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"Vogue" Re-invented (New Updated Lyrics)

Kylie Minogue has become pop folklore after being written into the lyrics of a Madonna classic.

The pop princess has been immortalised in a rehashing of the Material Girl's Vogue, rehearsal spies say.

The spoken verse of the 1990 smash hit, in which Madonna harks back to the glamour days of Hollywood, originally begins with the line "Greta Garbo and Monroe".

But that's all been changed for Madge's latest world tour, and now the verse starts with Australia's finest pop export in the line "Britney Spears and Minogue".

The entire verse has been changed to:

Britney Spears and Minogue,
Aguilera and J-Lo,
Jessica Simpson, Avril Lavigne,
On the cover of a magazine.
They have style, they have sass
Missy E kicks some ass.

Madonna famously donned a Kylie Minogue T-shirt in November 2000 for a performance at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Stockholm, suggesting she might be a fan.

There has been no doubting Madonna's affection for Britney over the past few months, and not only because of the steamy kiss they shared at another MTV Awards bash last year.

After all, Christina Aguilera also got a "peck", but wasn't afforded the privilege of a duet with Madonna in the same way Britney was.

The pair collaborated on last year's hit Me Against The Music, which featured on Britney's album In The Zone.

Britney has also been accused of morphing into Madonna of late, with increasingly risque film clips and a current tour - The Onyx Hotel tour - that is making headlines for its raunchy dance routines and Britney's scanty costumes.

As for Kylie, the only danger she faces of being compared to Madonna would be by giving birth.

The British media has been clambering to break the story of a mini-mini-Minogue, fathered by French screen hunk Olivier Martinez, and hinting at an expanding tummy for the Melbourne 30-something.

Kylie has neither confirmed nor denied the rumours and was reportedly spotted buying a pregnancy test at a pharmacy in Paris recently.

She has, however, said she does think about her body clock ticking.

As for Madonna, she embarks on her Reinvention tour on May 24 in LA and will play to sold out venues across the United States and Europe.

Australia is not on her itinerary, but Kylie could catch her in Paris on September 1, 2 or 4.

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Re-invention Tickets Designs

London

Paris

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Slane Castle's Controversy

Legal action to try to stop the planned Madonna concert going ahead on a Sunday in Slane Castle is being considered by villagers strongly opposed to the plan.
They fear that if the concert goes ahead on a Sunday, it will lead to serious public order problems.
Resident Eddie Hudson said that he can recall the serious disturbances that took place in Slane when the last superstar, Bob Dylan, played there on a Sunday in 1984.
'Within the village are the same families as 20 years ago,' stated Mr Hudson. 'People don't forget these things.'
Mr Hudson has an agreement dating back to 1985 that a concert would never be held on a Sunday again.
Slane village has a community of 800 people, he said. Already a petition organised by another local resident, Patricia Harding, has hundreds of signatures.
'We are not talking about policing, we are talking an invasion of hundreds of thousands of people,' Mr Hudson added.
Slane Castle owner, Lord Henry Mountcharles, acknowledged yesterday that he had an agreement with certain individuals dating back to the mid-Eighties. But he suggested times had changed - that agreement had allowed for just one concert a year but there had been two concerts there one year.
Mountcharles would now be making a licence application for a concert on 29 August, the only date Madonna could play.
If a licence was refused, then the concert would be off, he said.
An official announcement on the ticket prices is due to be made in 10 days.

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Madonna Provokes Irish Ire with Sunday Concert

