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New York, Paris, Maidstone. For the last of three short shows to plug her current album Hard Candy, Madonna arrived by helicopter in the Kent countryside to headline Radio 1’s Big Weekend. Clearly the plan was to prove that a pop star who turns 50 in August can remain relevant to the kids. Instead, a sterile, soulless performance made Madonna resemble an embarrassing auntie desperately trying to be hip.
A crowd with cameraphones at the ready, crammed into a Big Top-style tent, had almost an hour to wait for pop’s greatest grande dame to arrive. The PA blasted out sweet-themed songs and the backdrop was girlie, pink swirls. When Madonna finally appeared, however, there was nothing sweet about her. Legs splayed over a black and gold throne at the top of stairs that doubled as one of various, inventive video screens, she wore an all-black outfit of silk coat, tracksuit trousers tucked into knee-length, lace-up boots, and leather, fingerless gloves.
Brandishing a silver cane like an S&M tool was meant to make her look tough and threateningly sexy. But with her trousers billowing above her boots like jodhpurs, she was less the raunchy temptress than the well-heeled woman in search of a horse.
Like much of the six-song, half-hour set, the opener Candy Shop suffered from muffled sound. Madonna has always valued spectacle over singing, but the bassy beats almost drowned her out and the tune, reasonably catchy on record, became a bland dirge. Four male dancers removed her coat, revealing a lacy top. A three-piece band was hidden to the side of the stage. For Miles Away, an ode to her husband, the film director Guy Ritchie, Madonna strapped on a guitar but neither looked as if she was genuinely strumming nor played anything audible. With her dancers briefly dispatched, the song left fans with little to watch through their phones.
The chart-topping single 4 Minutes was a vast improvement, even with Justin Timberlake – rumoured to be appearing in person – merely an image on rectangular screens across the stage, which Madonna spun round to release her dancers hidden behind. Supremely fit and with bulging biceps, the singer fared best when she joined her troupe in tightly choreographed routines. While her singing occasionally strayed off key, her fancy footwork was sure and never faltered.
Two old tracks got the best reception although, as Madonna made clear, she refuses to travel too far back in time.
The Abba-sampling hit Hung Up, from 2005, began with a steal from the Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction and was a given a grungey rework that felt as fake as Madonna’s overblown guitar-thrashing. A magnificent Music, meanwhile, closed the set and just about saved the show. Part of the stage spun round and out jumped dancers in Day-Glo attire. Madonna performed part of the song on her knees and fans finally got to sing along.
On the way out, the kids complained that she hadn’t sung Holiday, while the Mayor of Maidstone, Richard Ash, grumbled at the shortness of the set. Still, for one night only, it put Maidstone on the pop map.
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I personally would rather have lighted matches stuck between my toes than listen to this turgid no talent commercial product attempting to pass herself off as a singer.
There is nothing more embarrassing that an aging candy pop star trying to pass herself off as a credible musician.
Bob, Andnover,
C'mon people!
Forget her age! She still the great artist! Think about a women who have a sucess around all over the world? Here in Brazil in South America she has such a sucess than her had about 20 years late and And her's hit parade don't let me lie!
MADONNA É A MELHOR!!!
Elcio Batista de Oliveira, Curitiba, Brasil
I think Madonna should start wearing pretty, chic dresses on and off stage. She's an extremely attractive lady, with such a stunning voice, who should seriously consider switching to a more sultry style, such as Jazz, or Jazz/Latin/Bossa Nova. Here's to the next ten years or more of Madonna's unique style of entertainment.
Miss Marita Indans, Poole, Dorset, United Kingdom
Is awful, was awful and will be awful. A nasal dancer.
Re-invention?? Last time she re-invented herself as Abba.
Cringeworthy.
Pu Li, Guangxi, PRC
I have seen every concert and im happy to say that whilst this was not the best i have seen, she is really only preparing for her paying guests later in the year. This show was free and im sure that some of you will agree, brilliant for nothing! Drop the age thing...50..who cares!
Long live...
Mat, Kirkham, UK
Who is the women...Lisa Verrico....
Nobody
What rubbish
Mat, Kirkham, UK
Her voice always been like that, we knew it!! But immediate she perform on that stage, it is just superb!! It worth every penny. She's Madonna! And what with the age issue? I would dying to look like that when I'm 50!
J Lin, Miri, Malaysia
Whatever!!!!! I mean, you come here and you decide what is good or bad about Madonna or Mariah or anyone else. All this post about her is stupid. Weather you like or not, Madonna is here to stay forever... it's hard to accept but it's true, like her hard candy... Long live the queen of pop!!!!
J, Toronto, Canada
It's not so much the age... it's her voice. She just can't sing in my eyes. She's got no volume, no variety, nothing. Not to mention her ridiculous clothes choice. Haven't we seen all this before? Like 20 years ago? I thought Madonna was all about re-inventing???
Franziska Erbar, Sevenoaks, UK
its supermarket music pumped out to any sheep that will listen too it..
Eric Reynolds, GLASGOW , SCOTLAND
I saw it on TV and thought it was superb. The reviewer who only gave it two stars should be sacked.
Andrew Thomas, Swansea,
Her music was dated back in 80s and still sounds dated,
Debbie Harry of blondie is in her 60s and still looks better than haggered old madge,sorry mage some folk have it and some folk just dont.
Eric Reynolds, Glasgow , Scotland
Everyone seems to be complaining about the production of the event. Do you think Madge has control over EVERY aspect of a HUGE LIVE event? And, Does anyone know how many #1 singles she has and how many times her albums have debuted at at #1 in the US and UK. Let's see what you are doing at 50.
