Review: Madonna - Rebel Heart Tour

For the second of her two shows in Toronto for her Rebel Heart Tour, Madonna proved why she is and always will be recognized as the reigning Queen of Pop. Drawing largely from her latest album and oldies (but goodies) from the ‘80s, the two hour extravaganza was a stunning display of Her Madgesty’s talent and innate charisma.

For perhaps the first time ever in her illustrious career, Madonna doesn’t court a whole lot of controversy with the Rebel Heart Tour. Maybe this is because it’s 2015 and nothing much surprises us anymore, certainly not stripper nuns or topless dancers, especially from Madonna. Fans will have adjusted to her penchant for juxtaposing sex and religion, something which is on full display during the “Holy Water”/“Vogue” mashup. However, there are no grand political statements which have become a staple of Madonna’s concerts either. There’s no commentary on the current presidential race in the US, nor does she address any conflicts abroad or the many mass shootings that have rocked America in recent years. Instead, she makes her show about two things – herself and her fans. The show is both introspective and retrospective, much like the album it’s in support of. At its core, the Rebel Heart Tour is a love letter to her true blue fans.

Let’s get this straight, if you were a fan of Madonna during the ‘80s and dropped off somewhere around Erotica, this show is likely to only delight during its throwback moments (of which there are plenty). Still, the bulk of its material comes from her latest Rebel Heart. From the opener “Iconic” to the penultimate “Unapologetic Bitch,” Madonna shows that she has what it takes to stay relevant in this ever-changing world of pop music. The problem, of course, is that much of the album featured downtempo tracks that don’t translate well to arena tours. Unlike the frenzied MDNA Tour, the Rebel Heart Tour is much more intimate in its approach to Madonna’s material. This gives her plenty of opportunity to work the crowd, teasing and playing with them in between ballads.

The setlist for the show is near perfection. She pulls just the right songs from Rebel Heart, opting for a healthy mix of party anthems (“Bitch I’m Madonna”) and emotional ballads (“HeartBreakCity”). While some often debate the quality of her new material versus her tried-and-true hits, there’s no denying that some of the best moments of the night came while performing songs off of Rebel Heart. The titular track, in particular, saw Madonna taking up an acoustic guitar while singing in front of a video screen displaying artwork done by her legions of fans from around the world. It was a nostalgic moment of reflection, looking back on her many incarnations throughout the years. Similarly, “Ghosttown” provoked a thunderous response, with most singing loudly to the poignant love song.

There were plenty of surprises as well. Madonna dug deep into her catalogue, dusting off many of her oldest and most obscure songs from the ‘80s. She picked up an electric guitar to belt out “Burning Up,” held a singalong with fans for “Who’s That Girl” and transformed “Material Girl” into a Broadway ready showtune. While there was a medley of “Dress You Up,” “Into the Groove” and “Lucky Star” that didn’t quite it its mark, Madonna knocked it out of the park with a beautiful acoustic remix of “True Blue” and an abbreviated “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore.” It also goes without saying that the crowd went absolutely wild for “Like a Virgin.”

Still, there were a few flaws to the Rebel Heart Tour. While the setlist was fantastic overall, there were some oddities and ill-placed songs. For instance, “Like a Virgin” would have been better suited sung after “Material Girl” when she was decked out in a wedding veil. Similarly, the omitted “Like a Prayer” would have been the perfect closer to the first section of the show. For some reason or another she included “Candy Shop” and the cover song “La Vie en Rose.” The latter, made famous by French singer Edith Piaf, worked thematically in its Paris-themed segment, but fell flat amongst the largely English-speaking audience. The song would have been better served as a special treat for her Montreal dates and European shows. In its place, “Sooner or Later” would have actually been a brilliant throwback. “Candy Shop,” meanwhile, is a non-single track from her 2008 album Hard Candy. It’s far from being a hidden gem and doesn’t quite deserve its place on the setlist over more massive hits like “Express Yourself” or “Hung Up.” What’s more unfortunate is that it’s used in the same fashion it was during the MDNA Tour, during a cabaret-style sensual routine. This highlights the other issue with the Rebel Heart Tour – despite the overabundance of new material, the show feels very familiar.