Pop diva Madonna came under fire from Christians in Ireland on Friday after it was confirmed she would play her first ever Irish concert on a Sunday.
Madonna is due to play Slane Castle, 30 miles north of Dublin, on Sunday, August 29, the castle's owner Lord Henry Mount Charles confirmed.
He denied that Madonna, who has developed an interest in Jewish mysticism recently, had refused to play on Saturday because it is the Jewish Sabbath.
'It is the only date and day feasible,' he said.
But Joe Deegan, Slane's parish priest, said the decision was insensitive in a country where 90 percent of the population is Roman Catholic.
'The Lord's Day for a lot of people around this part of the world is Sunday and it seems a bit inconsiderate and insensitive that our religious beliefs are not taken into account,' he told RTE state radio on Friday.
The last time Slane Castle hosted a major concert on a Sunday - in 1984 when Bob Dylan played - it sparked riots.
'I knew people would stir up memories of 1984,' Lord Mount Charles said.
'This year Bob Dylan is playing in Galway on Sunday, June 27. So if he can play there on a Sunday, I am puzzled why there is opposition to Madonna playing Slane on a Sunday.'
Deegan said he was also concerned about the content of Madonna's notoriously raunchy stage show.
'It's very sexually provocative,' he said, adding, however, that he would probably go to concert, whenever it was staged, because he enjoyed Madonna's music.

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More San Jose Shows Just Added

Two more dates have for the HP Pavillion at San Jose, CA have just been added after the first date (Sunday June 06) sold out this morning.

The new dates are Tuesday June 08 and Wednesday June 09 and are on sale now.

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Tour Video Background Casting

Further information has been given in a new casting call for actors to take part in the filming of video back drops for the re-Invention tour.
The shoot is described as ....a filmed portraiture of various interesting persons.

Here are some of the parts they are looking to cast:
Arab boy meets Jewish boy. Sounds like an 'if kids ruled the world' type peace vignette. This will be a desert shot.

African American Models Age 18-35. Still interesting portraiture faces, but the director now wants to throw a few young, hipper, educated, affluent type models into that mix.

These video shoots will take place on April 15-19 (weather permitting).

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Songs Make-overs, Mixes and Tests

Wondering what songs are going to make it to the final set-list? Well here's some tracks that are being "re-invented":

"Bad Girl" is going to be a totally different song from the original.
Patrick Leonard did a totally new re-arrangment of it. Think "Rain" from the "Girlie Show," very drummy with tons of piano.

There is a big love theme in the song hence "Nothing Really Matters" and "Crazy For You." They're trying different versions of "Nothing Really Matters": the Peter Rauhofer club 69 and a new chill-out drummy version also arranged by Patrick Leonard.

We can reveal that "X-static Process" has always been in the setlist...2 versions are being trying together, starting with the acoustic version into the Jacques LuCont's edit of the track. They are still trying to see if they are going to use both or just one.

Madonna is going to rap in "American Life," so far is indeed in the setlist. She is really strong about putting the track, but Jamie King is not so sure.

"Bedtime Story" is going to be the theme song of the tour! The Orbital mix is not going to be used, Madonna is not feeling it. Junior's cut might be it. Also Stuart Price is doing some remix of the song... to try it.

"Like A Prayer" has way more of a dark beat. They are rehearsing a more heavy version, which is more dancing too.

Dancing is hard very athletic! Madonna is going full of dancing this time.

Very "Blond Ambition"... hence all the rehearsals.

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More Tour Song Rumours (Part 1)

Fans who've forked out up to £150 for tickets to Madonna's Reinvention tour are unlikely to be disappointed.
The 45-year-old singer's show will be her most spectacular yet, featuring dozens of outfits and material from every stage of her 21-year career.

An insider on the show tells us: "Part of Madge's set is very electronic, while the other part is very old school. She's rehearsing Nothing Really Matters, Ray Of Light, Deeper And Deeper, Die Another Day - and the encore will be Vogue and Like A Prayer."

But even the classic tunes have been updated.

"The Vogue lyrics have been rewritten - Madonna's replaced the likes of Grace Kelly and Fred Astaire with her current idols Britney Spears and Kylie Minogue." Now there's an honour...

Other songs rumoured to be included on Madonna's tour include reworked versions of: Bad Girl, Nothing Really Matters, American Life, Like A Prayer, Vogue, Bedtime Story, X-static Process, Crazy For You and more.

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Madonna Shoots From Hip In New Anti-war Video

Looks like Madonna’s going to make that anti-war statement after all.

Last year, the singer shelved her “American Life” video after worldwide controversy erupted when it was revealed that she planned to include anti-war images in it. Now, says a source, Madonna is planning to return to an anti-war message for her upcoming Re-Invention Tour.

