Madonna to tour Australia in March 2016

MADONNA will break a 23-year drought when she finally brings her Rebel Heart tour to Australia. But fans will need to be quick to get tickets.

singer Madonna

MADONNA has finally confirmed her first Australian tour since 1993.

The pop superstar will bring her Rebel Heart tour Down Under in March next year.

However despite the long wait she will only visit Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.

And rather than stadiums, Madonna will play arenas, meaning tickets will be snapped up in seconds by her patient fans.

Madonna’s first Australian visit in 23 years will see her based here for three weeks, so far only playing shows on consecutive weekends.

She will play Rod Laver Arena on Saturday March 12 and Sunday March 13. The tour then visits Allphones Arena in Sydney Saturday March 19 and Sunday March 20 then Brisbane Entertainment Centre Saturday March 26 and 27.

Playing indoor shows is keeping in line with the rest of the shows around the world, however fans will hope demand may see Madonna forced to add more dates in each city.

Tickets will go on sale 10am Monday July 6 through Ticketek.

Promoter Live Nation has yet to release ticket prices, however have confirmed VIP packages will be available for cashed-up local fans.

The Rebel Heart tour is already the most expensive of the year in overseas markets, moving Madonna ahead of Fleetwood Mac.

In the US platinum seats on the Rebel Heart tour sell for between $325 and $875, while the top price VIP package is around $1500 and includes a seat in the first three rows and access to a pre-show party where a DJ plays Madonna’s greatest hits.

Bitch please: Ms Ciccone in the colourful Bitch I’m Madonna video.

Australian audiences should familiarise themselves with Madonna’s new album Rebel Heart.

Her last five tours, which have all bypassed Australia, have been far from greatest hits affairs.

They have seen the singer showcase the bulk of her latest album, with a handful of classics in favour of new material.

The Rebel Heart tour starts in Montreal on September 9, before heading throughout North America, the UK and Europe.

Rebel Heart became Madonna’s 11th No. 1 album on the Australian charts in March. However a lack of radio support for singles Living for Love and Ghosttown has been put down to ageism by the 56 year old singer.

She released a star-studded video for new single, Bitch I’m Madonna, last week.

Madonna’s last tour in Australia was the Girlie Show in 1993, where she played to nearly 150,000 fans in Melbourne over three shows at the MCG, as well as three shows at the Sydney Cricket Ground and shows at Adelaide Oval and ANZ Stadium in Brisbane.

Promoters have unsuccessfully tried to woo Madonna back to Australia since she resumed regular touring with 2001’s Drowned World tour. Since then world tours in 2001, 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012 have all skipped Australia.

Long wait: Madonna in 1993 on her Girlie Tour, the last time she visited Australia.

Her Sticky and Sweet tour in 2008/2009 became the highest grossing tour of all time for a solo artist while the 2012 MDNA tour was that year’s highest-selling tour.

Madonna’s five tours with Live Nation have earned more than $1 billion and sold 7.8 million tickets.

If Madonna does add more shows to her Australian tour it is likely none will be on a Friday, with the singer reportedly following Jewish faith and upholding Shabbat each Friday night.

The Rebel Heart tour will also see Madonna play Auckland, her first show in New Zealand.

Madonna has previously cited clashes with her children’s schooling as why she has been unable to tour Australia, despite a series of petitions and an online backlash from disgruntled fans.

Son Rocco was a dancer on the MDNA tour, it is not known if her family will accompany her to Australia for the tour.

“Madonna continues to be one of the most successful touring artists in history. Her shows are always legendary and we are thrilled to have her back on tour,” Live Nation president Arthur

Fans will have to be prepared to pay top dollar for top tickets.

Front row tickets are $2000 in the ultimate VIP package, with other VIP packages costing between $1500 and $700.

While regular ticket prices have not been announced there will be selected tickets starting at $99.

There will be four different pre-sales before the tickets go on sale to the general public, the first starting on June 23.

Presale details are found at livenation.com.au

Originally published as Madonna to tour Australia in March 2016