Last from the Gypsie Queen
Posted by popkitchen | Filed under music
Madonna was in Serbia last week. And no, she did not mention Gypsies. My guess is that people would react in the same way they did in Bucharest in Romania, booing, when she started criticizing them on general treatment of Roma people. Not that I am for discrimination towards Gypsies, but I truly do not support moral lessions from the Queen of Pop. Thank God, Madonna really does not know much about the places she performs in.
The bitter tone hides the fact that I grew up with Madonna. More with her attitude and sense of reinvention, then with her music. That I still think that she is one of the most important figures (at least when pop music is concerned) of the 20th century. But the thing is – I grew up, I don’t need her anymore.
Still, I went to her concert in Belgrade last Monday. Being paid to write about it is a perk, but I would have gone anyways. What I saw did not move me not even a bit. Ok, the production is grand, she is dancing two hours non-stop, the set and change of costumes, video animantion and other hi-tech nonsense is something that I never saw live. I saw it on TV, like everybody else and let me tell you there is no difference. Because, after initial feeling „Madonna is 100 meters away from me“ wears off, you are stuck with uninspired, flashy, lipsynching dance show. Where she mixes up gangsta rap, disco, Gypsy lifestyle, political messages (o dear, please don’t) and did I mention dancing. Women were astonished by the state of her thighs and butt, who cares about music when we have Pilates? Men looked bored, as they paid good money to give their wives/girl friends good times. Gays were having fun. There were no teenagers. The reasons are multiple: the ticket might be too pricey for them and more importantly, they are not shocked or amazed by Madonna. She tries (by invoking digital presence of Justin Timberlake, Britney and Kanye West) to speak their language, but ultimately she fails.
Madonna is known for infallable reinvention, but today I am more convinced that like a cat, she used up her nine lives. Yeah, she could be anything, but nobody really believes it anymore.
I am not disappointed, like many female writers are. After naming her an icon, feminist Camille Paglia turned on her, apparently disappointed that Madonna’s liberating promise was actually Kabalah, faux English accent, fox hunting and writing silly books for kids. Others noted that, despite the most irritating postures she assumed in the recent years, it means that she is defying to put cast in any mold.
I am just bored. There was more joy, emotion and spontaneity in karaoke singing of Madonna’s songs then on her live show.
Above all she is a professional. After signing a contract with Live Nation, Madonna has to perform in order to keep up with her expensive lifestyle. This is felt throughout her show. Because, we are living in a material world….
Tags: 2009, belgrade, madonna, sticky and sweet tour
August 30th, 2009 at 5:31 pm
I was offered free ticket, but refused to go. Was also bored, in advance. Although I do respect her, her choices, changes and re-inventions.