The source says that Madonna and her dancers have been training with rifles, military style, and will “reenact battle scenes in a way that is meant to underscore the tragedy of war.”

“Madonna has very strong feelings about the war in Iraq,” says a source. “But last year, it was too controversial a thing to do — even for her. The climate has changed somewhat since then.”

Madonna’s spokeswoman says there will be “drill team choreography” in the tour — but denies that there’s any anti-war message.

Source: MSNBC

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Live From Times Square

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Tour Ads From London

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Talks Already in Progress for Airing Concert

For those of you who wont be able to catch Madonna on her re-Invention Tour this summer at Madison Square Garden, don't worry....it will likely be televised a la Michael Jackson. Liz Rosenberg confirms that Caresse Henry, Madonna's manager, is in discussions with a network to air the concert. Ever since the concert was announced, we have fielded calls from several networks and HBO.
(source: NYPost- thanks to MP member Kristy)
Caresse Henry Speaks About Ticket Prices

Producers of Madonna's upcoming tour believe that a focus on her classic material, even if it is "reinvented," should be worth the $300 top-end ticket price to her fans. The re-Invention tour will consist primarily of North American arena stops. An international leg includes 12 dates in Europe, a concert at Slane Castle in Dublin is one of them, and shows in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The trek begins May 24 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. There will be no supporting acts, and the set list will tilt toward a career retrospective, according to Arthur Fogel. He is touring division president for worldwide promoter Clear Channel Entertainment and is overseeing the tour. The ticket price puts Madonna in the upper tier of touring artists, a status her handlers believe she has earned.

"I am not expecting sticker shock, Madonna is one of the few artists who gives a performance worthy of every cent spent," says her manager, Caresse Henry. "I am basing ticket prices on the going rate and knowing the show she is preparing to give."

Fogel adds, "Madonna is a unique and major-league act. Whenever she works, it's a true event, and I don't see it being any different this time."

Cher has toured extensively during the past two years, Bette Midler has been out, Britney Spears is currently on the road and Janet Jackson has tentative plans to tour this fall. But even if the marketplace is jostling with iconic diva types, Madonna tends to rise above the competition, according to Fogel. "She has a way of captivating the marketplace," Fogel says. "Any time Madonna tours, it has been hugely successful."

In 2001, Madonna grossed $75 million from 47 sellouts on her Drowned World tour, according to Billboard Boxscore. CCE also produced that tour, which focused far more on material from then-current release "Music" than the artist's hit catalog. Its ticket prices topped out at $250.
This time around, fans apparently can expect a degree of familiarity, good news when the ticket range is $45-$300.

Some fans complained during the previous tour that Madonna didn't perform enough of her classic hits, a fact not lost on the artist.

"That was one of the major complaints, and thus came to the conclusion that it was time to perform more of her entire repertoire," Henry says.

John Page, senior VP for Comcast-Spectacor, operator of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, does not expect any price resistance to his July 4 Madonna show. And because the Republican National Convention will be occupying New York arena Madison Square Garden in July, the Philly show's draw should expand into New York and central New Jersey, Page believes.

"Based on the business we did two years ago with Madonna, we anticipate adding a date," Page says. "From what we've seen, people aren't really resistant to as long as there are only a few of them. People like U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones have shown that it's really about what the market will bear."

VIP packages, offered through a partnership between Music Today and Signatures Network, include exclusive merchandise, laminates and private entrance to venues. They will cost about $700.

Production elements are still being determined. "The show will be filled with many musical surprises in terms of the performances. This show will not be as theatrical as the last tour; I like to refer to it as a brilliant performance show," says Henry. "Extravagant, yes, but more in line with how shows used to be and scaled back but filled with plenty of eye candy."

Source: Reuters/Billboard

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Tour Sets Information

There are four beautiful and stunning set designs, which fit in with the four sections of the show entitled Dreams, Indulgence, The Fall and Enlightenment.

