with it, baby.' This is no CGI effect - these two mega-talents lock eyes and present their duet for the first and possibly only time live.

Hung Up
Gulping about half a bottle of champagne and stepping up to the mike, Madonna thanks Justin and says, 'I've made what seems like 100 records. And every time I do, it feels like the first time. And the best time. I was so lucky to work with Justin, Timbaland, Pharrell. The best.'
Now in a rhinestone Cannabis guitar strap, she bangs out the opening chords of 'Satisfaction' - just as Britney Spears did on the MTV Awards! 'Is this a Rolling Stones concert? Fuck that. I live in the present. But wait, [dramatic pause]....this is for you guys who slept on the sidewalk. I want you to sing along.' Then comes one of the single most bizarre performances ever - heavy metal 'Hung Up.'
It's close to working, but Madonna seems to be struggling and at one point, they all lose it. Madonna turns and looks at the keyboard and drummer, and they virtually have to go 'one, two, three' just to get the song started again. No worries, the front row is a lump of the devoted, hands in the air, shouting 'Every little thing that you say or do....' She turns, ascends the stairs, and lands on her derriere. She laughs, gives the finger to the crowd, and yells FUCK OFF!

Give it 2 Me
Madonna has not appeared in New York since she adopted her child or worked for Malawi. At the brink of becoming a political figure herself, she is here tonight to dance. Now sporting a black hoodie with HARD on the front and CANDY on the back, Madonna performs 'Give it 2 Me,' the next video and the fourth and final track from the album, with the help of some old faces (Jason, her dance partner since the Reinvention Tour) and the guys from 4 Minutes. She dances like mad - she no doubt works harder every morning.

Music
Grabbing her water and mike, Madonna twirls to the edge of the stage and squats down, inches from the rabid crowd. My right arm is permanently fixed above my head, and my right leg has been swallowed by the surrounding mob. Madonna wraps up the night with a dense, thuddy street-wise 'Music' with her troupe of dancers. Now that she basically hasn't lived in New York for over ten years, her vision of it is sort of in a bubble.
It was very Keith Haring World, right down to the music the DJ played in the pre-show. Madonna ascends the stairs, where her troupe is waiting, strikes a pose, and slowly closes the show in her trademark fade-out.

Those of us who have been smashed together separate ourselves from one another, our clothing virtually attached by sweat. While many of the crowd choose to remain in the Ballroom and schmooze with the likes of Rosie, Fran Drescher, Dolce & Gabanna, and the Heatherette designers, those of us who preferred some oxygen left the room only to be assaulted by the awaiting media. 'Did you see the show?' People who seemed to be sweating were yanked aside for commentary.
At the Verizon bus, my date was waiting for me, reclining in the recording bus where the Verizon livecast was being mixed, and we watched a video of Timbaland's birthday party. After grabbing a poster, I gave my football player hero a huge hug and shoved him into a cab. Some H20 took priority. And now the burning question: When should I remove my wristband?

Crowd is crazy for Madonna

Passerby watching police control the crowd on West 52d Street Wednesday night must have thought President Bush was inside Roseland Ballroom instead of Madonna. Her one-night-only performance, broadcast over Verizon, had fans - some of whom slept outside for three days just to get a wristband - so obsessed, they were crying and trying to sneak past the barriers.
At one point, the crowd of about 3,000 got so crazy that a cop pulled his gun and ran after a nutty fan who tried to slip in a side door. Other officers repeatedly yelled, 'Get off the sidewalk!' - but only managed to push fans into honking traffic.
Following her short set that rocked the house, Madonna and Justin Timberlake hit The Box, along with Michael Stipe, Alexander McQueen, Josh Duhamel, Ingrid Sischy, Alex Rodriguez and Donna Karan, who brought her kabbalah teacher.

From New York Post - Pagesix.com

Roseland: Fan Pictures - Part 2

madonnalicious reader Josh sent in these great pictures he took at the Roseland concert.

Roseland: Fan Pictures - Part 1

Here is our first installment of fan pictures taken at Roseland - first up are these pictures taken by DJ Danny Echi.

Roseland: Fan Reports

Many lucky madonnalicious readers attended the show in Roseland last night - here are some of their reports:

