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Let’s cut straight to what mattered most. On the Cardiff opening night of her 50-odd-date Sticky & Sweet tour, Madonna looked amazing — and not just for a semi-centenarian gym addict with access to the best beauticians.
When she pole-danced atop a DJ booth and out-double-dutch-skipped her dancers during a riotous, electrofied Into the Groove, she could have passed for 25. When she put on white-plastic, heart-shaped shades — by Moschino, but a pair could be found in a seaside resort for a couple of quid — she had the air of a carefree teenager. Later, admittedly, wearing an ill-fitting wig, there was a hint of the transvestite about her, but a woman with bulging biceps and thoroughbred thighs always runs that risk.
Fashion-wise, she was more on the money than she has been in years. The Givenchy leotard in which she arrived, while writhing around a throne, came complete with cane, fishnets and knee-high boots, and must have sent a shiver through every kid in the crowd with a middle-aged mother. Fifteen years ago, Cher had the same effect. Yet when Madonna ditched the S&M-inspired attire to switch to sweats and silky boxing shorts with high-knee socks, she looked more comfortable but way cooler. Yes, it was a throwback to her New York dance days, but the current fad for casual 1980s fashion gave the outfits a fun, contemporary feel.
Madonna might even have got away with an extrovert gypsy get-up had it not been for the shimmery, outsized shoulder pads that recalled Gary Glitter.
Still, there was musical muscle in the Gogol Bordello-style segment. Backed by sawing fiddles, accordion, a bloke on washboard and flamenco guitarists, Madonna vamped up the Evita ballad You Must Love Me and turned La Isla Bonita into a Spanish stompalong.
A barrage of tracks from her current album, Hard Candy, often struggled, despite the distraction of big-budget props, including a boxing ring that emerged from the floor, a waterfall that cascaded around a podium-dancing Madonna, and a Cadillac driven down a walkway. Opener Candy Shop was anonymous electro-pop, while Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You was notable only for the absolute absence of a tune. She’s Not Me, however, was surprisingly tasty techno, during which Madonna defrocked female dancers and dressed as herself from the past.
A magnificent 4 Minutes would have had fans on their feet without snazzy screens-on-wheels showing multiple, gyrating Justin Timberlakes.
Madonna was least convincing when she grabbed a guitar for a rock remake of Borderline and a dreadful Ray of Light marred by shrill, brittle vocals that surfaced sporadically throughout the 90-minute set. She even spoilt Hung Out with faux metal guitarist antics that set women in rock back about eight years.
Madonna’s problem perhaps is her overpowering personality — she didn’t inhabit different characters, she smothered them. Forget the silly video footage from the likes of Kanye West and Britney locked in a lift. The closest any prop came to eclipsing her was a pair of 40ft-high, flashing, M-emblazoned curtains, allegedly encrusted with diamanté worth $1m. But even they couldn’t hold the limelight for long.
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I have mailed Live Nation as others have advised. Live Nation have responded to my mail. Now waiting to see if I will get a refund.
Julie, noriwch, norfolk
Very disapointing. Dreadful sound. Only 2 video screens. People were walking out around us. Seen Madonna before at the old Wembley - was fantastic then (+ there were 6 video screens). Sitting right at the back you could hardly see her. Can't believe she needs to prove how fit she is!!!!
Julie, noriwch, norfolk
An update. I complained to both Wembley Stadium and Live Nation by e mail. Today I had e mail from Live Nation offering full refund of face value of ticket. So it is worth complaining.
David Watson, London, United Kingdom
madonna was as brilliant as ever i paid £160 for my seat at wembley and was so dissappointed it was so far away and the soundin was bad, i may aswell have paid a considerable amount less club class seat huh!!
julie, cheshire,
My partner and I went to the Cardiff concert and we each paid £160, sound was awful (painful! seriously), it all seems so active but actually she just dances at the beginning and the end of each song and leaves the rest to dancers. She did not connect at all, it felt like a noisy gym session. waste
Michael, Oxford, UK
We spent £350 for 2 side view tickets and wondered why we bothered going at all , stage was view-less , sound was dreadful and we feel utterly ripped off. What a useless venue for concerts. Madge , get back to Wembley Arena , Confessions tour was the best i've ever seen , this was a waste of money.
