Madonna performs in concert at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City
Waiting somewhat impatiently for approximately an hour for Madonna to take the stage in Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the “Sold Out” concert sponsored by Caesars Atlantic City, finally got underway. The filled hall exploded at 10:30 pm when the lights dimmed and music began to play. It seems curious at best, that Madonna can seem to do no wrong to her fans even when she requests the air conditioning be turned off, or raised to a room warming temperature . The minute the Madonna stepped into the spotlight, all was forgiven and screaming, adoration and dancing began.
Madonna's fans are loyal as evidenced by the fact that this concert may be the highest grossing night for Boardwalk Hall, so far this year. Madonna has referred to her show as “part spectacle and sometimes intimate performance art,” but really it’s mostly spectacle. She can still move well and for a fifty-four year old woman, her dancing, enthusiasm and energy are only overshadowed by her on stage presence and charisma.
Every Madonna concert somehow becomes both memorable and entertaining with a mixture of production numbers, set designs, wonderful back up singers and dancers and of course the super star, Madonna herself. This 2 hour, twenty-two song evening was no different. Madonna included over the top exciting lighting, dancers, giant video screens, costume changes and cheerleaders. In addition, Madonna's antics of coming to the front stage close to her avid followers, writhing on the floor while singing, rising to her knees she revealed to the crowd a “No Fear” most likely temporary tattoo, emblazoned on her back.
The set list included a number of selections from her new album and many of the songs Madonna is known for such as, “Express Yourself,” “Holiday” and a slowed down version of “Like a Virgin.” The true crowd pleaser's were true Madonna versions of “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue” that elicited many squeals and applause. As expected, Madonna delivered once again. Her legions of loyal fans did not want the concert to end, but when it did, they were satisfied, smiling and still in love with their Madonna.
Madonna was born in Bay City, Michigan, on August 16, 1958. In 1981 she went solo as a pop singer and became a sensation in the male dominated 1980's music scene. By 1991, she had achieved twenty-one Top 10 hits in the United States and sold more than seventy million albums internationally. In January 2008, she was named the world's wealthiest female musician by Forbes Magazine.
Madonna today continues to be one of the best if not the best selling female recording artists ever. Her concerts for the most part, are always Sold Out and her ticket sales, album/CD sales continue after more than thirty years of performing. It does not appear that Madonna will be departing the pop music scene any time soon!