Madonna is known for being a revolutionary artist who is constantly on the cutting edge when it comes to her performances. She continually shocks and titillates her audience with exciting routines and biting social commentary. The Rebel Heart Tour doesn’t do this. Yes, the choreography is great (seriously, her dancers are insanely talented) and the costuming is gorgeous, but it lacks the originality Madonna is synonymous for. With the exception of the mechanic-inspired second section, each segment of the show feels like they’ve been recycled from previous tours. This also emphasizes the overall lack of cohesion to the tour, since each one feels disparate in comparison to the other and since the songs don’t always pair perfectly with the staging. As such, it’s much more similar to Sticky & Sweet than the masterpiece that is the Confessions Tour.

The Rebel Heart Tour is a true nostalgic celebration of Madonna’s music. This intimate two hour spectacle showed a softer side to the veteran pop star, as she was all smiles and toyed with her audience. The mix of old and new material was just as on point as her wardrobe, giving her a setlist created as if to say thank you to her true diehard fans. While there will always be nitpicks here and there, it’s impossible for an artist like Madonna to put on a universally acclaimed tour at this point in her career. As the most successful female artist of all time, this is a woman who has hits in just about every decade since her debut and whose back catalogue is so large that her shows would exceed five hours if she were to sing them all. If there’s one thing that the Rebel Heart Tour showed me, it’s that Madonna has nothing left to prove. She is a legend in every sense of the word and has shaped both music and society in a way that no other artist has ever quite been able to do for such a long, sustained period of time. She doesn’t have to compete with the girls trying to snatch her crown, she doesn’t have to give drag queens new looks to emulate and she most certainly doesn’t have to please the middle-aged women who come to her shows to relive their youth. For me, as someone who has been fascinated by her image and music since I was a child, I am simply grateful to be able to be in the presence of such an accomplished woman and give my support and thanks to someone who has not only shaped who I am, but someone who has done so much for music and the LGBTQ+ community.

Ranking Madonna's Albums

When it comes to pop superstardom, there is no woman as legendary or as revolutionary as Madonna. Dubbed the Queen of Pop by the media and her fans, this dancer-turned-singer has an awe-inspiring career that has spanned four decades and 12 albums (and counting!).

Though she is highly regarded for her ability to reinvent herself sartorially, Madonna is also a brilliant musician whose songs have pioneered the genre of pop music.

In just a few short weeks, she'll be releasing her thirteenth studio album Rebel Heart (which has already gone to #1 on several charts based on pre-sales alone). To celebrate the release of what is sure to be another incredible record, this blog entry ranks all twelve of her studio albums from worst to best. 

Let's be clear though, even at her worst Madonna is still pretty freaking badass.

12. BEDTIME STORIES

Singles: "Secret," "Human Nature," "Take a Bow," "Bedtime Stories"

Released in the fall of 1994, Bedtime Stories was Madonna's follow-up to the highly controversial Erotica. With this release, she adopted a more mature image and eschewed her signature pop sound in favour of a smoother R&B style.

For the first time in her career, Madonna played it safe and it certainly shows with Bedtime Stories. Aside from its singles, the album is all filler. Its abundance of downtempo tracks drag on and don't offer  any of the usual ear candy Madonna is known for. While the Queen of Pop is to be commended for experimenting with different musical styles, Bedtime Stories failed to deliver as well as its predecessors have. That said, its singles "Human Nature" and "Take a Bow" remain two of her most praise-worthy songs of her career.

