Madonna had a tough time performing in Hyde Park last night in London. First of all, it was raining, which never makes for a good show. Second, she was roundly panned by the newspaper critics and booed by fans who left early. Part of the problem: the show is heavy on songs from the flop album “MDNA” and light on the hits. Note to Madonna: this is contrary to what anyone will tell you in 2012. Roger Waters is performing Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” in stadiums. Paul McCartney does his Beatles and Wings hits. Sting is only hits, either symphonic or rock versions.
But Madonna can’t be told anything. Also, she doesn’t own the publishing rights to much of her early catalog, and doesn’t emphasize it anymore. The Evening Standard, Guardian, and Daily Mail were among the papers that thrashed her. They also quoted fans who said it was the worst show they’d ever seen and that they didn’t recognize the songs.
Here’s the set list. She sang 7 hits only, including a non hit called “Celebration” that’s supposed to replace “Holiday” a song with the refrain “Celebrate, it will be all right.” But Madge didn’t write “Holiday,” so it’s gone. I won’t be seeing Madonna at Yankee Stadium, but if I were going, I’d like to hear “Beautiful Stranger,” “Into the Groove,” “Isla Bonita,” “Borderline,” even the cacophonous “Music.” When Madonna goes to fake Yom Kippur services at the Kabbalah Center this fall, she’s going to have a lot to atone for.
Transgression
The Prayer Overture: Act of Contrition
(with Kalakan) (with excerpts from “Lekhah dodi”)
Girl Gone Wild
(with samples from “Material … more)
Revolver
Gang Bang
Papa Don’t Preach
Hung Up
(with samples from “Girl Gone Wild”)
I Don’t Give A
Prophecy
Best Friend
(video interlude; with samples from “Heartbeat”)
Express Yourself
(with excerpts from “Born This … more)
Give Me All Your Luvin’
Turning Up the Hits
(video interlude; with samples … more)
Turn Up the Radio
Open Your Heart
(with Kalakan) (with excerpts from “Sagarra jo!” by Kalakan)
Masterpiece
(with Kalakan)
Masculine/Feminine
Justify My Love
(video interlude)
Vogue
Candy Shop
(with samples from “Ashamed of … more)
Human Nature
Like a Virgin
(with samples from “Evgeni’s … more)
Celebration
Nobody Knows Me
(video interlude)
I’m Addicted
I’m a Sinner
(with Kalakan) (with excerpts from “Cyber-Raga”)
Like a Prayer
Celebration
(with samples from “Girl Gone Wild”)
