Madonna still pulling out all the stops as tour heads to Detroit

She may not stir quite as much instant outrage anymore. The Top 10 hits may not come as consistently as they used to. There’s a new generation of pop starlets grabbing the headlines and social-media oxygen.

But don’t go betting against Madonna.

Having kicked off her Rebel Heart Tour earlier this month in Montreal — launching a global jaunt scheduled to run through the spring — the Michigan-born pop star will swing into Joe Louis Arena Thursday, scene of her hometown tour stop in 2012.

At 57, Madonna seems to have moved into the stage of her career where she reigns as a kind of confident, impervious pop matriarch, grabbing what she pleases from the music of the day, still happy to titillate when she can — even if she's no longer single-handedly reshaping the boundaries of popular culture.

The Joe show brings Madonna home to a region that’s been very much on her mind this past year. In summer 2014, she pledged funding to three Detroit organizations — Downtown Youth Boxing Gym, Detroit Achievement Academy and the Empowerment Plan — after touring a host of community groups in the city.

It was the start of what she called a long-term commitment to Detroit, where "a piece of my heart will always be,” as the Rochester Hills-bred star said.

It was about that time when word emerged that her teen daughter, Lourdes Leon, had enrolled at the University of Michigan — the school Madonna briefly attended before heading off to New York to kindle her dance career. (Lourdes and Madonna’s father, 84-year-old Silvio Ciccone, are expected to be on hand Thursday, a source close to the Joe Louis show tells the Free Press.)

And then there was the Rochester Hills dustup in March, when she took to “The Howard Stern Show” and criticized her hometown as straitlaced and stifling. Those remarks — later reiterated in an US Weekly interview — prompted rebukes from the city’s mayor and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell.

A staffer for Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said the mayor had contemplated attending the Joe Louis show to present Madonna with goodwill flowers, but will be out of town Thursday.

Madonna has always been tuned in to the latest dance-music trends, and “Rebel Heart” certainly fits the bill. Released in the spring after a series of premature online leaks, the album sees Madonna carrying on the EDM theme she latched onto for 2012’s “MDNA,” this time working with electronic-crossover producers such as Avicii and Diplo.

In an era when younger artists have upped the ante on stage production (see: Taylor Swift) and pushed the boundaries of pop-shock (see: Miley Cyrus), Madonna appears to be holding her own. By all accounts, the Rebel Heart Tour — part of her ongoing mega-deal with Live Nation — is a sizzling, top-end production, a spectacle of continually shifting staging, racy outfits, daring stunts and intricate dance routines, with a fit, high-energy Madonna at the heart of it all.

Reports have described a show featuring a playful, lighthearted demeanor to go with a set list that includes ample material from “Rebel Heart.” She doesn’t neglect her older hits, but just like other Madonna tours of recent years, the veteran star uses the opportunity to overhaul arrangements and refashion musical approaches. Concertgoers who want to hear the oldies as they remember them will have to live with Madonna doing things the way she wants.

As Madonna nears her 60s, it remains to be seen how long she’ll keep running with the template that has shaped her career from the outset: the rebellious sexuality, the poking and provoking of religious conventions, the knack for keeping herself on the leading edge of fashion and trends.

Of course, many asked the same question when she turned 50 — and, for that matter, 10 years before that. We'll have to see what happens Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, but it's unlikely that Madonna is ready to be boring just yet.

Source:http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/09/30/madonna-detroit-joe-louis-arena-concert/72989068/

Madonna adds second Hong Kong concert after first sells out in 30 minutes

A second Hong Kong concert by pop queen Madonna has been announced for February 18 as part of the singer’s Rebel Heart Tour.

Concert organisers Live Nation Lushington (Hong Kong) added the second show after all tickets to the initial February 17 show were snapped up within 30 minutes of going on sale on September 25 – setting what is believed to be a record for the fastest Hong Kong concert to sell out.

The cover of Madonna's album Rebel Heart

As with the first show, tickets will range in price from HK$688 for the cheapest seats to a whopping HK$11,888 for front-row seating. The most expensive package is the “Runway VIP Party Package”, which for HK$16,888 will secure seating for two people alongside the Material Girl’s runway.

Tickets for the February 18 show at AsiaWorld-Arena will go on sale on October 9 at 10am via HK Ticketing.

Madonna’s Rebel Heart Tour began in Montreal, Quebec, on September 9 and will take in 64 cities before it wraps up in Brisbane on March 27, 2016. The tour follows the spring release of Madonna’s Rebel Heart album, the singer’s 13th studio album.

Source:http://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/music/article/1862287/madonna-adds-second-hong-kong-concert-after-first-sells-out-30

In Philadelphia, Madonna Gives 'Popey-Wopey' Her Blessing

A woman with plenty of experience tangling with the Vatican has given Pope Francis her endorsement during his first U.S. visit.

