Fans in a flap as Madonna Does Melbourne tonight in her mysterious intimate club show
EVEN Madonna’s most diehard fans don’t know what to expect at tonight’s Tears of a Clown show but having waited 23 years they just can’t wait.
Music Tours
Don't miss out on the headlines from Music Tours. Followed categories will be added to My News.
NICOLE Condos has waited 23 years to catch Madonna’s attention tonight.
The Melbourne publicist and event manager was one of the lucky fan club members to win a free ticket to Madonna’s Forum Theatre show tonight — her first Australian performance since 1993.
Condos will wear a dress she’s had made to be identical to the one Madonna wears in her Rebel Heart tour.
“It’s like a 1940s blingy flapper dress on diamante steroids,” Condos said. “My goal in life is to meet Madonna. I want to be the person she gets on stage during Unapologetic Bitch. I’ve thought about that moment a lot. I want to tell her how much I love her and how much her music has meant to me.”
Condos’ love of Madonna started when she saw the Material Girl video as a kid; four years ago she started the Madonna Australia page on social media.
“It’s an opportunity for like-minded fans to celebrate our common passion. As Madonna said music brings the people together.”
However like all Madonna fans, Condos is in the dark about what will unfold at tonight’s Tears of a Clown show.
Madonna has been rehearsing the show — which promises to feature the superstar doing stand up comedy as well as live music and performance art — since arriving into Melbourne on Monday.
Madonna’s manager Guy Oseary sent fans into a spin yesterday by uploading a photo of him meeting with Kylie Minogue in Melbourne.
Fans hoped it meant the Queen and Princess of pop could finally be sharing a stage; however it is believed Minogue has now returned to London.
“I don’t know what to expect, which is a first,” Condos said. “I follow what’s happening on the tour, I usually know what to expect costume-wise and set list-wise, but all we have heard is that it’s quite theatrical and it’s not your typical Madonna concert.
“I don’t know what we’re instore for but Madonna doesn’t do things by halves so I’m sure we’re set for a treat.”
Madonna arriving at the Forum Theatre for Tears Of A Clown rehearsals just now!! #madonna #TearsOfAClown #melbourne pic.twitter.com/7mZItqPuoO
— Kirsten (@HOLY_WATER_) March 9, 2016
Condos said Madonna showcased her stand-up routine on Jimmy Fallon’s US talk show last year.
“She’s hinted at wanting to get into comedy. She’s always pushing boundaries, this isn’t something she’s done before. It’ll be interesting to see how funny she is and if we’re all laughing just because it’s Madonna and that’s what she wants us to do. It’s going to be full of her diehard fans, which is great. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Condos calculates she has spent $20,000 flying to three international tours (that bypassed Australia) as well as tickets for Melbourne and Brisbane concerts on this tour as well as Madonna memorabilia.
“Madonna tickets aren’t cheap but you’re getting a world class show from the most successful female artist in history. You pay for what you get.”
Like many Australian Madonna fans, Condos hopes Madonna will acknowledge the last five tours that have bypassed down under and include more hits for this final leg of the Rebel Heart world tour.
“Because she has skipped us for the tours of a few albums we are a little bit out of touch. People do what to hear the old stuff. I understand that. With any luck Like a Prayer or Express Yourself will get thrown in as an a cappella surprise.”
Condos’ partner on the Madonna Australia operation is Matt Tyler, from Brisbane.
The lifelong Madonna fan will fly into Melbourne today for the Tears of a Clown show.
“Madonna has never done anything like this in her career, it’s a special gift for Australian fans, it’s a completely unique show and anything is possible,” Tyler said. “I’m expecting a lot of surprise songs, story telling, fan interactions and lots of laughs. It will be an amazing night.”
Tyler’s love of Madonna started in 1986 when he was 10 and his mother played the True Blue and Open Your Heart music videos.
“I’ve loved almost everything she’s done — as she’s evolved since 1986 so have I so it’s been one big journey. There’s eras I love the most like Erotica, Like A Prayer and the current Rebel Heart era but overall I love everything.”
Tyler has monitored the Rebel Heart setlists around the world, where the superstar has randomly dropped classic including Take a Bow, Crazy For You, Frozen, Secret and Like a Prayer in certain shows.
“Australia is getting hits we’ve never seen for this tour like Burning Up, Material Girl, Music and True Blue. I’d love to see Hung Up or Ray Of Light performed in Australia. The Madonna shows have a great mix of classic hits and the current album and Madonna has never been a ‘greatest hits’ artist so fans expect this mix each tour.”