Shane Martin, NYC, USA
I'm sick to death of people harping on about Madonna's age; the media having been counting her down to the big five-zero for at least 5 years - probably longer - and it's gone beyond the point of tedium now.
She's a pop culture legend, regardless of age.
tim abbott, London, UK
I was at Maidstone and although I am not a Madonna fan I was looking forward to seeing her on Saturday and I have to say, she was great. Everyone there loved it - she is 49, so what?! I'm 26 and sure can't move like her. Why is it always women journalists that have a problem with great women!?
Paul Richards, Brighton,
Hmmm. She's a good superstar to have around but I think this latest offering is pushing it a bit. The body is willing but the voice is not. It was difficult to tell where the live vocals ended and the digital backing tapes kicked in... Madonna 'half-live' come the summer shows, I think...
Neil Taylor, Birmingham, UK
I think she is an inspiration both to her own generation and younger ones too. You never quite know what to expect from her and I like that very much. Good on you Madge :o)
Irmelin, Maidstone, UK
I was there, wished I wasn't! When we were told her DJ was coming on stage to get the crowd hot and sweaty I knew we were in trouble - you would have thought that a "pop veteran" could have done that herself. Her set took a 2nd in "worst performance of the day", 1st place: "The Fratellis"
Ben, Kingsnorth, Kent, UK
You have six songs. You have a new cd out. You don't need to promote it. It will sell itself. It always does. So, play '4 minutes' and 1 other new track. Give us 2 recent hits; Hung up and Music. Then give us 2 classics. Prayer, Virgin, Vogue, Holiday, Groove, Ray. Everyone gets what they want!
stu, manchester,
Blimey! A woman of 50 YUK! that's the real point isn't it? it isn't that her performance may not have been so great or her clothes were not perfect , many of the younger acts would have been in the same boat - but what this article really puts across is the fact that now she is 50 she is disgusting?
lara, Oxford, England
She is artisan-NOT artist- she uses artists to sell- Malcolm Mclaren was her first template..Her fans are convinced she's above-yes-feeding the poor and fight'n aidz -takes strength. Making millions &community work is nice, right? Imagine if she didn't(pay taxes).
KMike J, Brooklyn, U.S.A
Wonder what Lisa Verrico's life like????????????????
johnny, london,
Ouch! Slightly ageist I think.
Heather, Lancaster,
Harsh. Very harsh. And quite unjustified.
Adam Watson, Belfast, Northern Ireland
oh give up with the sniping! What a mean article. I and a lot of people would rather go and watch 'auntie' Madonna than the supposedly relevant and better younger acts. She is an Artist and you know you will a slick well choreagraphed proffesional show.
anne, Nottingham,
Ok Madonna. I love you and your music. I've been a huge fan for the last 23 years. But, I need to advise you. Having seen your 'Confessions' tour last, and watched this performance on Freeview, I was struck by the same thought. Why, why, why make the same mistakes?
Let's look at it.
stu, manchester,
Ok I have read the reviews,watched the performance live on BBC3 and I dont get why ppl keep talking about her age!Madonna is ageless.she has nothing to prove or justify to anyone.She is and will remain on top until she decides its time to call it aday.This show was what it was to promote hard candy.
Carlton, Burntwood, UK
She is one of the few performers to which it can be said you will get your money's worth, if you don't believe me just watch the upcoming tour sell out fast and furious, and I bet the buyers have all seen her before and know they won't be disappointed.
Emmett, Harrison Township, USA
I have just watched the Madonna performance and having been a die hard fan for twenty years, I cringed all the way through the performance. Madonna, I love you, but girl you can do better than that! Oh ditch the guitar.
Mark Thompson, Stoke, U.K
Mark thompson, Newcastle Under Lyme, United Kingdom
The fact that the only super stars are now over 50 just proves that there is no new talent. In the 60s and 70s new groups with new groundbreaking music appeared almost every week. Now all we have to listen to is recooked leftovers. It is a really sad state of affairs.
John Morgan, Old Stratford, United Kingdom
As poor as usual. Why break into a bit of Machine Heads Davidian? Where is the crossover appeal there?
Dave Wintle, edinburgh,
I have to say, while I wasn't at Maidstone, I listened to the whole day on radio and Madonna's performance wasn't that bad. By no stretch of the imagination was it great, but for a 50 year old performer, she did herself justice. Her voice has never been strong- her image &attitude made her famous
Nikki, Carlisle,
But look how much older she made it to than Amy Winehouse before turning into an embarrasing old aunt (hic).
Eric Skelton, Cardiff, Wales
Madonna is SUPERB!! her performance was amazing, better than what most young popstars can give yout these days!! she truly is the QUEEN OF POP!!
Farai, oxford,
actually, she had a certain style that was OK for her when she was 20, 30 even 40...but when you are about 50 it`s ridiculous trying to look like 18...she should change ,but it might be not Madonna then..who cares...
polly, sofia, bulgaria
The case for Madge's retirement is almost as strong as the one for Hillary's.
andre, San Francisco, usa
She should retire now. And should be satisfied that she was just GREAT once upon atime.
t.c.chopra, delhi, india
Although I waited to see Madonna I can honestly say it wasn't her best performance although I'm not complaining as it was a free event and besides, us gals need to stick together.
The radio 1 Djs rocked ! Excellent music, positive vibe equals great dancing.
Credit to all who put on the festival
Irene, Walmer, England