Posted May 21, 200619 yr http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2006/ct_friendsandfamily_rehearsal.jpg Taken from madonnalicious madonnalicious can now bring fans a report from last nights Friends and Family full dress rehearsal show at The Forum in Los Angeles - this report contains the full set list and our reporter Matt's view of each song: What do you do when one of Madonna's assistants personally invites you to her Friends and Family show the night before the official opening? Well, you try not to have a heart attack, you gain your composure and scream 'YES!' I found myself trying not to hyperventilate from this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We arrived at 7pm at the Forum for the 8pm performance, and seeing this private dress rehearsal was surreal. The stadium was nowhere near packed to capacity. Madonna came out on the stage before the show started and gave a small speech. 'Welcome to our Friends and Family Show, the only show where I get to make a disclaimer before the performance. I'm very nervous. My dancers are very nervous. There's been a lot of toilet flushing backstage!' She continued to chat with the audience, thanking them and her dancers for a great show. She mentioned they just corrected lighting problems one hour before everyone arrived, and 'God willing we'll have a good show. So, let the games begin!' And begin they did. Here's the show in order. 1. Future Lovers - As Madonna and equestrian images appeared on the big screen Madonna arrived at the end of the runway stage in a big giant disco ball. No surprises there. She sang Future Lovers in a very bondage-horsetraining outfit while the matching dancers performed 'pony play' movements. It was all very bondage, very sexual, very animalistic. The rumors of Madonna going into 'I Feel Love' are true; she sings a few verses and returns to 'Future Lovers'. 2. Get Together - This song was the album version and didn't deviate too much. She performed this song with two dancers and it was quite clear that our gal was nervous! 3. Like A Virgin - Madonna asked 'how am I doing?' before moving into a new version of Like A Virgin. Images of broken bones and horse hooves flashed on the screen as Madonna moved up the ramp to get on a saddle. She rode around, did a small pole dance as footage of horses bucking riders flashed around. 4. Jump - Video images of moving buildings played in the background as dancers perform acrobatic dance movements on the stage. Pretty impressive, lots of energy, tons of skill. DEFINITELY exciting. At the end of the number Madonna disappears into the stage and all the cages and forms return to the ceiling. 5. Live To Tell - This number begins with spoken words and three small stories as told by the dancers. Themes of domestic abuse, self-cutting and gang banging appear on the screen with big quotes before Madonna appears in the most controversial set up yet. Madonna comes down on a big mirrored crucifix while wearing a crown of thorns. Dressed in a red blouse and black pants, she sings the entire number while hanging on the cross as AIDS messages appear above. All in all it was a very moving performance. 6. Forbidden Love - Very straight-forward like the album. Dancers come on stage and do only what I can call 'the arm dance', with Madonna eventually joining in. Very creative, very visually interesting. 7. Isaac - I had no idea that the actual Isaac would be on stage with her, and it was extremely refreshing to hear him sing live. A dancer in the background slides around the stage as Madonna moves front and center to sing her lines. Desert videos project in the background as Madonna dances. 8. Sorry - The intro performed live is actually the Pet Shop Boys' version. Madonna dons a leather jacket and performs a routine very similar to the video. 9. Like It Or Not - Madonna has a very rough start on this song at her first performance. It eventually smoothes itself out and she ends the song with a fantastic dance with a chair at the end of the runway. 10. Sorry Video Reprise - Madonna runs off stage and we return with a video remix of Sorry. This time it's directed towards politicians as they are interjected between chips of Madonna. This version features a very heavy techno dancehall reggaeton sound. 'Don't Talk. Don't Speak' are repeated over and over in big giant letters. A fight happens onstage. 11. I Love New York - Madonna puts on a big coat and performs with guitar. A few technical difficulties force her to switch guitars twice. 'I can't hear my guitar!' she screams. 12. Ray Of Light - A slight variance of the original, with Madonna playing guitar as dancers in black satin outfits and white ties do a very 80s-inspired dance. A great number, but Madonna looks incredibly uncomfortable. Her voice reflects that. It's not the best Ray Of Light performance she's done. 13. Let It Will Be - Madonna takes of the jacket for a COMPLETELY revamped version of this song. Harder, louder, distorted and gritty, and we see the video projects go live for once. They feature a posterized, very 80's style Madonna singing the song in real time. It's very local cable access and pretty damn fantastic! A great effect. Very inspiring to hear her scream and sing over and over again 'Just watch me burn!' 14. Drowned World/Substitute For Love - Madonna screams 'Are you awake yet?' since the audience was so quiet. I believe that's only because we were such a SMALL audience. At any rate, she takes this moment to sit down and sing, especially after the last electrically-charged number. This version is very easy listening, very John Denver, if you can imagine. But it's great. 