The sound engineers are using an advanced (and expensive) in-concert surround sound that was developed and made famous by the engineers who produce concerts for bands such as Pink Floyd. So no matter where you're seated for the show, the sound will be crystal clear!

Madonna is using the same lighting director (Peter Morse) as the Drowned World Tour, who has once again designed a stunning light show.

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Rules About Tickets Re-sales

For those lucky fans who were able to get tickets through the Fan Club Pre-sale, beware of new strict rules about scalping and re-selling tickets. This is an article featured in ICON - The official Madonna Fan Club:

"We actively pursue ticket brokers, and do the best we can to enforce our Re-Selling policy found below and on the site at http://reinvention.musictoday.com/MadonnaFanClub/Policy.aspx?type=4.

Re-Selling
Tickets purchased through this site are intended for personal use. We strictly prohibit the resale of any tickets obtained through this site for more than the purchase price. If you are found to be reselling, trading or brokering tickets that you purchased through this site for profit, we may at our sole discretion cancel all or part of your ticket order and all or part of other pending orders in your name and/or put all or part of your orders and all or part of your other pending orders in your name at will-call for pick-up. If we cancel your tickets, a refund of the total face value of the tickets minus a $7 per ticket processing fee will be issued to the card used to place the order. No other service, processing or shipping fees charged at the time of purchase will be refunded. If tickets are placed at will-call, only the person whose name is on the order can pick them up. No will-call name changes will be allowed. We reserve the right to investigate all orders suspected to be in violation of this policy. We are the final authority on the interpretation of the rules in this policy.

If you have any questions with regard to tickets please send an email to the ICON ticketing customer service at madonnatix@musictoday.com.

ICON, The Official Madonna Fan Club"

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re-Invention tour TV advert to download

A 30-second TV advert that has been airing in the US advertising the re-Invention tour is now available to download. Click on the following banner:

According to other sources all the songs featured in this ad are already in the set list.
Special Thanks to Madonnalicious.com

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Madonna Tour to Mine Catalog of Hits

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Producers of Madonna's upcoming tour believe that a focus on her classic material, even if it is "reinvented," should be worth the $300 top-end ticket price to her fans.

The re-Invention tour will consist primarily of North American arena stops. An international leg includes 12 dates in Europe -- a concert at Slane Castle in Dublin is one of them -- and shows in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The trek begins May 24 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. There will be no supporting acts, and the set list will tilt toward a career retrospective, according to Arthur Fogel. He is touring division president for worldwide promoter Clear Channel Entertainment and is overseeing the tour.

The ticket price puts Madonna in the upper tier of touring artists, a status her handlers believe she has earned.

"I am not expecting sticker shock -- Madonna is one of the few artists who gives a performance worthy of every cent spent," says her manager, Caresse Henry. "I am basing ticket prices on the going rate and knowing the show she is preparing to give."

Fogel adds, "Madonna is a unique and major-league act. Whenever she works, it's a true event, and I don't see it being any different this time."

Cher has toured extensively during the past two years, Bette Midler has been out, Britney Spears is currently on the road and Janet Jackson has tentative plans to tour this fall. But even if the marketplace is jostling with iconic diva types, Madonna tends to rise above the competition, according to Fogel.

"She has a way of captivating the marketplace," Fogel says. "Any time Madonna tours, it has been hugely successful."

In 2001, Madonna grossed $75 million from 47 sellouts on her Drowned World tour, according to Billboard Boxscore. CCE also produced that tour, which focused far more on material from then-current release "Music" than the artist's hit catalog. Its ticket prices topped out at $250.

This time around, fans apparently can expect a degree of familiarity -- good news when the ticket range is $45-$300.

Some fans complained during the previous tour that Madonna didn't perform enough of her classic hits, a fact not lost on the artist.

"That was one of the major complaints, and thus came to the conclusion that it was time to perform more of her entire repertoire," Henry says.

John Page, senior VP for Comcast-Spectacor, operator of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, does not expect any price resistance to his July 4 Madonna show.

And because the Republican National Convention will be occupying New York arena Madison Square Garden in July, the Philly show's draw should expand into New York and central New Jersey, Page believes.

