So Michael Jackson danced in the 02 arena after all – at least by proxy. During an Ibizan club-styled “Holiday”, the highlight of the second coming of Madonna’s Sticky and Sweet tour, the bassline of “Billie Jean” rang out. A guy in Jacko’s hat and sequinned glove rose through the floor, and did a few spins as images of the young MJ were projected on screen. “He was the greatest artist the world has ever known!” the Queen of Pop bawled. Her subjects roared their dues to the late King.
Even before Jackson’s passing, the idea that he would perform 50 nights at this venue was fanciful, but fitness is never in doubt with Madonna, the 50-year-old hoofer with the body of a thirty-something heptathlete. Her story has become that of pop career as endurance sport. Another 30 dates around Europe is par for the course, especially since her recent deal with a concert promoter requires her to earn her corn on the road.
Watching this slick and choreographically flawless show, whose set still draws too heavily on the laborious R&B of her current album, Hard Candy, you could almost tick off the events: she breezed the opening dominatrix act, was a bit puffed in the skipping – a double-dutch routine during “Into the Groove” – and got full marks for the facile display of celebrity conscience (the video to “Miles Away” suggesting the Roma people are her next adoption targets).
Musically, the rave rejigs of classics such as “Like a Prayer” sounded best; whenever Madonna strapped on a guitar you feared the worst – a pop-rock “Human Nature” being as hamfisted as expected. Yet playing the instrument seems to matter less to her than its symbolic value – rock chick is another pose to strike.
Maintaining global stardom at Madonna’s level is a marathon not a sprint (“I can go on and on and on,” crowed the lyrics to the finale, “Give It 2 Me”). Eager to prove herself, she entertains through hard work and force of will. If, however, the fans begin to feel they’re on the treadmill, too (there were boos before her late arrival and the ticket prices are eye-watering), it may be they who struggle to last the pace. ★★★☆☆
