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    Preachin' to the choir

    Legend shines on: Madonna still at the top of her game in fun-filled concertwith some new twists

    Tyler Rudick
    Oct 25, 2012 | 6:27 am
    • Madonna expresses herself on stage.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Joined with a team of Gwen Stefani-esque band majorettes (think "HollabackGirl"), Madonna performed an impressively strong rendition of "ExpressYourself," complete with lyrics from Lady Gaga's "Born this Way."
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Madonna unleashes her inner cheerleader.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • The pop legend mixed iconic tracks like "Vogue" with recent singles penned withM.I.A. and Nicki Minaj.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • And you can dance....
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Half of the concert featured numbers from her MDNA CD; the rest were herclassics.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Madonna performs another sold-out concert at the Toyota Center tonight.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Madge tapped into the full gamut of her career to keep her fans dancing.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Madonna acknowledges her Houston fans.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com
    • Madonna's supply of star power appears to be endless.
      Photo by © Chinh Phan/CultureMapSNAP.com

    It's been three decades since Madonna Louise Ciccone released her first single . . . And judging from the first of two sold-out shows at the Toyota Center, the Material Girl's supply of star power appears to be endless.

    Judging from the first of two sold-out shows at the Toyota Center, the Material Girl's supply of star power appears to be endless.

    While this particular tour revolves around her current MDNA album — which provides almost half of the songs performed Wednesday night — the classics were sprinkled nicely throughout the two-hour concert, as the pop legend mixed iconic tracks like "Vogue" with recent singles penned with M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj.

    But as we all know, music is just one part of the full Madonna package. And with the MDNA tour, Madge has made sure to tap into the full gamut of her career to keep her fans dancing. Here's what you get:

    Catholic overtones (heartfelt and irreverent)

    They don't call her Madonna for nothing . . . As the show started with "Girl Gone Wild," stage curtains opened to reveal a massive altar backdrop, a gigantic hanging incense burner and no fewer than 10 dancing monks. A few songs later, "Papa Don't Preach" mysteriously swapped its overt Catholic themes for some sort of pagan ritual dance.

    Homage to latter-day Madonnas

    Constant self-awareness has always been part of Madonna's confident charm. In Wednesday's show, however, the singer turned her attention to other stars who've followed her lead through the years. Joined with a team of Gwen Stefani-esque band majorettes (think "Hollaback Girl"), Madonna performed an impressively strong rendition of "Express Yourself," complete with lyrics from Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" . . . which is basically the same song anyway.

    Casual banter and serious politics

    After catching a breath halfway through the concert, it was time for some social awareness with a frank discussion of democracy, gay rights and the young Pakistani protester who was attacked by the Taliban. Madonna chatted about the current presidential election, encouraging everyone to vote. Later in the show, Madonna removed a majority of her clothing to reveal a comically fake "Obama" tattoo on her back.

    Fresh renditions

    While some classic songs were performed with their original vintage sounds ("Vogue" had all its drum machines from 1990, for example), others enjoyed some surprising new arrangements. "Like a Virgin" was sung with only a violinist and a piano player in a top hat. "Open Your Heart" was a totally acoustic endeavor, backed with a trio of musicians from the Basque Country.

    Fans in costume

    For all of Madonna's many style phases — the urban cowgirl, the "Justify My Love" psychosexual thing, the brunette "Like a Prayer" days — devoted fans still flock to that vintage Ray-Bans-and-lace look when it comes to dressing for a concert . . . regardless of age, race or gender. It's pretty fantastic, really.

    BONUS HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SHOW: the crazy "Express Yourself" outfit (the one with the monocle), Madonna playing guitar (and throwing the pick into the crowd) and a thirtysomething white male vogueing by himself (yup, guilty as changed).

    unspecified
    news/entertainment

    The Year's Best Films

    Starpower and expert storytelling define the 10 best movies of 2025

    Alex Bentley
    Dec 30, 2025 | 3:30 pm
    Idris Elba in A House of Dynamite
    Photo by Eros Hoagland
    Idris Elba in A House of Dynamite.


    Idris Elba in A House of Dynamite

    Photo by Eros Hoagland

    Idris Elba in A House of Dynamite.

    While much of the focus on award-worthy movies is put on those that come out in the final months of the year, the release dates for the ones that made the list of CultureMap's Best Movies of 2025 spanned nine months, from mid-March to late December. The one thing they all had in common was an attention to storytelling, with the occasional burst of starpower to put them over the top.


    Scroll through CultureMap's picks of the 10 best films of 2025 by using the left and right arrows on each photo.

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