On Saturday (October 14, 2023), Madonna celebrated the start of her “Celebration” tour at London’s O2 Arena. The 65-year-old presented 28 songs from her back catalogue, starting with her 1983 hit “Holiday”, but also some curiosities such as the (unloved) James Bond song “Die another Day” and the 1998 gem “Little Star” , which she dedicated to her daughter Lourdes. The mega hit “Music” was missing.
There was a lot of speculation as to whether Madonna would be able to cope with the rigors of the concert – she had to go to hospital in an emergency a few months ago. She confessed that she was happy to be able to be on stage again. “It was’nt easy”. After her illness, she didn’t expect to perform live again. “I have forgotten five days of my life. But my children were there. And my children saved me.” What is striking is that she appeared with a knee brace and kinesio tapes.
As the fan videos show, the “Queen of Pop” has now celebrated a successful return.
After a few minutes there was a small breakdown – the show had to pause for ten minutes. “That’s exactly what you don’t want at a premiere…” said Madonna, smiling. In the meantime, I drank a beer and told a few stories from the past: “I dated men just because they had showers and bathrooms. That’s the truth …”
Madonna performed completely without a band (for the first time), but was accompanied by her 17-year-old daughter Mercy on the piano. Daughter Lourdes, 27, and a musician herself, was also there – the two awarded grades for their crew on the catwalk.
Madonna is also political, remembering the dead in Israel and Palestine: “First, we can all say: I can make a difference. Every day! We can change the world, not just in the Middle East.” Later she wraps herself in the Ukrainian flag.
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Madonna’s eldest daughter Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon has released the music video for her new single “Spelling” under her stage name Lolahol. The look of the video may remind some Madonna fans of the song “Frozen” by the “Queen of Pop”.
Lourdes takes her mother as a role model for “Spelling”.
In the “Spelling” clip, which is decorated in black and blue tones, Lourdes Maria Ciccone Leon aka Lolahol presents herself in black clothes. She floats through a foggy forest and later transforms into a bird and then a Doberman. Afterwards you can see the singer completely naked and covered in her long black hair. It is no coincidence that the look is reminiscent of her mother Madonna’s work “Frozen” (1998). The 26-year-old commented on her video via Instagram and explained that it was actually a homage to Madonna’s 1998 hit.
“This piece is very special. It’s a tribute to my mother’s timeless artwork, Frozen. This work has appeared countless times in my life and connects us both. I would be nothing without the woman who brought me into the world.”
“Frozen” was the first single from Madonna’s seventh studio album “Ray of Light”. In the accompanying music video, the 65-year-old also transforms into a bird and later into a Doberman. By appearing in black clothing and in the gloomy surroundings, the singer presented a new image. The single made it to number two in the German charts and won the award for “Best Visual Effects” at the MTV Music Video Awards in the same year.