11. HARD CANDY

Singles: "4 Minutes," "Give It 2 Me," "Miles Away"

It's no secret that part of what has made Madonna so innovative as an artist is her penchant for working with unknown producers on her albums. This is no doubt why it was so jarring when Madonna teamed up A-list producers Pharrell Williams, Timbaland and Justin Timberlake for Hard Candy.

Though not a terrible album in the traditional sense, Madonna's voice is completely lost on Hard Candy. Rather than marching to the beat of her own drum, we find the Queen of Pop laying down vocals to what would otherwise be a Justin Timberlake record. It's certainly a sweet pop album with plenty of ear candy, but it's not remotely close to the quality of what fans would expect of their idol.

10. MUSIC

Singles: "Music," "Don't Tell Me," "What It Feels Like for a Girl"

Bolstered by the success of the singles "Music" and "Don't Tell Me," Music became one of Madonna's most critically acclaimed and commercially successful records to date. Even still, there's something not quite right about this album.

In truth, Music feels like it is entirely made up of leftover tracks from its predecessor Ray of Light. Sonically, Madonna is going back over what she had previously explored and fails to deliver anything memorable on that front. While the album's singles are certainly stellar, its titular track especially, it really doesn't show off just how versatile she is as an artist.

09. AMERICAN LIFE

Singles: "American Life," "Hollywood," "Nothing Fails," "Love Profusion"

Often regarded as a flop for Madonna, American Life was released during a low point in her career and it ultimately failed to generate any hit songs. The tragedy in all of this is that it's actually an excellent album.

Lyrically, American Life explores the themes of materialism, celebrity culture and loss. It is truthfully one of Madonna's most compelling and honest records to date in that respect. The album is also notable for its rock-tinged sound and the overall acoustic feel to the songs. In retrospect, American Life was brave for expressing unpopular opinions and its stripped down production.

08. MADONNA

Singles: "Everybody," "Burning Up," "Holiday," "Lucky Star," "Borderline"

When Madonna released her eponymous debut album in 1983, she established herself as a pioneer in the genre of dance and was heralded by many as the new reigning dance diva. While it may not have been her most commercially successful album, Madonna paved the way for her illustrious career and netted the singer five iconic singles.

Madonna is surprisingly cohesive and features very little filler, which is unusual for a debut album. Aside from "I Know It," the record plays well from start to finish. From its opener "Lucky Star" to its club-thumping closer "Everybody," this album set the standard for all the dance divas that have since followed.

07. TRUE BLUE

Singles: "Live to Tell," "Papa Don't Preach," "True Blue," "Open Your Heart," "La Isla Bonita"

As the best-selling album by a female artist in the 1980s, True Blue was an unstoppable juggernaut upon its release. It shattered records and ruffled people's feathers with its controversial music videos. With three of its five singles going to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, it's hard to deny just how impactful True Blue was.

To call True Blue infectious would be a slight understatement. Its songs are genius and are among some of the most influential pop anthems in history. From the melancholy "Live to Tell" to the celebratory "Open Your Heart," True Blue delivers a satisfying sound. The only thing that truly prevents it from ranking higher is its filler tracks between singles. While "White Heat" and "Where's The Party" are fun additions, "Jimmy Jimmy" and "Love Makes The World Go Round" are mind-numbing in just how bad they are.

06. MDNA

Singles: "Give Me All Your Luvin'," "Girl Gone Wild," "Masterpiece," "Turn Up the Radio"

As her eighth album to top the charts in the US, MDNA solidified Madonna's status as a legend. Its club-friendly sound and musical cohesion earned critical acclaim, netting her the Top Dance Album at the 2013 Billboard Music Awards.

MDNA was released at a critically important time in Madonna's career. On the one hand, it served to address her divorce from Guy Ritchie and features the more vulnerable side of an otherwise infallible popstar. On the other, it continued to prove that Madonna is ready to push the envelope with tracks like "Gang Bang" and rule the dance floor with the anthemic "Girl Gone Wild." While newcomers like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and Rihanna seem eager to revisit Madonna's back catalogue for their material, MDNA showed that this is one icon that will not bow down to the younger crowd.