STEVE , leeds, yorkshire
Madonna's performance was excellent for what i could see of it. We had tickets through ticket master side view seated but couldnt see the main stage or the screens, it was very frustrating trying to work out what was happening on the main stage, sound quality was also very poor.
Marie, Birmingham
Marie , Birmingham, UK
Me and my partner spent £350.00 for two side view tickets from Ticketmaster. When we got to the stadium we found out that we had no view at all! I waited months to see Madonna. I am a fan from 25 years and I had a terrible time. The staff at Wembley didn't give a damn about our complaints. Awful!
Carlo, london,
Madonna was on far too late.
Sound was absolutely dreadful.
Screens were far too small.
Love Wembley Stadium - don't know if it was due to incompetent sound engineers or noise level capping but not suitable for one of the UK's top venues..
Rick, Meopham, UK
I was sat at the side at Madge gig, the whole event was SO disappointing - a refund should be given,the staff agreed that it was outrageous that Wembley would seat people where they could not hear the music and where you could see absolutely nothing. We couldnt even tell which songs she was singing.
Amanda, Winchester, UK
I went on the 11/09 and was seated on the left hand side. I have been a Madonna fan for a long long time, but I have to agree with many of the comments here. The venue was too big, the sound was dreadful, the atmosphere was pretty flat. She didn't seem to want to interact at all.
Catherine, Wakefield, UK
I was at the front of the stage so didnt have any problems with view or sound and loved every minute of the concert, I agree that the stadium is far too big and beleive all concerts should take place at O2. Those who say she wasnt singing live are wrong, as she said, she forgot some of the lyrics!
Martin , Stratford, London
Wembley Stadium venue did not provide good sound quality to enjoy Madoona's concert. One Large LCD screen...could have watched it at home on a DVD. Very disappointing. Pay good money, expect an enjoyable evening where you can hear the songs to sing a long to favourite tracks. Transport terrible home
Baljit, Windsor, Berkshire
I also went to the concert and have to say the sound was most definately not right! At one stage I did hear Madonna say "Turn me up" which must have been aimed at her technical crew who turn all the knobs - or rather didn't in this case. There was far too much bass and it did not sound good at all.
Katherine, Corsham, England
Went to Wembley thurs night, never having seen Madonna before. Been to a lot of concerts and this was probably one of the worst! Singing was awful, made me cringe in some places, very cold, very late starting. Been to Wembley to see George Michael, sound was much better. All in all a waste of money.
Sue, Essex, UK
I was also disapointed. we were high in the stadium and the sound was dreadful. We couldn't hear half of the songs and the screens were too small as well. She arrived too late yes and I think it spoiled everything rather than heating everybody up...
carine, london,
The Madonna concert was the second time I've been to the new Stadium for a concert, the other was Live Earth and the sound was bad on that day also. Can't work out if it's the acoustics in the stadium at fault or the sound setup not good enough for such a big venue.
Dawn , Romford, England
An absolute dire performance if you purchase something or are unhappy with a aservice you are given you are compensated in some way this should be the case here.
Leanne , Ryde, UK
I've seen madonna since blonde ambition tour 1990 also at stadium. I remember it being better than this. The view we had not great (on the pitch)but thought the sound was fine although i can imagine for some people both would have been terrible. Stranded due to late start arrived home 7am!!!
karen, northampton, northants
What a disapointment. First problem she was late. Sound quality was the pits, we could not hear anything other than faint bass and we were not at the back of the stadium. We could just about see runway but not the stage, the screens were far too small for such a venue.
Maz, Beds, UK
me and my brother we came from Spain to watch it, the last time i saw her was in the vogue concert, so i was really dissapointed the concert was so bad. She didn.t intereact with the crow, which i think was a terribly mistake as the wembley was big, at the end none athmosphere at all
nina, gelida, spain
I saw her show a couple of weeks ago in Switzerland.
It was the same there. Terrible sound, low stage and zero atmosphere. People left early too.
I like Madonna a lot but she did disappoint me unfortunately.
Yves, Lucerne, Switzerland
I 'm a massive Madonna fan but this has to be her worst concert ever, wembley is just too big. Paid £160 & was totally ripped off! All I saw was a dot on stage, the screens were rubbish, the sound bad, no atmosphere at all - not like what she used to do & she completely murdered some songs!
