Madonna w/ Michael Diamond
Moda Center, Portland, OR
10.17.15
The Moda Center of Portland was nearly sold out, with everyone ready to feast their eyes on all that is Madonna. This show was almost more circus and burlesque than music. It was absolutely unreal. Sexual, offensive, edgy; pushing religious boundaries and sexual definitions. Madonna did not hold back…
Descending from the ceiling was a large metal cage, inside of which Madonna was singing “Iconic.” Men marched around the stage in large black and gold kimonos and carried gold tridents. They lined up in front of the cage and Madonna emerged from inside. Adorned with a red kimono, she strutted out with long, thick, flowing blond locks. She marched out onto a long cross-shaped catwalk that ended in a heart shape, creating a very suggestive phallic image.
As the show progressed, the tridents were placed vertically into the cross section of the catwalk, creating stripper poles. Out came four girls in underwear, bras, and habits, dancing seductively with their poles. Madonna, now in a black corset, teased and toyed with them while singing “Holy Water.” Madonna climbed to the top of one pole while one of the dancers climbed up below her, creating a human plank about three feet in the air. Madonna then stood on her, revolving around like a human carousel. A very impressive feat of strength from both.
The poles were removed and replaced by a large gold table with candelabras. The table was covered with beautiful half-dressed dancers, who pretended to feed each other fruit while bumping and grinding like an orgy at the Last Supper. Madonna was in the middle singing “Devil Pray.” The men slowly tied her arms and legs with red ropes and the dancers filed out, leaving Madonna alone and bound on the table. She slowly wriggled out of the ropes and simulated a sexual encounter with a man dressed as a priest for “Body Shop.”
After a set change, she gave us a few new hits like “HeartBreakCity,” mixed with a few classics like “Deeper and Deeper” and of course “Like a Virgin.” Madonna left stage for an interlude of “S.E.X.” while four beds appeared and tilted up. Each contained a couple that simulated some steamy situations. Men on men, women on women, and the mix; dancing, grinding and switching partners in a ballet of body movements.
The mood shifted and the music slowed, more sensual than raw sexuality. She sang “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” on a large spiral staircase that had descended from the ceiling. She was outfitted in a China Poblana dress with a long flowing embroidered skirt and a simple braid over her shoulder. At one point she sat on a stool alongside a single guitarist on the end of the catwalk and sang “Secret” while strumming a ukulele. This proved that she does not need the backup dancers and the flashy lights. It was beautiful.
After a humbling music video for “Rebel Heart” – which was constructed entirely from artwork created by her fans – there was an acoustic break and yet another wardrobe change, this time into a black cabaret ensemble drenched in diamond strands. She rocked out songs like “Music,” “Candy Shop,” and “Material Girl.” She also did an acoustic rendition of “La vie en rose” on her ukulele. Her last song was “Unapologetic Bitch,” in which she took a man from the audience and marched him up to the mainstage to dance. Afterwards, she awarded him a banana for playing along. Madonna encored with “Holiday,” leaving everyone in high spirits and dancing in the hallways. She kicked ass for two solid hours, totaling a whopping 21 songs. If you ever get a chance to see Madonna live, I highly suggest you jump on the opportunity as fast as you can. She does not disappoint!
Madonna Set List:
Iconic
Bitch I’m Madonna
Burning Up
Holy Water
Devil Pray
Body Shop
True Blue
Deeper and Deeper
HeartBreakCity
Like a Virgin
Living for Love
La Isla Bonita
Dress You Up
Secret
Rebel Heart
Music
Candy Shop
Material Girl
La vie en rose
Unapologetic Bitch
Encore:
Holiday
Review by Renae Koepke
Photos by David Endicott
Madonna
