Greater Palm Springs, CA

I had the pleasure of attending Madonna’s “Celebration Tour” at Acrisure Arena on Wednesday, March 13^th. The show started promptly at 8:30pm with a guest DJ who really warmed up the crowd for over an hour. After a brief intermission, Madonna came on stage at 9:50 pm and opened with “Celebration” which got the crowd on their feet. “Into the Groove”, “Burning Up”, “Holiday” and “Hung Up” were spot on and had the crowd on their feet.

Bob the Drag Queen excelled as the Master of Ceremony during the show. Additionally, three of Madonna’s children participated in the performance. Daughter Estere performed multiple roles including acting as DJ. Daughter Mercy played the piano during the song “Bad Girl” which was absolutely beautiful, and son David joined his mother on the guitar during the song “Mother and Father”.     

The production value of this show was over the top, consisting of multiple stages, a moving aerial “mini stage” that went from the main stage out to the middle of the arena, and even included two rings of fire on the main stage. I could even feel the heat from our seats! My friend Ted commented that the show was very much like a theatrical production…more than just a music concert. 

The most moving moment for me personally was a tribute to so many wonderful talented souls lost to AIDS in the early days of the epidemic, with a photo montage that kept expanding out while she sang “Live to Tell”. Tears! 

“Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” was beautifully done as well as “Ray of Light”, “Hung Up” and “Take a Bow”. The visuals for “Billie Jean/Like a Virgin” featured images of Michael Jackson interspaced with Madonna.  

I moved from Dalton Georgia to Atlanta in March 1984, and with that move a whole new world opened up for me. Madonna had just released her first album titled Madonna in 1983, featuring her hits “Holiday” and “Lucky Star” and her music was playing on all the radio stations and in the bars. The Madonna album was followed by her 1984 album, Like a Virgin which catapulted her into mega superstar status. The title track became an anthem and solidified Madonna’s status as a cultural icon.

This was my fourth time seeing Madonna and her music always brings back wonderful memories for me. Throughout her entire 41 plus year career, she has consistently been a champion for the LGBT community and her support continues to this day.

Madonna still sounds amazing today and looks awesome. It was great to see so many friends at Acrisure all having such a wonderful time together!

Below is the set list of hits Madonna performed at her Acrisure show:

• Celebration
• Nothing Really Matters
• Everybody
• Into the Groove
• Burning Up
• Open Your Heart
• Holiday
• The Storm
• Like a Prayer
• Living for Love
• Erotica
• Justify My Love
• Hung Up
• Bad Girl
• Ballroom
• Vogue
• Human Nature
• Crazy for You
• The Beast Within
• Die Another Day
• Don’t Tell Me
• Mother and Father
• Express Yourself
• La Isla Bonita
• Don’t Cry for Me Argentina
• Bedtime Story
• Ray of Light
• Take a Bow
• Billie Jean/Like a Virgin
• Bitch I’m Madonna