Gina, Preston, UK
My friend and i travelled down from Scotland, we paid £180 each, so thought we'd have great seats - we were the last people in the row. We saw the catwalk but couldn't actually see the stage, what a rip-off. and to those above, the sound was awful and yes the venue had no atmosphere.
Dawn, Stirling, UK
went to see madge for the first time 11/9 and have to say very disappointed. Paid £160 for top price tickets so we thought. Couldn,t see her, screens were so small that you couldn,t see what was going on on stage, sound was terrible. Wembly not a suitable venue.
Christine, Redditch, England
Wembley was a disaster, we couldn't hear or see her and that was after she turned up on stage late. I resent being conned out of money for poor professionalism. People who suffered this disaster should be compensated.
luke, london, United Kingdom
Send an email to info@livenation.co.uk
If anyone is as dissapointed in the concert as we was.!!
We went to Cardiff and had the same terrible concert. Plus we didnt have any warm-up group/person nothing.! while we waited for 3 hours for her to come on.!
Brenda and Bill, wellington, uk
I was VERY disappointed to be honest. There was no support act leading up to Madonna, she was very late coming on - no explanation.
The screens were tiny, I may as well of watched in my lounge and I am conviced that part of the show was NOT live!
What a waste of £65. The DJ was good before
Sars, Thetford, Norfolk
Went to her last concert at the arena and it was amazing. This one was dreadful, sound unbelievably poor, in fact I was very surprised to see people leaving half way through! Would not go to Wembley again, also the roof was open and it was cold!
Karen, Oxford, England
If those of us who were seated on the sides aren't refunded in full, it will be a crime. To pay these sort of prices and not be able to hear the music properly is unforgivable.
People were leaving in disgust after 30 mins. We joined them and the sound was better outside the stadium. What a joke.
Sam, Harpenden, Herts
I saw the concert at wembly and felt disapponted. Firstly she was over an hour late, whichwas frustrating enough. even though I was on the pitch the view was terrible. the stage seemed to low at set back to far. The video screens were too small. wembly is not a suitable venue.
simon, brighton, england
I love Madonna but the sound quality was awful. There's simply no excuse for that - it's the day job for professional tour organisers. I bought the ticket for my partner's birthday as a special treat (for some £65 per ticket might be small beer but it's a lot for me). So, so disappointed.
Mary, Coventry,
The sound was worse than any concert I have ever been to.All we could hear all night was the bass.
Does anyone know how to complain?
Rob Davidson, Nottiingham, UK
I thought Madonna was brill last night, the first time i've ever seen her and would go again,although i think it may be worth spending less money at wembley and not getting a seat as was desperate to be nearer the front and dance!felt a little out the loop at the side!loved that she played guitar!
Lisa, london,
The stage show and dancing were very good.That about sums up the good bits,Maddona miming, being late,terrible sound quality and no interaction with the crowd ! The worst concert my wife and II have been to .a complete waste of money and time.Left early because it was so bad.
steven millar, Bournemouth, uk
Just got back from the London Wembley Stadium Concert and all I can say is BAD BAD SOUND!! very disappointing Madge!
Wished I had not seen such a bad concert! Hope it gets better for the next few nights!
charlie, London, United Kingdom
Great effects, great visuals but why did I feel that I was looking in from the outside at Madonna being somewhat self indulgent, until half way through the concert when we were eventually allowed to join in. Poor sound system, too much miming and no encore. 20,000 stranded when the tube closed!!!
Patrick Waller, Ascot, UK
I think we went to see Madonna last night only I'm not too sure!!...After her 'Diva delay' We didn't even get a glimpse of her as the stage was so low, as for hearing her well the sound was terribe! Shame she didn't amaze me as she did when I saw her 25yrs ago!
sarah, slough, u.k
I have seen Madonna several times & she really is amazing. However, this concert was fairly dire.... the sound was terrible, so distorted, you could not separate the words she was singing. I am convinced she was miming. As for the screens they were only 2 & were very small. Dissapointing this time!
shelley gammon, bexleheath, kent
This was my 5th Madonna concert and I thought it was the worst, although I hate to say it. We were in block B and the sound wasn't very good. I didn't think some of the versions to the songs were as good as they could have been. I think it would have been better at Wembley Arena.