"Based on the business we did two years ago with Madonna, we anticipate adding a date," Page says. "From what we've seen, people aren't really resistant to as long as there are only a few of them. People like U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones have shown that it's really about what the market will bear."

VIP packages, offered through a partnership between Music Today and Signatures Network, include exclusive merchandise, laminates and private entrance to venues. They will cost about $700.

Production elements are still being determined. "The show will be filled with many musical surprises in terms of the performances. This show will not be as theatrical as the last tour; I like to refer to it as a brilliant performance show," says Henry. "Extravagant, yes, but more in line with how shows used to be and scaled back but filled with plenty of eye candy."

Reuters/Billboard

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Madonna Sold Out In The UK

Not a complete surprise but Madonna’s first Uk date on her Re-Invention Tour sold out within minutes yesterday morning.

250,000 hopefuls were still waiting on the phone lines when the last ticket sold for her August 18 date at London’s Earls Court. Madge immediately announced a second date – August 19 – but those were snapped up too.

Three years ago she played six sold-out nights at Earls Court on her Drowned World Tour.

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Caresse Henry Speaks About Ticket Prices

NASHVILLE (Billboard) - Producers of Madonna's upcoming tour believe that a focus on her classic material, even if it is "reinvented," should be worth the $300 top-end ticket price to her fans.

The re-Invention tour will consist primarily of North American arena stops. An international leg includes 12 dates in Europe, a concert at Slane Castle in Dublin is one of them, and shows in Tel Aviv, Israel.

The trek begins May 24 at the Forum in Inglewood, Calif. There will be no supporting acts, and the set list will tilt toward a career retrospective, according to Arthur Fogel. He is touring division president for worldwide promoter Clear Channel Entertainment and is overseeing the tour.

The ticket price puts Madonna in the upper tier of touring artists, a status her handlers believe she has earned.

"I am not expecting sticker shock, Madonna is one of the few artists who gives a performance worthy of every cent spent," says her manager, Caresse Henry.
"I am basing ticket prices on the going rate and knowing the show she is preparing to give."

Fogel adds, "Madonna is a unique and major-league act. Whenever she works, it's a true event, and I don't see it being any different this time."

Cher has toured extensively during the past two years, Bette Midler has been out, Britney Spears is currently on the road and Janet Jackson has tentative plans to tour this fall. But even if the marketplace is jostling with iconic diva types, Madonna tends to rise above the competition, according to Fogel.

"She has a way of captivating the marketplace," Fogel says. "Any time Madonna tours, it has been hugely successful."

In 2001, Madonna grossed $75 million from 47 sellouts on her Drowned World tour, according to Billboard Boxscore. CCE also produced that tour, which focused far more on material from then-current release "Music" than the artist's hit catalog. Its ticket prices topped out at $250.

This time around, fans apparently can expect a degree of familiarity, good news when the ticket range is $45-$300.

Some fans complained during the previous tour that Madonna didn't perform enough of her classic hits, a fact not lost on the artist.

"That was one of the major complaints, and thus came to the conclusion that it was time to perform more of her entire repertoire," Henry says.

John Page, senior VP for Comcast-Spectacor, operator of the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia, does not expect any price resistance to his July 4 Madonna show.

And because the Republican National Convention will be occupying New York arena Madison Square Garden in July, the Philly show's draw should expand into New York and central New Jersey, Page believes.

"Based on the business we did two years ago with Madonna, we anticipate adding a date," Page says. "From what we've seen, people aren't really resistant to as long as there are only a few of them. People like U2, Paul McCartney and the Rolling Stones have shown that it's really about what the market will bear."

VIP packages, offered through a partnership between Music Today and Signatures Network, include exclusive merchandise, laminates and private entrance to venues. They will cost about $700.

Production elements are still being determined. "The show will be filled with many musical surprises in terms of the performances. This show will not be as theatrical as the last tour; I like to refer to it as a brilliant performance show," says Henry. "Extravagant, yes, but more in line with how shows used to be and scaled back but filled with plenty of eye candy."