Tyler flew to London to see the Rebel Heart show in December and was granted an audience with Guy Oseary.
He did a photo shoot and interview for an unknown future project Oseary is working on.
“Guy is one of the nicest people you could meet,” Tyler said. “He’s very appreciative of the support of Madonna’s fans and is great to talk to. Guy is active on social media and is aware of the disappointment of Australian fans over the years and I believe that’s one of the reasons we are getting this special show — for our loyalty and patience.
“Madonna as we know is very excited to be coming back to Australia — we gave her her first Top 5 hit (Holiday) and her first No. 1 hit (Like A Virgin went No. 1 in Australia one week before the USA) thanks to Molly Meldrum after all and Australian fans have always been supportive despite the absence of tours since 1993.”
Tyler and Condos both insist Madonna Australia is a negativity free zone and refuse to post gossip items or stories about Madonna’s personal life.
“Madonna fans are very passionate and while the fans who support Madonna Australia may not always agree, everyone is respectful,” Tyler said. “Australian Madonna fans are among the most loyal Madonna fans in the world. Madonna Australia is the No. 1 Australian fan page so we ensure we promote and celebrate Madonna as an artist and respect her privacy as she gives us so much with her career.”
Melbourne’s Michaela Skilney was eight when Madonna toured Australia in 1993.
“My mum wouldn’t let me go because the content was too provocative. I’ve been holding a massive grudge against my mum for 23 years and now I can finally let her live that down I’m finally seeing Madonna live.”
Skilney, a lifetime Madonna fan club member, also wangled tickets to the Tears of a Clown show.
“It’s such a rare thing,” she said. “We’ve spent so long waiting for her to come back to Australia and it’s all worth it for the lucky people who have a ticket to this one off gig she’s doing for us.”
Tomorrow night Chapel Off Chapel in Prahran will hold a free Madonna tribute night, as a warm up for Saturday and Sunday’s Rebel Heart shows at Rod Laver Arena.
A string of artists from local musical productions will perform Madonna songs, as well as Melbourne artist Supergirly, aka Lulu McClatchy.
“I’ve always loved Madonna and her songs and her reinvention,” McClatchy said. “She’s so popular with so many people from different generations. There aren’t many artists you could do a tribute like this for.”
McClatchy has something special to set her aside from most fans — she performed for Madonna in London in the mid 1990s.
“I was working at a restaurant in London and got invited to a party Madonna was going to be at. Naturally I thought she wouldn’t be there, it was a terrace house in Earls Court. But there she was, sitting on the couch with just a few people.”
When McClatchy arrived, the host told her to hide in the bedroom because she would be the night’s entertainment. He always warned her that the previous year Madonna pulled the plug on a guitarist because she didn’t like his performance.
“Luckily she got into it and clapped along,” McClatchy says. “I wasn’t allowed to sing any Madonna songs, so I did Hanson and the Spice Girls, because it was the ‘90s. Afterwards she said to me ‘Do you always sing covers or do you have your own songs?’ and I said ‘I have to go where the money is’ and she said she remembered those days.”
However McClatchy said the Queen of Pop was a touch frosty.
“Her boyfriend at the time was a guy called Andrew (Bird), who she dated before she met Guy Ritchie. I remember Andrew was talking to me and Madonna yelled out ‘Andrew! Come here and stand by me! Everyone seemed a bit on edge around her, they laughed when she laughed, made sure she was happy. I’ve met a few big celebrities, Elton John was the opposite, everyone around him has been working with him for so long they’re like family. I was nervous I’d say the wrong thing, you could tell she might switch on a dime.”
Doors for the Tears of a Clown show open at 8.30pm tonight, however sources say Madonna may not hit the stage until after 10pm.
EMAIL:cameron.adams@news.com.au
FOLLOW ON TWITTER:@cameron_adams
Originally published as Fans in a flap as Madonna Does Melbourne tonight in her mysterious intimate club show
Sophie Ellis-Bextor drops big career news
Soon to tour Australia with Take That, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has news many fans have longed to hear: A return to her disco-pop roots.
Cold Chisel rocks secret gig before massive anniversary tour
There was no sign of Jimmy Barnes’ recent health struggles as the Cold Chisel frontman stormed the stage ahead of the legendary Aussie band’s 50th anniversary tour. See the video.