Nina, Norwich, Norfolk
Im a huge madonna fan and have seen her several times. I attended wembley last night 11th sept and was a little dissapointed. She was around an hour late, forgot some words, it was very rushed. Because of the late start the tubes & trains stations shut so thousands of fans where left stranded!!
Jayne Roe, CLACTON ON SEA,
I went to the Madonna gig last night and was not impressed.
The sound was not good and the veiw aws not much better. Lots of people were complaining and quite a few left well before the end.
Madonna did not appear on stage until 21.10 and the how over ran, which left lots of people stranded.
Peter, Luton, England
Went Wembley last night to see Madonna 4th concert now. started later than expected, but she was amazing as per usual!.
Very sexy, very fit, amazing woman./ lighting effects brill,
Shame about venue disapointed, and as for car park which only had 1 exit took over 1-1/2 hour.
Richard Spencer, Bedford, UK
Another spectacular show by Madge, yet it fell somewhat short of her Confessions Tour. She looks incredible but an over-reliance on Hard Candy tracks made for an uneasy crowd. She played half the set by guitar and mudered Hung Up. BUT Like a Prayer mixed with Felix's Don't You Want me was awesome
Jim Dawes, London,
Well I have to say 'WOW' I was thoroughly impressed with last night's show. Yes perhaps the sound wasn't as great as I'd anticipated it to be, (was in top tier, behind big screen) but the view of the stage was fantastic, screens didn't appear to be too small - even from the back of the stadium.
Tanya, Tunbridge Wells, England
We saw Madonna at wembley last night what a great show!!!
One of the highlights being You must love me, her voice goes from strength to strength no problems with the sound on the ground level certainly could not see any miming.
Paul, Ipswich, England
went last night was dissapointed,she came on late,it all sounded a bit distorted and some ppl near us fell asleep-shame!! am a huge fan a nd was bit dissapointed,the dancing and energy was great! but wasnt worth the money
mel, guildford, england
I went to see Madonna yesterday at Wembley Stadium and it was the best £180 i had spent in my life. She was singing so dont say she was miming.. The lighting effects were great and so was the sound quality so i got no idea what you people are on about. I would pay £1000 to see her again!!!!!
Callum, London,
went last night, been to lots of her concerts before, all of them fantastic .i can understand peoples dissapointment, her being late caused huge knock on effect with transport. sound was terrible, view was just as bad,no atmosphere.screens far too small. such a shame, she is much better than this
KATIE SHAW, Bury St Edmunds,
You can't take it from her, she's knows how to put on an amazing show! It was slick and choreographed to within an inch of it's life! However I would agree the venue was too big, the acoustics very ropey, she'd have been better playing several gigs at the O2... still had a great time !
Steven, London, UK
It was the first time I have seen Madonna Live and I couldn't see or hear anything! As I was leaving I spoke to a security guard briefly to ask what the deal was and he said the sound tower was down! I want a refund!!
Katherine , London,
I have been a fan since her first album But I'm afraid, she's become an icon and a figment of my/our imagination The whole Wembley concert was a farce, she was not singing and she was not playing the guitar apart from one song I was in tear 5 but I had binoculars and she was MIMING!! Awful!!!
carolina, London, UK
The late start meant that my husband and I and a lot of other people had to dash out before the end of the concert to catch last trains. Not the best £140 (when charges are included) ever spent.
helen, leicester,
Went to see her in Wembley last night and completely agree with everything said by other comments. It was a childhood dream to see her, and now at the age of 33 i feel disappointed and sorry i didn't see her on an earlier tour. Too much guitar and older songs ruined by rocking them up.
CG, London,
I would agree with Dave Jeanes absolutely.
The sound was unbelievably bad, the view poor and the screens far too small. Like being in a third rate night club. We left after an hour and a quarter.
Wembley is simply not suitable for concerts.
Dave Wilson, Winchester, United Kingdom
Went to Wembley last night great show spoilt by the terrible sound
David Watson, London, United Kingdom
It was poor last night. Sound and video systems just not up to the job for a stadium the size of Wembley. Unrecognizable performances of some of her classic hits. She arrived on stage about 45 mins late which meant travel chaos for everyone getting home.