Source: Reuters/Billboard

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Madonna Hits The Road On The Re-Invention

From Madonna.com

March 22nd London / Paris – For immediate release.

"I'm happy to confirm the rumors. Madonna will be going out on tour this spring and summer," announced the star's long time manager, Caresse Henry. Clear Channel Entertainment is the promoter of Madonna's worldwide tour, which begins in Los Angeles on May 24th.
The tour will sweep across major markets in the US including Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta and Miami and then continue with stops in London, Paris and proposed visits to Israel and Ireland.

According to Ms. Henry, "Madonna has already started rehearsals for 'The re-Invention Tour' and she can't wait to get back on stage to recreate her songs from the earliest days of her career up until the present. There is no doubt that this tour will be the pinnacle of her long standing and well deserved reputation as one of the most exciting live performers of our time. And as a special treat to her fans, existing Icon fan club members will have access to tickets prior to the on-sale dates in local markets."

The Material Girl, a Warner Bros./Maverick recording artist, represented by Creative Artists Agency, is a five-time Grammy® winner, a multi MTV Award winner and has sold over 250 million albums during the span of her extraordinary two decade career. In addition, she has had more Top Ten singles than any female artist in history and second only to Elvis Presley.

The current shows in London and Paris were announced this morning:

August l8 London Earls Court
Sept. 1 Paris Bercy

North American Tour Dates to Be Announced

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News Before The Official Tour Announcement

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More Tour Themes and Some Songs

Unlike what we have heard previously, Madonna's new tour is not a straightforward journey through time BUT a journey through her life and her spiritual and personal growth through Kabbalah.
Bedtime Story begins the show in a dark-broody atmosphere, portraying Madonna caught up in a decadent dream world....the superstar trying to discover who she really is. As the songs progress, Madonna is coming out of this crazy dream world, back to reality.

Inside sources at yesterday's tour rehearsals claim that these songs were rehearsed: Bedtime Story, Skin, Justify My Love, Hollywood, Live to Tell, Nothing Really Matters, Borderline, Vogue and Take A Bow - though not all of these songs may make the final set-list.

Source: madonnalicious.com

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Tentative Opening Number (Not Official Yet)

In an attempt to play the older hits, Madonna and her musical director are giving the old songs a face lift, with new arrangements, some are getting the electronica treatment, while others are going slightly acoustic. They're trying to mix it up and give a fresh edge to old songs. Madonna simply does not want to perform them as they were originally recorded.

Madonna had to fight to get Jamie King to be creative director of this tour, some people around Madonna were initially unhappy with her choice as they wanted her to go in a completely different creative direction.

The opening number at the present time is Bedtime Story

Source: madonnalicious.com

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More Rehearsals Details & Songs Confirmed

On some days tour rehearsals have been going on for up to 16 hours.

A lot of song medleys are being tested, this will provide Madonna with a way to present many older songs.

Like A Prayer and Vogue are definitely on the set-list for the tour.

Reports that Madonna's creative directors have consulted with the creative team of Cirque De Soleil is false, as is the rumour that Madonna is using animals on stage.

Source: madonnalicious.com

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Madonna Hires Wedding Bagpiper For Tour

Superstar MADONNA has hired the Scottish bagpiper who performed at her 2000 wedding to GUY RITCHIE to join the band for her forthcoming world tour.

CALUM 'SPUD' FRASER played the pipes at Madonna and Ritchie's marriage and their son ROCCO's christening at DORNOCH CATHEDRAL in Sutherland over three years ago (DEC00).

Fraser was spotted by the MATERIAL GIRL, as she arrived at INVERNESS AIRPORT prior to her wedding ceremony, and found the musician playing LIKE A VIRGIN on his bagpipes in the arrivals hall.

Madonna is currently rehearsing in California for her WHORE OF BABYLON WORLD TOUR, which is scheduled to begin in June (04) in San Francisco and will include 32 dates in the U.S. and 15 European gigs.

Fraser, 37, enthuses, "I'm absolutely overwhelmed, I just can't take it in yet. When I got this email from Madonna's agent I thought it was a wind-up.

