The MDNA Tour

Madonna had some explaining to do to her St. Louis fans Thursday night when she brought her MDNA Tour to a sold-out Scottrade Center. After performing a percussion-fueled Open Your Heart that ended with a break-dance spotlight with her son Rocco, she acknowledged that it was the first time she had brought one of her extravaganzas to town.

It only took 25 years, but the Twin Cities finally got its third date with Madonna.

Madonna is considered a living legend, a cultural icon and one of the best performers of her time. She is one of the most influential artists in the history of American music, and last night at the Scottrade Center we found out why: hard work and natural charisma.

50 year old women in lace seemed to be the rule rather than the exception upon entering Scottrade Center on Thursday night for the long sold out Madonna engagement and her first ever St. Louis show. The queen of over the top pageantry and a special brand of provocateur brought her MDNA world tour to town for a night heavy on new cuts as well as some Madonna classics thrown in for good measure.

Finally, after 29 long, agonizing years pop icon Madonna performed a concert in St. Louis, Missouri. Well, only 27 if you count from her first National or World tour in 1985. Either way, the bottom line is that St. Louis has been hungry for some Madonna. On Thursday night, the wait was over as the most successful female performer in music history played to a packed Scottrade Center and amazed many who witnessed the spectacle firsthand.

Gerrick D. Kennedy of the L.A. Times recently broke down Madonna’s MDNA Tour by the numbers. Among his findings: 89 shows in 28 countries (18 — including the show in KC — are places where Madonna has never performed), 90 speakers hung on stage, 700 pieces of wardrobe required for all of the onstage performers, 374 tons of pure stage, and even 16 different kinds of salad dressing required by the crew from craft services. This is some high-maintenance shit.

Halfway through her two-hour show at the Sprint Center on Tuesday, Madonna acknowledged the raucous response she’d received from the crowd that nearly filled the place. And in so many words (including a couple that can’t be printed here), she apologized. To paraphrase: This is the first time I’ve been in Kansas City. What took me so long?

“There’s only one queen, and that’s Madonna.” So declares Nicki Minaj, closing her verse on I Don’t Give A, off the Material Girl’s dozenth studio album MDNA.

Madonna rocked Dallas Sunday night when she performed to a sold-out house at the American Airlines Center. While on stage Madonna apologized for Saturday’s cancelled show, promising to sing her heart out that night to make up for the previous night, and that she did. Madonna was one of the very few performers that I have never seen, so I was excited about the show. But, little did I know how awesome that the night was going to be.