Madonna: The Sticky and Sweet Tour

There's only one word to describe Madonna's live show at the United Center on Sunday.

Amazing.

Say what you will about Madonna's personal life (no sugar or TV in the house!) but the woman knows how to put on a stage show. I was lucky enough to be in attendance for Sunday's leg of the Sticky and Sweet Tour in Chicago. It was a sold-out show and she did not disappoint. I spent part of the night wondering not only how they came up with the concepts but how they pulled them off. She had a nice mix of songs from the latest CD, Hard Candy, and updated mixes of classic Madonna songs. There was a lot happening on the video screens, including appearances by Pharrell, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake and Kanye West. She also played the guitar a lot and is actually quite good. Her singing voice was okay but you could tell that she was clearly lip-synching on some parts (not that anyone cared). The highlight to me was the dancing. She can really go and it was made more impressive when you realize that she is 50. There was some elaborate choerography and she kept the pace with her dancers, including one part where she was jumping rope Double Dutch style and did dance moves while doing it. Other props included a big white car, a mariachi band and a boxing ring. One great segment was when she faced off with four of her backup dancers who were dressed as Material Girl Madonna (in the Marilyn Monroe pink dress), Like a Virgin Madonna (in the wedding dress), Open Your Heart Madonna (in the exotic dancer outfit) and Borderline Madonna during the song "She's Not Me". It was great. Overall, I give the show ten thumbs up. Don't miss this if it comes to your town.

Here's the set list:

Candy Shop
Beat Goes On
Human Nature
Vogue
Into the Groove
Heartbeat
Borderline
She's Not Me
Music
Devil Wouldn't
Recognize You
Spanish Lesson
Miles Away
La Isla Bonita
You Must Love Me
4 Minutes
Like A Prayer
Ray of Light
Hung Up
Give It 2 Me