"But when I rang the number I was talking to this girl in Long Beach, California. She asked if could I do it and I said: 'Yes, why not'.

"It will be the experience of a lifetime but I'm well up for it. It's a bit of a sore point with my fiancee as Madonna is one of the most famous women in the world but she's behind me 100 per cent.

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London Already Confirmed

Ms. Madge will be announcing some London concerts next week. One at Earls Court and initially 2 at Wembley although this will be upped to 4 due to the public demand. It will be a greatest hits tour (well it ain't going to sell on the back of the last album.) Thinking it might be good fun? Get your hands in your pockets for a measly £150 a ticket at Wembley, all seats except £175 at the front and £75 restricted view. Bringing in a cool £2 mil for the gigs. Top prizes for any A-listers on the board who can wangle comps - they are non-existent.

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Rehearsal Troubles

Queen of Pop MADONNA is finding rehearsals for her upcoming world tour hard going - she keeps making mistakes.

The MATERIAL GIRL singer has spent the last few weeks recruiting dancers for the musical extravaganza, and is now perfecting her own moves.

But Madonna, 45 - who is rehearsing at Los Angeles' CULVER CITY STUDIOS - is called upon to play guitar and sing acoustically on track CRAZY FOR YOU, and can't seem to remember which strings to pluck.

Sources say the JUSTIFY MY LOVE star has turned the air blue while trying to get the solo right.

 

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Ireland Already in Tour Itinerary

Superstar MADONNA is to make her Irish concert debut at the famous rock venue SLANE CASTLE.

The singer has scheduled one of her forthcoming world tour dates to play in front of 100,000 fans at Slane Castle in County Meath.

Madonna has agreed to sing at the legendary home of rock on the banks of the River Boyne. Past acts who have performed at the concert include U2 and the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS.

A musician on the tour says, "We've all been told we'll definitely be playing Slane as part of this tour which is very exciting.

"We're use to playing in front of thousands of people, but performing in front of over 90,000 fans at a place with as much musical history as Slane is something special.

"M's really looking forward to playing in Ireland at long last."

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Madonna To Perform in Israel

JERUSALEM (AFP) - US pop idol Madonna is to perform in Israel this summer as part of her first world tour in four years, it was reported.

According to an Israeli radio report late Tuesday, Madonna has set her eye on a remote venue called Solomon's Pillars in the southern Arava desert, just outside the Red Sea resort of Eilat.

Although she herself is not Jewish, the American pop diva has contributed to the growing mainstream popularity of Jewish mysticism through her spiritual flirtations with the Kabbalah, an age-old spiritual tradition.

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Rumoured Tour Theme

A journey through time is the rumored theme of Madonna's latest extravaganza of a tour. Madonna will kick off the journey in the roaring 1920's all the way through the present, performing Madonna classics of the 80's up through the present.

Fans will be thrilled to hear that Like a Virgin is indeed part of the setlist; the decade that it will represent is yet unknown, but be well aware that it will be like nothing you have ever experienced. Madonna's musical collaborators on the tour are Pat Leonard and Joe Henry. If you recall, Madonna spoke earlier in 2003 about a musical she was writing.

Well, this tour is rumored to be losely based on that very musical. Tour dates are yet unconfirmed but look for a similar schedule as The Drowned World Tour with more European dates.

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Tour Concept Speculation

Madonna's next tour concept won't be as heavy or as dark as the previous. She's pulling out Lucky Star, Live to Tell, Like a Prayer, and Into the Groove to see how they fit into the show, which is basically a trip through time.

Different eras will be visited from the early 20's jazz clubs to the trashed out clubs of the 80's. Patrick Leonard and Joe Henry are on-board, musically. And the man behind her last tour's choreagraphy, is back also(i forget his name...). Montreal and Toronto are on the itinerary, but deals are still being worked out. She's confirmed for Toronto, San Francisco, Scotland, Israel and Italy.

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Australia Concerned About Tour

Madonna is set to announce a world tour. But Australia does not figure in her plans. Yet.

