Confessions Tour
| Tour by Madonna | |
| File:Madonnact.JPG | |
| Legs | 3 |
|---|---|
| No. of shows | 34 in North America 22 in Europe 4 in Japan 60 in total |
Starting in May 2006, Madonna's Confessions Tour is a concert tour organised to support the album Confessions on a Dance Floor.
The tour began on May 21, 2006 at The Forum in Los Angeles, USA and continued to major cities across America including Las Vegas, Chicago, Montreal, Canada, New York City, Boston and Miami. On July 30 the tour moved to Europe, launching at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. After moving onto Wembley Arena in London the tour will stop in Italy, Germany, Denmark (85,000 tickets sold), France, The Netherlands, The Czech Republic, and Russia (her first ever appearance in the latter two countries, and in the whole of the Eastern-European block) before moving to Japan. Madonna had hoped to end the tour in Australia, but the logistics did not work out. She issued an apology to her Australian fans on her official website.
The North American portion of the tour grossed over $85 million, selling out all the US dates and making it the highest grossing summer tour of the year 2006. [1] Three of the U.S. dates will benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Wilma.[2]
NBC announced on July 21st that they will be filming one of the upcoming shows at London's Wembley Arena and airing the concert sometime in November 2006. Manager Guy Oseary has confirmed that the shows to be taped are the August 15 & 16 dates. It will be titled, Live to Tell.[3] The show on the 16th was of particular interest as it was her birthday.
In London she was awarded Wembley Arena's Female Artist of the Year award for her 8 shows there which in total attracted more than 88,000 fans.[4] The 8 sellouts at London's Wembley Arena grossed $22,090,582, therefore also achieving the highest Billboard Boxscore gross of 2006 in the process. [5]
The tour, which is expected to gross $200 million, is expected to become the biggest ever tour in history by a female artist according to Billboard Magazine.[6]
Madonna is reportedly in talks to auction off the Gaultier-designed tour costumes for charity to raise money for Africa.
Ticket sales
Tickets for the tour sold out within minutes of going on sale at many venues in North America and Europe, and new dates were immediately announced - included five new dates at Wembley Arena and new dates in New York, Paris and Los Angeles. The tour, which is expected to gross $200 million, may become the biggest ever tour in history by a female artist according to Billboard magazine. [7]. Madonna rang up eight sellouts at Wembley Arena beginning Aug. 1, notching the highest Billboard Boxscore gross of 2006 in the process. [8]
In particular, NRJ reported that the two French dates sold out within 15 minutes of going on sale, resulting in two shows being added. The two original dates in London sold out almost instantly, and five new shows at Wembley Arena were announced. [9] On April 8th, Madonna sold 30,000 tickets in under 40 minutes in Montreal, breaking a record previously held by U2. On July 9, 2006, 80,000 tickets went on sale for Madonna's Osaka and Tokyo shows. The tickets were sold out in a record five minutes. It was Madonna's first time touring Japan in 13 years. Fans began waiting in line and calling ticket brokers well in advance of the first day sale date. In order to meet high demand, an additional date was added, September 21, 2006, at the Tokyo Dome. On August 4, 2006, more than 40,000 tickets for the first ever Madonna's concert in Moscow went on sale and sold out in three days, which is a new record in that country as all other artists had taken more than 2 weeks to sell out the tickets in the region. As of August 21st, 2006 Madonna had grossed in $126,971,081.00 from her Confessions Tour and sold out all concerts according to Billboard.[citation needed]
The most expensive ticket sold was $3883 for front row at the American Airlines Arena in Miami [10].
The show
The show is divided into four separate acts with different themes: Equestrian, Bedouin, Indie glam rock-n-roll, Disco.
Scenes in the opening number, "Future Lovers" and "I Feel Love", were taken from Madonna's 2006 photoshoot with Steven Klein for 'W' magazine.