Mac, London, UK
Will never go to Wembley for a concert ever again. after seeing Madonna there last night. The sound was appalling, too much "Lip candy" as Elton once said (miming), Screens were too small as was my view of the whole thing and to top ai all she came on late which mucked up a lot of peoples travel !
Dave Jeanes, West Sussex,
Why weren't we told why Madonna was so late on stage? There was no announcement and she didn't apologise when she came on. You can't knock her high energy and vibrant dance routines but she was obviously miming as no-one could move her body like she does and not hit a slightly dodgy note!
Diane Liness, Leighton Buzzard, England
were all these people at the same concert as us last night? we have been to all tour since 1990 blonde ambition tour and the women still does good The sound was a bit roapy at first but that was sorted and come on madonna isn`t the sound tecs. we had a wicked time !!!!!
clare , london, england
I've seen Madonna almost every time she's played this country and that was my last time. It was appalling. We were on Tier 5 - sound was completely distorted and video screeens far too small. We have contacted the promoter (Live Nation) to complain and encourage others to do the same.
Sara, Shepperton , UK
I have never seen 1 of Madonna's concert & I am a big fan, hence this concert was supposed to be 1 of my childhood dreams come true...Aside from a big relief when she arrived (late), disappointment came quickly. She can't sing! Sound was awful and she ruined most of her old songs. I'm not impressed!
Isabella, London, UK
I am afraid to say this was by far and away the worst concert I have ever attended. The audio was dreadful, the miming a joke, and absolutely no atmosphere. Maybe the seating area suffered from poor audio and the floor was ok ? Left 5 songs before the end. The Romanian Eurovision stuff did for me !
SF, London, UK
What a disappointment. Admittedly was sitting high up in the Gods but the sound was appalling. It was difficult to hear Madonna singing and what we did hear was distorted. The video screens weren't really big enough so we couldn't see much either. This meant a complete lack of atmosphere!
Claire, Braintree, UK
Madonna was absolutely amazing but my memories will always be ruined because she didnt start until gone 9pm and by the time we left and got to the train station they shut it! This meant hundreds of people were left stranded in Wembley with absolutely no way to get home!! I was left devasted!
Vicky, Essex, UK
I saw her last night - couldn't see a thing!!! We were at the side and the vision was awful!!! She would start singing and it took a while to work out what song it was because the sound was so bad. Such a shame, I went to the arena two years ago and the show was amazing. I feel really let down.
Claire, London,
Madonna at Wembley. I was amazed at the lighting, the choreography and the visual effects. The stage was awash with amazing dancers. Madonna is pretty amazing at 50. Toned body and boundless energy. Shame she mimed a large proportion of it and when she did sing it made my ears bleed.
emma, West Sussex, uk
Errr why don't you try ringing the Wembley box office?! Apparently Paul Oakenfeld starts at 720 with her Madgesty arriving on stage "between 8 and 830" (which will probably mean bout 9ish in Madonna-time). Am very excited about going tonight!!!!
David, Birmingham, England
Hi ... I'm going tonight ... can anyone tell me what time she's on stage?
Wembley may want my cash for a burger at tea time but I think a better birthday treat will be to take my man to a nice restaurant ... Can't miss the show but all I can find is gates open at 5 ... what's up with these people?
Tania, London,
Madonna's opening night was spetacular. Forget all the negative comments reported so far. Was she late arriving on stage? Who knows? I was never aware at what time the show was due to start apart from knowing that the gates were open at 17.30 as published on the tickets. An amazing show!!!!!
Dermot, Wrexham, Wales
Borderline is one of my favorite songs. I wish she did it the original way!
Why do you keep saying "Madonna at 50"? My goodness, let the age go already. Its so played out. She puts on an amazing show and all you can think about is her age?
Kudos to Madonna for the political statement! U go girl!
Donna, Ny, USA
I attended the Madonna concert in Cardiff. She was absolutely incredible. Anyone who can sing and dance solidly for 2 hours at 50 is fantastic. Forget the journalist criticism, true Madonna fans say you ROCK!
Amanda, Bristol, UK
hu??? she's didn't do wembley??? it's next week. i'm confuesed
Leander, New York,