Local promoters are quietly confident Madonna will visit, with an arena show, later this year.

A spokeswoman for the Frontier Touring Company, which toured Madonna in 1992, said the performer has not yet offered Australian dates.

"Needless to say, we are not even at the bidding stage," the spokeswoman said.

Madonna will open her tour, rehearsing under the working title Whore of Babylon, in San Francisco on June 1.

She will play shows in 32 US cities, 15 European centres and four dates in Israel.

This week, Madonna put out word on the streets for dancers. She will hold auditions in New York and Los Angeles.

"Choreography will be unpredictable: anything goes," her advertisement said. "Looking to see anything from acrobatics, breaking, popping, locking, to ballet, reeling, riverdancing and tango.

Madonna's last visit to Melbourne was three sellout nights in 1993 for her Girlie Show at the MCG.

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L.A. Auditions

Los Angeles auditions have been announced for Madonna Project to be defined. Director is Jamie King. Professional pay.

Performance commitment is from March through September with travel in the United States and in Europe. Must have valid work visa, current passport and social security number. Be aware that you will need proper photo identification to travel in Europe (current passport).

Must be available beginning March 8 through September 15, no exceptions. All persons auditioning must sign a Talent Release and present government-issued photo ID (e.g., driver's license or passport). All persons under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who also must present government issued photo ID and sign the Talent Release. Caretakers, nannies, babysitters, etc. are not legal guardians. Dancers must be willing to cut or change hair drastically.

Number of dancers to be hired to be defined. Please bring 2 pictures & resumes to audition. Looking for individuals. Strong & versatile dancers. Choreography will be unpredictable...anything goes! Dancers should be prepared with everything from knee pads to different shoes...costume changes optional! Should be comfortable doing most any style of choreography in whatever they choose to wear while still showing their unique personality. Dancers will be asked to showcase their own freestyle in addition to learning the choreography (Looking to see anything from acrobatics, breaking, popping, locking to ballet, reeling, riverdancing & tango).

Audition date is: Wed, Feb 25, 2004

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Madonna Books Same Rehearsal Studio

Sources say that Madonna has apparently already booked the same rehearsal studio facilities of Culver City, Los Angeles, the same studios she used back in 2001 to put together her Drowned World Tour.

Source: Madonna Tribe

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Madonna Prepares For World Tour

Pop superstar MADONNA is preparing to launch a new international world tour - and she's searching for dancers to join her.

The MUSIC singer, 45, has hinted for months that she would hit the road to support her album AMERICAN LIFE, and now the trek is slated for a May (04) start.

Madonna is looking for "strong and versatile" dancers in the New York area, according to a notice on the dancing trade website ANSWERS4DANCERS.COM.

Though the number of people to be hired remains to be determined, tour director JAMIE KING is interested in seeing a variety of styles, as dancers will be asked to showcase their own freestyle moves as well as learn choreography on the spot.

The ad reads, "Looking to see anything from acrobatics, breaking, popping, locking to ballet, reeling, riverdancing and tango. Choreography will be unpredictable ... anything goes!"

But there is a catch - the chosen dancers should be willing to "cut or change hair drastically" for the job.

Auditions will be held in New York City on Saturday (21FEB04), with rehearsals beginning in March (04) in Los Angeles.

MADONNA may be setting off on a world tour in May.

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And You Can Dance

An advert placed on a dancing website, asking dancers to come to open auditions for the tour, revealed the singer's plans to promote her current album 'American Life'.

The advert on answersfordancers@.com reads: "Looking for individuals, strong & versatile dancers. Choreography will be unpredictable...anything goes! Dancers should be prepared with everything from kneepads to different shoes...costume changes optional!

"Should be comfortable doing most any style of choreography in whatever they choose to wear while still showing their unique personality. Dancers will be asked to showcase their own freestyle in addition to learning the choreography (Looking to see anything from acrobatics, breaking, popping, locking to ballet, reeling, river dancing & tango).

"Dancers MUST be willing to cut or change hair drastically. Rehearsals begin in March in Los Angeles, tour begins in May."