05. LIKE A PRAYER

Singles: "Like a Prayer," "Express Yourself," "Cherish," "Oh Father," "Dear Jessie," "Keep It Together"

Regarded as one of the greatest albums of all time by the likes of Time Magazine and Rolling Stone, Like a Prayer is one of Madonna's most honest and reflective works to date. It is confessional in nature and deals with themes such as family, female empowerment and love.

From its titular track to the playful "Express Yourself," Like a Prayer is packed full of meaningful lyrics and featured the Queen of Pop finally taking control of her sound. The album is notable for being much more stripped down than previous releases and for showing off Madonna's raw talent as a singer. For the first time, audiences were seeing Madonna as an artist rather than a record label product.

04. EROTICA

Singles: "Erotica," "Deeper and Deeper," "Bad Girl," "Fever," "Rain," "Bye Bye Baby"

At the time of its release, Erotica became Madonna's least commercially successful album and failed to generate any major hits for the singer (though its first two singles did make it to the top 10). The album and its accompanying music videos were deemed too sexual for the mainstream, nearly destroying her career.

Despite its lack of commercial success, Erotica was nothing short of brilliant. It is easily her most underrated album (though MDNA comes close) and features some of the cleverest lyrics she's ever written. Her concern with sexuality is informative and commendable, giving a voice to groups that otherwise are censored by the mainstream. Beyond its cheeky tone, there's a dark undercurrent to Erotica. Notably, "Why's It So Hard" and "In This Life" deal with homosexuality and bigotry. The latter is particularly poignant for its emotionally charged lyrics regarding the effect of HIV/AIDS at that time. 

To this day, Erotica continues to be silently influential and has become the template for all popstars vying for Madonna's crown as the Queen of Pop. From Britney Spears to Beyoncé, today's most critically acclaimed singers seem to be doing nothing more than remaking versions of Erotica.

03. RAY OF LIGHT

Singles: "Frozen," "Ray of Light," Drowned World/Substitute for Love," "The Power of Good-Bye," "Nothing Really Matters"

Heralded as Madonna's comeback after a long hiatus following the birth of her daughter Lourdes, Ray of Light catapulted the Queen of Pop back to the top of the charts. Named one of the greatest albums of all time by Rolling Stone, this album earned Madonna four Grammys and six MTV Video Music Awards.

Released at a time when music was oversaturated by the sanitized sounds of teen popstars, Ray of Light was deeply spiritual and experimental in both its lyrics and its music. It strikes a perfect balance between light and dark, as it deals with both celebration and tragedy. This fully matured side of Madonna struck a chord with audiences and helped to usher in a new era of dance music.

02. LIKE A VIRGIN

Singles: "Like a Virgin," "Material Girl," "Angel," Into the Groove," "Dress You Up"

As one of the most successful albums of all time, Like a Virgin was the lightning rod that electrified Madonna's career and catapulted her to superstardom. Certified diamond by the RIAA, Madonna's sophomore release proved that the singer was not a one-hit-wonder and its singles continue to be some of the most iconic pop hits in history.

Aside from Michael Jackson's Thriller, there is no other album that defines the 1980s quite as much as Like a Virgin does. Its impact is undeniable, as its singles pioneered the genre of pop music and have gone on to be considered classics. Aside from that, Like a Virgin is remarkable for its cohesive and tight composition. Whether you're a fan of dance or not, this is one classic that will never go out of style.

01. CONFESSIONS ON A DANCE FLOOR

Singles: "Hung Up," "Sorry," "Get Together," "Jump"

Behind the glamorous facade of dance music, Madonna crafts some of her most brilliant lyrical work on Confessions on a Dance Floor. She's also at her most self-referential, paying homage to her previous music with many of the album's tracks. Not only that, but she pays tribute to all of the artists who have influenced her as a singer.