The tour has generated international controversy due to its use of Christian religious iconography. While singing "Live to Tell", Madonna hangs from a mirrored cross wearing a crown of thorns around her head. Christian, Jewish and Muslim groups in North America and Europe came together to criticize what they saw as Madonna's exploitation of "sacred" Christian symbols. In response, Madonna personally and publicly invited Pope Benedict XVI to see the show while in Rome - insisting that she was doing the controversial act to raise awareness and money for orphans abandoned in Africa (particularly Malawi) due to HIV/AIDS and that "Jesus wouldn't mind." (While she sings "Live To Tell," in the background run haunting images of the devestation wreaking havoc in Africa right now. On top, a count begins from 0 until it reaches 12 million - the number of orphans created by HIV/AIDS in Africa alone [2006 UN estimate]).
The version of "Erotica" preformed in this show is more commonly known as "You Thrill Me".
Yitzhak Sinwani (who is featured on the album track "Isaac") sings along side Madonna for the same song and joins her on acoustic renditions of "Paradise (Not For Me)" and "Drowned World".
Set list
- "Future Lovers/I Feel Love"
- "Get Together"
- "Like A Virgin"
- "Jump"
- "Interlude: Dancers' Confessions"
- "Live to Tell"
- "Forbidden Love"
- "Isaac"
- "Sorry"
- "Like It Or Not"
- "Interlude: Sorry [Remix]"
- "I Love New York"
- "Ray of Light"
- "Let It Will Be"
- "Drowned World/Substitute For Love"
- "Paradise (Not For Me)"
- "Interlude: Roller Dance Disco Inferno"
- "Music Inferno"
- "Erotica/You Thrill Me"
- "La Isla Bonita"
- "Lucky Star"
- "Hung Up"
Personnel
- Tour director: Jamie King
- Musical director: Stuart Price
- Costume design: Arianne Phillips and Jean Paul Gaultier
- Background vocals: Donna DeLory, Nicky Richards & Yitzhak Sinwani
- Worldwide promoter: The Next Adventure
Tour Dates
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance (Sellout Status) | Gross (Approx~) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | |||||
| May 21 2006 | Los Angeles | United States | Forum | ~13,348 (Sellout) | ~$2,562,000 |
| May 23 2006 | Los Angeles | United States | Forum | ~13,348 (Sellout) | ~$2,562,000 |
| May 24 2006 | Los Angeles | United States | Forum | ~13,348 (Sellout) | ~$2,562,000 |
| May 27 2006 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena | ~13,764 (Sellout) | ~$3,630,000 |
| May 28 2006 | Las Vegas | United States | MGM Grand Garden Arena | ~13,764 (Sellout) | ~$3,630,000 |
| May 30 2006 | San Jose | United States | HP Pavilion | ~13,512 (Sellout) | ~$2,381,000 |
| May 31 2006 | San Jose | United States | HP Pavilion | ~13,512 (Sellout) | ~$3,630,000 |
| June 3 2006 | Los Angeles | United States | Staples Center | ~14,183 (Sellout) | ~$2,804,583 |
| June 5 2006 | Fresno | United States | Save Mart Center | ~10,077 (Sellout) | ~$1,875,000 |
| June 6 2006 | Fresno | United States | Save Mart Center | ~10,077 (Sellout) | ~$1,875,000 |
| June 8 2006 | Phoenix | United States | Glendale Arena | ~14,410 (Sellout) | ~$2,445,000 |
| June 10 2006 | Phoenix | United States | Glendale Arena | ~14,410 (Sellout) | ~$2,445,000 |
| June 14 2006 | Chicago | United States | United Center | ~13,000 (Sellout) | ~$2,320,000 |
| June 15 2006 | Chicago | United States | United Center | ~13,000 (Sellout) | ~$2,320,000 |
| June 18 2006 | Chicago | United States | United Center | ~13,000 (Sellout) | ~$2,320,000 |
| June 19 2006 | Chicago | United States | United Center | ~13,000 (Sellout) | ~$2,320,000 |