15. Paradise (Not For Me) - Madonna says 'This is my friend Isaac! as he joins her in a revamped version of Paradise. She plays the guitar beautifully in this number. 16. Disco Inferno/Music Mashup - Madonna changes the pace completely at this point of the show by introducing the song with a super-hyper collage of images and audio of past Madonna over the past 23 years. Dancers come out on rollerskates - YES, ROLLERSKATES - and Madonna returns in the 70's white Travolta-inspired leisure suit. Make sure to keep an eye out for how great she looks in the music video as she dances in a shimmery red dress. Music sounds great with Disco Inferno. The dance at the end is pure Madonna and shows a great sense of camp and humor. This number puts EVERYONE in a good mood. 17. Erotica - WHOA! Completely reworked and quite wonderful! A group dance number accompanies this very different version of the song as the 'Confessions'-style disco balls shine overhead. 18. La Isla Bonita - Reworked and totally different. Very tropical with a latin-house flavor and percussion. The group dances in front of tropical images and ocean views. 19. Lucky Star - Madonna falls to the ground as two dancers put a big giant cape on her. The cape reads 'Dancing Queen' and is shiny on the inside. Very fun. This version of Lucky Star is different and goes right into Hung Up. 20. Hung Up - This number is remixed and the costumes and choreography is similar to other Hung Up performances. She leads the audience in singing 'Time Goes By So Slowly' and when we're not loud enough she screams 'Come On Mother ****ers! Next time you're going to buy your own tickets!' Gold balloons fall from the sky, everyone dances and walks backstage. No encore at this show. After everyone returns backstage the screens display the message 'Have You Confessed! The show ran 2 hours and in typical Madonna fashion she entertained like no other. I was a bit surprised to see less dancing on her part in this tour, but make no mistake about it, she's still at the top of her game. Edited May 23, 200619 yr by Paul Mark
May 21, 200619 yr Author http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2006/ct_friendsandfamily_ticket_news.jpg
May 21, 200619 yr Author Everything you ever wanted to know or didn't want to know about the Confessions Tour. Fabulous factoids- funny, surprising, fascinating, useless to some, enthralling to others details: 1 � Tons weight of Madonna's disco ball rocket ship at start of show 2 weeks to use up wand of YSL #5 mascara 2 Million dollars worth of Swarovski crystals embellishes above disco ball 5000 Square Feet Size of Madonna's four stages (standard is 2600 square feet) 1000 Hours rehearsal over 12 weeks 27 Number of Performers including Madonna, Band, and 22 Dancers 253 Massages provided to dancers 0 foundation used on Madonna's skin 1 bottle of balancing cleansing oil (Shu Uemura Green Tea) every week 1 bottle of Yonka moisturizer used up every three weeks 106 Crew members in Madonna touring party 40 Foot turntable in center of main stage 16 Miles per hour when turntable revolves 1 "Discofied"Crucifix rises nightly from stage floor with surprise visitor attached 4 Feet away from the audience is distance between Madonna and fans on satellite stages 70 Tons of equipment on top of main stage 24 Semi Trucks used to move equipment from city to city 2 Private Planes to transport 18 Vans and Cars to transport 5 Buses to transport 280 Yards of Ace bandages used for dancers and Madonna 543 and counting heat wraps for dancers 200 Tons in weight of entire show (equivalent to a battle ship) 400,000 Watts of power used for run of show nightly 8 Broken bones of Madonna's displayed on video screens during "Like a Virgin" via x-rays and MRI's (she's all better now) 7 Costume changes for Madonna 30 Outfits were designed by Jean Paul Gaultier for Madonna and dancers 8 Pairs of shoes and boots used by Madonna each night (mostly Yves St. Laurent) 1 Piece of jewelry (only) worn by Madonna (diamond and amethyst necklace designed by Chopard) 600 Outfits in total for the entire show 25 Rack required to move wardrobe 1 Crown of thorns -50 thorns - from Cotters Church Supply in LA) 1 Bottle of vodka backstage to use for perspiration stains 24 Inch waist (Madonna) 4 People change Madonna's costumes during the show 1 Pair of Capezio professional fish net stockings used each night 10 Pounds is weight of Michael Schmidt designed belt Madonna wears during a segment in show 4000 Swarovski crystals imbedded in said belt 34 Clips used to set Madonna's hair 2 Smoothie brand hair elastics used during show (one blonde, one white) 4 Large hairpins used to secure chignon in opening sequence 3 Hairstyles revealed during the show (chignon, crown of thorns with baby Jesus curls and weeny/disco roll coiff) 2 Products used for hair (Kerestase oleo relax and Evian water mister to prevent electricity) 2 Changes of eyelashes (one mink, one mink with diamonds for disco section).