From DJ Danny Echi:
Last night Madonna gave a super-exclusive free private concert meant to be her most intimate performance in decades, for her most die-hard fans. There were NO TICKETS to this show. Instead, only wristbands were used in a system of security checks meant to ensure that fans got into this show without it being raided by ticket scalpers.
Fans lined up, in the street, some camping out for days in advance to get one of the under 800 white wristbands (we heard they actually gave a total of 775 wristband's) that were given out at 6AM on the day of the show as the first step in the process to admittance to this concert. They were tightly applied to the wrist by Roseland Security.
You had to make two lines outside Roseland, one to get the wristband and a second line to get into Roseland. Most people went home or to work. On the evening of the show, when the majority of the people returned to go back on line, the wristbands were inspected by Roseland Security under a blacklight for any signs of tampering/removal.
Anyone who's bracelet was not properly in tact did not advanced to the next step, which was to get the second blue wristband tightly applied right over the first one. From there, fans were led directly into the venue, before a gauntlet of press and V.I.P. will-call tables.
At the concert Madonna performed '4 Minutes', with special guest Justin Timberlake and dedicated the night to her most die-hard fans, who had made it into this show. Everyone spotted actress Fran Drescher (aka Maddy's NYC apt. next door neighbor on the right hand side of the balony. On the left hand side of the balcony was Roise O'Donnell who waved to all the audience several times (and the crowd loved it).
This was a special show for Madonna, who had her car driven around the block late the night before right after 11:00pm when she finished doing her soundcheck, to see the fan's in line. She wanted to encourage and thank her core fans with this show, and did a pass at slow speed with her window down to send a wave of excitement through the line.We were all shocked that she did this. It was a blissful moment and a real kind moment on Maddy's part.
Last night at Roseland three merchandise items were sold. A white Hard Candy hoodie, a men's white Hard Candy t shirt and a women's grey Hard Candy t-shirt.Upon exit after the show, concert attendees showing their two intact wristbands were given the exclusive show Madonna @ Roseland poster, this poster was not for sale and was created especially to commemorate this special concert. It measures 23" x 23" square.
Dreams come true if you want it go for it, work for it and make it happen.

From Jason:
I just got home from the Roseland show....not sure if people outside of the world can or can't view it online....but it was great!
I got in totally last minute so didn't have a chance to see the whole scene and look at the merchandise (I saw some people with FanFire bags and posters). Just as I arrived a DJ was finishing 'Candy Girl' by Michael Jackson....then Candy Shop started and M took the stage. She looks fantastic! Was in great spirits and really gave a lot of NY energy to the crowd.
The first 20 or so rows were clearly all true fans, jumping up and down like crazy and singing back to Music loud enough to please her. The sheer number of celebritities in attendence was over the top - I personally spotted Harvey Weinstein, Donna Karan, Rosie O'Donnell, Alex Rodriguez (a famous NY baseball player), Josh Groban, and models galore. Everybody was all in it for a great time.
Lucky Paris - you're next!

Goodies and merchandise from Roseland

Fans waiting in line to see the show last night were handied out these stickers and a gorgeous poster - see pictures below.

Hard Candy official merchandise was also available at the show - and is also now available through www.madonna.com

Thanks to DJ Danny Echi

Press Reviews from Roseland

New York Post: Madonna A 38 Minute Wonder
The Madonna show last night was all disco beats and dancing feet. And, other than being a little short, this dance show at the iconic Roseland Ballroom was a perfect fit.
Ms. Blonde Ambition, on the sugar high of her-just released dance CD, 'Hard Candy,' shared the buzz at an intimate showcase with 3,000 of her most devoted fans - some of whom waited four days in line to get into a free show that lasted just 38 minutes.

To read the rest of this review visit www.nypost.com

New York Times: For Madonna Fans, the Wait Is Worth It
Halfway through her 32-minute set on Wednesday night at the Roseland Ballroom in Manhattan, Madonna offered a message of sympathy.
Madonna at Roseland Ballroom 'All you people I saw sleeping in the street last night,' she said, 'this song is for you.'
It was 'Hung Up,' about the agony of waiting. And as she finished the song, she added, just in case the message wasn’t clear: 'Anybody who knows me knows how much I hate to wait.'
New York may be a city of the impatient, but for Madonna’s fans, Wednesday’s show proved that seeing her for free in a 2,200-capacity hall — minuscule by her usual touring standards — was something worth waiting for. And waiting for a very long time.
The line outside Roseland, on West 52nd Street, formed 60 hours before show time. By late Tuesday it had stretched around the block as the faithful stood and sat and slept and caffeinated themselves for the chance to score one of the 750 wrist bands that would guarantee free admission.
Erica Gabriel, a 28-year-old makeup artist, waited through the night in line with friends. Once duly wrist-banded some time after 6 a.m., she returned home to prepare the elaborate, swooping hairstyle and 'stewardess-Madonna-tricky-tranny look' that she sported early Wednesday evening — as she waited on line again to receive a second wristband.
'Gays don’t camp out,' said one of Ms. Gabriel’s friends, as the group laughed, 'but we’ll camp out for this.'

To read the rest of this review visit www.nytimes.com

USA Today: Madonna returns to her New York club roots
Madonna is a native Midwesterner who now lives overseas, but on some level, she'll always be a New Yorker.
In the early 1980s, she made her name in the dance clubs of lower Manhattan, some 50 blocks south of the Roseland Ballroom, where she played a rare club gig Wednesday night.
The performance was meant to promote Hard Candy, her 11th studio album, which was released earlier this week. Sponsored by Verizon Wireless and broadcast, via MSN.com, around the world, the concert featured a handful of new songs, as well as hits from the recent past.
Over the course of her 40-minute set, Madonna sang, danced, played guitar, and flirted with Justin Timberlake, who made a guest appearance on 4 Minutes, her latest single.
She worked hard for her applause, even if the audience — an ecstatic mix of die-hard fans, contest winners, and celebrities, including Rosie O'Donnell and Fran Drescher — was putty in the palms of her fingerless gloves.

To read the rest of this review visit www.usatoday.com

Thanks to Scott