| June 21 2006 | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre | ~17,470 (Sellout) | ~$2,835,100 |
| June 22 2006 | Montreal | Canada | Bell Centre | ~17,470 (Sellout) | ~$2,835,100 |
| June 25 2006 | Hartford | United States | Civic Centre | ~10,779 (Sellout) | ~$1,726,000 |
| June 26 2006 | Hartford | United States | Civic Centre | ~10,779 (Sellout) | ~$1,726,000 |
| June 28 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| June 29 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| July 2 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| July 3 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| July 6 2006 | Boston | United States | TD Banknorth Garden | ~12,247 (Sellout) | ~$2,112,400 |
| July 9 2006 | Boston | United States | TD Banknorth Garden | ~12,247 (Sellout) | ~$2,112,400 |
| July 10 2006 | Boston | United States | TD Banknorth Garden | ~12,247 (Sellout) | ~$2,112,400 |
| July 12 2006 | Philadelphia | United States | Wachovia Center | ~14,875 (Sellout) | ~$2,319,900 |
| July 13 2006 | Philadelphia | United States | Wachovia Center | ~14,875 (Sellout) | ~$2,319,900 |
| July 16 2006 | Atlantic City | United States | Boardwalk Hall | ~12,322 (Sellout) | ~$3,246,100 |
| July 18 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| July 19 2006 | New York | United States | Madison Square Garden | ~15,307 (Sellout) | ~$2,751,309 |
| July 22 2006 | Miami | United States | AmericanAirlines Arena | ~15,205 (Sellout) | ~$2,784,243 |
| July 23 2006 | Miami | United States | AmericanAirlines Arena | ~15,205 (Sellout) | ~$2,784,243 |
| Total : | ~466,735 (34 Dates All Sold Out) | ~$87,103,223 | |||
| Europe | |||||
| Date | City | Country | Venue | Attendance (Sellout Status) | Gross (Approx~) |
| July 30 2006 | Cardiff | United Kingdom | Millennium Stadium | ~55,795 (Sellout) | ~$7,788,845 |
| August 1 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 3 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 6 2006 | Rome | Italy | Olympic Stadium | ~63,054 (Sellout) | ~$5,268,886 |
| August 9 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 10 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 12 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 13 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 15 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 16 2006 | London | United Kingdom | Wembley Arena | ~10,757 (Sellout) | ~$2,761,325 |
| August 20 2006 | Düsseldorf | Germany | LTU Arena | ~44,744 (Sellout) | ~$5,926,105 |
| August 22 2006 | Hannover | Germany | AWD Arena | ||
| August 24 2006 | Horsens | Denmark | Forum Horsens Outdoor | ~85,000 (Sellout) | ~$9,845,834 |
| August 27 2006 | Paris | France | Bercy Stadium | ~17,000 | |
| August 28 2006 | Paris | France | Bercy Stadium | ~17,000 | |
| August 30 2006 | Paris | France | Bercy Stadium | ~17,000 | |
| August 31 2006 | Paris | France | Bercy Stadium | ~17,000 | |
| September 3 2006 | Amsterdam | The Netherlands | Amsterdam Arena | ||
| September 4 2006 | Amsterdam | The Netherlands | Amsterdam Arena | ||
| September 6 2006 | Prague | Czech Republic | Sazka Arena | ||
| September 7 2006 | Prague | Czech Republic | Sazka Arena | ||
| September 12 2006 | Moscow | Russia | Luzhniki Stadium | ~52,000 | |
| Japan | |||||
| September 16 2006 | Osaka | Japan | Kyocera Dome Osaka | ||
| September 17 2006 | Osaka | Japan | Kyocera Dome Osaka | ||
| September 20 2006 | Tokyo | Japan | Tokyo Dome | ||
| September 21 2006 | Tokyo | Japan | Tokyo Dome | ||