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Rating: How, after the events of October 13, 2015, where 89 people were killed in Paris during a concert, can one talk about music and have the courage to attend concerts?
And especially, how come after U2, Foo Fighters, Carmen Consoli, and others canceled dates or even tours, the only (or almost) one who didn't give up on continuing to sing and not let these bad people win was Madonna?
Let's get to the point. I decided to review the first date (3 dates in Italy in Turin) of Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour 2015, who returns to Turin after about 30 years.
Despite my fear and the fact that some of my friends didn't come due to fear (which happened to 1,000 other people), on Thursday, November 19, 2015, I believe I witnessed a HISTORIC concert because it was one of the very first major events (musically speaking) after the terrible events in Paris and the terrorist attacks.
Unlike other concerts, the atmosphere outside the arena (but also inside) was not entirely serene; fundamentally, people were trying not to think about it, but everyone was a little afraid that something could happen. Fortunately, many checks were carried out at the entrance; it felt like being at the airport. There were police, carabinieri, even the alpini and other law enforcement. Something unimaginable. Obviously, this helped people feel more at ease.
Let's move on to the show.
After the impressive performance by the DJ who opened the show, it was 9 PM when Madonna was supposed to get on stage. It wasn't so; the queen of pop began to sing 'Iconic' (her new hit from the latest studio album) only at 10:20 PM when the lights went out and she descended from a cage from above with dancers and the band behind her. An ovation from the 13,000 present (at the Pala Alpitour arena in Turin) who were very tired of waiting but extremely happy about her arrival. Right after the first song, Madonna said 'Hello Turin, I'm hot,' almost as if to recall that 'Are you hot' from 1987.
From there, she moved from new songs like 'Bitch I'm Madonna,' 'Devil Pray,' and others from the new album, to older hits like 'Like a Virgin,' 'True Blue,' 'Deeper and Deeper,' 'Music,' and many more.
During the show, Madonna jokes, dances, moves, makes faces as if she were 20 years old. She repeats that she's hot and tired but happy to be in Italy. Italians do it better, she says, and repeats that she would like to see Italy naked. During the concert, she jokes with a fan, Gianluca, asking if he would like to marry her and if he has a big penis. She similarly jokes with another fan, a gay man dressed as a nun.
A bit moved, Madonna sings 'La Vie en Rose,' partly dedicated to France and Paris. She's not afraid; you have to move forward and not stop.
So the audience continues to dance to 'Don't Tell Me,' 'Vogue,' 'Unapologetic Bitch,' and many others taken from here and there in Madonna's 30-year career.
The grand finale is up to 'Holiday' at 11:25 PM, closing the concert (a phenomenal success) with indescribable Hollywood-style sets.
Madonna says, 'Italy, I love you' and disappears behind the scenes.
A concert like no other.
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