There were Madonna wannabes and gay men lined up down the block to a nearly sold-out Rebel Heart Tour at the United Center. With merchandise, refreshments and high-priced seats, the spectators went all out for the Material Girl on Sept. 28. Of course, the nun's habit for sale with the word "Bitch" written across the band caught my eye, but the whopping $35 price tag changed my mind.
One of the best-selling female recording artists of all time arrived actually on time after a DJ set. Gal pal Amy Schumer did not perform for the Chicago crowd as an opener ( like she did for the Madison Square Garden concert ), which was a bit disappointing. The show began with Mike Tyson's mug projected on a huge video screen re-creating his cameo on her latest album for the track "Iconic."
Deciding on a set list after making 13 albums must not be easy but mixing the old with the new was the recipe for success on this tour. Renditions of classics like "Burning Up" and "Dress You Up" were rotated with "Body Shop" and "Unapologetic Bitch." She even took a stab at an Edith Piaf cover of "La Vie En Rose." She straddled the fence between playing acoustic versions of songs like "True Blue" and "Who's That Girl" along with a medley of snippets of past hits, trying to cram everything she could into a two-hour set. The crowd seemed excited to just hear dance songs like "Deeper and Deeper" and "Music" that started slow then kicked into high gear.
Director Jamie King brought his Cirque du Soleil experience, positioning dancers on top of large poles that would swing down and out into the audience. Concertgoers now spoiled by the acrobatics of Pink at the venue were looking for more stunts like this.
Madonna explained that her followers have always been rebels with hearts, hence the theme and title track meanwhile fan art was projected behind her. She sang "Like a Virgin" by herself and seemed to have a genuinely good time doing it. "Living for Love" had her carrying on with bulls in a venue known for the Bulls, and "La Isla Bonita" became festive with Spanish-style costumes. The sex factor was toned down this time, although there was a throwback with some romping on tilted beds with dancers ( who also romped with each other ).
Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Barry wore a white wedding dress and was plucked out of the audience to dance a bit onstage for the last song. When Barry stated his name on the microphone, Madonna sharply joked, "Noyour name is Britney. I kissed you once and I'm not doing it again!"
She closed with an encore wearing a patriotic outfit for "Holiday" that continues to be a staple in her live set. It will surely be on the next tour Madge plays in the future. This time out at the United Center, her loyal fans celebrated their Rebel Hearts.
Photos and text by Jerry Nunn