At her concert Thursday night in Philadelphia, where Francis is scheduled this weekend to make the last stop of his tour, a tongue-in-cheek Madonna dedicated a section of her show to him.

She later announced: "Rules are for fools. That's why I like the new pope. He seems very open-minded."

It was just one of many comments about Francis at a concert that featured lots of religious imagery, including female performers wearing nuns' habits — and little else — pole dancing on crosses.

"The pope is stalking me," she said, noting she recently performed in New York, where Francis is until Saturday morning. "Either he's a copycat or he's secretly in love with me."

After climbing up on a table in a clingy, shimmering dress, the 57-year-old provocateur said: "I made it. Can the pope do that?"

And then: "I've been excommunicated from the Catholic Church three times. It shows the Vatican really cares," she joked.

"Since Popey-wopey is on his way over here, I want to dedicate this song to him," she said before launching into a heartfelt version of "La Vie en Rose."

Madonna, raised Roman Catholic in Michigan, has a long history of running afoul of the Vatican. Her 1989 video for "Like A Prayer" contained imagery that outraged religious leaders, including stigmata and burning crosses. Her seminal 1990 "Blond Ambition" tour included simulated masturbation and brought condemnation from the Vatican. And in her 2006 "Confessions" tour, she staged a mock crucifixion only a few miles from the Vatican.

That doesn't necessarily mean the Vatican has entirely banished the singer. In December, Italy's singing nun, Sister Cristina Scuccia, met Francis and presented him with a copy of her first CD, which features a remake of Madonna's "Like a Virgin." Scuccia had won the Italian edition of "The Voice" earlier that year. The Italian Bishops' Conference criticized the song's appearance on the CD, saying it was a commercial ploy.

Source:http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/philadelphia-madonna-popey-wopey-blessing-34028121

Madonna receives letter from ex Sean Penn after concert

Madonna has gushed about her ex-husband Sean Penn after he sent her a touching note following one of her New York City concerts last week (ends18Sep15). Oscar winner Penn and his model daughter Dylan were spotted in the audience at the pop superstar's Rebel Heart tour stop at Madison Square Garden on Thursday (17Sep15), and after the gig, the Milk actor sent his former spouse a note to congratulate her on a show well done. Sharing the news at her Barclays Center show in Brooklyn on Saturday (19Sep15), she told the audience, "I did a show at Madison Square Garden the other night if you heard about it. And my ex-husband was there! Could you imagine? "He had been at my show 30 years earlier when I was at Madison Square Garden, and he was very upset with me for wearing a costume that was too revealing. That's not a lie! "Anyway, after the show he wrote me a letter and said he finally appreciates my art. And that is what I have to say about marriage, OK? Thirty f**king years later." Madonna and Penn were married for four years before divorcing in 1989.

Source:http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/entertainment/celebrities_gossip/20150921_WENN_Madonna_receives_letter_from_ex_Sean_Penn_after_concert.html

Sean Penn Introduces Daughter Dylan to Madonna After NYC Concert

Usually it's kind of a weird thing when you meet someone who used to have a big love thing with your dad, but when that person is Madonna, it instantly becomes cool.
That's what happened when Sean Penn introduced his daughter, Dylan Penn, to his world-famous ex-wife Madonna after the superstar's NYC concert on Thursday, Sept. 17.

The Oscar winner and his model daughter, 24, whose mom is Penn's second wife, Robin Wright, were spotted in the audience at Madonna's Rebel Heart tour stop at Madison Square Garden (the second of three Big Apple dates) and a source confirms to Us Weekly that Dylan and the Grammy winner, 57, met for the first time backstage at the show.
"She had never met Madonna before, but Madonna was really sweet to her," the source says. "Madonna and Sean have stayed close friends over the years, so of course she embraced Dylan."

The Gunman star was also seen standing and smiling during the concert when Madonna performed the song "True Blue." The song was released in 1986, when the pair were still married, and in the notes for the True Blue album, Madonna wrote, "This is dedicated to my husband, the coolest guy in the universe."

Source: http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/sean-penn-introduces-daughter-dylan-madonna-after-nyc-concert-2015189#ixzz3mBl27H9H

Amy Schumer brings laughs to Madonna's 'Rebel Heart' tour

Madonna's tour features half-naked nuns on stripper poles and her opener Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden was raucous Rockville Centre-raised comedian Amy Schumer, star of the summer smash "Trainwreck." No one would mistake this for the Republican presidential debate, though Schumer did throw in some material about Hillary Rodham Clinton's drinking habits and the sex lives of the Obamas.

"I don't know why I've been labeled a sex comic," said Schumer, who announced that she will headline The Garden on June 23. "It's not fair." She then went on to discuss the nicknames of her favorite sex acts.
Schumer, who also announced that her series "Inside Amy Schumer" has been picked up for another two seasons, said her year has been incredible, including a relationship with Bradley Cooper that she concocted after the pair shared a 30-minute conversation at an awards show.
Schumer, 34, said she had worried about opening the show for months, joking, "Who better to open for Madonna than me? The answer: Literally any band."