Confessions on a Dance Floor is not just a flawless dance record, it is an immersive experience. Structured like a DJ's set, the album lacks space between its tracks and simulates the atmosphere of a nightclub. Confessions is also noted for its evolving tone, which sees the album starting off light and ending much more introspectively.

The strength of the album's production and Madonna's genius paid off, earning her a Grammy for the album. Confessions on a Dance Floor proves Madonna's worth as an artist and illustrates why she deserves the crown as the Queen of Pop.

Top 10: Most Stylish Characters in Movies

As a visual medium, film has become an outlet for costume designers to bring some of the most dazzling and inspiring ensembles to the masses. From haute couture to period clothing, these unsung heroes are responsible for transforming an actor into their character. As famed costume designer Edith Head once said, "What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not. We ask the public to believe that every time they see a performer on the screen, he's become a different person."

In honour of the incredible work done by these individuals, here are the top ten most stylish characters on film. Regardless of genre and profession, these ten ladies are a cut above the rest.

10. Sayuri

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Spirited away from a life of poverty in a small Japanese village, the mononymous Sayuri is sold to a geisha house and is trained to be one of these enigmatic artisans. Driven by her desire to get closer to a mysterious businessman, Sayuri climbs her way to the top in the profession and becomes one of the most glamorous geisha in her town.

Ziyi Zhang is a vision of grace and elegance as Sayuri. She is draped in gorgeous silken fabrics and given intricate hairstyles in order to transform into the character. The art behind the kimono in the film is quite evident and the attention to detail rightly earned Colleen Atwood an Academy Award for her costume designs.

09. Eva Peron

Evita (1996)

Based off the life of the iconic Argentinian First Lady, Evita follows Eva Perón's Cinderella-like ascent from the lower classes to becoming the spiritual leader of Argentina. Much like Jackie O and Michelle Obama, Perón was known for her impeccable sense of style and this film lives up to her reputation.

Pop icon Madonna appears in a wide range of beautiful dresses and slick suits for this 1996 film. This transformation proved so successful that it earned the Queen of Pop a Golden Globe for her performance. Beyond that, Evita holds the distinction for being the film with the most costume changes (85 to be exact).

08. Cruella de Vil

101 Dalmatians (1996), 102 Dalmatians (2000)

This live-action remake of the classic Disney film and its sequel centred around Cruella de Vil, chronicling her pursuit to create clothing out of animal fur. In the first film she kidnaps the eponymous 101 dalmatians, while the second follows her adventures after being supposedly rehabilitated of her unusual obsession with animal skinning.

As one of her most iconic roles, Glenn Close vamps it up as Cruella de Vil in a wide range of wacky ensembles. She appeared in one-of-a-kind costumes designed by Anthony Powell, all of which featured crisp black and white palettes. Truthfully, being bad never looked so good.

07. Miranda Priesley

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

When a recent college grad secures a job as an executive assistant at a leading fashion magazine, she falls victim to the crazed demands of her boss from hell. The incomparable Meryl Streep appears as diva extraordinaire Miranda Priestley, who rules Runway Magazine with an iron fist and six inch pumps.

When you're playing Anna Wintour the editor of a major fashion magazine, expectations are high in terms of what you should look like. Thankfully, Patricia Field (of Sex and the City fame) was on hand to dress Meryl Streep in some of the finest outfits known to man. Nearly a decade later, Streep's Miranda Priestley is still as commanding and stylish as ever in her fierce power suits and silver asymmetrical bob.

06. Cleopatra

Cleopatra (1963)

While this historic epic may have been a box office disappointment, Cleopatra delivered some of the most stunning visuals ever seen on film. Elizabeth Taylor delivers a flawless performance as the fickle and enigmatic Egyptian ruler Cleopatra, while looking inhumanly beautiful doing it.

