British press hails Madonna’s return

“Short but oh so sweet Madonna” read the headline in London’s Evening Standard, one of many British newspapers hailing the singer’s brief return to the stage.

Madonna sang five songs, including four from her new album “Confessions on a Dance Floor”, at the Koko club in north London, the venue where she gave her first British performance in 1983, and her final song was “Everybody”, the song she performed that night.

“The promised brevity only made the show more desirable,” the Standard said.

Fans queued outside overnight Monday to be one of the 200 let in for free to join the 1,500 ticket winners and celebrities, including actress Gwyneth Paltrow, singer-turned-activist
Bob Geldof, and the groups New Order and the Pet Shop Boys.

The 47-year-old fell off a horse on her birthday in August, cracking three ribs, breaking a collar bone and fracturing a hand. However, there was no sign of the singer taking it easy on stage.

“Madonna gives it her all”, The Independent said. “She does, you have to admit, look fabulous.” The Guardian said: “She’s a remarkably compelling performer”.

“Hung Up“, the first single from her new album, is currently topping the singles charts giving Madonna her 11th British number one hit. Music retailer HMV said the album is outselling the current number one by two to one and is expected to top the chart on Sunday.

From an article by AFP