M-Tribe reader Michael from Minneapolis, MN, just got back from Chicago opening night, first of four sold out concerts. Here is his great report.

“Interesting about the “sold out” term” – Michael writes – “A bank of empty seats covering roughly eight rows centrally located in section 106 (right above the sound technician’s area) remained available for the entire night. We wondered if scalpers/vendors weren’t able to sell their sky high mark ups!

The concert started at 8:50 PM and though Chicago Tribune Critic Greg Kot noted the heat was swelteringly hot sans air conditioning, it felt quite comfortable to me. I could feel cool air through out the night. Outside it was a cool 65 degrees and got progressively cooler. I was seated in the middle tier, section 219, directly left of the stage.

“Future Lovers/I Feel Love” was an event to behold in all its splendor. “Like a Virgin” is especially thrilling when you’re seated near her (lucky me). Vocally, our lady was strongest on “”Like It or Not,” “Ray of Light,” “Let It Will Be,” “Drowned World,” and “Music.” Dance wise, she was a knock out with every number. The dancers have never been better on a Madonna tour; “Jump” truly defies gravity. “Music/Inferno” is over all the strongest and most inventive number. “Forbidden Love” poignantly addresses gay love with M and her two male dancers uniting in a touching menage a trois of solidarity. “Live To Tell” is respectful and relevantly rewarding. Catholic pundits should be ashamed of themselves for judging a cover without its contents.

From where I was sitting, the show however was fraught with sound problems. This obstacle is usually the case in an arena. The sound doesn’t balance until the middle of the show. Technicians sound check until their blue, think they got it, the people file in and the crew has to start readjusting all over again . The problem seems most apparent with disco numbers. Over laden with too much reverb, the musicians don’t blend together. A muddy mess ensues. Only when we hear a ballad does the sound actually deliver like its intended. The sound got substantially better as the concert progressed.

Madonna is one of a kind and worth attending. She’s at the top of her game, her vision and concepts are unparalleled to any artist in the music scene today. She looks gorgeous, quips hysterically and delivers a 110% performance. She’s one hot mama!

Thanks to Michael. If you want to send in your report or your pictures from the show as well, and anything you would like to see featured on MadonnaTribe.com please drop us a line by writing to our email address: share@madonnatribe.com. Thank you!