The Academy Award winning costumes Taylor wears in the film are exquisite. From the glistening gold headdress she dons during the Rome sequence to the figure-hugging dresses she wears around her palace, Cleopatra looks incredibly elegant and lives up to her status as a historic style icon.

05. Lorelei Lee

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

This hilarious musical sees Marilyn Monroe playing the ditzy, money-hungry showgirl Lorelei Lee as she sails off to Paris with her best friend Dorothy Shaw. As one of Monroe's more recognizable performances, she appears in a variety of colourful costumes that establish her as the ultimate icon of glitz and glamour.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was the third collaboration between Marilyn Monroe and costume designer Travilla. His designs for this film not only do an incredible job of showing off Monroe's curvaceous physique, but they also visually represent Lorelei as a character to a tee. She's decked out in sparkling jewels, colourful fabrics, and gorgeous gowns. This film also contains the famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence, wherein Monroe wears her iconic strapless pink dress while being lavished with jewels by her gaggle of back-up dancers.

04. Deena Jones

Dreamgirls (2006)

Set in the 1960s, Dreamgirls is a musical that tells the story of a girl group known as the Dreams' rise to fame and the conflicts that nearly break them apart. Beyoncé plays lead singer Deena Jones, who usurps the role from fellow bandmate Effie White (played by Jennifer Hudson). Her questionable acting talent notwithstanding, Beyoncé delivers her most memorable performance in this film and looks amazing doing it.

Since the costuming in this film is largely inspired by the Supremes, it's no surprise that Beyoncé appears in elegant evening gowns and stylish mini-dresses. Even though Destiny's Child the Dreams wear matching costumes, designer Sharen Davis managed to constantly make sure that Deena stood out. The characters solo sequences especially show her wearing ultra-glamorous ensembles, most notably during Deena's vanity photoshoot wherein she channels Grace Jones and Diana Ross.

03. Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and the City (2008), Sex and the City 2 (2010)

For six seasons, Sarah Jessica Parker dazzled audiences as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. As a 30-something writer navigating the waters of sex and dating, Carrie used her signature wit and flare to deliver a weekly column detailing the romantic misadventures of her and her friends. On top of that, this charismatic journalist also happened to live and breathe fashion.

As Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker introduced an entire generation of straight women and gay men to designer fashion through her role on the television series. Carrie was always fearless in her style choices, but it would be her leap to the big screen that would see her transformation into a more mature and elegant style icon. From the infamous Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to bedazzled harem pants, Carrie appeared in some pretty jaw-dropping ensembles for her appearances in the two Sex and the City films.

02. Satine

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Set in turn of the century Paris, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a struggling writer who falls in love with a courtesan played by Nicole Kidman. As Satine, Kidman delivers one hell of a performance by stretching just about every acting muscle possible by veering into drama and comedy with a musical slant. Beyond that, she's breathtakingly beautiful in this film and practically glows in just about every scene she's in.

Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie's Academy Award winning costumes are nothing short of brilliant. Kidman is ravishing in sparkling showgirl ensembles, intricate Hindu-inspired headdresses, and curve-hugging corseted dresses. Satine is one hell of a devastating diva that's for sure.

01. Holly Golightly

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

A 1961 adaptation of Truman Capote's novella of the same time, Breakfast at Tiffany's follows the unusual romance that blossoms between a quirky socialite and her neighbour. As Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn truly outdoes herself and manages to steal the spotlight at every turn. From the opening scene where she eats a pastry in front of Tiffany & Co. to her performance of "Moon River" on a fire escape, Hepburn exudes charisma and talent.

As far as style icons go, no one is quite as renowned or universally acknowledged as Audrey Hepburn. She is upheld as the ultimate symbol of elegance and chicness due to her impeccable taste in clothing, so much so that the vast majority of her appearances on film have gone on to become memorable fashion moments. However, no film is remembered quite as well for its fashion as Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hepburn and her long-time collaborator Hubert de Givenchy put together a wardrobe so timeless that is has been emulated many times over.