Source:http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/amy-schumer-brings-laughs-to-madonna-s-rebel-heart-tour-at-madison-square-garden-1.10853713

Madonna to perform in Thailand in 2016

Pop legend Madonna will perform in Thailand as part of her "Rebel Heart" tour.

According to the Madonna Thailand Facebook page, the 57-year-old "Queen of Pop" will take the stage on Feb 9, 2016, at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani.

Tickets will go on sale on Oct 3.

Hits by the American singer, songwriter and actress, whose full name is Madonna Louise Ciccone, include "Like a Virgin", "Like a Prayer", "Papa Don't Preach", "Material Girl" and her latest "Bitch I'm Madonna".

Source:http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/general/693964/madonna-to-perform-in-thailand-in-2016

Madonna in DC: Maybe Obama thinks I'm too 'provocative'

Madonna came pulsing into DC for her Rebel Heart tour on Saturday night, where she played to a packed house at the Verizon Center.

But there was one notable absence: no sign of our Commander in Chief.

Madge told the crowd she was thrilled to be in the Nation’s Capital, “even if Barack Obama didn’t come to my show. I did invite him, you know,” she said. “Maybe he thinks I’m too ‘provocative.'”

Hmm…where would he get that idea??

The show, which opened with Gothic-style theatrics with her Madgesty making her grand entrance in a suspended cage, featured half-naked nuns, a priest, and plenty of ripped, glistening dancers.

But the best part?

A Spanish-style segment that deftly wove in a string of her classic hits.

Also: how is this woman 57??!? She’s still got it.

Source:http://entertainthis.usatoday.com/2015/09/13/madonna-in-dc-maybe-obama-thinks-im-too-provocative/

adonna announces tour date for San Antonio in early 2016

Madonna has answered fans prayers here in San Antonio with an additional date on her Rebel Heart Tour slated for Jan. 10 at the AT&T Center.
The Queen of Pop will grace the stage highlighting her latest album, “Rebel Heart,” with the tour kicking off in Montreal on Wednesday with special guest Diplo. Comedian Amy Schumer is scheduled to perform on several dates of the tour, but it is unclear whether she'll be at the Alamo City show, according to The Pitch.
Madge will also be making a stop in Houston two days later at the Toyota Center.

Source:http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/article/Madonna-6498330.php

Madonna's Brother Defends Jailed Clerk Who Refused Marriage Licenses for Gay Couples

Madonna's brother, Christopher Ciccone, is speaking out in defense of the county clerk in Kentucky who was recently jailed after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Ciccone, who is openly gay, posted a message to Facebook on Friday in which he said that Kim Davis should be granted the right deny the licenses, with Ciccone citing her "religious freedom."

"The county clerk in [Kentucky] deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a Muslim [woman] who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without your man's approval," he wrote.
Ciccone acknowledged that Davis is required to follow federal law before he added: "But why should she when DOJ and other civil authorities don't follow federal law when they choose not to, i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind...or the abstract notion of 'sanctuary cities.' I always thought that sanctuary was the province of churches."

"Once again, the gay community feels the need to be sore winners," he continued. "Is it so difficult to allow this women her religion? Or must we destroy her in order for her to betray her faith. No matter how we judge, it's truth. The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers."
Ciccone began his entertainment career as one of Madonna's backup dancers before moving on to direct music videos for such stars as Dolly Parton.

His full post can be seen below.
The county clerk in Kentucy deserves about as much support as you would give her if she were a muslim women who insisted on covering her face and refused not only gay marriages licenses, but divorce, accusations of rape and driving a car without ur mans approval.....perspective is everything.....this woman is a civil servant, she is required to follow federal law.....but why should she....when DOJ and other civil authories don't follow federal law when they choose not to.....i.e. Washington State and Colorado (POT) come to mind...or the abstract notion of "sanctuary cities".....i always thought that sanctuary was the province of churches.......these things aside....this is why we have elections.....if the folks of this county in Kentucy don't want her as the county clerk....then don't have to vote for her.....that is how a democracy works....not to mention the courts.
In the mean time.....since when are we the arbiter of other peoples faith?.......can you honestly say that you know how much a person is allowed to have??..if i'm not mistaken, it's in the constitution.....something about religious freedom or something......selective shaming and bullying corrupts a democracy....freedom of press, speech and religion give it strength. Not to mention reason and the god given compassion we as humans have a right and responsibility to practice. Once again, the gay community feels the need to be sore winners. Is it so difficult to allow this women her religion?...or must we destroy her in order for here to betray her faith. No matter how we judge its truth. The rights we have all fought for, mean nothing, if we deny her hers.

Source:http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/madonnas-brother-defends-jailed-clerk-820753