May 21, 200619 yr Author Here's a few items of Merchandise for sale The Tour Programme http://www.fanfire.com/images/product/large/MDN38519.jpg http://www.fanfire.com/images/product/large/MDN38635.jpg http://www.fanfire.com/images/product/large/MDN38636.jpg http://www.fanfire.com/images/product/large/MDN38516.jpg http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2006/ct_wildaboutmusic2news.jpg
May 21, 200619 yr Author Here's a 59 second clip of Like A Virgin [flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omelwum3CaM.swf
May 22, 200619 yr Author Here's Madonna talking to the people in the audience of the friends & family show before it starts. [flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJpeE-MIP4k.swf Edited May 22, 200619 yr by Paul Mark
May 22, 200619 yr Author Music & Disco Inferno [flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5iFQ8H-y-u8.swf
May 23, 200619 yr Author Wow great pics, especially the one on the cross Yeah i'll post some more HQ pics up of the tour tomorrow.
May 23, 200619 yr Author http://www.ultimatemadonna.com/t_02/la_21_maddielover_12_big.jpg http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2006/theforum_210506_michael4news.jpg http://www.madonnalicious.com/images/extra/2006/theforum_210506_michael10news.jpg
May 24, 200619 yr Author Here's the FULL Confessions Tour dates May 21 - Los Angeles USA May 23 - Los Angeles USA May 24 - Los Angeles USA May 27 - Las Vegas USA May 28 - Las Vegas USA May 30 - San Jose USA May 31 - San Jose USA Jun 05 - Fresno USA Jun 06 - Fresno USA Jun 08 - Phoenix USA Jun 10 - Phoenix USA Jun 14 - Chicago USA Jun 15 - Chicago USA Jun 18 - Chicago USA Jun 21 - Montreal Canada Jun 22 - Montreal Canada Jun 25 - Hartford USA Jun 26 - Hartford USA Jun 28 - New York USA Jun 29 - New York USA Jul 02 - New York USA Jul 03 - New York USA Jul 06 - Boston USA Jul 09 - Boston USA Jul 10 - Boston USA Jul 12 - Philadelphia USA Jul 13 - Philadelphia USA Jul 16 - Atlantic City USA Jul 18 - New York USA Jul 22 - Miami USA Jul 23 - Miami USA Jul 30 - Cardiff Wales Aug 01 - London England Aug 03 - London England Aug 06 - Rome Italy Aug 09 - London England Aug 10 - London England Aug 12 - London England Aug 13 - London England Aug 15 - London England Aug 16 - London England Aug 20 - Dusseldorf Aug 22 - Hannover Aug 24 - Horsens Denmark Aug 27 - Paris France Aug 28 - Paris France Aug 30 - Paris France Aug 31 - Paris France Sep 03 - Amsterdam Sep 04 - Amsterdam Sep 16 - Japan Sep 20 - Japan
May 24, 200619 yr Author wow thanks for all the videos and pics!!! looks really good. - Shaun Thanks! stay tuned as i will post new and fresh info on the tour until the very last date!.
May 24, 200619 yr Author EROTICA/YOU THRILL ME [flash=450,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dctPiczlIA.swf .
