Madonna once famously declared “The most controversial thing I’ve ever done is to stick around.”

And as her ‘Celebration Tour’ danced into London again this week and that soundbite blared through the speakers, those words proved more resonant than ever.

As widely reported, the legendary diva was forced to postpone the hotly anticipated global trek when she was hospitalized with a bacterial infection in the summer. The news cast a cloud of doubt over both the tour and her health more broadly.

Yet, as she has done countless times throughout her 41-year career, the Queen of Pop defied the odds to rise like the phoenix she is and take flight on what is unquestionably one of her most liberated live offerings to date.

That Grape Juice was on hand at London’s O2 Arena for the trek’s latest show.

Join us after the jump for our exclusive review of ‘The Celebration Tour’…

The enormity of the spectacle was relayed before Madonna even hit the stage.

Indeed, taking in the magnitude and the magnificence of the stage itself laid the foundation for the scale of the spectacle to follow.

And her Madgesty did not disappoint.

Kicking off the colossal show with ‘Nothing Really Matters,’ the Michigan-born maven lassoed in the audience from the onset and immersed us in the colorful world of her catalog of classics.

Over more than two hours, Madonna marveled with a hit-filled set that incorporated almost 30 songs. More on that in a moment.

A long-established force on the live circuit, the singer’s previous tours have made no apologies for being anchored in the music of the then-new albums they were mounted in support of.

With the ‘Celebration’ trek, the megastar pivots to toast a run like no other. And, with a hit list like no other, it was always going to be a tall task incorporating…everything.

As such, while the likes of ‘Vogue,’ ‘Holiday,’’ Hung Up,’ and ’Like A Prayer’ blew the proverbial roof off the O2, glaring omissions such as ‘Music,’ ‘Papa ‘Don’t Preach.’ and contemporary bop ‘4 Minutes’ were sorely missed.

Still, there was plenty on offer to satiate both loyalists and casual appreciators of Madge’s regality. Not just musically either. The seismic mise én scene of the show celebrated her enduring visual iconography too. Spirited MC of the evening, Bob The Drag Queen, proudly reminded that Madonna is unquestionably the “Queen ‘of Reinvention” and her many transformations were toasted by way of the colorful costumes of her supporting cast (which included coned bras, no bras, and plenty of latex).

Another pillar of the performer’s story celebrated at the show is her unbridled embrace of sexuality and sensuality. Both of which she isn’t allowing ageism to quell. From the seductive knockout that was boxing-themed ‘Erotica’ rendition to the on-stage kiss that preceded ‘Hung Up.’

Elsewhere, the trailblazer continued to push back against the confines of expectation, going airborne during ‘Ray of Light’ and flying across the arena – much to the adulation of the capacity crowd.

Renowned for her wit and superhuman tenacity, a more grounded, sobering moment saw the 65-year-old reflect on how her life truly hung in the balance during her illness. Expressing heartfelt thanks to her fans, she paid special homage to her children. Apt, as family is a clear through line of ‘The Celebration Tour.’

During the length and breadth of the extravaganza, many of Madonna’s offspring saluted their Mom while charismatically showcasing their own talents. And talented they are. 18-year-old David danced up a storm and sang alongside Mother, while Mercy James, 17, wowed on the keys, and 11-year-old Estere vogued the house down – earning 10s across the board. Deservingly so.

Renowned for being the central energy source of her shows, Madonna’s latest metamorphosis sees that load shared a little more with her cadre of high-octane dancers whose choreographed synchronicity resonated in earnest. Still, she remains the undeniable nucleus and a force in her own right.

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Both humanizing and immortalizing, ‘The Celebration Tour’ lives up to its billing and honors a life and legacy that has birthed the careers of many that followed. Much more than nostalgia, it’s a potent reminder of the indelible mark Madonna has made (and continues to make) on both music and culture.

For an artist who has spent the lion’s share of her career pushing forward, this wilful embrace of her colossal catalog and towering achievements may very well be her boldest reinvention yet.

That Grape Juice Rating:
★★★★☆
4/5

That Grape Juice Highlights: Vogue, Ray of Light, Erotica, Holiday

 

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‘The Celebration Tour’ Setlist

1. Nothing Really Matters
2. Everybody
3. Into The Groove
4. Burning Up
5. Open Your Heart
6. Holiday
7. Live To Tell
8. Like A Prayer
9. Erotica
10. Justify My Love
11. Fever (Cover)
12. Hung Up
13. Bad Girl
14. Vogue
15. Human Nature
16. Crazy For You
17. Die Another Day
18. Don’t Tell Me
19. Mother and Father
20. Little Star
21. I Will Survive (Cover)
22. La Isla Bonita
23. Don’t Cry For Me Argentina
24. Bedtime Story
25. Ray of Light
26. Rain
27. Bitch I’m Madonna
28. Celebration

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[Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur/ Live Nation]