Fan Reviews – Theo in Paris
Back from Paris, to describe to you my fantastic Madonna Hard Candy trip! I still hardly believe I actually went to this fantastic showcase, so if I sound a little bit too excited, please bare with me!
Thuesday Annelies and I took the train to Utrecht really early in the morning, where the Warner Music bus was waiting for us. As soon as we were in the bus, we saw some friends we already know from previous Madonna concerts, and met some great new people along the way as well! Although it’s a long busride to Paris, it seemed to be just two or three hours, since we all had such a great time.
When we got to Paris, we checked into the hotel and took a shower, after which we were ready to go to Olympia Music Hall, which was where the Hard Candy showcase was to take place. There was already a long line, and we soon discovered security had fucked up big time with crowd control. Basically, this meant there was a lot of confusion as to how to get a wristband and how to get in to the venue. We were postioned in front of the venue for a couple of hours, but then we finally got in!
Olympia Music Hall is a -particular when it comes to Madonna shows- very small venue, so everyone would have a great view on the stage. I ended up only about three meters from the stage, so I was sure to have a fantastic view on Madonna and her show.
There were two DJ’s as pre-show. We all thought they took a little too long, but then again, the VIP’s (including Lenny Kravitz, who I saw!) were let in at the same time so there was something to watch. Then, at about 10.30, finally the DJ started playing candy-related songs and the whole crowd was on it’s feet and screaming. After about 5 minutes the DJ set turned around, the letters C-A-N-D-Y flashed on the screens, and there she was, the Queen Of Pop: Madonna, sitting on her M-shaped throne.
The first song of the set was Candy Shop. Madonna looked absolutely amazing and danced and sung her ass off. It’s hard to believe she will actually turn 50 this year. I can think of a dozen current singers who are a lot less focused and skilled then she is. Also, Madonna was in a very good mood, and there were smiles all evening long!
Next up was Miles Away, one of my favourite songs of the Hard Candy album. Madonna strapped on a guitar and sang the song beautifully, with me being mesmerized by her beauty all along. The crowd was completely insane, and we were all dancing and singing and screaming. I’ve never seen such a great mood at a Madonna concert, ever!
Of course, by now it was time for the current hit single, 4 Minutes. While in New York Justin Timberlake was actually present on stage, this time he was on the videoscreens. Still, the elaborate props, and of course Madonna herself, more than made up for this!
After 4 Minutes, Madonna had a little talk with the audiences. She told us how much she enjoys playing in Paris and how great the French audience always is. The funny thing is, this is something Madonna always says while playing in Paris, and almost never when playing someplace else, so I guess she really means it! She then playyed a bit of Rolling Stones I Can’t Get No Satisfaction and asked us who we’d rather have, her or the Stones. Of course we all screamed for her! She started a really rocky version of Hung Up which got the crowd going to the maximum, absolutely everyone was dancing and singing!
Upcoming single Give It 2 Me was next, accompanied by a fantastic laser show. This show was only for prize wannars, press and celebrities, but Madonna spared absolutely no expense. The show was arena-worthy! I couldn’t believe how much Madonna was dancing, and I could do nothing but just dance along, loved it!
Then it was time for the last song of the set, all time favourite Music! Again, as she does with every tour since Drowned World, the song was transformed in a great new version! The very last chance to dance and sing with Madonna, so I drenched myself out! Then the videoscreens closed and Madonna dissappeared.
I bought myself a great Hard Candy hootie shirt, and then we went back to the hotel. After a goof night sleep, the bus took us back to Holland today. Thank you, Radio 538, Warner Music, and above all Madonna and crew, for this fantastic trip! I will never forget it!
Theo van Dijk, Groningen, the Netherlands.