Madonna Made History
Our reader Elg from the Philippines wants to share his review and thoughts on the Live 8 performance with M-Tribers.
“Waiting for the live TV broadcast of the LIVE 8 concert last Saturday just to see Madonna perform was like waiting for another 20 years: the timespan between LIVE AID and LIVE 8. But I tell you guys: MADONNA was worth the wait… It’s already Thursday; 4 days and 14 hours have passed, but the electric energy and overpowering grandeur of Madonna’s monolithic performance on LIVE 8 has taken hold of my senses until now. My memory still reminisces how she excellently stood up on the stage to do her thing; how she made the LIVE 8 crowd her own. And that for me, is a lucid manifestation of an amazing artist… the greatest performer in the world. Or better yet, in the entire universe.
Just by watching her illuminating presence on stage wearing a white powersuit similar to her “Me Against The Music” ensemble, you can already feel and witness the star quality that ONLY SHE can possess and pull off big time. But behind that imagery and that common perception of her, Madonna came off as a pure soul (as pure as her white attire) who has a more important mission, other than celebration of life: to make the people come together to reach a helping hand to those who are in need… TO MAKE POVERTY HISTORY.
An emotional and kind soul, who was touched by the famine survivor Birnah Woldu as they tagged along during the “Like A Prayer” performance, was something my eyes did not expect to see. But I was moved by it; Madonna’s heart-felt sincerity to change the world was there at that moment. And just like Madonna, I too was also touched. I cried; I was holding my chest to feel my heart beating heavily out of wonder and awe as I watch her sing that very powerful song. That moment made me realize that I too, can change the world into a better place with my own little means. And with conviction and determination, I’m proud to say that I can do it. My choice and Madonna’s voice can take me there.
The superstar’s 3-piece performance in LIVE 8 was definitely an invitation to a Madonna retrospective. Madonna sampling her vital hits from the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000 clearly shows how this maverick has been entertaining the world for almost three decades now thru her music and other forms of artistry. Most importantly, her rendition of these songs was a solid proof of her evolution, her own brand of re-invention. It is only with Madonna that the laws of change and permanence are in synche. We see other artists fall out of the music scene as they change their images and their musical stylings. But not with Madonna. Her constantly-changing image and music taste only makes her even better. And no matter how many changes she does on her image and music, it is guaranteed there will only be one Madonna: the ONLY SUPERSTAR whom we will continue to love and adore over the years.
Madonna singing “Like A Prayer”, “Ray Of Light”, and “Music” was very appropriate and timely for the LIVE 8 cause. The message of each song may be different from the other, but if sang by Madonna for a good cause, then these songs can have a unifying theme.
In “Like A Prayer”, Madonna made us BELIEVE.
In “Ray Of Light”, Madonna made us REALIZE.
In “Music”, Madonna made us UNITE.
With all of these, she definitely made us come together. Add that with Madonna’s charismatic voice in “Like A Prayer”, her powerful screech in “Ray Of Light, and her feet-stomping/shoulder shaking grooves in “Music”, then we have a spectacular Madonna performance. A performance that will never be forgotten. A performance where Madonna made history.
I dedicate this write-up to all of the Madonnanistas of the world. Special mention to AJ Poliquit, Ryan Ballentos, Francis Moria, and Leon Victor Uy, who helped me stay up all night as we wait for the Queen of Pop’s magnificent performance.
ELGIN S. SANTIAGO a.k.a. ELG XX from Cainta Rizal, Philippines”