Ok, Ok... Before we continue, I just have to mention. Mrs D is the Madonna fan, not me... Ok...? I'm just the designated photographer. And yes, we did go and see Madonna at the start of this tour, in Cardiff. And, also yes, I didn't rate it that much. So let's save a lot of time and redirect you to my original review...
Morningstarr.co.uk - Madonna, Millenium Stadium, Cardiff 23/08/2008
There are, however, some things I'd like to add. While the show was - for all intents and purposes - exactly the same. I mean, to every last word uttered by her Madge-ness. I have a few more gripes to add... As well as some exclusive and impressive pictures I managed to snap.
First, I must explain... The tickets to this gig at Wembley were purchased before the Cardiff ones, and although the ones at Cardiff were the best seated tickets available - the ones at Wembley were better 'standing' tickets. You see, Mrs D decided to fork out for the 'Hot Ticket' option from 'Live Nation'. This involves paying the equivalent of the gross national product of a small nation, for a single ticket. What this ticket insures you is, not a good seat, but the ability to enter the arena an hour before everyone else - please note, this is a lie... but more of that later.
However, in order to do this you have to turn up to the concert a whole five hours early and queue with the other thousand (yes!! one thousand!!!) people who get in early. You then get a 'Golden Circle' bracelet, that lets you into the circle closest to the stage - please note: at Cardiff this 'Golden Circle' was half of the stadium, which is fookin' huge. But this extra hour is to ensure you get to the front before everyone else.
In reality, we turned up a half hour before the doors were to open to find the 998 other hot ticket holders had get to the queue before us. The doors opened an hour and a half later than we were told, through which we were herded through three turnstiles - for one thousand people. I wouldn't mind, but we were the first in, none of the other turnstiles are being used, why can't we use them.
So by the time we get in, they're letting the rest in, so you have to rush to get to the front. Thankfully, the Golden Circle was a lot smaller at Wembley - I mean a lot. You could stand at the back and still have a fantastic view. However, we secured a great view right at the front of the catwalk, literally ten feet away from Her Madge-esty.
Now on the whole, Madonna fans are great. I've been in a few crunches up at the front of a gig, where no one gives a shit, but the Madonna fans were real nice... Except for one group of South Africans, one of which I came within a hair's breadth of smacking in the throat when after pushing and pushing my wife in the back, started shouting she should move to the back when I told her to push him back. He kept shouting "She's pushing, she should move to the back!!", just so everyone else would agree. He soon shut up when I pointed out - why pay all this money and time to get to the front, just to push your way backwards... the dumb munch.
Anyhoo, after five and a half hours of standing around like some kind of stalker in queues and in a crunch at the front of the stadium, she finally takes to the stage - late, again - so much for the 10:30 curfew at Wembley. munch it, she can pay the fine, what with the prices she's charging her 'fans'. She caused a stir in Cardiff, when she turned up late, so nothing new here...
As to the show... I refer you back to the Cardiff show. Much of the same really. But a lot more enjoyable. I stick by my original review, the sticky and sweet show is fun and entertaining, but lacking some of Madonna's previous magic. However, being right at the front, you get to 'feel' more of the entertainment. The show was a little more 'exhilarating' when jumping around with so many fans. And some of the shots we got...
In conclusion, this is the last time we are doing anything like this, ever again. When I pay a small fortune for tickets, I expect to be paying for the privilege of getting the best view. Not paying to queue for five and a half hours, to get the best view. People who paid a lot less than us got to stand right next to me - I draw your attention to the South African guy I almost punched. And like I also said, the view was good from anywhere on the 'Golden Circle' - if you have a ticket you can turn up ten minutes before Madonna gets on stage, and still get a good view. Why bother? Besides, this will probably be her last tour - as it is a lot shitter than her previous ones.
Communication ends
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!EXCLUSIVE PICS..! Madonna - Wembley Stadium, 11/09/2008
them arms are scary
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